Oliver Haslam·

Microsoft Announces New Xbox Adaptive Controller For Special Needs Gamers

Phil Spencer, head of Xbox at Microsoft, today took the wraps off of the newest Xbox accessory to come out of the company. Dubbed the Xbox Adaptive Controller and compatible with both Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs, the controller is aimed at making gaming easier for those who may have issues using a traditional controller.

In a blog post, Microsoft said that the controller “draws inspiration from people who are often overlooked in the typical design process.”

For gamers with limited mobility, finding controller solutions to fit their individual needs has been challenging. The solutions that exist today are often expensive, hard to find, or require significant technical skill to create. A number of individuals and organizations are creating custom solutions, but it has been often difficult for them to scale when most rigs need to be so personalized.

Costing $99.99 and available via the Microsoft Store exclusively, the new Xbox Adaptive Controller is still cheaper than customized alternatives that are already available in the market and was apparently developed in conjunction with many organizations who know a thing or two about helping those who sometimes find that their specific needs are not met in the gaming world.

They included The AbleGamers Foundation, The Cerebral Palsy Foundation, Craig Hospital, SpecialEffect, and Warfighter Engaged with gamers who have limited mobility asked to help out during development of the controller.

By taking an inclusive design approach and considerations of gamers who might not be able to reach all the bumpers and triggers or hold a controller for an extended period of time, for example, we were able to design a controller that provides a way for more fans to enjoy gaming. On our journey of inclusive design, we have taken a wider view of our fans and a more inclusive approach to designing for them.

Third-party accessories will also connect to the new Xbox Adaptive Controller, allowing it to be extended and customized for additional use cases. The two large buttons on the controller’s face can also be mapped to any of the standard Xbox controller buttons via the Xbox Accessories app.

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