How to Set Up an Xbox Adaptive Controller on Xbox Series S/X Consoles

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Transcript

How to Use an XAC on Xbox Series S/X Consoles Prompter Version

The Xbox Adaptive Controller is a device created by Microsoft that allows you to create a customised controller set-up, by connecting suitable accessibility switches and joysticks.

At SpecialEffect, we use the Xbox Adaptive Controller with a wide range of people that we work with.

In this video we are going to look at how to set up the Xbox Adaptive Controller on an Xbox Series console and show some examples of the equipment we use and how you might set it up for different games.

For the rest of this video, we will be calling the Xbox Adaptive Controller the ‘XAC’.

When talking about Xbox Series consoles, we are talking about the Series X and the Series S.

While there are differences between these two Xbox consoles, the process for setting up an XAC is the same on both of them.

Connecting an XAC to a Console

The Xbox Series consoles have a mains power cable which plugs into the back and into a mains socket.

It also needs a HDMI cable connected. You plug one end into “HDMI Out” on the console and the other end into a spare HDMI port on your TV.

Once you have connected these, press the Xbox button on the console to turn it on.

If it is your first time using your Series console you will need to follow the onscreen instructions to set up the console and create a user profile.

You will need to connect a controller to set up the console. To connect either the standard controller that comes with the console or your XAC, it is a similar process. To connect your XAC wirelessly, you first press the Sync button on your console. You then press the sync button on the XAC. The lights on both the console and the controller will flash quickly and then stop when the XAC is connected.

You can also use the USB-C cable that comes with the XAC and plug this into the front or the back of the console. This is used to charge your XAC.

You could pair both a standard controller and the XAC to be used together on the console using the ‘Controller Assist’ feature. This allows you to pair two controllers, such as an XAC to a standard Xbox Series controller. We will cover this later in the video. We have made a separate post on how to do this that we will link below.

To move around the Xbox screen, you need to use the left joystick or D-pad. A is generally used to select and B is used to cancel. This is the same with the XAC. You can use the D-pad and the large A and B buttons on the device to navigate around the Xbox home screen for setting it up.

Creating a Full Controller with an XAC

If you are using the XAC, then you will likely need to add joysticks or switches to create a full controller set-up. The buttons on the XAC will still work when peripherals are connected and can be incorporated into your set-up, if they are accessible to you.

Joysticks

There are a variety of different joysticks available for the XAC. Some of the joysticks have a USB fitting. For these you plug them into the Left USB input on the XAC for left joystick or the Right USB input for the right one.

Some compatible USB joysticks we use include the Zik-Zak and UltraStik from OneSwitch and the Optima joystick from Pretorian. These are larger joysticks and require a certain amount of force to move them. We also use the Celtic Magic Feather and Dangle joysticks. These require very little force to move them.

The Xbox Adaptive Joystick is another USB option we use. This can either be connected via the XAC or directly into your console.

More information on the Xbox Adaptive Joystick can be found in our video on it, which we will link to below.

Some of the joysticks we use have a 3.5mm jack. For these joysticks you plug them into the X1 input for left joystick or X2 for right joystick.

The options we use include low-force and standard-force thumbstick style joysticks. Like the mini joysticks from both Celtic Magic and OneSwitch. The standard-force versions are similar to those you would find on a standard controller, but within a separate small case. The low-force versions have had the spring changed so they require less force to move them.

We may often utilise the joysticks on a standard Xbox controller. Either positioning it on a tray to use with a finger or hand, or near the chin, for instance. We use ‘Controller Assist’ to add the controller to an XAC, which we will show in the next section.

If you would like more information on the different types of joysticks available and which one might suit you best, then we have made a separate video. The link to this is in the description.

Switches

The switches all plug in along the back of the XAC into the labelled 3.5mm ports. Each of these has an icon showing what input switches will be when connected. These match the controls found on a standard Xbox controller. There are a variety of different switches available for the XAC.

At SpecialEffect, we often use Buddy Buttons and Specs Switches from AbleNet and the Ultra-Light HD Switches from Atec.

We also use switches from the Logitech G Adaptive Gaming kit which has a variety of different switches in it.

It also includes some analog switches.

Which switches we use will depend on the size of the target we need and the force required to activate them. It may also depend on how and where we are mounting them and the space available.

The number of switches we use will depend on the individual and the games they want to play.

If you would like more information on the different types of switches available and which ones might suit you best then we have made a separate video.  You find the link to this in the description.

Mounting & Positioning

How and where the joysticks and switches are positioned will depend on where is most accessible and comfortable for you. We often use mounting trays to position switches and joysticks for use by the hands or feet. We use Velcro to attach them, so we can try different positioning when initially setting up a controller and longer term to adjust a set-up.

Sometimes we may use a mounting arm to enable positioning by the chin or head.

Xbox Accessories App Features for the XAC

If you want to make any changes to your XAC, such as button remapping or turning on Controller assist, you need to go to the Xbox Accessories app. You can find this in “my games and Apps” from the home screen.

Controller Assist

Xbox Controller Assist allows you to combine the inputs from two controllers, so that two people can play as one player in-game. Alternatively, one person can use this feature to divide the controls between two controllers to play in a more comfortable or accessible way. The feature was first launched in 2017 and originally called ‘Copilot’.

To turn on Controller Assist navigate into “my Games and Apps” and select Apps.

Open the Xbox Accessories App.

Make sure both of the controllers you want to use are turned on.

Make sure the second controller is also assigned to the same user profile.

Use the primary controller, which is the controller first in the list to navigate the menus.

Navigate back to the primary controller and select the menu with the three dots.

Navigate down the options and select ‘Turn on Controller assist’.

Making & Saving Profiles

Using the Xbox Accessories app, it is possible to make and save profiles to your XAC.

All of the switch ports on the back of the XAC can be remapped in the Xbox Accessories app. This also includes the two large black buttons on the front of the XAC.

You can also remap a button so that it acts as a shift button. This means you can have one switch that has two functions. By default, it will do one input and when Shift is held it will do another. Whilst this requires adding an extra switch into your set-up, overall using Shift could reduce the total number of switches you need to play a particular game.

The profiles that you make with your button remapping save onto the device itself and you can save up to three profiles. To select the profile you want active you press this white button on the front of the XAC. The number of lights on corresponds to the profile that you have selected.

You can also remap so that buttons will act as individual joystick directions for both left and right joysticks. For instance, you could use switches to steer a vehicle in a driving game, by mapping switch inputs to Left and Right on the left stick.

The X1 port by default can be used for Left Stick up if you plug a switch into it. We use this at SpecialEffect to walk forwards in some games. So, you could use a switch and a joystick as an alternative to using two joysticks for first-person games. More on this can be found in our Walk Forward Button video linked below.

Example XAC Set-Ups for Different Games

On the Xbox Series X console, you can get games on physical disc or download them from the store. On the Series S you can only download them as it has no disc drive.  You can purchase and download games from the store on your console.

Once you have your controller all set up, either put the game disk into the Xbox or if it is downloaded just select the game either from the home screen or find it in ‘My games and apps’.

The number and type of switches and joysticks that you will need will depend on your movements and the types of games you want to play. In this section of the video we will look at some different example set-ups for different games. These are to help get an idea of how many controls you may need for different types of games using example equipment combinations. For each individual, their own set-up would be customised in terms of the joysticks and switches used and the positioning of these.

Example 1: Forza Motorsport & Forza Horizon

Forza is a racing video game series for Xbox and includes the Motorsport series, which is a track-based game, and the open world racing games of Forza Horizon.

