Booklet: SpecialEffect Accessible Music Ideas

29th June, 202629th June, 2026

Video above illustrates the activities in the first section of the booklet

Accessible music activities are not something we often share online, so this post is something of an exception. The free-to-download booklet below contains a colourful mix of musical creation tools. From weird and wonderful musical web toys, to more complex endlessly expandable professional tools.

Nearly all of these musical tools can be played by using accessible gaming assistive technology. Bear in mind, you may need controller remapping software to do so, such as JoyToKey, Ok GO!, VoiceAttack and so on. Get in touch if completely stuck.

Most of these can work as cause-and-effect activities, helping to teach basic switch skills. Some could work in a sensory room. Some will offer unlimited musical possibilities for all levels of musician. Hopefully there is something for almost everyone within, including links to others specialising in this field.

The booklet can be viewed in the window below, and downloaded with link the below it. To get a feel for some of the activities, the video above illustrates some of the free online activities from the first section of the booklet. Scroll down to see a video illustrating the (free) downloadable activities from the second section of the booklet.

The Booklet

SE Accessible Music Ideas Download

Video above illustrates the activities in the second section of the booklet

Audio Adventures

3rd September, 202515th January, 2026

Audio Adventures from Truman Toys & Games is a handheld games console that can be played purely with audio and four buttons. The story of how it came about links to a redundancy during Covid, self-taught online electronics and discovering the joy of audio games and how they can be played by a huge range of people including the blind.

This small handheld games machine, with interchangeable game cartridges, uses sound and four buttons (A, B, C and D with illumination guide) for play. The rich and varied game audio is played through a small built-in speaker or via stereo headphones (hold B or C to adjust the volume). If you’ve ever played a Choose Your Own Adventure/Fighting Fantasy branching narrative gamebook, and have good hearing, you’ll be right at home here.

Gameplay story interaction varies widely considering the relatively simple control method. Most decisions you are posed with will not rush you. Some will though. Some games have a tricky puzzle element to them. Some are more action based. Some are more for exploration in the game world. Some players will certainly need additional help in a team-play setting.

The Games:

The Psychotronic Mind (action adventure – derring-do adventure in WWII, in the style of vintage radio thrillers), Hotel of Secrets (exploration/drama – crime drama, in the style of film noir), Bewilder (quest and puzzle – whimsical adventure in a magical land with puzzles and moral dilemmas) and Ice Cold (action, survival and exploration – sci-fi action and survival). Two more are in the pipeline: Bank Robbing Bunnies and How Close is the Ghost? People interested in creating new stories for the system are welcome to get in touch, but it would be a big undertaking. I’d personally love to see a football manager game made, perhaps with some Roy of the Rovers type drama chucked in. Also anything from the early Fighting Fantasy book days such as the City of Thieves and House of Hell. Also, some play for the day, Tales of the Unexpected, Black Mirror type interactive stories. Thinking of the Bandersnatch interactive film from Netflix. The possibilities seem endless.

Games can be paused at any time by holding the A button. Checkpoints will auto-save but there are not many of them, so you may find yourself having to replay scenes if you’re unable to reach a checkpoint. Battery life seems to be long. Packaging is designed to be easier to open, without layer upon layer of unwrapping needed. Cartridges are embossed with Braille labelling aimed at blind readers. Good hearing and understanding of English is needed to play. The four buttons are quite stiff to press, with embossed letters on them, giving a very clear tactile click response. You know when you’ve pressed them.

Accessible Switches

For accessibility switch users, such as those needing light-force or heavier duty buttons, the PCB (printed circuit board) has been designed to make it easier to add standard 3.5mm sockets. The pictures in this post show a modified Action Adventure console with a rear break-out box with four switch sockets for each button as one example. Again, some games do require quite fast reactions at certain points in the game, so this will not be fully independently accessible for all. It’s also currently quite easy for some to lean on the “D” button and end up hard resetting the game. Avoid that! Hopefully this will be revised in the future.

If interested in switch-adapted access to games, please use the “Switches” category on GameAccess.info.

Audio Adventures hand-held console in white with Bewilder fantasy anime type art in the viewing window from the inserted cartridge. Four lights and buttons A,B,C and D. Speaker grille bottom left. Four accessibility switches labelled A-D with coloured cables.

PCB reads: Modifications Welcome: Use Push to Make Momentary Switches. Five solder contacts read, D,C,B,A and Common.

Side view with on/off switch and braille side of inserted cartridge. On the rear a black box with switch socket for the D button.

