Microsoft’s new Xbox controller is designed entirely for players with disabilities

Video games are a cherished pastime for millions around the world. They stand apart from passive mediums like books and films because of their interactivity; even watching someone play a game on Twitch isn’t the same thing as playing it yourself.

To give more people an opportunity to play those special experiences — specifically, players with mobility impairments that might hinder or prevent the use of a standard gamepad — Microsoft has developed the Xbox Adaptive Controller. It’s a device designed to pair with an array of existing peripherals to let more people with disabilities play games on Windows 10 and Xbox One. It’s not just designed to address one specific disability, but instead to be a base on which any number of adaptive options can be added on.