These games have quite a lot of controls listed by default. However, for many people, you do not necessarily need all these to enjoy racing.

You can play much of these games with a joystick to steer and two switches, one for RT and one for LT.

In this set-up we have a joystick plugged into the Left USB on the XAC for steering and a switch into LT and RT for accelerate and brake.

One thing to bear in mind is in order to independently set the games up you would need to be able to press the menu button and A and B button to get through the menus either on a standard controller, the XAC itself or with accessibility switches.

If this was not possible, then someone may be able to do it alongside you with a standard controller paired with Controller Assist.

It is always a good idea to look in the options of any game you are playing as there might be accessibility settings or control configurations that might make the game easier for you

Forza Horizon 5 and Forza Motorsport have a single stick driving option which means you can accelerate and brake just with a joystick.

These games also have some other accessibility features which can help with braking, steering and throttle to help make the car easier to control and also reduce the number of controls needed to play. We have more information on these features in our videos on both Forza Horizon and Forza Motorsport.

Example 2: EA FC

EA FC has a lot of controls if you play with the ‘Classic’ controller layout and were to utilise all of them. However, it also has some settings which allows you to play with reduced controls. These are called One-Button and Two-Button Modes. We often introduce these to players as a way of either practising the game before later using the standard controls or, more often, we will continue to use them long term.

One-Button Mode enables you to fully play a match in EA FC with the Left Stick and the A button for pass, shoot and all of your defensive actions.

Two-Button Mode enables you to play with just a Left Joystick and the A and B buttons. A is used to pass and the B button to shoot. They are both also used to tackle when out of possession.

One- and Two-Button Modes will work for offline and online play. They will also work in matches in all of the different game modes, but you might find you need some additional buttons in some menus and Skills games when playing Career Modes.

To change controls to One- or Two-Button Modes, you need to go into Customise, go to Settings and select Customise Controls. You then, by default, use the RT or LT buttons to scroll through this menu and then Left Stick to select the controller mode you want.

Example 3: Call of Duty  

Call of Duty and first-person shooters in general use both joysticks and pretty much every button on the controller.

However, it is still possible to use the XAC to play these games as you can plug in as many joysticks and buttons as the individual can physically manage.

If you cannot physically access all of the buttons required for these games, then playing alongside someone using Controller Assist could be helpful.

Other ways to use fewer inputs to do more in-game actions may include using the Shift feature on the XAC, as we mentioned earlier. Or, perhaps, looking at in-game settings to see if there are any remapping options, assists or other features that could help reduce the controls required. Or it may be that using ‘profile shifting’ through use of additional hardware would be suitable. More information on these can be found in the description below.

Thank you for watching this video. We hope it has been a useful introduction to the XAC, how we use it at SpecialEffect and how you might use it for yourself.

For more information on the Xbox Adaptive Controller, please use the ‘XAC’ tag on the GameAccess site.


The Xbox Adaptive Controller is a device created by Microsoft that allows you to create a customised controller set-up, by connecting suitable accessibility switches and joysticks.

At SpecialEffect, we use the Xbox Adaptive Controller with a wide range of people that we work with.

In this video we are going to look at how to set up the Xbox Adaptive Controller on an Xbox Series console and show some examples of the equipment we use and how you might set it up for different games.

Timestamps

0:00 | Introduction
0:50  | Connecting an XAC to a Console
3:07 | Joysticks we Use with the XAC
5:05 | Switches we Use with the XAC
6:47 | Xbox Accessories App Features for the XAC
7:11 | Xbox Accessories App – Controller Assist
8:16 | Xbox Accessories App – Making and Saving Profiles
9:53 | Example XAC Set-Ups for Different Games
10:50 | Example 1: Forza Motorsport and Forza Horizon
12:35 | Example 2: EA FC
14:10 | Example 3: Call of Duty
15:09 | Outro

Links

Below are links to the GameAccess articles and videos mentioned in this video:

Xbox Controller Assist on Xbox Consoles

How to Set Up and Use the Xbox Adaptive Joystick (XAJ) | Video

Xbox Adaptive Controller Joysticks | Video

Using Switches to Access Button Presses

Forza Motorsport | Braking, Throttle & Steering Assists Video

Forza Horizon 5 | Motor Accessibility Video

How to Use Profile Shifting to Enhance Access to Video Games (SpecialEffect YouTube video link)

Thank you for watching this video. We hope it has been a useful introduction to the XAC, how we use it at SpecialEffect and how you might use it yourself.

For more information on the Xbox Adaptive Controller, please use the ‘XAC’ tag on the GameAccess site.

Filmed and edited by Cinematographer Tom Williams


Music by:

Damon Power – Fireplace with Alex
Daniel Brown – Saturn’s Ring
Jimit – Squoosh
Less Gravity – Memory Lane
sero – Forest Sun
sero – When You Leave Me
Less Gravity – Still Awake

How to Set Up and Use the Xbox Adaptive Joystick (XAJ) | Video

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Transcript

Intro

The Xbox Adaptive Joystick is a wired device from Microsoft which can be used for gaming on Xbox Series consoles and Xbox One consoles or Windows 11 PC.

It is designed to be either held in the hand or mounted. It includes one joystick and seven digital buttons. Four buttons are on top, just below the joystick, two are on the back, and one is activated by pushing ‘in’ on the joystick.

It can be used as a controller by itself, but it has primarily been designed to be used alongside the Xbox Adaptive Controller or a standard Xbox controller.

A standard controller has twice as many buttons and joysticks, which some games will make full use of. Therefore, many games will require additional controls to those on just one Adaptive Joystick.

In this video we will be looking at how to set up and use the Xbox Adaptive Joystick by itself, how to use it alongside a standard Xbox controller, and how to use it alongside an Xbox Adaptive Controller. We will also look at some of the ways it can be mounted to access it with different parts of the body.

We will refer to the Xbox Adaptive Joystick as the ‘Adaptive Joystick’ and the Xbox Adaptive Controller as the ‘Adaptive Controller’ for the remainder of this video.

Default Controls & Remapping

The buttons are fully remappable with the Xbox Accessories App and the joystick on the device can be mapped to act as either Left or Right Stick. Each button is marked x1 to x6, but each button is mapped to a button or trigger input you would find on an Xbox controller.

The default button mapping for the Xbox Adaptive Joystick varies depending on how you plug it in.

If you plug it in directly into the Xbox or PC, then by default the top buttons are mapped to A, B, X and Y, the joystick is Left Stick (and Left Stick Click) and the rear buttons are LB and LT.

Using it via the Adaptive Controller, plugging it into the USB slot on the left side gives you controls you would find on the left side of a standard Xbox controller and the USB slot on the right side gives you the controls on the right side of a standard Xbox controller.

So, if you plug it in via the left USB on an Adaptive Controller then by default, the joystick is Left Stick with a Left Stick Click when you push it down, the top buttons are the four D-pad directions, and the rear buttons are LB and LT.

If you plug it in via the right USB on an Xbox Adaptive controller then by default the joystick is Right Stick with a Right Stick Click when you push it down, the top buttons are A, B, X, Y and the rear buttons are RB and RT.

If you want to remap your Adaptive Joystick, then the process is the same depending on whether you are using it with or without an Adaptive Controller.

To remap the controller, you need to navigate to the Xbox Accessories App which you will find in ‘My Games and Apps’.

Select ‘Configure’ under the controller you want to remap.

You can then create a new profile or configure an existing one.

Select the ‘Edit’ icon, which has a pencil symbol.