Parsec: Co-pilot for games with and without online modes

7th April, 202531st July, 2025

Parsec is PC software that allows for desktop sharing across the internet. That could be one person using a low-powered laptop to connect to their high-powered home desktop computer. It could be two (or more) people coming together to play a game session, head to head or sharing controls.

The guest’s attached controls, including a USB gamepad, can appear on the host machine, as if they were there in person. Gamepad access works via Parsec’s Virtual USB Gamepad function. This must be enabled on the host machine via Settings > Host > Parsec Virtual USB Gamepads. You can choose from virtual Xbox 360, Dualshock and Dualsense simulation. Try Xbox 360 to start with.

Note, Parsec must be running on both machines, with accounts set up, friended, and a session active.

Once the guest presses a button on their controller, it should quickly come to life. A small gamepad icon should turn green whilst pressing buttons. The guest gamepad should appear in the Windows joy.cpl utility (type it in the Windows search bar). Alternatively, try the on-line Joypad.ai gamepad tester utility.

Some games may need to be remapped to suit the particular game. Steam has in-built remapping. You may find a remapping tool such as JoyToKey or ReWASD helpful.

Parsec can be used as a form of co-pilot, whereby one player can help another. This can be useful for a player struggling with a particularly tricky part of a game. Or just for the pure fun of it.

For those looking to push the system a little further, the following may be of interest:

Advanced

A rather complex method of using Parsec to have a computer remotely control a Nintendo Switch, using a Titan adapter and Elgato Game Capture device is detailed here: Nintendo Switch Parsec control.

Troubleshooting

Controller not working? Guest machines must have the Parsec window active. Kicking a user off, then asking them to re-join can help. They must press a button to bring their virtual controller to life.

Blocked from play? Some games will block the likes of Parsec and ReWASD out of cheating concerns. Most web-based and emulated games should work.

Co-pilot struggles? If two players wish to share the same gamepad controls to play as a single player, but can’t, because the game sees two controllers and starts a local two-player game, see this Guide for using ReWASD for a potential way around it.

Brook Wingman FGC2 (PS5 adapter/converter)

22nd November, 202423rd June, 2025

Brook FGC2 adapter with box and USB stick.

Brook Wingman Covnerter FGC2. Black and white USB adapter with blue LED lights ont he side. Box states 135 plus controller to PC or PS5.

The Brook Wingman FGC2, released in limited numbers this November 2024, is something that many people have been waiting for since the release of the Sony PS5 console. A simple controller adapter that allows for other accessible game controllers to work on the PS5 with minimal fuss.

At the time of publishing this post, this adapter is allowing us to play PS5 games on the console with a range of alternative controllers. However, future device or console updates may alter this, so, as with all adapters, players use this method at their own risk.

The unit requires an update from a PC/Mac app via their website – a process that Brook have made pretty straightforward to do. Follow their ‘How do I update the firmware?’ FAQ to find instructions and to download the updater and latest firmware. There is also a companion “Brook Converter Centre” app (shown in screenshot, below), which allows for joystick sensitivity and dead zone adjustment (to fix any drifting movement when the stick should be at rest in the centre). There are also remapping and macro options (the ability to trigger a series of inputs from one button for those struggling to do so).

Converter PC Tool window. Includes a pictures of a Wingman FGC2 adapter, the firmware v1.0.2.6 and some Advanced options for Gamepad shock, Scaling and Thumbsitck Deadzone with a test for both sticks from centre to the outer radias.

From early testing, we have managed to get the following controllers working very well:

– Microsoft Xbox Adaptive Controller with accessories attached
– HORI Flex with accessories attached
– 8BitDo Lite SE 2.4 GHz
– Sony PS4 DualShock
– Wired Microsoft Xbox 360 gamepad

All of the above needed to be plugged directly into the back of the Wingman adapter. The adapter could be plugged straight into the front of the PS5, including into the small USB-C port using an ‘On-the-Go’ USB adapter, which could reduce strain on the socket and adapter.

The 8BitDo Lite SE 2.4GHz gamepad could be used wirelessly if using the USB wireless adapter (see photo, below).

Brook black and white USB adapter with 8BitDo SE 2.4GHz adapter plugged into the back, with brick type design.

For more advanced use, the Titan Two adapter can be daisy-chain connected, allowing for two controllers, possibly more. This may also enable PC connectivity for speech input, eye-gaze access and more. It also allows for highly customised “scripts” that can aid players unable to reliably activate all the controls needed. The Wingman must be running firmware version V1.0.3 or later to work correctly.

