Expert insight: Third-party Xbox controller ban could leave disabled gamers excluded

While the Xbox Adaptive Controller may work for many disabled gamers, that does not make it a universal solution. (Wikimedia Commons) Discussions about accessibility and social exclusion often don't consider accessible forms of leisure and gaming When it comes to accessibility in gaming, Microsoft takes two steps forward with the Xbox Adaptive Controller, but a giant leap back with its ban on third-party devices. On Oct. 31, some Xbox players began receiving a new error code on their Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S consoles. The error code meant that players were using an unauthorized third-party controller - one not made by Microsoft or an official hardware partner. Players were given two weeks' notice until the unauthorized controller would no longer work with their consoles. Essentially, Microsoft had quietly banned the use of controllers not made or approved by the company.