If you are using the Adaptive Joystick on its own, you will see a picture of the joystick. You can then select which button you want to remap. In this example, I am remapping the x6 button, which is LT by default, to RT.

If you are using the Adaptive Joystick through an Adaptive Controller, then you need to select ‘Configure’ under the picture of the adaptive controller.

Depending on whether you have the Adaptive Joystick plugged into the left or right USB on the Adaptive Controller, you will see the Adaptive Joystick remapping option on the left or the right side of the screen.

In this example, I have the Adaptive Joystick plugged into the left USB, so the options are on the left side of the screen.

You might need to use the large A and B buttons on the Adaptive Controller or connect a standard Xbox controller using Controller Assist to help you remap as you will need access to the A and B buttons.

Once you have done your remapping, make sure that you assign the profile to a slot. The Adaptive Joystick will allow you to save one profile to it. If you use an Adaptive Controller, you can save up to three profiles on the device.

If you are using an Adaptive Controller, you will then need to make sure you have the correct slot selected on the device by pressing the mode button on the Adaptive Controller.

Xbox Controller Assist

Xbox Controller Assist is a setting available on Xbox and PC, through the Xbox Accessories App which allows you to use two controllers at the same time. This means that you can connect your Adaptive Joystick and use it alongside a compatible controller or an Adaptive Controller.

Equally, if you were to plug your Adaptive Joystick into the Adaptive Controller, you could use this set-up alongside a paired, compatible, standard Xbox controller.

To turn on Controller Assist, navigate to the ‘Xbox Accessories App’ which you will find in ‘My Games and Apps’.

If you are using an Adaptive Joystick on its own, alongside a standard Xbox controller or the Adaptive Controller, then plug the Adaptive Joystick into the console and then turn on the other controller that you are using by pressing the Xbox button.

Alternatively, if you are using an Adaptive Joystick plugged into the Adaptive Controller, then turn on your Adaptive Controller by pressing the Xbox button.

Your two controllers should appear on-screen.

To turn on Controller Assist, go to one of the controllers you will be using, then navigate down to the three dots icon below and select it.

Make sure both of your controllers are assigned to the same user profile.

Scroll down and select ‘Turn on Controller assist’.

Mounting

The Adaptive Joystick comes with a one-quarter twenty thread, allowing you to mount it to suit your needs. This is a standard size used by many tripod camera mounts. At SpecialEffect, we use a Manfrotto Variable Friction Arm with a suitable spigot to mount the Adaptive Joystick in place.

For mounting on a flat surface, you can use some mini camera tripods or mounts. When choosing one, you need to make sure there is enough space for the cable to plug into the bottom of the Adaptive Joystick.

At SpecialEffect, if we are trying to firmly mount the Adaptive Joystick as low to the table or tray as possible to use the joysticks on it, we use a couple of options. We either use this NICEYRIG Quick Release Plate, if we have the space available and a hard surface. Or, if we have less space to mount it or want to use it on a tray, we may use one of these SMALLRIG Cheese Plates attached with Velcro. We will use heavy duty Velcro for this as it is quite a small surface area to mount and there can be quite a bit of leverage when using the joystick.

If you are looking to hold the Adaptive Joystick and access the back buttons, but want some additional support holding it, you could use a mini tripod mount that has more room underneath to grip it. Here we have the DJI Osmo Mini Tripod and DJI Pocket 2 Micro.

Example Uses

At SpecialEffect, we use the Adaptive Joystick in different ways depending on what is needed in someone’s set-up. It will always end up customised to the individual’s specific needs, but the following examples may help as starting points for using the Adaptive Joystick.

The Adaptive Joystick could be an option for single-handed play. If the games you want to play only require one joystick and up to seven buttons, you may be able to use the controller by itself. By default, it does not include some of the buttons needed for navigating an Xbox or games, like the Xbox button and the Menu button. Therefore, you may need to map these inputs to some of the buttons on the device.

For games that need to have an input pressed at the same time as moving the joystick, you may need to remap these inputs to those on the back of the controller to be able to use them at the same time with the same hand. In a driving game, for instance, you may need to map accelerate to one of these, so you can use this at the same time as steering. The same may be needed for braking, too.

A game may include options that can reduce the number of inputs required to play. For instance, EA Sports FC has options to reduce the number of controls, such as Two-Button Mode. To aim with the joystick and simultaneously pass or shoot using a button input, you may need to map these to the back buttons.

Alternatively, you can also add and split up inputs by pairing it with an Adaptive Controller, or a standard Xbox controller. This could be to access additional inputs with another part of the body, or to share controls and play cooperatively with another player.

Some players also connect two Adaptive Joysticks using Controller Assist and use one in each hand. This could be an option for people who find it difficult to bring their hands close together on a standard controller and want to be able to play with their hands further apart.

You could also potentially use one in your hand and have a second mounted by your chin for games that require two joysticks.

You could use the Adaptive Controller alongside the Adaptive Joystick to add extra inputs. For example, you could plug some accessibility switches into the Adaptive Controller and use these alongside an Adaptive Joystick to increase the number of buttons.

You could also use the Xbox Adaptive joystick simply as a joystick option in a set-up, without using the other button inputs on it. You could think about mounting this by your hand or another part of your body, such as by your chin or foot.

A range of designs for joystick toppers are available to download and 3D print. Customisation of the width and height of the toppers is possible using the Xbox Design Lab.

You could then use other devices plugged into the Adaptive Controller, alongside this or alongside a standard Xbox controller to create a customised set-up for your needs and the games you want to play.

Thank you for watching this video. For information on other alternative controllers and joysticks, please use the ‘Equipment’ category on GameAccess.info. More information on the Xbox Adaptive Controller and compatible peripherals can be found using the ‘XAC’ tag.

The Xbox Adaptive Joystick (XAJ) is a wired device from Microsoft which can be used for gaming on Xbox Series S/X consoles and Xbox One consoles or a Windows 11 PC.

It is designed to be held either in the hand or mounted. It includes one joystick and seven digital buttons. It can be used as a controller by itself, but it has been designed primarily to be used alongside the Xbox Adaptive Controller or a standard Xbox controller.

In this video we will be looking at how to set up and use the Xbox Adaptive Joystick by itself, how to use it alongside a standard Xbox controller, and how to use it alongside an Xbox Adaptive Controller. We will also look at some of the ways it can be mounted to access it with different parts of the body.

Timestamps:

0:00 | Introduction
1:20 | Default Controls and Remapping
            1:48 Connecting XAJ Directly into Console or PC
             2:04 Connecting XAJ when connected to an XAC
             3:01 Remapping XAJ
             3:37 Remapping XAJ when connected to an XAC
4:47 | Pairing with a second controller with Xbox Controller Assist
6:14 | Mounting
7:41 | Example Uses
             7:59 Single-Handed Play
             9:28 Using Two Xbox Adaptive Joysticks
             9:54 Using with an Xbox Adaptive Controller
10:50 | More information


For information on other alternative controllers and joysticks, please use the ‘Equipment’ category on GameAccess.info. More information on the Xbox Adaptive Controller and compatible peripherals can be found using the ‘XAC’ tag.

Video by Tom Williams
Music:
Aves – Hot Chocolate
Out of Flux – Together
Tomer Baruch – Sleepless on the Internet
WOOLFSON – Milan

Mario Kart World | Assists Video

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Transcript…

Mario Kart World | Assists

Mario Kart World is a 2025 Kart racing game developed by Nintendo and available on the Nintendo Switch 2.  

As in previous Mario Kart games, players control Mario and other characters and race against opponents.  

