Published , by Chris Jarrard
Published , by Chris Jarrard
It was just a few short months ago that the device codenamed “Project Z” finally saw the light of day when Microsoft officially took the wraps off the Xbox Adaptive Controller. Featuring a radical new design and making use of multiple 3.5mm input jacks that allow for external buttons, triggers, and other input switches, the XBox Adaptive Controller opens up the world of games to a player base that might otherwise be unable to enjoy. After years in development and a summer-long press tour where folks on the ground got to try the device out, the controller officially goes on sale today.
Priced at $99.99, the Xbox Adaptive Controller is a comparative bargain when matched against specialized devices that only offer a fraction of the functionality. In Microsoft’s news announcement, they explained that the device was engineered for inclusion, “The Xbox Adaptive Controller is a product that was ideated and pioneered with inclusivity at its heart. We iterated on and refined it through close partnership with gamers with limited mobility and fan feedback, as well as guidance and creativity from accessibility experts, advocates and partners such as The AbleGamers Charity, The Cerebral Palsy Foundation, Craig Hospital, Special Effect and Warfighter Engaged.”
Even the packaging for the controller reveals the amount of thought and care that went into this project. The packaging includes various access points, hinges, loops, levers, and ribbons to make the experience of opening it and getting it totally unboxed as painless as possible. The exterior of the packaging that it ships in will even feature a special loop that you can peel away to get into the main box.
Additionally, the modular nature of its 3.5mm inputs means that the Xbox Adaptive Controller is sure to be at the heart of all kinds of custom projects and applications. What began as a labor of love and inclusion also has the possibility to open new doors for game and software input.