It’s too soon to say how reliable this adapter will be long term. Controllers that have worked in the past have been left unusable with console operating system updates. This needs to be taken into account here, too. At the moment though, having this as an option for PS5 access can be a useful tool for players.

For alternative ways to access the PlayStation 5 console, please use the PS5 Access tag on the GameAccess site.

Light-Force Gamepad (8BitDo Lite SE 2.4G for PC/Xbox)

14th November, 202415th November, 2024

Black and white Xbox Series themed flat gamepad with two black and white accessibility switches connected to the rear. In the foreground a USB-C cable and 2.4.GHz USB dongle for wireless connection.

A flat white gamepad with black Xbox series style buttons and thumb-sticks. Two larger buttons, black and white also, are connected to the rear of the controller. In the foreground a USB-C cable and 2.4GHz USB dongle point to wired or wireless connectivity.

The 8BitDo Lite SE 2.4G Wireless gamepad is a low-force gamepad, where all the controls are accessible from the surface, including the traditional shoulder buttons. It comes with two 3.5 mm “Super Buttons” (standard accessibility switches) that can be plugged into the rear of the gamepad, and remapped to game buttons. Doing that requires a connected Super Button to be held down along with the button to mimic, and then press the star button).

This sort of controller can benefit those with weaker muscles as well as those unable to get their fingers around to the rear of a controller. The accessibility switch access gives some extra options for repositioning two buttons, which may help some.

The rear view of the gamepad with two discrete 3.5mm sockets either size on the edge, and a USB C small oval port and possible reset pin hole next to it.

Size and force needed to activate:
The unit is 145 x 78 x 30 mm in size (about the width of a standard Xbox gamepad). It’s about 20 mm deep, with the sticks another 10 mm on top. It’s flat with a rubberised rear and weighs 160 g.

All the gamepad buttons take about 25 g of force to activate, including the separate thumb stick buttons. For comparison, most buttons take around 150 g of pressure to activate on a standard Xbox gamepad.

The thumbsticks, sized 75x75x33 mm and weighing 140 g, also take around 25 g of force to get to 100% movement.

The two Super Buttons take around 60 g of pressure to activate. Note, the black tops can be pulled out of the housing exposing a couple of sharp pins, so these should not be used if this poses a risk. Any standard 3.5 mm accessibility switch can be used in their place.

Rear view with two superbutton accessibility switches plugged in.

Connectivity:
As standard, the Lite SE 2.4G can connect to a Windows PC or Xbox One/S/X wired or, using the supplied receiver USB dongle, wirelessly.

Compatible adapters include the Brook Wingman FGC 2 for PlayStation 5 use (although there are no guarantees for how long this will work for).

For more complex needs, it’s possible to daisy chain the Lite SE 2.4G into a pink Brook Wingman XE (PS3/PS4 version) then into a Titan Two. Note, the VIEW/BACK button will need to be remapped (get in touch with us if needing help with this).

Alternative Low-Force Controllers:
For more information on alternative low-force control options for playing video games, please see our posts on Low-Force Controllers and Low-Force Joysticks and Switches.

PC reconfiguration for Sony Access Controller

12th September, 202427th February, 2025

Sony Access Controller with four blue ghost input devices, such as joystick, buttons and triggers. Below some remapping options in text.

Part of a Sony Access Controller with four blue ghost images of joystick, buttons and an analogue trigger connected to the four expansion ports.

Overlaying this, remapping options for the ports.

The Sony PS5 Access Controller can now be reconfigured on a Windows PC, without the need for a Playstation 5 via a new web-based tool from Jacek Fedoryński.

Connecting: Use a USB-C cable to connect your Access controller to a PC. Open the reconfiguration web page: https://www.jfedor.org/ps-access/. Click “Connect to controller” then click on “Access controller” then “Connect”. Then choose between the three profiles to edit from a range of drop-down menus.

Editing: After building up a profile, I recommend saving each one. At the time of writing there is no way to save and load profiles from local files, so taking screenshots may be useful if you wish to duplicate and share a favourite set-up.

Current restrictions with PS5 Access controller use: The mapping for an Access controller is not the same as for an Xbox controller. Some utilities and games will need some form of extra remapping. The profile indicator lights do not work, so you need to guess/count which of your one to three profiles are active. At the time of writing, there are no joystick dead zone and sensitivity options. Also, these profiles will be overwritten as soon as you connect to a PS5.

Analogue Triggers: If you configure expansion ports to L2 or R2, you need to choose if control will be via simple on/off accessibility switches, or via the likes of a Logitech trigger. Tick the “analog” box for the latter, and you will then get full analogue control.