In this video, we will look at the controls needed to play and the in-game settings that we find helpful at SpecialEffect, some of which can reduce the number of controls needed to play. 

Once you have chosen the race mode you want to play, you choose your character and which vehicle you want to race in.  You choose the speed of the Karts, with the 50cc option having the slowest top speed and so being the easiest to control. Your opponents in the race will also have the same engine size. Other options are 100cc and 150cc. 

Controls

The standard controls for the game are:

  • Left Stick for Steering 
  • The A button for Acceleration (which, as standard, needs to be held down) 
  • The B button for Brake and Reverse.
  • L or ZL to Use Item 
  • R or ZR to Drift 
  • Down on the D-pad for Rewind
  • To Look Behind You, you use the X button

Assists

You are able to turn on some assist features, which might help to make the game easier to play. 

Smart Steering: Turning on ‘Smart Steering’ means that the game will automatically steer the Kart, which removes the need for the left joystick. This is a good option for players who are not able to use a joystick, or find steering difficult. This option is not available in free roam. 

Auto-Accelerate: Turning on ‘Auto-Accelerate’ means that the Kart will automatically accelerate at a constant speed and removes the need to hold down the A button.  

In races, this option starts automatically. In Free Roam you need to tap the A button to start auto-accelerating and press the B button to stop. 

Auto-Use item: Turning on ‘Auto-Use Item’ means that your character will automatically use any item collected during races. This removes the need to use the L or ZL button. This is not available in Free Roam. 

Turning on tilt controls allows you to turn with the controller themselves, rather than moving the joystick to steer. 

You can access this settings menu at any time during the game by pressing the + button and then pressing the Cross (X) button. Or, at the point you are choosing your vehicle, you can press the X button and enter the settings menu.  

These game options allow you to customize the controls to suit your needs. It also means that players who can only use 1 joystick, or 1 or 2 buttons, can play the game independently.  

In this example, I have Smart Steering and Auto-Accelerate turned on and now I am just using a button (ZL/L) for ‘use item’. 

In this example I have Auto-Accelerate turned on and I am using a joystick for steering and button (ZL/L) to ‘use item’.

In this example, I have smart steering turned on and Auto-Use Item turned on, So, all I need to do is hold down this button (A) to accelerate.  

Free Roam

Free Roam is a new mode for Mario Kart World. In this mode you can drive anywhere on the large map and find hidden collectibles. This mode is a great choice if you want to play the game without any competitive racing.

To access Free Roam, you press the + button just after you start the game.

Outro 

We hope that this video has been a useful introduction to Mario Kart World’s features.  

For more information on accessibility features in games or alternative game controllers, please visit gameaccess.info.   

For developers looking for more video examples of how developers have improved the motor accessibility of their games, these can be found on the SpecialEffect DevKit.   

For instance, to see how other developers have enabled players to automate certain digital actions, like Mario Kart World’s ‘Auto-Accelerate’ and ‘Auto-Use Item’ options do, please see module 7.3 in the Simplification topic.  

And to see how other developers have allowed players to automate analog actions, like Mario Kart‘s ‘Smart Steering’ feature, please see module 7.4. 


Mario Kart World [PEGI 3] is a 2025 Kart racing game developed by Nintendo, available on the Nintendo Switch 2.  As in previous Mario Kart games, players control Mario and other characters and race against opponents.  

In this video we will look at the controls needed when using the in-game assists,  which can reduce the number of controls required to play. These game options allow you to customise the controls to suit your needs. It also means that players who can only use one joystick or one or two buttons could play the game independently.  

Timestamps

0:00 | Intro
0:48 | Default Driving Controls
1:16 | Assists
            1:26 | Smart Steering Assist
            1:43 | Auto-Accelerate Assist
            2:01 | Auto-Use Item Assist
            2:46 | Assist(s) Example Gameplay
3:32 | Free Roam
3:56 | Outro
4:10 | Developer resources

Driving Controls

Screenshot showing the controls layout for Mario Kart World.

The standard driving controls for the game are:

Steering = Left Stick
Acceleration = A 
Brake/Reverse = B 
Use Item = L or ZL
Drift = R or ZR 
Rewind = D-pad Down 
Look Back = X button

We have found that you do not need to use all of the above controls to be able to enjoy the game.  Without any of the driving assists, it is possible to compete and have fun with inputs for just the Steer, Accelerate and Use Item actions.

The driving assists mentioned below will further reduce the controls needed. 

Driving Assists

Screenshot of the Settings menu screen which includes the assist options.

Smart Steering: Turning on Smart Steering means that the game will automatically steer the Kart, which removes the need for the joystick. The assist is primarily designed to keep you on the track whilst still using the Left Stick, so it might not take the optimal racing line. However, we have found that the assist is strong enough, that it could be a good option for players who are not able to use a joystick, or who find steering difficult. This option is not available in Free Roam.

Auto-Accelerate: Turning on Auto-Accelerate means that the Kart will automatically accelerate at a constant speed and removes the need to hold down the A button. In races this option starts automatically. However, in free roam you need to tap the A button to start auto-accelerating and press the B button to stop. 

Auto-Use Item: Turning on Auto-Use Item means that your character will automatically use any item collected during races. This removes the need to use the L or ZL button.  This is not available in free roam. 

SpecialEffect’s Developer Resource:

SpecialEffect DevKit logo

For video examples of how developers have improved the motor accessibility of their specific games, please visit https://specialeffectdevkit.info/

For instance, to see how other developers have enabled players to automate certain digital actions, like Mario Kart World’s ‘Auto-Accelerate’ and ‘Auto-Use Item’ options do, please see module 7.3 Automatic Digital Actions in the Simplification topic.  

And to see how other developers have allowed players to automate analog actions, like Mario Kart’s ‘Smart Steering’ feature, please see module 7.4 Automatic Analog Actions. 

How to Set Up and Use the Hori Flex Controller | Overview Video

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Transcript

In this video, we will give an overview of the Hori Flex controller and share some ideas of how it can be used. We will also introduce some of the compatible peripherals that we use with the Hori Flex, here at SpecialEffect.

The Flex Controller offers a way for players to use alternative access methods with the Nintendo Switch and Windows PCs.

The Flex acts as an interface into which compatible joysticks and switches can be plugged in.

These can then be used as inputs, in place of the buttons or joysticks found on Nintendo Switch controllers such as the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con or the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.

You are also able to position these joysticks and switches in positions that are the most accessible and comfortable for you.

Playing this way also means you could share controls with another player, playing cooperatively, which means that you both control the same player in-game.

How to Connect

The Flex Controller can be used for gaming on the Nintendo Switch and on PC. In this video we will mainly be focusing on the Nintendo Switch.

To use it on the Nintendo Switch, the device needs to be in Nintendo Switch Mode.

The Flex Controller then plugs into the Nintendo Switch dock via the USB cable on the back of the device.

To use the Flex controller on the Nintendo Switch, it needs to be used in the dock connected to the TV. It cannot be used in handheld mode.

The Flex Controller does not work with the Nintendo Switch Lite.

To use it on a PC, the Flex Controller needs to be in PC mode.

The Flex Controller is compatible with Windows 11, 10 and 8.1 PCs.

To use with Windows 8.1 you need to install the additional driver software which you can find in the description for this video.

The Flex Controller plugs into the PC via the USB cable on the back of the device.

Joysticks and Switches

Joysticks

The Flex Controller allows compatible joysticks to be used, for Left and Right Stick inputs.

This is helpful for people who find the joysticks on standard Nintendo Switch controllers difficult to use.

