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Inside Microsoft's lab with the Xbox Adaptive Controller

Behind the scenes with Microsoft's mission to bring gaming to everyone

Microsoft Adaptive Controller
1 of 17 James Martin/CNET

The $99 Xbox Adaptive Controller is designed to help gamers with disabilities play games however they can. An array of 19 customizable ports lets players plug switches, buttons, pressure sensitive tubes and other gear in the base and control any function a standard controller.

Microsoft Adaptive Controller
2 of 17 James Martin/CNET

Mike Luckett, US Army Retired, Captain, left, is using the new Accessibility Controller at Microsoft's Inclusive Tech Lab at the company's Redmond, WA headquarters.

Microsoft Adaptive Controller
3 of 17 James Martin/CNET

The Adatptive Controller features 19 AUX jacks on the back which can be used to customize a player's controls.

Microsoft Adaptive Controller
4 of 17 James Martin/CNET

An array of accessories which plug into the new Adaptive Controller enable gamers to customize the controls however they like - the X button may be a foot pad, or the Y button may be a mouth-operated control.

Microsoft Adaptive Controller
5 of 17 James Martin/CNET

Here, Luckett is playing using a standard Xbox controller in conjunction with the new Adaptive Controller.

Microsoft Adaptive Controller
6 of 17 James Martin/CNET

Two of the available button accessories which can be used to customize the Adaptive Controller gaming experience.

Microsoft Adaptive Controller
7 of 17 James Martin/CNET

Mike Luckett playing Xbox using the new Adaptive Controller last week.

Microsoft Adaptive Controller
8 of 17 James Martin/CNET

"We're coming up on 2 billion people playing video games on this planet," Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft's Xbox team, said last week. "As an industry, when you start to hit that kind of impact act in terms of the broad base of people that interact with your art form, I do think we have a social responsibility."

Microsoft Adaptive Controller
9 of 17 James Martin/CNET

Prototype sketches of the Microsoft Adaptive Controller as it was being designed.

Microsoft Adaptive Controller
10 of 17 James Martin/CNET

One of many Adaptive Controller prototypes which were worked and reworked with the help of disabled gamers and healthcare professionals.

Microsoft Adaptive Controller
11 of 17 James Martin/CNET

The new Microsoft Adaptive Controller

Microsoft Adaptive Controller
12 of 17 James Martin/CNET

The new Microsoft Adaptive Controller

Microsoft Adaptive Controller
13 of 17 James Martin/CNET

The array of AUX ports on the new Microsoft Adaptive Controller used to customized the gameplay controls.

Microsoft Adaptive Controller
14 of 17 James Martin/CNET

Mike Luckett inside Microsoft's Inclusive Tech Lab.

Microsoft Adaptive Controller
15 of 17 James Martin/CNET

Microsoft Adaptive Controller
16 of 17 James Martin/CNET

Microsoft's Adaptive Controller undergoing quality control testing at the company's headquarters.

Microsoft Adaptive Controller
17 of 17 James Martin/CNET

Microsoft's Adaptive Controller undergoing quality control testing at the company's headquarters.

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