I believe it's in one of the E3 interviews that Phil Spencer did with Giant Bomb where he confirmed they sell it at cost and make no profit on it. You're not going to find cheaper unfortunately.
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The Xbox Adaptive controller is widely praised, but at $99.99 for base model that requires add-ons for additional prices, is it cost prohibitive?
- Thread starter aglioeoglio
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I talked about this with a friend of mine that's completely paralized waist down and partially paralyzed in arms and hands and he told me quite a while ago, way before knowing the price, that anything around 200€ would actually be cheap compared to what he had to spend before.
Of course it's expensive, because it's expensive to develop and manufacture. The question is more- what are the majority of disabled people in the West paying for it?
Obviously I know that there's basically no welfare state or funding for vulnerable people in the USA, but in Europe there is, even in the UK. As a support worker, I found that disabled people very rarely have to buy equipment outright, as there are various pots of money and charities than can supply equipment at a huge discount or even free, or they can use state Personal Independence Payments to buy equipment. The adaptive controller seems perfect for this approach, and I'm sure there are already charities equipping disabled gamers with the controller.
Obviously it would be better if governments subsidised the production of the controller so it could just have a lower RRP, but hard to see that happening at the moment, sadly.
Obviously I know that there's basically no welfare state or funding for vulnerable people in the USA, but in Europe there is, even in the UK. As a support worker, I found that disabled people very rarely have to buy equipment outright, as there are various pots of money and charities than can supply equipment at a huge discount or even free, or they can use state Personal Independence Payments to buy equipment. The adaptive controller seems perfect for this approach, and I'm sure there are already charities equipping disabled gamers with the controller.
Obviously it would be better if governments subsidised the production of the controller so it could just have a lower RRP, but hard to see that happening at the moment, sadly.
Would you not be better taking this question to a specialist forum for gamers with disabilities like r/disabledgamers or something similar?
Your angle of the XAC being cost prohibitive is the first I have seen knowing the price of comparative peripherals on the marketplace.
Your angle of the XAC being cost prohibitive is the first I have seen knowing the price of comparative peripherals on the marketplace.
I understand that it's much cheaper than other available devices, and that it required a large commitment from Microsoft on the R&D and software side, but I don't understand why such a controller would be especially expensive to physically produce. I don't think Microsoft is losing money on the actual hardware.
TBH I am slightly annoyed by this OP, insinuating that MS somehow does this for profit/positive press? (I hope I am misreading this)
The price of custom solutions is stellar. This ADC is an incredible idea, a mainstream company making an affordable, supported and adaptive solution for disabled gamers. I have two friends that use custom controllers and the prices are 500$+.
The price of custom solutions is stellar. This ADC is an incredible idea, a mainstream company making an affordable, supported and adaptive solution for disabled gamers. I have two friends that use custom controllers and the prices are 500$+.
I can't help but agree. The OP really does come off as looking for some sort of ammo for a hit piece. I'm sure it's not, but that is how it reads to me. I even pulled someone up on this very same forum who I thought was insinuating the same (MS doing it for the press)
I have been a huge advocate of the adaptive, and will bring it up as a feather in MS's hat anytime it's warranted.
If you want to see some of the thoughts of people and caregivers, may I suggest you do a rudimentary search of Xbox sub and/or YouTube.
Here is a recent post only a month ago that's only a month old (it's fresh in my memory) to help you along. It is the 2nd most upvoted post of the past 12mths
https://www.reddit.com/r/xboxone/comments/ajsd72/my_son_has_a_mild_form_of_cerebral_palsy_on_his/
If you've ever seen how much any kind of adaptation or specialist solution costs, you'll see just how insanely reasonable that is.
Take this programmable keyboard as an example.
http://www.cimis.fr/helpikeys.html
€550 euro
If you look at adaptation equipment for cars, you'll be looking at least 3 times the price of that adaptive controller for a one handed control to assist with horn/wipers and signal lights. That's before you pay a company to install it.
