Microsoft has has launched four new accessibility offerings to help Xbox gamers play “wherever they want, in the way that best suits them.”
The new range includes an Xbox Adaptive Joystick that can be used with the Xbox Adaptive Controller or other Xbox gamepads. The joystick is billed as a wired companion to existing controllers, designed for people with “limited mobility.”
“It includes four input buttons on the front, a standard Xbox thumbstick, and two additional buttons that mimic the bumper and trigger placement on a traditional controller,” Xbox explained in a blog post. “All of these buttons are customizable, giving you the flexibility to play the way that feels most comfortable for you.”
Elaborating on how it can be incorporated into different setups, Microsoft explained that the joystick can be controlled with one hand, mounted via tables, or used with body parts other than the hands. It can also be customized through button remapping or connected directly to a console or PC to enable menu navigation and Nexus button functionality.
The joystick is scheduled to launch “early 2025” and will be joined by other accessibility devices and accessories, including new 3D-printable files for adaptive thumbstick covers, released via Xbox Design Lab.
“We’ve heard from gamers about the need for more thumbstick toppers to customize their gameplay,” the blog reads. “We’ve partnered with community members, charities, and a hospital involved in adaptive gaming and 3D printing to design complementary 3D printable files for the adaptive thumbstick toppers with Xbox Design Lab.”
The files include designs for six adaptive toppers that allow players to change the height and width of their thumbsticks. For example, a plate-shaped topper will provide a shallow, recessed surface useful for operating thumbsticks with larger body parts. A sphere-shaped topper, meanwhile, can support alternative interactions like grips.
There are more where that came from. Microsoft has partnered with peripheral makers 8BitDo and ByoWave to introduce two new “Designed for Xbox” controllers.
The 8BitDo Lite SE 2.4G Wireless Controller was created for gamers with limited mobility and features low-resistance buttons and sensitive “Hall Effect” joysticks.
“All the buttons are conveniently accessible on the top of the controller, and it even has a non-slip silicone pad to keep it stable during gameplay,” Microsoft said. “For maximum gaming flexibility, the Lite SE can connect wirelessly with a 2.4G adapter or be wired directly to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or Windows 10 and later. It also includes two programmable Super Buttons that players can map without any additional software, and they’re fully compatible with the Xbox Adaptive Controller.”
The ByoWave Proteus controller is a modular interface with highly customizable “snap and play” parts. Users can modify the pad to suit their play style, preferences, and unique physical needs, tinkering with over 100 million different combinations. “The module mapping system makes it easy to save and switch configurations, so players can experiment with different setups seamlessly,” Microsoft added.
For more information, including launch dates and pricing, Check out Xbox Wire.