New Google Chrome gaming feature will let you get the most out of your Xbox controller
Games that support impulse triggers will soon be able to provide more haptic feedback when played in Google Chrome.
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What you need to know
Google Chrome will soon support a gaming feature that improves immersion when using thebest Xbox controllersor other high-end gamepads. The Xbox Wireless Controller, the Razer Wolverine Ultimate, and other controllers with impulse triggers will be able to vibrate triggers rather than the entire controller when playing games through Chrome. The upgrade comes courtesy of an extension of the GamepadHapticActuator interface.
“This extension will allow web applications that take advantage of the Gamepad API to also vibrate the triggers of gamepad devices that come equipped with this functionality,” said Google’s documentation.
The Gamepad Haptics Extension already supports haptic feedback and vibration through a gamepad, but that feature is for the entire gamepad vibrating. The extension discussed on theChrome Platform Status page, which was spotted byWindows Report, refers to trigger rumble effects, which involves localized haptic feedback specific to the triggers of a controller.
Impulse triggers provide more specific feedback, such as allowing you to feel impact within the triggers while shooting within a game. Unfortunately, many games do not take advantage of the feature and fall back to generic controller vibrations. But when using a game that supports the feature, impulse triggers with haptic feedback increase immersion.
The Xbox Wireless Controller and theRazer Wolverine Ultimatefeature impulse triggers with localized feedback. TheGameSir G7 SE Wired Controllerdoes as well, though Google didn’t mention that controller specifically. It seems likely that any controller with impulse triggers will work with the feature and that Google just listed two of the best-known controllers with impulse triggers.
The feature that enables trigger rumble is planned to ship with Chrome version 126. Chrome version 124 is currently in the stable channel, so we shouldn’t have to wait long to enjoy haptic feedback through triggers when playing games through Chrome.
Xbox Cloud Gaming in Chrome
The most natural use case of the new feature in Chrome would be Xbox Cloud Gaming. But that would require support from both Microsoft and the Chrome browser. Since impulse trigger support hasn’t rolled out to Chrome yet, it’s not clear if Xbox Cloud Gaming will utilize the feature when playing supported titles through the browser.
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Xbox Cloud Gaminghas a library that includes hundreds of Xbox games. Those games are playable through the web, Windows PCs, Android devices, and some Samsung televisions. The number of supported devices continues to expand but the number of games available through the service is what could rise dramatically later this year. Microsoft is working on the ability to play your own digital games through Xbox Cloud Gaming.
In a conversation earlier this year, Xbox lead Phil Spencer said that Microsoft expects to launch the ability tostream your own games through Xbox Cloud Gamingthis year. That would be one of the biggest boosts to Xbox Cloud Gaming we’ve seen in a long time.
Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
