SpecialEffect collaborate in development of new Xbox Adaptive Controller

Gamers’ charity SpecialEffect are proud to confirm their involvement in the design and testing of Microsoft’s Xbox Adaptive Controller, a customisable Xbox Wireless Controller designed primarily for gamers with limited mobility. The controller features large programmable buttons and connects to external devices such as switches, buttons, joysticks, and mounts, to help make gaming more accessible for everyone.

"This has been a milestone collaboration for us,” said SpecialEffect Founder and CEO Dr Mick Donegan. “Our experience in helping people with complex physical disabilities to access video games has enabled us to provide not only very relevant advice about features and design, but also direct feedback from a user-centred perspective. Microsoft have a competitively-priced product here that has massive potential to help many more people globally to enjoy the magic of video games."

The charity were one of several accessibility non-profits and special interest groups asked by Microsoft to be in involved in the planning and development phases of the controller. Other organisations included The AbleGamers Foundation, The Cerebral Palsy Foundation, SpecialEffect and Warfighter Engaged. This also included a large number of gamers with accessibility needs who work with and through these organisations.

“Creating complex game control setups for people with severe disabilities takes time, care and specialist expertise,” said Dr Donegan. “With so many factors to be considered - comfort, safety, positioning, equipment selection and mounting - this first-party product provides a terrifically versatile and effective way of connecting our game setups to the console.”