Compatible joysticks all plug into the Left Stick or Right Stick USB sockets on the Flex.

The USB socket that you plug your joystick into will depend on whether you want your joystick to act as left or right joystick.

You can plug joysticks into both sides if you need access to both the Left and the Right joystick.

The joysticks that we use, which are currently compatible with the Flex controller, are:

· the UltraStik joystick. We use the version from OneSwitch

· the Zik-Zak Small and Zik-Zak Large from OneSwitch

· the Optima Joystick by Pretorian Technologies.

These joysticks are some of the larger ones from the range of joysticks that we use here at SpecialEffect.

The Optima, UltraStik and Zik-Zak all offer different height and footprint options.

There is also a difference in resistance and travel distance between some of the joysticks.

The Optima and Zik-Zak have a bit more distance to travel from the middle to full range, than the UltraStik.

Whilst the UltraStik requires a little bit more force to move it from centre, than the other two.

They also have a range of different compatible toppers.

To position these joysticks, we often mount them to a table tray or a laptray using Velcro, such as a Trabasack.

For larger surfaces, we may use this tray from Ikea which we’ll put Heavy Duty Velcro on to attach equipment to.

If mounting on a wheelchair tray or a table, we’ll often use a Maxess tray.

If we need to mount the joysticks even more firmly or lower down, such as where the person’s wheelchair joystick might be situated, or if the person is using a chin joystick, we may use a mounting arm.

We use the Manfrotto Variable Friction Arm with a Super Clamp.

We use a mounting plate connected to the end, to give us a flat surface.

We then use either Velcro, Heavy Duty Velcro or Dual Lock depending on how firm the connection needs to be.

Controllers

It is also possible to plug some of Hori’s Nintendo Switch controllers into the Hori Flex to use one of the joysticks on them.

These controllers also plug into the L-Stick USB or the R-Stick USB on the Hori Flex.

When plugged in, only the joystick which corresponds to the USB it is plugged into will function.

The buttons and the second joystick on the controller will not function. For example, only the Left Stick is available when the controller is plugged into the L-Stick USB and only the Right Stick is available when the controller is plugged into the R-Stick USB.

A list of the current controllers supported this way, are available on the Flex’s website.

Switches

Switches are an option for individuals who cannot use the buttons on a standard controller and require a larger size, different force or different placement.

The type of switch you will need will depend on the amount and type of movement you have, and the game that you want to play.

The Flex Controller is compatible with digital accessibility switches with a 3.5mm jack.

At SpecialEffect we use a range of digital switches with these connections. These include

· the AbleNet Buddy button

· the AbleNet Specs Switch

· the Marblesoft Ultra-Light HD Switch

· the Small, Large and Light Touch buttons from the Logitech G Adaptive Kit.

The Flex controller allows you to plug a switch in for every button on the Nintendo Switch.

Most of the switches plug in along the front, apart from the Left Stick and Right Stick buttons, which plug in on the sides next to the joystick USBs.

The Mode button on the top of the Flex Controller cannot currently be accessed using an accessibility switch.

The slider switch on top of the Flex Controller, which changes between PC and Nintendo Switch Mode, must also be operated manually.

The Flex Controller has additional buttons on the top of the device, which can be used by the player if they are accessible to them, or can be used by someone else supporting the player to use the device.

To mount switches, we use the same trays and mounting arms as we do for the joysticks, trying out different places and positions, to find the most controlled and comfortable way for the player to activate them.

Flex Controller Settings App

The Flex Controller Settings App is the Flex’s companion app which allows you to make changes to the joysticks and button assignments.

To access the app, the Flex needs to be plugged into a PC.

The joystick options in the app allow you to change the dead zone, sensitivity and orientation of the joysticks.

The button options in the app allow you to change the function of the button through remapping.

You can also assign 3 different buttons to one accessibility switch.

You can set it to ignore repeated inputs which is helpful if the user is prone to accidently hitting the switches.

You can also Toggle which allows up to 5 inputs to be assigned to 1 switch.

You can save up to 6 profiles on the Flex. These can be changed using the ‘Mode’ button on the top left of the Flex device.

If you’d like more information on the Flex app, we have a GameAccess article which goes into more detail on the features of the app. You can find the link in the description of this video.

Eye Gaze

The Hori Flex includes an option to connect it to the PC and use a compatible Tobii eye gaze camera with it.

With this set-up, you can still use the controls on top of, or connected to, the Flex itself, alongside the eye gaze.

For instance, here we are demonstrating using a ZikZak connected to the Flex, controlling the steering in Mario Kart on the Nintendo Switch.

Eye gaze is used with a Tobii PCEye camera, to look at the onscreen L button input. This is for the ‘Use Item’ action, in-game.

This action throws or drops the items that you collect from the boxes as you drive around the track, to sabotage your opponents.

I am using the game’s auto-accelerate option to drive the car forward, so I do not need an input for accelerate.

You could also potentially use eye gaze by itself, if an appropriate interface could be created for the game that you want to play.

Some games are more suited to this than others.

For instance, here, I am looking at the onscreen buttons to steer left and right in Mario Kart.

I am again using the game’s auto-accelerate option and steering assist, to help keep me on the track.

Another option is to play alongside someone cooperatively. One player uses eye gaze for some of the in-game controls, the other player uses joystick and buttons for the rest of them.

To use the eye gaze and the game on the same screen you will need to connect your Nintendo Switch to the PC that your eye gaze camera is plugged into.

You can do this with a game capture device, such as an Elgato, which we are using here.

The Elgato is a game capture device that allows you to display Nintendo Switch gameplay on a PC.

This device and software is usually used for streaming and recording gameplay.

In addition to connecting the display output to view it on your PC screen, you also connect the Flex itself to the PC via the additional USB socket on the back.

We can create an eye gaze interface in the Flex Controller Expansion App, by adding, editing and moving buttons around onscreen.

Considerations when using eye gaze may include – positioning onscreen buttons so they do not interfere visually with the game or any other onscreen buttons, whilst also placing them where you can look at them to select them comfortably and also, at times, quickly.

For more information on using eye gaze, please visit the Hori Flex site.

Cooperative Play

Different games on the Nintendo Switch require very different controls.

Some may allow a player to play with just one joystick and a couple of buttons, while other games will require every input on the controller.

For some of the people we work with, splitting the controls across two players can be one of the options that can be considered to help with game access.

For some, this may be controlling most in-game actions, but with somebody just pressing the occasional input when needed.

Or it could be using one switch to control one of the button inputs, with somebody else taking care of the rest of the controls.

For more information on cooperative play, please see our video on the subject on gameaccess.info.

Outro

We hope that this video has been a useful introduction to the Hori Flex.

For more information on compatible devices or alternative game controllers, please visit gameaccess.info.

For more information on the Hori Flex and its specifications, please visit the Hori Flex website.


In this video, we will give an overview of the Hori Flex controller and share some ideas for how it can be used. We will also introduce some of the compatible peripherals that we use with it at SpecialEffect. 

The Flex Controller offers a way for players to use alternative access methods with the Nintendo Switch and Windows PCs. It acts as an interface into which compatible joysticks and switches can be plugged. These can then be used as inputs, in place of the buttons or sticks found on controllers such as Nintendo Joy-Cons or the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.