Ideas: Software such as JoyToKey can convert the Access controller to act as a mouse and/or keyboard controller. The likes of a Titan Two adapter can enable people to use a Sony Access controller on other games machines (see bug-fix note below).

Titan Two bug-fix script: This may be useful if you are finding that the CREATE button is being pressed when L2 or R2 is being pressed. Get in touch for more help.

In closing: This utility may be superseded, perhaps by an official update of Sony’s Playstation Accessories PC app. Meanwhile, this method can provide a useful way of making use of the Sony Access controller on other platforms – something that has long been a desirable feature across the board of accessible gaming hardware.

Thumb Soldiers’ Thumbstick Tops

11th October, 202311th October, 2023

Photo showing an Xbox Series controller, a DualSense controller and a Nintendo Switch with Joy-cons each with a Thumb Soldier attachment on one of their sticks.

A common modification people make to game controllers is to add thumbstick extenders. This is normally to improve reach or comfort. Something that has often afflicted these extenders is how easily they can come off by accident. The “Thumb Soldiers” range addresses this issue with a “knuckle” clamp, sized to fit PS4/PS5, Xbox One/S/X or Nintendo Joy-Cons thumbsticks.

The “knuckle” clamp comes in two parts, and snugly attaches to any compatible thumbstick. Fitting into this is a range of tops. These include sticks, wrist rests, mushroom tops, studs for a finger to use and more.

Although you can still deliberately twist a top off to remove it, it seems difficult (from our initial testing) to do this by accident. The tops are made from a hard, lightweight plastic, with some texture to improve grip.

An array of extensions from Thumb Soldiers.

Thumb soldiers XAC mini stick with ring extension.

Guide for fitting a stick top into the Thumb Soldiers knuckle. Align the locking arms to locate within the knuckle. Fully insert the soldier into the knuckle. Pinch/hold the soldier and twist to lock. The soldier can now be adjusted to your fit. Insert the soldier into the other knuckle. Read to play... Take advantage.

PlayStation 5 Access (with Cronus Zen + Titan Two Daisy Chain)

12th July, 202325th January, 2024

Photo of set-up showing an Xbox Adaptive Controller and DualShock 4 controller connected to a PS5 console via a Titan Two adapter into a Cronus Zen adapter.

Labelled photo of set-up showing an Xbox Adaptive Controller and DualShock 4 controller connected to a PS5 console via a Titan Two adapter into a Cronus Max adapter.

*Update 25/01/24* – Unfortunately, the latest PS5 Update (24.01-08.60.00) stops the Cronus Zen device from functioning, so this set-up is not currently working. It will, however, still work if you have not yet carried out the (optional) update.

As a substitute method for using an alternative controller, the Besavior Controller’s Expansion Feature is currently working for one alternative controller (excluding an XAC): https://gameaccess.info/besavior-controller-expansion-feature-for-ps5/. The Besavior in combination with a Titan Two currently allows use two alternative controllers including an XAC: https://gameaccess.info/using-the-xbox-adaptive-controller-on-playstation-5-via-a-besavior/. We will update here if/when there has been a fix.

The PS5 Access Controller is also now available, if players are looking for alternative switch and joystick access, but this does not offer the option for alternative controller access (e.g. using an Xbox controller or DualSense 4 controller): https://gameaccess.info/playstation-5-access-controller-video-an-introductory-look/

Assistive Technology on the PS5

The Cronus Zen + Titan Two daisy chain is proving, from early testing, to be a reliable means of connecting a broad range of accessible gaming equipment to a PlayStation 5, including the Xbox Adaptive Controller (XAC). However, these are early days, and there is a risk that a PS5 update could break this accessibility solution.

In essence, in this particular set-up, the Cronus Zen satisfies PS5 security checks and the Titan Two brings all the accessibility powers. These include dual-controller use (see image above) and custom scripts (such as with the Game Control Mixer). It also allows for keyboard, mouse and gamepad events to be mixed in from a Windows PC (using Gtuner IV software and a USB link cable between the PC and Titan PROG port). That opens up the potential for eye gaze, head control, speech and more to be added to a controller set-up.

 A controller, such as an alternate gamepad or XAC, could be plugged directly into the Zen without the Titan, but you would currently not get these features.

The DualSense controller is only used for powering on the set-up, rumble motor feedback and passing authentication tests. Nothing else functions on it.

Once the initial work of the Cronus Zen, Titan Two and PS5 configuration is complete, using this kit from thereon is straightforward: Power on (via the PS5 or DualSense). Play. Power off fully (the Zen and Titan lights should all go out).

