Xbox Celebrates Accessibility in Gaming with New Adaptive Joystick and Continued Support for Special Olympics

At Xbox, we imagine that gaming is for everybody. Our dedication to inclusivity and accessibility drives us to create experiences that resonate with all gamers, together with these in the Gaming & Incapacity Group. This month, we’re proud to acknowledge the 425+ million gamers who make up this vibrant neighborhood. By fostering inclusive communities, enabling accessible design, and regularly investing in accessibility, we purpose to interrupt down obstacles and be certain that everybody can benefit from the magic of gaming. 

We’re thrilled to announce our continued partnership with the Special Olympics to advance inclusivity in gaming. Since 2014, Microsoft and Special Olympics have collaborated to empower athletes by means of know-how, resulting in the annual Gaming for Inclusion occasion. This 12 months Xbox was proud to host choose Special Olympics athletes in Redmond for an unimaginable occasion together with a construct problem with Minecraft Training and a Gaming for Inclusion event.  

We’re dedicated to empowering everybody to play the video games they need, with the individuals they need, wherever they need, in a approach that works for them. We’re at all times trying for methods to supply much more selections that permit gamers with disabilities to customise their gaming setups. This 12 months, Xbox is proud to spotlight new merchandise, developed in partnership with the Gaming & Incapacity neighborhood and nonprofit organizations, together with the Xbox Adaptive Joystick, complimentary 3D printable files for adaptive thumbstick toppers with Xbox Design Lab, and two Designed for Xbox controllers: ByoWave’s Proteus Controller and 8BitDo’s Lite SE 2.4G Wireless Controller. These improvements present much more accessibility choices to help gameplay and improve the gaming expertise for everybody.  

Be a part of us as we have fun the voices and views that make our neighborhood stronger and extra linked. 

Xbox Companions with Special Olympics 

Since 2014, Microsoft and Special Olympics have partnered to empower athletes by means of know-how, evolving to incorporate the annual Gaming for Inclusion occasion by Special Olympics and Xbox.  

In September, Xbox and Mojang hosted three Special Olympics athletes in Redmond for a Mojang construct problem alongside Minecraft Training Version builders. The athletes additionally toured Xbox Headquarters and met Xbox leaders, together with Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer. Special Olympics additionally held the Gaming for Inclusion event the place Special Olympics athletes and their Unified companions competed in Rocket League for an opportunity to hitch the upcoming Gaming for Inclusion Showcase.    

This Saturday, the official Xbox and Special Olympics YouTube Channels and the Official Xbox Twitch Channel will broadcast the Gaming for Inclusion Showcase, the place winners from the qualifying event will showcase their aggressive expertise in Forza Motorsport. The showcase will even function highlights from the GFI Rocket League qualifying event in addition to a recap of the Mojang construct problem.   

Tune in to the official Xbox Youtube or Twitch channel on October 5 at 10am PT to cheer on the athletes and be taught extra about Xbox’s dedication to accessibility and inclusion. Go to Special Olympics to be taught extra about their applications and discover methods to help their work. Microsoft Rewards members in some markets can even earn factors and donate them to Special Olympics to help this initiative. 

Gaming and Influence with Rewards 

Rewards members in choose nations can earn and donate factors to organizations supporting individuals in the gaming and incapacity neighborhood with Xbox. The organizations under shall be featured on console in the USA and the UK all through October: 

• SpecialEffect – SpecialEffect transforms the lives of bodily disabled individuals the world over by means of the modern use of know-how. On the coronary heart of their work is their mission to maximise enjoyable and high quality of life by serving to individuals management video video games to one of the best of their talents 

• Warfighter Engaged – Warfighter Engaged’s mission is to enhance the lives of severely wounded and disabled warfighters by means of customized tailored units. They modify online game controllers, make prosthetic enhancements, leisure and different novel units for better independence. All tailored gadgets are offered without charge to the warfighter.  

• AbleGamers – AbleGamers creates alternatives that allow play in order to fight social isolation, foster inclusive communities, and enhance the standard of life for individuals with disabilities. 