Video Timestamps:
0:00 | Introduction
0:51 | How to Connect
1:50 | Compatible Joysticks
3:50 | Compatible Controllers
4:31 | Compatible Accessibility Switches
6:01 | Introduction to the Flex Controller Settings App
7:14 | Using Eye Gaze
9:39 | Cooperative Play

*Update Feb 2025 * There there is now an adapter that allows joysticks with a 3.5mm connection to be used with the Hori Flex. For more information, please see our GameAccess post, here: 

Using a 3.5 mm Joystick on the Hori Flex | HID Remapper v8

*Update Dec 2025* since this post was written, the Nintendo Switch 2 has been released. We have found that the Flex works on this console in the same way it has for us on the original Nintendo Switch console.

For more information on the Hori Flex and its specifications, please visit the Hori Flex website: https://www.flex-controller.com/product and also our written post on it: https://gameaccess.info/hori-flex-controller/. The driver for Windows 8.1 mentioned in the video can be found, here: https://stores.horiusa.com/driver-install/

For more information on compatible devices or alternative game controllers for Nintendo Switch, please visit gameaccess.info and combine the ‘Nintendo’ (Platform) and ‘Equipment’ categories.

Video by Tom Williams

Music: Ariel Shalom – Reflection Lake, Aves – Going Somewhere, sero – Bluming Succulents and Toti Cisneros – Flow with the Wind

How to Play Cooperatively on Console

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Transcript

In this video, we will look at how we enable players to play cooperatively on games consoles with another player to share the controls in-game.  

We work with a wide range of players who want to play a variety of different games. Some games may be playable with a single stick and 3 or 4 buttons, such as EA FC or Forza Motorsport when certain accessibility settings are turned on.  

Other games may need you to access every button, triggers and both analog sticks on a controller.  

If playing either of these types of games or those in between is difficult, then it may be challenging to play a game independently.  However, it may be possible and enjoyable to play these games cooperatively for some players. 

Cooperative play is when one person has access to some of the controls and another person plays with them and has access to the rest of the controls. It is a way to share controls so two players can play as Player One, in-game. 

Some people can access one button, and some people can access the majority of the controls but find certain aspects of the controller difficult. Cooperative play means that you can potentially play any game, even if the controls are very complicated.  

In this video we are going to talk about how cooperative play can work on different games and on different consoles, to open up more games to different players. Either as an introduction to playing video games or as a long-term way to play them together. 

Single switch 

Some of the people we work with are only able to access a single accessibility switch. With cooperative play, they can use their switch to access a wide variety of games on different platforms. When used with a compatible switch interface, you can choose an appropriate in-game action to control. You can then use the switch for the corresponding input. 

In this example we are playing Mario Kart on the Nintendo Switch. I have a single accessibility switch connected to the Hori Flex interface, which when pressed will activate the L button, which will launch the weapons. Joe is driving the Kart using the buttons on the Hori Flex interface acting as steering, gas and brake.  

It is also possible to play more complicated games with a single switch. In this example we are playing a first-person game on the PlayStation 5. I am using a single switch which is plugged in to the Access controller and is doing the shoot button. Joe is doing the rest of the controls with a paired DualSense controller. 

Single joystick 

Sometimes people can have good access to a joystick but using any buttons alongside can be difficult. 

In this example we are playing a racing game on an Xbox Series X console. I am steering the car with a joystick that is plugged into the Xbox Adaptive Controller, and Joe is controlling the accelerator and brake with a Copiloted Xbox controller.  

Multiple Inputs 

Variations on this would include players sharing, but using multiple inputs each. In this example I am using one joystick and three buttons to control some of the most frequently used inputs in Microsoft’s Flight Simulator. Joe is supplementing these alongside me, using the additional inputs required. 

Some of the players we work with have quite extensive set-ups with multiple buttons and joystick access. However, some games require pretty much every button on the controller to play. In these situations, it may be helpful to play with someone who has access to these buttons as and when needed. 

In this example, we are playing Assassins Creed Valhalla on the Xbox Series X. I have access to a lot of the controls with my set-up. However, I do not have access to the Dpad buttons or menu buttons. Joe is using a standard controller and presses these buttons for me when the game requires it. 

Setting up Cooperative Play 

It is possible to set up cooperative play on the PS5, Xbox One and Series consoles and also on the Nintendo Switch. However, how you set this up varies from console to console. I will briefly explain how to set up cooperative play on these consoles. However, we have other posts and videos that go into this in more detail. 

Xbox 

Xbox One and Xbox Series consoles have an inbuilt setting called Copilot. This enables you to connect two standard Xbox controllers, a standard controller and an Xbox Adaptive Controller, or two Xbox Adaptive Controllers.  

You can find and turn on the Copilot setting in the Xbox accessories app.   

If you would like more information on how to set up Copilot on Xbox One and Xbox Series consoles, we have added a link to our Copilot video in the description below.  

PlayStation 5 

On PlayStation 5 you can connect two standard DualSense controllers through the Assist Controller feature. Or, if you are using an Access controller, you can have one Access controller and one DualSense controller working together to control Player One.  

You can also have two Access controllers and one standard DualSense controller all working together to control Player One in-game. 

To get two DualSense controllers working you go into Settings > Accessibility > Controllers and select Use Second Controller for Assistance. 

To use one or two Access controllers you just connect them by their USB-C cable and then press the PlayStation button. If it is the first time you have used your Access controller you will need to work through the set-up menu. Otherwise, you can unplug the USB-C cable and use it wirelessly, or leave it plugged in if it needs charging. 

Nintendo Switch 

The Nintendo Switch does not currently have any inbuilt software that allows cooperative play. However, it is possible to set this up with different hardware options. 

The Hori Flex is a controller interface for the Nintendo Switch that allows external switches and joysticks to be used. The Flex has all of the Nintendo Switch buttons on the top of it which somebody can use to play alongside.  

You can also plug a compatible controller into the Hori Flex to get access to the left or right joystick. However, the buttons on the connected controller will not work, so you would need to use the buttons on the top of the Flex controller alongside the left joystick or the right joystick on the connected controller. 

The other option for Cooperative play on the Nintendo Switch is to use an Adapter. The one that we use is called the ‘Titan Two’. This adapter enables two controllers to be plugged into the Nintendo Switch. In this example we are using an Xbox Adaptive Controller alongside a Power A Nintendo Switch controller. For more information, please see our GameAccess post, which gives more detail on how to set this up. The link is in the description below. 

There may be alternatives to sharing controls for some players or increasing the number of controls that a player can use. This would include looking at ways that a player may be able to use more controls themself, such as by splitting controls around different parts of their body. 

It could also be that utilising different technology, such as voice controls, alongside your existing set-up could be an option. 

It is also possible to double up in-game actions using shifting and profile shifting options. More information on this can be found in the video description.  

We hope that this video has been a useful introduction to playing on console cooperatively. For more information on the motor accessibility of video games, please look at the GameAccess videos and website. 


In this video, we will be looking at some of the options used at SpecialEffect, to enable players to play cooperatively on games consoles. 

Cooperative play is when one person has access to some of the controls and they play with a second person who has access to the rest of the controls. It is a way to share controls so two players can play as Player One, in-game. Whether the person can access one button, or can access the majority of the controls but finds certain aspects of the controller difficult, cooperative play means that you can potentially play any game, even those which are very complex.

We will introduce some of the input methods we use, as well as some of the specific equipment and console features in different situations.

*Update* Since this video was made, ‘Xbox Copilot’, which is a feature that enables you to use two controllers to control one player on Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X and Windows 10/11, has been renamed as ‘Xbox Controller Assist’. In this video, ‘Controller Assist’ is referred to by its former name, ‘Copilot’.

Please use the timestamps below to navigate to the relevant sections.