At the time of writing (July 2023), this is the method needed to configure the equipment:

A. Set your PS5 to communicate via USB: On your PS5, go to Settings > Accessories > Controllers > Communication Method (and check you are set to “Use USB Cable”).

B1. Update your Cronus Zen: Download ZenHigh5 from Cronus or this Dropbox mirror. Open cmupdatetool-cronuszen-2.1.0-beta.68.exe.

B2. Connect the rear of your ZEN to a PC. Hold down the Zen’s Reset Button [underneath]. The OLED screen will say Zen Bootloader. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the firmware to 2.1.0 beta.68. Close the tool when finished.

B3. Hard reset the Zen by holding down P1 & P2 (the blue buttons on top of Zen) and reconnecting the Zen’s rear USB port to your PC. After 4 seconds the LEDs will flash RED GREEN BLUE indicating a successful hard reset, erasing all memory slots and putting your Zen back to factory defaults. Release buttons.

B4. Open ZenStudio-1.3.1.Beta.46.exe and connect your Zen to the PC from the [side USB] PROG USB Port.

B5. You now need to reset all of Zen Studio’s settings back to default by selecting Tools > Reset Zen Studio.

B6. When Zen Studio restarts, go to the Device tab to make sure that both PS4 Specialty and PS Remote Play are DISABLED and be sure the output protocol is set to AUTO and nothing else.

B7. Connect the short cable to the back of the Cronus Zen (CONSOLE/PC USB port). Connect a PS5 DualSense controller to the (side) A1 USB Port, ready for connecting to your PS5 at the end.

C. Update your Titan Two: Using Gtuner IV software, and the Titan Two connected via the PROG port, make sure the Titan Two is set up to “USB Automatic” output, and “Recall loaded memory slot between power cycles” (see below).

GTuner IV screen for Titan Two, in the Device Configuration tab (highlighted at the bottom in blue). Highlighted in red at the top is the Output Protocol dropdown menu set to USB Automatic, and near the bottom, "Recall loaded memory slot between power cycles" highlighted in red.

Also, install this script to a free Device Memory slot. An easy way to do this is to click on the Device Configuration tab (see below), search ‘Online Resources’ with “adaptive zen”, then drag the DRAG DROP box to a free slot and click on it (e.g. “9”). This script is a set of instructions that blocks a bug where the XAC RT input triggers the touch-click. It will also force the necessary PS4 mode, without interfering with other scripts and slots.

GTuner IV Online Resources tab highlighted in blue. In the top search bar highlighted in blue, is the text, "adaptive XAC". Highlighted in red, is a Drag Drop box pointing down to SLOT 9 in the Device Memory Slots pane.

D: Close Gtuner and unplug the Titan Two from your PC if you don’t need it anymore. Use the short Titan Two USB cable to link the Titan Two OUTPUT port to the front left USB port of the Zen. Connect your gaming controller/s to the front of the Titan Two (known as the A and B ports). Next, plug the short cable at the back of the Cronus Zen into your PS5. Power on. Play!

Trouble shooting: If the set-up is misbehaving, try clicking the tiny button under the Cronus Zen, or unplugging all USB power from the set-up and starting again. Wait 10 seconds or so for the adapters to initialise.

If the light(s) on your alternative controller(s) plugged into the Titan Two is (are) not on, you may need to manually turn the controller(s) on.

If Touchpad or Sixaxis controls are needed, using a DualShock 4 in the set-up or custom Titan scripts can open this up.

Cons to this system:

Microphone and headphone access won’t work through the controllers, so a wireless solution is recommended (we tested successfully with a Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 Wireless PS5 headset, but other solutions exist).

The connected DualSense controller is only useful for powering on the set-up, rumble motor feedback and passing authentication tests. Nothing else functions.

Rumble feedback only works with the attached DualSense.

You need to purchase two adapters and Titan Twos are (at the time of writing) difficult to source at a reasonable price. Hopefully this will change. There’s also the Sony Access Controller on the way.

It takes a computer literate user with a PC to get this set-up.

Pros:

It works!! We have found it reliable, so far. You can add all the long-established powers of the Titan Two adapter. It’s easy to test your controls on a PS5 within the ‘Controller Demo’ part of the free game, Astro’s Playroom.

As a side note, other methods exist for connecting the likes of an XAC and co-pilot gamepad to a PS5. The Besavior and Titan Two method works reliably for us too, but it can be more expensive and has no Titan Two side access to the touchpad, nor Sixaxis (only via the Besavior controller). Also, the Remote Play approach is an option for some players, which requires a PS4 or PC and high-speed internet.

