XBOX Adaptive Joystick

Designing the Xbox Adaptive Joystick involved addressing the various needs of gamers with limited mobility. The challenge was to create an ambidextrous, single-handed joystick that could seamlessly integrate with the Xbox Adaptive Controller and other Xbox controllers. It required extensive user research and collaboration with the disability community to ensure the joystick's form factor, feature sets, and overall design were accessible and customizable. The joystick needed to be affordable, lightweight, and capable of being mounted or used with non-hand body parts, providing flexibility and comfort for diverse gaming setups.

The Xbox Adaptive Joystick is designed to provide analog input for gamers with limited mobility, offering versatile, single-handed control. It integrates seamlessly with the Xbox Adaptive Controller and other Xbox controllers, and the Xbox Accessories app allows for customizable button remapping and multiple controller profiles. The joystick can be connected directly to a console or PC and used alongside another controller with Controller Assist for full functionality. The grip is ergonomic, and the USB cable is replaceable, allowing for different lengths to be used in different situations, Lightweight and mountable, the joystick ensures accessibility and comfort for diverse gaming setups.

The Xbox Adaptive Joystick has a profound impact on gaming accessibility, building on the impact and importance of the Xbox Adaptive Controller (2018), and empowering people with disabilities to enjoy gaming with ease. Gaming is vital for people with disabilities as it offers social connection, cognitive stimulation, and emotional well-being. The joystick's design, developed in collaboration with the disability community, ensures that everyone can participate in gaming, enhancing their quality of life and promoting a sense of belonging. It also follows the design language of Xbox hardware, removing some of the visual stigma often associated with adaptive accessories.

- Compatibility: It can be connected to the Xbox Adaptive Controller or directly to an Xbox console or PC. It also supports Xbox Controller Assist (formerly Xbox Copilot) to link with another Xbox controller. - Customizable Controls: The joystick features seven buttons (four front, two back, one stick press) that can be remapped using the Xbox Accessories app. Users can create and switch between multiple controller profiles. - Designed in collaboration with the disability community: We visited hospitals who use gaming as therapy as part of the development. -Affordable and Accessible: Priced at $29.99, it is designed to be an entry-level, one-handed wired controller, promoting inclusive gaming. Price is often an unconsidered barrier to entry for gamers with disabilities, making choices to keep the cost to customers low was an important aspect of the design. - Mounting Options: The joystick includes a universal 1/4-20” threaded port for easy mounting to a tripod or wheelchair arm; critical for those with low grip strength or stamina. Weighing just over 100 grams, it's lightweight as well. - Xbox design language: Many adaptive products look like medical equipment, it was critical to make this a cool-looking controller- something you'd want to use, rather than something you have to.