Video Timestamps

0:00 | Introduction

1:20 | Single Switch

2:29 | Single Joystick

2:57 | Multiple Inputs

4:23 | Xbox One and Xbox Series Consoles

4:52 | PlayStation 5

5:46 | Nintendo Switch

6:55 | Alternatives to Sharing Controls

7:28 | Outro

The information in this video is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publishing (May 2024).

For further information on equipment that can be used for cooperative play, please use the Equipment Sub Categories on the home page, such as ‘Switches‘ or ‘Joysticks‘, or tags such as XAC or ‘Titan Two‘.

Links/topics mentioned in video:

Using an Xbox Adaptive Controller on a Nintendo Switch: https://gameaccess.info/how-to-use-an…

Voice Control: https://gameaccess.info/tag/voice/

XAC Copilot: https://gameaccess.info/how-to-set-up…

Profile Shifting Example 1: Access controller: https://gameaccess.info/playstation-5… (Profiles: 3 minutes 18 seconds in) 

Profile Shifting Example 2:  XAC Game Controller Mixer: https://gameaccess.info/how-to-use-th…

Video by Tom Williams

Music: Michael Drake, Quarantined and Ben Potter, Endless Summer

EA Sports FC 24 | One & Two Button Modes Video

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Transcript

In this video we will be looking at the One- and Two-Button Control Modes and some of the accessibility options available in EA Sports FC 24.

These modes let you play matches using a single joystick and either one or two buttons to control player movement, aiming, passing, shooting and tackling.

All of the footage in this video has been captured on an Xbox series X console. The options discussed in this video are also available on PlayStation and PC versions of the game, when playing with a controller. The Nintendo Switch version of the game also has One- and Two-Button Modes. However, gameplay may be different as it is a slightly different build.

EA FC 24 has four different preset control options. These are Classic, Alternate, One-Button and Two-Button Modes. To change these from the home screen, you need to go to Customise, Settings and select Customise Controls. You then, by default, use the Left Joystick to select the controller mode that you want. If you then press Back, which is B on Xbox or Circle on PlayStation, the game will automatically save the controller mode you selected.

Two-Button Mode

Two-Button Mode enables you to play online and offline matches with just a Left Joystick and A and B on Xbox, or Cross and Circle on PlayStation.

Your Pass button, which is A on Xbox or Cross on PlayStation, will do a Ground Pass or a Through Pass depending on the situation and the direction of the player you are passing to. If you hold the Pass button down for longer you will do a Lobbed Pass or a Cross. Again, this is dependent on the situation and the direction of the player you are passing to.

The B button on Xbox or the Circle button on PlayStation is your Shoot button.

When you do not have the ball your Pass button will become your Standing Tackle, and your Shoot button will be your Sliding Tackle.

When you are out of possession you will need to press the LB button on Xbox or L1 button on PlayStation to change player.

Auto Switching can be made fully Auto which means that the game will switch player automatically for you, removing the need for the LB or L1 button. To turn on Auto Switching, you can select Settings, go to Game settings, scroll down to Auto Switching and then scroll right and select Auto.

In Two-Button Mode, Auto Sprinting is always turned on. This means that the game will sprint for you if there is benefit from it and space to do so. However, if you have access to the Sprint button, which is RT on Xbox, or R2 on PlayStation, you can use this to sprint manually.

One-Button Mode

One-Button Mode enables you to play EA FC 24 with just the Left Joystick and one button, which is A on Xbox or Cross on PlayStation.

In a standard game, the Left Joystick acts as player movement.

When you are in possession, the A button on Xbox, or Cross button on PlayStation, is used for all types of kicks, including all types of passing and shooting.

The type of kick played will depend on the situation you are in, the direction you are facing, and how long you hold the button for. Sometimes you may be expecting to shoot but a pass will be played instead. However, with practice you will learn what types of kicks are played in different situations. When out of possession the button will act as your Sliding and your Light Tackle. When out of possession the game will auto switch to the player nearest the ball.

When your player has the space to run, Sprint will be activated automatically, whether you are in or out of possession.

One- and Two-Button Modes will work for online and offline play. They will also work in matches in all of the different game modes such as Volta, Career etc. However, you might find that you need some additional buttons in some menus and certain game modes, such as Skill games.

To finish the video, we will look at a couple of the settings in the Accessibility menu that may help to reduce the number of inputs required for menu navigation.

In EA FC 24 you can access the Accessibility menu directly from the home screen by selecting the Accessibility icon.

Some of the menus in EA FC 24 require the Right Stick for menu navigation and scrolling. Turning the ‘Remap Right Stick Functionality’ setting to ‘On’ remaps the function of the Right Stick to the Left Stick in many of the menus.

Turning the ‘Remap Left and Right Bumper Buttons and Left and Right Trigger Functionality’ setting ‘On’ switches the functionality of the bumpers and triggers in many of the menus to Left Stick. This allows you to navigate through many of the Settings options with the Left Joystick, without the need for the bumpers or triggers.

Thank you for watching this video. If you have any questions about the motor accessibility of video games, please contact SpecialEffect.


In this video we will be looking at the One- and Two-Button Control Modes and some of the related menu accessibility options available in EA Sports FC 24 [PEGI 3]. These modes let you play matches using a single stick and either one or two buttons to control player movement, aiming, passing, shooting and tackling.

All footage in this video has been captured on an Xbox series X console.

The options discussed in this video are also available on PlayStation and PC versions of EA Sports FC 24, when playing with a controller. The Nintendo Switch version also has the One- and Two-Button Control Modes, but gameplay may be different as it is a separate build.

The information in this video is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publishing (December 2023).

Video Timestamps:

0:00 | Intro

0:40 | Changing Control Modes

1:09 | Two-Button Mode

2:42 | One-Button Mode

4:02 | Related Menu Accessibility Options

Video by Tom Williams

SpecialEffect’s Developer Resource:

SpecialEffect DevKit logo

For video examples of how developers have improved the motor accessibility of their specific games, please visit https://specialeffectdevkit.info/

More information for developers interested in further examples showing similar features to those demonstrated in the EA Sports FC 24 video above, can be found in the following modules of the SpecialEffect DevKit:

Evil Controllers’ One-Handed Controllers | Video

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Transcript…

Evil Controllers is a company based in the US that make custom and modded gaming controllers. One of the types of modded controllers that they make are one-handed controllers. These controllers aim to enable a person to use the majority of the controller with just one hand.

We use these controllers in our work here at SpecialEffect. We often use these controllers alongside additional buttons or joysticks, controlled with another part of the body. In this video, we will look at the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox versions of these controllers and the adaptations that are available.

Right-Hand Option

First, we will look at the right-hand version of these controllers. The L1, L2 and L3 buttons have been moved over to the right-hand side of the controller. The L1 and L2 buttons have been relocated, using digital buttons, over to the right arm of the controller. These are designed to be pressed with the individual’s middle, ring or little finger. The L3 button is also a digital button and has also been relocated over to the right side and is situated just below the right thumbstick. This is designed to be pressed with the individual’s right thumb.

At SpecialEffect we nearly always use the thumbstick extension option. This is where the left thumbstick has been placed in its own individual housing. This is so the stick can potentially be positioned and used with another part of the body. We often use this by someone’s finger or arm, or potentially by their foot or their chin. You could also think about swapping the stick functions over by either remapping in-console or in the game settings.

Left-Hand Option

We will now look at the left-handed versions of these controllers. The R1, R2 and R3 buttons have been relocated over to the left side of the controller. The R1 and R2 buttons have been relocated over to the left arm of the controller using digital buttons. These are designed to be pressed by either the middle, ring or little finger. The R3 button has also been relocated over to the left side of the controller using a digital button. This is situated just below the left thumbstick and is designed to be pressed using the left thumb.