Take this programmable keyboard as an example.
http://www.cimis.fr/helpikeys.html
€550 euro
If you look at adaptation equipment for cars, you'll be looking at least 3 times the price of that adaptive controller for a one handed control to assist with horn/wipers and signal lights. That's before you pay a company to install it.
Microsoft put millions into the development of this product, which they'll never make a decent return on. $99 is fine - if anything, it's cheap for specialist hardware.
I think people would better realize the value of the Xbox Adaptive Controller if Microsoft went further and created some lower-cost alternatives to the add-on devices needed to really make it work. That said, as others have already mentioned, the Xbox Adaptive Controller is already less expensive than the devices it acts as a direct alternative to.
Im sure it's a decent value if you only need the base but with Microsoft charging $65 for a single add-on button and significantly more for more specialized equipment I bet it can add up fast.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/big-red-switch/8vbrh7b3xl47
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/big-red-switch/8vbrh7b3xl47
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Im sure it's a decent value if you only need the base but with Microsoft charging $65 for a single add-on button and significantly more for more specialized equipment I bet it can add up fast.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/big-red-switch/8vbrh7b3xl47
That isn't even required, you can use any push button that connects with a 3.5mm jack.
Here is an alternative from amazon, in no way affiliated with MS and not even made for the adaptive controller
$67.
https://www.amazon.com/AbleNet-Big-Red-Twist-Switch/dp/B00CQCW1YI
And another one
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001ASBNZC/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1
OP
OP
Thanks, I've seen this post and I've also made threads on that subreddit and other gaming subs related to this question. The post you linked to unfortunately doesn't have much about price listed on it and posting comments asking about it at this point won't produce many responses, considering the thread is over a month old.
One thing I would say is that it's possible for Microsoft to be selling this at cost or below cost, and for it also to be cost-prohibitive for some people. In other words, it's not necessarily that Microsoft is pursuing a profit agenda with this device, rather that the base cost for this stuff is just really high and doesn't really allow for economies of scale due to its niche nature. That probably gets into a more general discussion about the expenses of accessibility-oriented equipment and healthcare that might be out of scope here but have been mentioned several times in this thread as a reason why the controller cost is acceptable to them.
I think the take away here is that input methods for folks with motor impairments in general are prohibitively expensive. That's kind of fucked up.
Microsoft is also not making these enmasse like their other controllers and just based on R&D costs, are losing money selling these.
If I remember right buttons like are meant to be highly durable so that they don't break. Sure a big button can be cheap and cost $5 but it'll break damn quick.
You also don't have to buy them from MS, you can use any 3.5mm button. That's the point of the adaptive controller.
Compared to what these types of devices normally cost, the adaptive controller is a downright bargain.
Yeah, they need to be as durable as any game console button
Yep, look at some of the items from a company that makes these types of things to help people.
https://www.amazon.com/stores/node/...browse-bin=Ablenet&ref_=bl_dp_s_mw_3016098011
For real. All that R&D for a $99 device that they'll sell very few units of. They are guaranteed to be taking a loss on this.
It doesn't seem that expensive but people all have different circumstances. I doubt MS is marking it up.
interesting that major nelson just tweeted this:
majornelson If you're an engineer, input device maker or just like to tinker around with electronics and you're interested in making input devices for the Xbox Adaptive Controller, here are the detailed technical specifications to help you out https://t.co/8XhTmDa0SB
Link to Tweet: https://twitter.com/majornelson/status/1100810719979724800
on mobile and on the move... sorry for not properly embedding
majornelson If you're an engineer, input device maker or just like to tinker around with electronics and you're interested in making input devices for the Xbox Adaptive Controller, here are the detailed technical specifications to help you out https://t.co/8XhTmDa0SB
Link to Tweet: https://twitter.com/majornelson/status/1100810719979724800
on mobile and on the move... sorry for not properly embedding
How do either of these show that the cost doesn't add up fast?
They aren't, they are showing the relative cost of the device to other items. I posted another post which had other input devices that dwarf the cost of the main unit.
The point that he overall cost of this setup is likely to be well under what something might have cost previously
You seemed tangled up in a wad trying to argue against a point I never made using blatant hyperbole.
