As news broke that Microsoft would block an unspecified array of third-party devices from Xbox consoles in late 2023, it quickly became clear the decision would disproportionately affect disabled gamers. Despite the benefit of time, the actual scope of the change remains uncertain, even as third-party devices continue to be unilaterally blocked.
“It’s certainly not an unprecedented move,” says Laura Kate Dale, an accessibility critic and consultant, “it’s basically already the case on Nintendo and PlayStation consoles, but it will undoubtedly reduce the number of options available to players.”
This was underlined when news broke that Sony had quietly blocked the Cronus Zen from connecting to PlayStation 5 consoles in a new update this week. It’s a device many disabled players use to connect more accessible input devices to their consoles, many of whom are left in limbo on both Sony and Microsoft consoles. It means that setups dependent on unlicensed devices are now rendered useless and investment wasted by unfocussed and unfair bans on anything Microsoft and Sony deem unauthorised.
“There are fifteen of them just within arm’s reach of where I’m sitting now,” Kelly Marine, accessibility mistress for Haunted Bees Productions, tells me when asked how many third-party devices she uses.
“I couldn’t even begin to tell you the total cost,” she continues. “All but two of the things I’ve mentioned are not licensed for use with the newest Xbox, so I’ve been using adapter dongles, all from the same line, all affected by the new lockout policy.”
Microsoft has been quick to point out that devices connecting to the Xbox Adaptive Controller are unaffected. Though, this places the onus on a device that is only helpful in specific use-cases. Without a robust selection of third-party solutions to fill the gaps and offer more affordable alternatives, its effect – and that of Sony’s Access controller – is specific yet somehow still ambiguous, and for many players minimal.