Microsoft’s new Xbox Adaptive Joystick puts accessibility at the center

Microsoft is launching a caller $29.99 Xbox Adaptive Joystick aboriginal adjacent twelvemonth that’s designed for players with constricted mobility. It’s a wired companion for existing Xbox controllers, and includes 4 buttons, an Xbox thumbstick, and 2 further buttons for bumper and trigger controls.

The Xbox Adaptive Joystick allows you to run a controller without having to usage some hands, making it perfect for immoderate players who mightiness person trouble utilizing the thumbsticks connected existing controllers. All the buttons are afloat customizable, and determination are a assortment of 3D printable thumbstick toppers to customize the sizes, heights, and width of thumbsticks.

“From precise aboriginal connected with the adaptive joystick, we had disablement assemblage beryllium hands-on with aboriginal designs and functional prototypes,” explains Kaitlyn Jones, elder accessibility merchandise manager astatine Xbox, during a gamescom stream. “Even from a bundle perspective, we’ve truly heard from our players that they’ve wanted an affordable joystick for their adaptive controller, but besides thing that fits successful seamlessly with their existing setup.”

You tin link the Xbox Adaptive Joystick to Microsoft’s Adaptive Controller for a afloat adaptive setup, oregon you tin plug it straight into a PC oregon Xbox. It tin adjacent beryllium mounted, acknowledgment to a threaded insert similar you’d find connected a camera tripod. 

Community feedback played a large relation successful shaping this hardware. Microsoft visited a infirmary successful Seattle with a container of prototypes for 1 peculiar feedback session. “We got feedback connected the grip size, shape, the fig of buttons, and wherever the buttons are located,” says Chris Kujawski, rule decorator astatine Xbox. 

Alongside Microsoft’s ain Xbox Adaptive Joystick, the institution has besides revealed a caller $59.99 Lite SE controller from 8BitDo that’s besides designed for gamers with constricted mobility. It has low-resistance buttons and hallway effect joysticks, and each the bottons are accessible astatine the apical of the controller.

Microsoft has besides built a caller toggle clasp diagnostic for Xbox controllers that’s disposable to trial for Xbox Insiders today. “This caller diagnostic is intended to assistance marque utilizing a controller adjacent easier and supports players who person trouble holding prolonged fastener presses,” says Microsoft’s gaming accessibility team. “Similar to sticky keys connected a computer, delegate immoderate fastener oregon larboard connected the Xbox Adaptive Controller, Xbox Adaptive Joystick, oregon Xbox Elite Series 2 controller to enactment pressed until pressing again to release.”

The Xbox Adaptive Joystick besides comes with improved packaging that’s akin to what Microsoft did with its previous Xbox Adaptive Controller. Microsoft is besides improving the accessibility of the packaging for its 3 caller Xbox Series S / X console options that are launching successful October.

The Xbox Adaptive Joystick volition motorboat successful aboriginal 2025 successful prime Xbox markets worldwide and volition beryllium sold exclusively done the Microsoft Store, priced astatine $29.99.