You were the one who pointed out "Microsoft charging $65" as if it is unique to them. I was simply clarifying that is not the only choice if cost is the issue as none of the Items are proprietary, and the other designed for purpose addons Cost a similar amount or more (as I posted)
The base controller which these plug into is super cheap compared to other devices for People with disabilities. >
Check the €550 Euro keyboard 🎹
And the $272 base unit for the buttons to plug into on the amazon link posted.
https://www.amazon.com/Ablenet-PowerLink®-4-Control-Unit/dp/B0052XTHRM?ref_=bl_dp_s_mw_3016098011
I'm not really sure what you are getting so combatative bout
Cool man all I said was that I can understand how the cost can add up to make it prohibitively expensive and gave an example of an add-on.
Sometimes products that help those with disabilities can be offset by insurance, however I don't believe insurance companies are very sympathetic toward those wanting to play video games.
My company provides prosthetics and orthotics, I wonder if we would ever provide the controller?
My company provides prosthetics and orthotics, I wonder if we would ever provide the controller?
It's not too expensive at all and Microsoft deserves praise for creating it. They spoke to a few charity's for their input and created a great universal controller which will allow a large base of disabled gamers to enjoy their favourite hobby. Of course it has a cost. When you have a good play around with one I think 100 dollars is reasonable
I get that, but In that post both Mother and Father of the child comment - you can always PM them directly and ask if they would like to be a part of your story.
Alt. You could try the various game related disability charities. I'm sure they have media units or can put you in touch with people that use the XAC - being at the 'coal face' I'm sure they would be in the unique position of explaining how the cost of the unit fairs compared to the other items required.
I think a large NA based one would be Able Gamers
https://ablegamers.org/
Being in Aus, with the product at only $120 (40% less that the Elite mind you and generally the cost of a single game) I really struggle to see how that is 'prohibitively expensive' and can only echo what others have said, that perhaps it's more of an indictment of how various states/federal bodies treat their disabled citizens.
More then it's being sold at. Microsoft literally never made money on this controller at any point in its life time.
This seems like an amazing product and good on MS for releasing it. They certainly didn't have to. I don't know what this thread is all about.
Well, it was really just the OP asking a question of what people thought about it. The response seems pretty unanimous that it's a great price for what it is. MS is being generous if anything, in my opinion.
There's another conversation to be had about the difficulties of affording *anything* when you're disabled and don't have a great support system. Many of us live on very little and have to consider the expenses of literally everything we do every day. The United States in particular can be pretty awful about it and keeps you down, from personal experience.
From what I understand the device itself is being sold at a loss or close to it, and it is designed to work with assistive technologies that the people using them will already have or have access to with relative ease. Given the expense of those more custom modules, I've heard it said that it's a bargain. I know Ben Heck tore one apart and indicated that it was being sold far cheaper than he could make something that worked similarly, even if he wasn't fond of their approach.
It's actually really inexpensive for what it is, I cannot imagine Microsoft is making any money off the sale when you factor in the R&D costs and manufacturing scale.
Specialized equipment is expensive and there is no way around the fact that it will still be expensive for people with severe disabilities to get a full kit suited for their needs, but Microsoft is making it cheaper by offering a standardized interface that supports a wide variety of components.
Specialized equipment is expensive and there is no way around the fact that it will still be expensive for people with severe disabilities to get a full kit suited for their needs, but Microsoft is making it cheaper by offering a standardized interface that supports a wide variety of components.
It's ridiculously cheap. I've worked with disabled gamers that had custom setups for them that cost over 3000$ freakin dollars. This is hardly a bad price. Yeah, there will be people who won't be able to afford it, but that's more, on you know, shit countries that don't support disabled people properly, not the ones making the controller.
I figured it probably wasnt making much of a profit but no profit pretty much ends this thread.
But with more gamers being disabled meaning they can now play more games instead of very slow and simple to control. they can play almost everything.
Which means they can buy a fuck ton more games because they can finally play them all.