*Update 20.07.23 – a video showing how to create this set-up has been added here:

Please note, the the LED’s on the Titan Two, Cronus Zen and the Xbox Adaptive Controller will appear differently in-person to how they appear onscreen.

Show Transcript

Some of the people we work with are unable to use a DualSense controller that is required to play many PlayStation 5 games.

In this video, we will look at how to set up a Cronus Zen and a Titan Two to use alternative controllers like an Xbox Adaptive Controller (also known as an XAC) or DualShock 4 controller to play PlayStation 5 games on a PlayStation 5 console.

You can plug compatible controllers like an Xbox Adaptive Controller or DualShock 4 into the Cronus Zen directly, but using the Titan Two allows us to use two controllers simultaneously to play.

For instance, we may use a DualShock 4 controller as the main controller, but we use an XAC alongside it to use some accessibility switches. Or you may use joysticks and switches via the Xbox Adaptive Controller for most controls but have the DualShock 4 ready to use for any Touchpad or Sixaxis parts of games.

The PlayStation 5’s DualSense, whilst connected as part of the set-up to verify the Cronus Zen, cannot be used for controls.

Using the Titan Two also allows you to use Titan Two Scripts that may improve accessibility for you and also gives you the option to connect a PC to add certain controls, such as voice control.

We will go through setting up each of the pieces of equipment, then show how to connect them all to play.

Step 1. PlayStation 5 Console Settings

You will need to make sure your PlayStation 5 console is set so that controllers are used via a USB cable and not via Bluetooth.

To do this, in the PlayStation Home menu, navigate to ‘Settings’, select ‘Accessories’, go into ‘Controller’, then select ‘Communication Method’ and set it to ‘Use USB Cable’ instead of ‘Use Bluetooth’.

Step 2. Set Up the Cronus Zen

Download the software currently in beta from beta.cronusmax.com/ps5-beta and unzip the folder.

Open the ‘cm update tool’ file from the downloaded and unzipped folder to open the ‘Collective Minds Firmware Update Tool’ and connect the Cronus Zen to a PC using the Cronus’ rear USB port.

Hold down the Reset Button underneath the Cronus Zen. Its screen will say ‘Zen Bootloader’ and the device should then appear in the Update Tool. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the firmware. Close the tool when finished and unplug the Cronus Zen.

Hold the two blue buttons on top of the Cronus Zen and reconnect it to the PC again to hard reset it, again using the Cronus’ rear USB port.

After 4 seconds the LEDs will flash red, green, then blue, indicating a successful hard reset, erasing all memory slots and putting your Zen back to factory defaults.

Then unplug Cronus Zen from your PC.

Open Zen Studio from the downloaded and unzipped folder and connect your ZEN to the PC using its ‘PROG’ USB Port this time, which is on the side of the Cronus.

Go to ‘Tools’ then select ‘Reset Zen Studio’ to reset all of Zen Studio’s settings back to its defaults.

When Zen Studio restarts, go to the ‘Device’ tab and make sure that both ‘PS4 Specialty’ and ‘PS Remote Play’ are ‘DISABLED’. Also check the Output Protocol is set to ‘AUTO’ and nothing else.

Step 3. Set up the Titan

Download and install some Titan Two software called ‘Gtuner IV’ from the Titan Two’s consoletuner.com website.

Once downloaded and installed, connect your Titan Two to a PC with its USB cable, using the PROG port on the back of the Titan Two. If you are prompted to update the Firmware, follow the on-screen instructions.

Under Device Configuration, set the ‘Output Protocol’ to ‘USB Automatic’ and make sure ‘Recall loaded memory slot between power cycles’ is ticked, which will automatically load the profile we will put on next, instead of needing to manually select it using the buttons on the Titan Two device. Then select the tick box to ‘Power Off the device with the Console’.

We need to install a script that blocks a bug that appears if using an XAC. It will also force the necessary ‘PS4 mode’.

Click on the Device Configuration tab, and search ‘Online Resources’ with “adaptive zen”, then drag the DRAG DROP box to a free memory slot.

Then, finally, click on the number of the memory slot you saved the profile to.

These settings will automatically save to your Titan Two.

Close Gtuner and unplug the Titan Two from your PC.

Step 4. Setting up equipment for the first time

Connect the short cable that comes with the Cronus Zen to its ‘CONSOLE/PC’ USB port which is on the back of it.

