PlayStation boss Shawn Layden may not be too keen on allowing his platform to play with the other consoles, but it does seem like he respects them nonetheless. Speaking during his opening keynote at DICE 2019, Layden acknowledged what both of PlayStation’s competitors have brought to the table, highlighting Nintendo’s ability to return from the failure of the Wii U, and make a bestselling console with the Switch, as well as to make the Game of the Year in 2017 with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

“The best-selling console of 2018 in the U.S. was the Nintendo Switch,” Layden said (via IGN). “Nintendo took a massive risk when they brought this to the market. People thought Nintendo might one day be out of the hardware business. People would say things like ‘kids play games on mobile phones and tablets, dedicated portable gaming is dead and gone.’ But as I’ve said before: never underestimate Nintendo. All of us are better for their efforts.”

Nintendo wasn’t the only competitor Layden praised, either. He also lavished praise on Xbox for their Adaptive Controller, and how that has expanded the potential audience for video games as a medium.

“It is our responsibility to continue to broaden the tent, to continue to ensure that everyone can play, all are welcome here,” said Layden. “We must keep striving to make games more accessible, as Xbox has done with its adaptive controller, and we have had the privilege to do with our software titles.”

It’s good to see that Layden recognizes that the gaming industry is one that benefits from all the players within it, and that it is not just about Sony and PlayStation. I also hope that soon, moving forward, Sony will put its money where its mouth is, and also act on this sentiment.

Microsoft’s Xbox Adaptive Controller is without a doubt one of the best pieces of gaming related kit we have received in a very long time. A controller that actively goes out of its way to make the hobby more inclusive and accessible to everybody, even those who, because of motor disabilities, may otherwise have trouble playing games.

Unfortunately, it is also limited only to Xbox—so if you play Nintendo or PlayStation games, you’re a bit out of luck. Or so you would think, because apparently, you can get the Adaptive Controller to work with the Switch—with some wrangling.

In a video on YouTube, which you can see for yourself below, it was demonstrated how, using the Magic-NS adaptor (which allows PS4 and Xbox controllers to work on the Switch), and setting your Switch to accept wired controller inputs, you can get it to recognize the Adaptive Controller. It’s not plug and play, but it’s pretty close, and people who need to use the Adaptive Controller, and like playing on Switch, will undoubtedly appreciate this option being available.

Hopefully, however, Nintendo becomes better about having more inclusive options in its games itself in the future. I love Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!, for example, but the forced motion controls in that game make them unplayable to many who may otherwise be unable to have that level of mobility.

Microsoft has done some great things to expand the reach of gaming as a medium for everyone this year. Their Adaptive Controller, which is meant specifically to allow people with physical and motor disabilities to play games, is a wonderful invention, and is just one of many ways the company wants to get everyone playing games together.

The newest ad for the Xbox One, ahead of the upcoming Holiday season, is a reflection of that philosophy. In the spirit of the Holiday, Microsoft’s ad shows one young kid helping his friend, who has motor disabilities, play games with the help of the Adaptive Controller. It’s the sweetest thing ever, and your eyes will probably a bit watery at the very least after you watch it.

It’s the spirit of the season at its finest—everyone coming together and celebrating joy and happiness. And I am glad Microsoft has put out a product to enable games to do that for many around the world. You can see the ad for yourself below.

https://youtu.be/v70Fu2WU8-w

After initial leaks, Microsoft have gone ahead and announced the Xbox Adaptive Controller. Meant to provide accessibility to all players, especially those incapable of utilizing both hands with a standard controller, the Adaptive Controller allows for connecting different switches, buttons and joysticks. The amount of customization is fairly impressive. Check out the announcement trailer below.

Retailing for $100 when it releases later this year, the controller was designed with input from AbleGamers, SpecialEffect, Craig Hospital, the Cerebral Palsy Foundation and Warfighter Engaged. As per Engadget, the controller features a USB-C port (not micro USB since that relies on orientation) and nineteen 3.5 mm ports with each representing a standard Xbox gamepad’s button.

These ports can then be used to attach an assortment of devices like large buttons, clickers, air-powered input and much more. Furthermore, they can be changed and remapped in the middle of a game. It’s a pretty stellar effort from Microsoft and hopefully companies like Sony and Nintendo will hop on board, providing accessibility to all kinds of gamers.

To learn more about the Xbox Adaptive Controller and the stories behind it, head here.