How can I get games to stop pausing automatically when the controller turns off?

I'm playing through Fable III as a good guy, so I need to amass a ton of cash. I own everything there is to own in Albion - now it's time to wait for those income payments to roll in. When my Xbox controller turns off after a period of inactivity, the game pauses and income stops coming in until I touch it again. This is not ideal.

Can I either

• Get the game or the Xbox to stop pausing when the controller goes to sleep; or
• Get the controller to stop going to sleep after a period of inactivity?

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2 Answers

Unfortunately, there isn't any way to keep the game from pausing when your controller shuts off. However, there is a way to keep the controller from turning off. Sadly, you need either a wired controller, or the Play 'n Charge Kit.

By connecting the controller via the USB port on your Xbox, it will keep the controller from powering off, allowing you to rake in the digital dough.

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If you don't want to shell out additional cash, and don't mind killing your batteries while the game runs, you can also rubber band the right analog stick around the side/rear of the controller. This will keep input flowing to the game, and keep the controller on while you're not playing.

I say the "right analog stick" because in most games this will make you look around. It's usually safe to have the camera spinning in circles while you're not actively playing the game, unlike some buttons/sticks.

I did a variation on this to get the "drive 194.7 miles" achievement in L.A. Noire. By rubber banding the throttle and the left analog stick, I managed to drive in circles in an empty field for a few hours, thereby avoiding a long and boring tour of the city.

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