Proteus Controller: New customisable Xbox gamepad for gamers with disabilities
The days when you needed ten fingers to play games are fortunately over. The Proteus controller expands the range of customisable gaming controllers.
On World Accessibility Day, Microsoft has unveiled a new Xbox controller. The gamepad from manufacturer Byowave can be customised in a variety of ways if two hands with five fingers are not available
Over 100 possible configurations
The Proteus controller consists of small cubes that can be connected together. They also offer space for interchangeable inserts, including buttons (fields), control pads or analogue sticks. In total, there are over 100 possible configurations and LED lighting variants.
Source: Byowave
The Proteus Controller can be freely assembled not only on the hardware side. The assignment of the individual buttons can be customised. There is a companion app for this and other settings.
At launch, the Proteus only works for the Xbox Series X and S, the Xbox One and Windows 10 and 11. However, the manufacturer would be open to working with Sony and Nintendo so that the controller can also be used on the Playstation and Switch.
Source: Byowave
With a right and left end piece each, the individual parts of the Proteus can also be assembled in the form of a classic gamepad.
Update for Adaptive Controller
The controller is one of several announcements made by Microsoft as part of World Accessibility Day. The company's own Adaptive Controller will receive a software update in a few months. Each USB port will then support up to 12 buttons, a second stick or a Hat Switch.
There are new filters under "My games & apps". For example, you can display all games for which the menus can be read aloud. For "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III" and "Candy Crush Soda Saga", Microsoft is introducing new settings to make the games more accessible.
Price and availability
The Proteus Controller will be available in autumn 2024 and cost 299 dollars. It can currently only be pre-ordered directly from the manufacturer - with a 15 per cent discount. The Proteus comes with a USB-C charging cable and a Bluetooth dongle.
Source: Byowave
As a primary school pupil, I used to sit in a friend's living room with many of my classmates to play the Super NES. Now I get my hands on the latest technology and test it for you. In recent years at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, now at Digitec and Galaxus.