As part of the company's recognition of Global Accessibility Awareness day, Microsoft has announced a number of accessibility updates for Xbox and PC gamers, including a preorder release announcement for the ByoWave Proteus modular controller, a modular "snap and play" peripheral designed for gamers with disabilities created as part of the Designed for Xbox program.
The controller offers both PC and Xbox support, and has been designed to allow gamers the ability to snap together its various components in "over 100 million traditional and custom configuration and LED lighting variations". That should mean that players who have difficulty using regular gaming controllers are able to reconfigure the device into something more comfortable and easier to use than a standard gaming device.
There is a slight drawback, however, and that's the price. While the controller is currently available for preorder at a "VIP Price" for a limited number of units at $255, its regular retail MSRP is a whopping $299, although the functionality and design on display here does seem to make it something of a unique solution for those who struggle with regular controls.
Several linkable blocks make up the body of the controller, with a selection of recognizable buttons, thumbsticks, triggers and pads that look to be configurable in all sorts of ways, with the press photos showing removable face plates, several different configurations for holding the device, and some funky LED lighting.
Microsoft is also updating its Xbox Adaptive Controller to include support for more accessories connected via the USB port. Each port now supports up to 12 buttons, a second stick, and a hat switch, and the update is planned to be rolled out to Xbox Insiders over the next few weeks.
Our test studio has been busy recently with visitors coming to our offices in Galway to test the Proteus Controller! Here are some configurations that we have been trying out with our community 😊Reserve yours now: https://t.co/RmBrP0gCSc#AdaptiveGaming #accessibleGaming pic.twitter.com/87bckaZMUNFebruary 15, 2024
Accessibility features in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 were also announced, including setting menu updates for accessibility features and a new preset that's designed to reduce the physical effort required to press multiple buttons at once.
A new Game Accessibility Workshop Toolkit has been made available to developers looking to make games more inclusive, including instructions and visual assets designed to help devs design games with accessibility in mind.
For those with disabilities these updates seem well worth a look, and as for that controller, I really wouldn't mind having a go on one myself. While it looks impressive from a design point of view, controllers designed to make gaming a more inclusive experience are a vital piece in the puzzle for wider gaming accessibility for all.
While it might be a pricey bit of kit, it's good to see lateral thinking and clever design applied in a way that might enable more players to enjoy games in comfort.
