Microsoft stole the show with its Super Bowl ad about a customizable Xbox controller that lets anyone game
- Microsoft's Super Bowl ad for the Xbox Adaptive Controller, titled "We All Win," has been praised for its message of inclusivity.
- The Xbox Adaptive Controller lets players with limited mobility or physical impairments build a video game controller to suit their needs with specific accessories.
- The Xbox Adaptive Controller officially launched in September 2018 and costs $99. It can play games on Windows 10 computers and Microsoft's Xbox One.
Appropriately titled "We All Win," Microsoft's Super Bowl ad for the Xbox Adaptive Controller has been praised for its message of inclusivity, and the device is already available for the players who need the unique features the controller provides.
Microsoft's goal for the Xbox Adaptive Controller is simple - give gamers who suffer from limited mobility or other physical impairments more options to play the video games they care about. Time Magazine named the device one of the best innovations of 2018.
The Xbox development first revealed the adaptive controller during the E3 Expo in June 2018, promising a commitment to inclusivity and innovation. The creation of the Xbox Adaptive controller was guided by advice from accessibility experts and non-profit advocates including The AbleGamers Charity, The Cerebral Palsy Foundation, Craig Hospital, Special Effect and Warfighter Engaged.
Xbox Designer Chris Kujawski told Time he hopes the controller influences others in the gaming community to promote more inclusivity. The Xbox Adaptive Controller is the first product of its kind developed for a major video game console, and can also be used on Windows computers.
Players can program the large buttons on the face of the controller and connect a variety of accessories to make sure the device fits their needs. Adaptive controller accessories include headphones, additional switches and buttons, a one-handed joysticks, and mounts that can secure the controller to a player's legs or wheelchair.
The Xbox Adaptive Controller is available at Microsoft stores and Gamestop for $99, and can be used with Windows computers and Xbox One devices. More add-on accessories for the Xbox Adaptive Controller can be found on Microsoft.com.