Video games are a cherished pastime for millions around the world. They stand apart from passive mediums like books and films because of their interactivity; even watching someone play a game on Twitch isn't the same thing as playing it yourself.
To give more people an opportunity to play those special experiences — specifically, players with mobility impairments that might hinder or prevent the use of a standard gamepad — Microsoft has developed the
Xbox Adaptive Controller. It's a device designed to pair with an array of existing peripherals to let more people with disabilities play games on Windows 10 and Xbox One. It's not just designed to address one specific disability, but instead to be a base on which any number of adaptive options can be added on.
Gaming controllers, especially in their current form, can present a significant barrier to entry for many players. A simple fact that able-bodied people often take for granted is that two hands and several dexterous fingers are required to use one. As the medium has become more advanced over time, video game controllers have gotten increasingly complicated: An Xbox One controller offers 17 distinct button inputs, plus a pair of analog sticks.
The world of video games is not particularly welcoming to individuals with disabilities. Game makers and platform holders have made
some strides in this area in recent years, but for the most part, they've left the hard work to third-party organizations. The Xbox Adaptive Controller is the strongest, clearest expression yet of Microsoft's commitment to reaching people with disabilities, and it sprang in part out of a controller that's on the opposite end of the accessibility spectrum.
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