In 2018, the Microsoft launched the Xbox Adaptive Controller, a highly configurable joystick to bring accessibility to gamers with disabilities. However, the product elected by Time as one of the greatest inventions of that year, just didn’t get off the ground.
In an interview for the The VergeRobin Seiler, one of Microsoft’s vice presidents, revealed that the project would be cut from the budget – and it was a “foot tap” from the Xbox and Surface teams that saved the development of the controller, one of the main pieces of accessibility in the gamer universe.
Xbox Adaptive Controller: From Hackathon to Stores
According to Seiler, the “rebel” teams argued that the project could not be cut from the budget because it was really important to the world.” For them, the Xbox Adaptive Controller wasn’t about revenue or brand positioning, but about “people being able to play if they wanted to”.
And the speech is not only pretty on paper: there are adapted joysticks, but a console manufacturer developing the product together with the PCD community should force the competition to do the same.
The idea for the Xbox Adaptive Controller came about in 2015 during a hackathon among Microsoft employees. The inspiration came after a company employee saw the adapted control made by Warfighter Engageda non-profit organization that provides gaming devices to veterans.
After the project was accepted, employees from different divisions and cities, even from the manufacturing team in China, came together to develop the Xbox Adaptive Controller.
The Xbox Adaptive Controller allows the installation of various accessories to allow the gamer to configure the device in the way that suits him best. In addition, it can be fitted to various supports. In the first video, one of the players, Jonah, uses a button tied to his body and another on a support on the side of his head.
The Xbox Adaptive Controller can also be used on PC and paired with another controller. The device can be found for R$ 799.99 in some stores, 200 Reais cheaper than its launch price.
With information: The Verge
https://tecnoblog.net/noticias/2022/10/26/microsoft-pensou-em-cancelar-o-xbox-adaptative-controller/