Microsoft Helps War Veterans Play Again With Xbox Adaptive Controller

Xbox Adaptive Controller is a Microsoft that started as two hackathon projects after they got the idea of a veteran with limited mobility. Designed for players with limited conditions, the controller features two large programmable buttons and 19 jacks that can be connected to a variety of accessories to make Xbox and PC gaming more accessible to a wide range of players. Currently, Microsoft is partnering with the US Department of Veterans Affairs to provide 22 rehab centers with Xbox adaptive controllers and enable veterans with limited mobility to play games again.

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The controllers are said to also be used in therapy and rehabilitation activities for veterans, and they are designed to improve things like hand-eye coordination, muscle activation, and general social activity.

“We thought this was the right thing to do,” explained Microsoft’s head of games Phil Spencer in an interview with The Verge. “There are scenarios that bring people from all corners of the planet, of different abilities, of different genders, of different races, of different socioeconomic scenarios, and we believe in the power of that game.

Spencer sees the Adaptive Controller as a starting point for more accessibility work from Microsoft to improve the game. “Getting more people to play like everyone else is a good first step,” Spencer said. “But, you will definitely see us doing more in this space.”

Spencer also hopes that the Xbox Adaptive Controller will work on a variety of platforms, some even hacking into consoles like the Nintendo Switch.

“Our conversations with other platforms about support for Adaptive Controllers have been positive,” said Spencer. “We’ve spoken to Valve about it, we’ve spoken to Nintendo about it, we’ve spoken to Sony about it. It’s not something where I feel like we have to break down some walls. My hope is the timing is right. “

For now, Microsoft wants to get a better understanding of how well its Adaptive Controller is working for veterans and improve it for the future. “We want to get feedback on how it works, in the marketplace,” explains Spencer. “We do a lot of investigation while we’re building it, user research and an upcoming team every month. It’s more about us improving the platform and getting feedback. ”

To make this happen, Microsoft is currently working with various occupational therapy groups, but working directly with veterans makes more sense. Veterans will also be able to use the controller for sporting events such as the National Wheelchair Games Veterans. Microsoft hopes that with Microsoft’s encouragement here it will convince other companies to do the same and level the playing field for the billions of people around the world who suffer from some form of disability.

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