Then connect a PlayStation 5 DualSense controller, to the ‘A1’ USB Port on the side of the Cronus Zen.

Use the short Titan Two USB cable to link the Titan Two OUTPUT port to the front left USB port of the Cronus Zen.

Connect your gaming controllers to the front of the Titan Two. Next, plug the short cable connected to the back of the Cronus Zen into your PlayStation 5 console.

You can turn on the PlayStation 5 by pressing the button on the front of the console or by using the PS Home button on the connected DualSense PlayStation 5 controller.

If the light on one or both of your alternative controllers is not on, you may need to manually turn the controller on.

If one or more high-powered USB devices are connected to the XAC, the Titan Two may need extra power.

Here, we are connecting a Micro USB to USB-C cable from the USB PROG port on the Titan Two, into the USB-C slot on the front of the console to give it the extra power needed for using this particular set-up.

Step 5. Playing after initial set-up

Connect the cable from the back of the Cronus Zen to your PlayStation 5.

Turn on the PlayStation 5 from the front of the console or using the PS Home button on the DualSense controller.

If you are using an additional cable to give extra power to the Titan Two, connect this as well.

If the light on one or both of your alternative controllers is not on, you may need to manually turn the controller on.

Turn off the console in the usual way, in the PlayStation Home menu.

Unplug the Cronus Zen from the PlayStation 5.

If you are using an additional cable to give extra power to the Titan Two, unplug this as well.

Using the Xbox Adaptive Controller on PlayStation 5 (via a Besavior x Titan Two)

16th June, 202314th April, 2026

Photo showing a Titan Two connected to a Besavior DualSense controller and an Zboz controller and an XAC connected to the Ttian Two.

Diagram explaining how to connect an Xbox Adaptive Controller to a Titan Two and to a PS5.

Connecting an Xbox Adaptive Controller (XAC) to a Playstation 5 can be quite difficult to achieve without using Remote Play. At SpecialEffect we’ve found the following method is currently working effectively for us, without the need for a network connection. You will need both a Titan Two (T2) adapter and a Besavior controller. Please note, this is a new method for us and, at the time of publishing, we are yet to test it more widely in the field.

Programme a free slot on a T2 (set to AUTO) with this script.
PINK: Link the XAC to the front of the T2.
BLACK (optional): Connect a co-pilot gamepad to the other free front T2 port, to use an additional compatible controller alongside the XAC (the Besavior gamepad is needed for touchpad, Sixaxis and microphone access, but much of the rest of the inputs on the Besavior will not work).
BLUE: Use the original short Titan Two cable to link the T2 OUTPUT port to the On The Go USB adapter, then into the underside port of the Besavior.
RED: Give the T2 extra power (via the rear PROG port). This can come from the PS5’s small USB-C port on the front or one of the two USB-A ports on the back, a PC, or a Raspberry Pi 3B power supply.
GREEN: Connect the Besavior USB port to the PS5. Make sure you’re in the correct T2 slot.
Play.

Troubleshooting:

If you don’t have a green “O” LED on the T2, unplug the Besavior from the PS5. Count to 10. Reconnect. Wait 10 seconds. Then hold the PS button on the Besavior joypad until it powers up.

If the XAC is still not working, unplug the XAC. Power the XAC down (hold the Xbox button for 10 seconds until the light goes out) – then reconnect. You’re looking for a green “A” or “B” LED to show it is working.

*Update- 7/7/23 We have created a video showing the set-up process:

Transcript…

This video will show how to use a Besavior and a Titan Two device to use an Xbox Adaptive Controller on PlayStation 5. This is a method that is currently allowing us to play PlayStation 5 games on the console with an Xbox Adaptive Controller, without using PS Remote Play.

The Besavior itself can be used as a stand-alone controller with back paddles, but it also has a feature that allows you to connect different controllers through it to use on the PlayStation 5 console.

In this set-up we are using it for this second feature and not for the back paddles. It is, however, needed for touchpad, Sixaxis and microphone access, but the rest of the inputs on the Besavior will not work.

We are using the Titan Two device in this set-up to enable us to use the Xbox Adaptive Controller with the Besavior and also to allow us to use a co-pilot controller alongside it.

Step 1. Set up the Titan Two

First, we will need to put a script onto a free a free slot on a Titan Two to help these devices to work.

You do this by downloading some Titan Two software called ‘Gtuner’ from the Titan Two’s consoletuner.com website.

Once downloaded and installed, connect your Titan Two to a PC with its USB cable, using the prog port on the back of the Titan Two.

