Gaming has long been part of military culture. Service members play in barracks, aboard ships, during deployments, and after long workdays. That connection can continue long after military service, but an injury or disability may make a traditional controller difficult or impossible to use.
Adaptive gaming technology is helping more disabled Veterans continue playing. Specialized controllers, external switches, custom mounts, and accessibility settings can be arranged around a player’s range of movement instead of requiring them to use a traditional controller.
A Veteran with limited hand movement might use larger buttons placed within easy reach. Another player may use a joystick mounted to a wheelchair, while someone with the use of one hand can move commands to controls that are easier to reach.
Controllers built around the player
Microsoft’s Xbox Adaptive Controller is one of the best-known accessibility-focused gaming devices. Designed primarily for players with limited mobility, it acts as a hub for external switches, buttons, joysticks, and other assistive devices.
Microsoft also offers the Xbox Adaptive Joystick, a configurable wired controller designed for players with limited mobility. It can be incorporated into an Adaptive Controller setup or used with other Xbox controllers.
The joystick can be positioned in different ways and supports customizable button assignments. That flexibility can help players who need a control placed closer to a hand, foot, chin, or another comfortable position.
More accessibility-friendly options
Sony’s Access controller for PS5 provides another option. Players can change button caps, adjust the control stick, customize button assignments, and position the controller in any 360-degree orientation. It can rest on a flat surface or wheelchair tray and can also attach to a compatible mount.
Up to two Access controllers can work together as one virtual controller. Players can also combine them with a DualSense or DualSense Edge controller when additional controls are needed.
The Logitech G Adaptive Gaming Kit adds external buttons and triggers to the PS5 Access controller. The controls can be arranged on a rigid game board or positioned elsewhere to match the player’s needs.
Another option is the 8BitDo Lite SE for Xbox. The controller was designed for players with limited mobility and places its buttons on the front rather than requiring players to reach triggers on the back. It also has lower-resistance buttons, sensitive joysticks, and two large programmable Super Buttons.
Accessibility goes beyond the controller
Hardware is only part of accessible gaming. Consoles and individual games now include settings that can help players with physical, visual, and hearing disabilities.
Options can include customizable button assignments, larger subtitles, screen readers, high-contrast displays, color adjustments, chat transcription, and alternatives to repeatedly pressing or holding a button.
PlayStation also uses Accessibility Tags on PlayStation Store to show which accessibility features are supported in participating PS5 games. That information can help players determine whether a game has the settings they need before they start playing.
Adaptive gaming and Veterans
VA and Microsoft partnered in 2019 to introduce Xbox Adaptive Controllers and other gaming equipment at 22 VA medical centers. The program was designed to reach Veterans with spinal cord injuries, amputations, neurological injuries, and other mobility limitations. VA said the equipment could support therapeutic and rehabilitative activities along with social and recreational participation.
Rehabilitation is only one reason adaptive gaming matters. A Veteran may want to compete online, reconnect with former shipmates or squad members, or simply play a game with family. Adaptive controllers and accessibility features are helping remove the barriers that once could have made those experiences difficult or impossible.
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