With Xbox, gamers can earn Rewards factors in varied methods, akin to taking part in video games, finishing Sport Cross Quests, and buying video games or different eligible gadgets on the Microsoft Retailer (exclusions apply). Begin incomes right now and redeem your factors for actual rewards. Be a part of us right now and donate by means of Xbox.   

Discover Video games Curated by Gaming and Incapacity Communities at Microsoft 

Rejoice the Gaming and Incapacity neighborhood by means of the facility of play! Join and play video games that let you immerse your self in a wide range of views and experiences. Throughout October and past, try video games created by and reflecting the experiences of neurodiversity and individuals with disabilities.  

Obtainable on the Microsoft Shops on Xbox and Home windows, browse the Stores Collection  year-round as a part of our ongoing work to create extra inclusive gaming ecosystems and elevate content material that resonates with communities. For Xbox Sport Cross Final members, discover the Xbox Game Pass Gaming & Disability community collection and the PC Game Pass Gaming & Disability community collection. 

Featured titles throughout the collections embody: 

• Gris (Obtainable with Xbox Sport Cross on Console, PC, and Cloud) – Journey by means of the 5 levels of grief as a woman looking for her voice. Discover an intricate world delivered to life with delicate artwork, immersive music, gentle puzzles, and challenges that symbolize overcoming trauma and melancholy. Extra of the titular character Gris’ world turns into accessible because the story unfolds, and you will note her world in a unique approach, revealing new paths and talents. The sport may be loved by anybody no matter their spoken language. 

• Photo voltaic Ash (Obtainable with Xbox Sport Cross on Console, PC, and Cloud) – Desperately attempt to save your private home by venturing right into a black gap as Rei, an agile and gifted Voidrunner. Created throughout the pandemic by Alx Preston, whose life with congenital coronary heart illness has impressed a lot of his work, Photo voltaic Ash is about in the identical colourful metaverse because the action-RPG Hyper Gentle Drifter. Photo voltaic Ash presents a unique view of the identical world with a singular 3D atmosphere and modern movement-based gameplay. Expertise a narrative crammed with summary themes of tension and grief, masked all through the gameplay with the sensation and want for urgency, management, and perfection. Select your personal problem mode, a function added to be inclusive for extra gamers.  

• The Sims 4 (Free on Xbox Console and PC) – All the time evolving, The Sims 4 has made many updates to turn into a extra inclusive recreation, aiming to symbolize extra gamers authentically. Within the recreation right now, you may create characters with wearable medical units, akin to listening to aids and glucose displays. Character customization additionally consists of illustration for vitiligo, surgical procedure scars, binders for gender affirmation, neighborhood influenced pores and skin colours and hairstyles, and customizable pronouns. 

Coming in 2025: Xbox Adaptive Joystick 

Gamers with disabilities have shared their needs for an inexpensive joystick choice to make use of alongside the Xbox Adaptive Controller and different Xbox controllers. We listened. In partnership with the Gaming & Incapacity neighborhood, we created the Xbox Adaptive Joystick. By means of years of analysis, testing and collaboration with gamers with disabilities and accessibility specialists, we designed the joystick to be versatile sufficient to satisfy the varied wants of gamers with disabilities. The joystick may be managed with one hand, mounted by way of tabletops, or used with non-hand physique elements to permit gamers to seamlessly incorporate it into their present gaming setups. Every button is customizable, and the joystick may be additional modified with the complimentary 3D printable files to 3D print adaptive thumbstick toppers  by means of Xbox Design Lab.  

The Xbox Adaptive Joystick shall be obtainable in early 2025 in choose Xbox markets worldwide for $29.99 USD ERP. To be taught extra in regards to the Xbox Adaptive Joystick and different new accessibility choices designed by and for Xbox, try our put up on Xbox Wire.   

Wallpapers and Dynamic Backgrounds 

The Gaming & Incapacity Group Xbox design is obtainable right now as an Xbox Wallpaper.  Get your wallpaper here. Content material is topic to availability by nation.