In Gtuner, select ‘File’, ‘New’, ‘Minimum GPC Script’ and give it a name.

Then visit the forums on the Console Tuner website to locate and copy the script. The link to this page is in the video description.

Paste the code into the space in the script and then put it onto a free slot by selecting the ‘Install Active Code to Memory Slot’ icon and choose a free slot. In this case we put it onto slot ‘2’.

Then click on the number of the slot you have put the profile on.

You also need to set the ‘Output Protocol’ to ‘USB Automatic’ by going to ‘Device Configuration’, then selecting ‘USB Automatic’ from the drop-down option.

Under Device Configuration, you can also select ‘Recall loaded memory slot between power cycles’ to automatically load your profile instead of manually selecting it on the Titan Two device’.

You can then close Gtuner and remove the Titan Two from your PC. You can now use the Titan Two in this set-up.

Step 2. PlayStation 5 console settings

You will need to make sure your PlayStation 5 console is set so that controllers are used via a USB cable and not via Bluetooth. To do this, in the PlayStation home menu navigate to “Settings”, select “Accessories” and go into “Controller (General)”, then select “Communication Method” and set it to ‘Use USB Cable’ instead of ‘Use Bluetooth’.

Step 3. Setting up equipment for the first time

Turn on the PlayStation 5 console.

Link the Xbox Adaptive Controller to the front of the Titan Two. You can also connect another compatible controller to use alongside it, in the second slot.

Connect the ‘on the go’ USB adapter that comes with the Besavior and then use the short cable that comes with the Titan Two to link the Titan Two via the OUTPUT port to the Besavior.

To give the Titan Two the extra power it needs, we are connecting a Micro USB to USB-C cable from the USB PROG port on the Titan Two, into the USB-C slot on the front of the console.

You can now Connect the Besavior via USB, to the PlayStation 5 console. Make sure you are in the correct Titan Two memory slot. Here we select slot 2, where our profile is.

When prompted onscreen to ‘press the ‘PS’ button on your controller’, you need press the Xbox button on the Xbox Adaptive Controller’.

When you are using this setup, you need to make sure that you always turn your PlayStation 5 on at the console, not the controller. Otherwise, the controller might connect wirelessly, and the set-up won’t work.

Step 4. Playing after initial set-up

Next time you want to play, turn on the PlayStation 5 using the power button on the front of the console. Then connect the Besavior again, along with the extra power to the Titan Two.

Make sure you are in the correct Titan Two memory slot.

When prompted onscreen to ‘press the ‘PS’ button on your controller’, press the Xbox button on the Xbox Adaptive Controller’.

To turn off the console, do this in the normal way in the PlayStation menu and then unplug the Besavior from the console and also unplug the additional power to the Titan Two.

For more information on the Xbox Adaptive Controller and the joysticks and switches that can be used with it, please use the ‘XAC’ tag on the GameAccess.info site.

Francis Alÿs Children’s Games x Tar Heel Gameplay

18th October, 202218th October, 2022

Make a snowball prompt, obscures a child sitting down in snow.

Tar Heel Gameplay prompt: Make a snowball. Behind is a child sitting down int he snow.

Using the Tar Heel Gameplay website, it’s easy to make games and activities out of YouTube videos. Tar Heel Gameplay has enabled me to convert ten of Francis Alÿs “Children’s Games” videos recorded from around the world, into very low-pressure accessibility activities. If you can activate a mouse click or a space bar press (perhaps using special assistive technology), it should be possible to play these, certainly on a Windows PC using Chrome.

If you sign up for an account at Tar Heel Gameplay, you can create simple activities yourself. It’s possible to make a multiple-choice adventure game, for example, with branching choices from the “Advanced” Create tab. Easier still is to make a “Basic” gameplay where the chosen video will pause after a fixed length of time, waiting for the user to decide when the action should continue. Whatever you decide, give the Gameplay a name, rating, topic and language then publish it. Next select Home, Find a Gameplay, then search for your creation. Click on it to play. You can then share the link as I’m doing with you below.

Games adapted in this way include: Kick the Bottle (game 1), African Subbuteo (game 27), Sandcastles (game 6), Skipping (game 22), Snow Games (game 33), Snail Races (game 31), Don’t Step on the Cracks (game 23), Hand Stacks (game 21) and a couple for parental guidance perhaps… The Wheel (game 29) played by a very brave lad, and Mirrors (game 15) a deserted town first-person shooter for kids in real life using the sun as a weapon. Some of these activities have a surprise ending such as Snail Races and African Subbuteo.