STACK #179 Sept 2019

GAMES FEATURE

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MULTIPLATFORM PERIPHERALS

A guide to the gear you hold dear for one platform that may just well pair with more than just your PC. Words Nathan Lawrence

O ne of the biggest barriers of entry for PC gaming is the cost. Throw in a console or few and that gaming investment starts to stack up higher than a final-circle tower in Fortnite . Initial platform cost notwithstanding, the good news is that these days there are a number of peripherals that work on PC and console (and vice versa).

CONTROL CONSIDERATIONS The most obvious multiplatform option you may already know about is a controller. Whether it’s a first- party DualShock 4 or Xbox Elite Wireless Controller, or a third-party wired/wireless controller for your console of choice, there’s a way

Game compatibility Just because you can connect a keyboard and mouse to your console, doesn’t mean you can now run circles around your controller-wielding brethren online. Because of the input advantage of PC peripherals, their use is limited to specific games, with titles like Fortnite queuing players separately based on input device. Where supported, the chances are good that a keyboard/mouse is a better fit for solo play (if that’s your jam). A keyboard is definitely better for typing messages to that mouthy noob you just squashed.

that translates directly to PC with the right automatic driver download. Having a console-compatible controller is also the best way to stream games to your PC. If the

TV is in use and you have a hankering for the latest PS4 or XBO game, Windows 10 has a free PS4 Remote Play and Xbox Console Companion for streaming to your PC. This wired logic applies to keyboards and mice, too. The chances are good your preferred wired keyboard or mouse is compatible with XBO or PS4, with the only proviso that just because your gear is compatible, doesn’t mean the games you love support these devices. Additionally, keyboard buttons like media-playback controls will likely be little more than there for display when on console. For something more tailored, the Razer Turret for Xbox One works on PC and, as the name implies, Xbox One, offering a wireless solution that conveniently adds a mouse pad alongside a wireless mechanical keyboard.

to use it on PC. For any Bluetooth-powered controller, if your PC supports Bluetooth (and any modern PC should), it can sync with your fave Bluetooth controller. Wired is even easier as both

PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles use a USB interface

SOUND INVESTMENT What most console gaming headsets won’t tell you in bold text on the packaging is they’re also compatible with PC. This applies to high-end

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SEPTEMBER 2019

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