Again, at SpecialEffect we almost always have the thumbstick extension option. This is where the right thumbstick has been placed in its own external housing. This is so the thumbstick can potentially be positioned and used with another part of the body. We often use this by someone’s finger, by their arm, or potentially by their foot or their chin. Again, you could remap this on your console or by using the in-game settings to swap the stick functions over.

With all versions of these controllers, the face buttons remain situated on the right side of the controller.

For the left-hand version of these controllers, we often recommend remapping the face buttons with the D-pad. So, for example, the Cross button on Playstation or A button on Xbox, we would remap over to Down on the D-pad. Or potentially the Circle button on PlayStation or the B button on Xbox, we would remap with Right on the D-pad. This is so that the individual does not have to keep reaching over to the other side of the controller to access these buttons.

This remapping can be done at a system level on PS4, PS5 and on Xbox. There is a link in the description to this video that explains how to do this.

The modifications made to these controllers are pretty much identical across all three platforms. However, one difference that’s worth mentioning is the digital buttons used on the PS5 version of these controllers are slightly different to the ones used on the PS4 and Xbox versions. The buttons used on the PS5 version are smaller than the PS4 and Xbox and some people may potentially find them harder to press.

Mounting the Controller

We find that some people find mounting these controllers, on either a laptray or on a desk can make them easier to use. You can use either a wedge or a piece of foam to hold them at a comfortable angle.

Accessing the Optional Thumbstick Extension

Some people might find that they can access the thumbstick extension with their weaker hand, especially if they are using their stronger hand to access the majority of the controller. Fixing the thumbstick onto a tray using Velcro will make it more secure and might make it easier to use.

If this is difficult, then it is possible to use another part of the body such as by the foot, or some people find using their chin can be effective.

If selected, you can purchase the thumbstick extension with a handle base. This is so the thumbstick can be mounted underneath the controller and used by the individual pushing it against their leg.

Optional Controller Features

Evil Controllers offer many additional options to help you customise the controller to your needs, such as hairpin or tactile triggers, regular or tactile buttons, additional thumbstick tension, game mods and a range of thumbstick options such as cable length and the type of base for the thumbstick.

Outro:

Thank you for watching this video. If you would like any more information on alternative controllers for accessing games, please contact SpecialEffect.


Evil Controllers is a company based in the US that makes custom and modded gaming controllers. One of the types of controllers that we use at SpecialEffect is their one-handed controller, which we use when someone would like to use more of the controller inputs with just one hand.

This video will look at the features and options available in their range of one-handed Xbox Series, DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers.

For information on remapping on console, please see our posts ‘How to Remap Controls on Xbox One, PS4 or Nintendo Switch‘ and ‘How to Remap Controls on Console‘ (for Xbox Series S/X, PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2).


The information in this video is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publishing (October 2023).

Video Timestamps:

0:00 | Intro

0:33 | Right-Hand Option

1:33 | Left-Hand Option

3:42 | Mounting the Controller

4:33 | Optional Controller Features

4:52 | Outro

Evil Controller’s One-Handed Controller Creator: https://www.evilcontrollers.com/accessible-controller-creator

Video by Tom Williams

FIFA 23 | One and Two Button Modes

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FIFA is a popular game with the people we help here at SpecialEffect and it has features and settings that can be used to make the game more accessible.

We will be looking at the One and Two Button control modes available in FIFA 23.

All footage in this video has been captured on an Xbox Series X console. The options discussed in this video are also available on PlayStation and PC versions of FIFA, when playing with a controller.

FIFA 22 has four preset control options – Classic, Alternate, Two Button and One Button. To change these, you need to go into Customise, select Settings, and select Customise Controls. You then, by default, use the RT/LT buttons to scroll through this menu and then left stick to select the controller mode you want. If you then press Back (which is B on Xbox, or Circle on PlayStation) the game will automatically save this mode selection.

Two Button Mode

Two Button Mode enables you to play offline and online matches with just a left joystick and the A and the B button (or Cross and Circle on PlayStation).

Your pass button, which is A on Xbox (or Cross on PlayStation) will do a ground pass or a through pass depending on the direction of your pass and the situation with the player you are passing to. If you hold the pass button longer, you will do a lobbed pass or cross. Again, this is dependent on the direction of your pass and the situation with the player you are passing to.

To shoot, you press the B button on Xbox or Circle button on PlayStation.

When you do not have the ball your pass button will become your standing tackle, and your Shoot button will become sliding tackle.

When you are out of possession you will need to press LB on Xbox or L1 on PlayStation to change player. By default, Auto Switch is set to ‘Air Balls and Loose Balls’. Auto Switching can be made full Auto which means that the game will switch player for you, removing the need for LB or L1 button. To turn on Auto Switching, go to Settings, select Customise Controls, scroll down to Auto Switching and scroll right to select Auto.

In Two Button Mode, Auto Sprinting is always turned on. This means that the game will sprint for you when there is space to do so and the situation may benefit from it. However, if you have access to the sprint button (which is RT on Xbox and R2 on PlayStation) you can still use this to sprint manually.

One Button Mode

One Button Mode enables you to fully play FIFA with just the left stick and one button which is A on Xbox or Cross on PlayStation.

In a standard game, the left stick acts as player movement. When you are in possession, the A button on Xbox (or Cross button on PlayStation) is used for all types of kick, including all types of passing and shooting. The type of kick played will depend on the situation you are in, the direction you are aiming and how long you hold the button for. Sometimes you may be expecting to shoot but a pass will be played instead, but with practice you will learn in which situations a certain type of kick will likely be played.

When out of possession the button will act as both sliding and light tackle, depending on the circumstance. When out of possession the game will auto switch control to your player nearest the ball.

When your player has the space to run, sprint will be activated whether you are in or out of possession.

One and Two Button Modes will work for offline and online play. They will also work in matches in all of the different game modes in FIFA (such as Volta and Career) but you might find you need some additional buttons in some menus (such as in FIFA Ultimate Team) and certain game modes, such as Skill games when playing in Career modes.

Menu Accessibility

To finish the video, we will look at a couple of the settings in the Accessibility menu that may help to reduce the number of control inputs required for menu navigation if using Two or One Button control inputs.

In FIFA 23, you can access the Accessibility menu directly from the home screen by selecting the accessibility icon.

Some of the menus in FIFA 23 require the right stick for navigating or scrolling. Turning the ‘Remap Right Stick Functionality’ setting ‘On’ switches the functionality of the right stick to the left stick in many of the menus.

Turning the ‘Remap Left and Right Bumper buttons and ‘Left and Right Trigger Functionality’ ‘On’, switches the functionality of the Bumpers and Triggers in many of the menus to the left stick. This allows you to navigate through many settings options with the left stick without the need for the Bumpers or Triggers.

Thank you for watching this video. If you have any questions about the motor accessibility of video games, please contact SpecialEffect.

FIFA is a popular game with the people we work with at SpecialEffect and includes features and settings that can be used to make the game more accessible. 

In this video, we will be looking at the One and Two Button control modes available in FIFA 23 [PEGI 3]. These control modes can reduce the gameplay controls within a match to either one stick and two buttons or one stick and one button.

We will go through these control modes and then a couple of settings that can reduce the controls needed in the menus. All footage in this video has been captured on an Xbox Series X console.

The options discussed in this video are available on Xbox, PlayStation and PC versions of FIFA 23, when playing with a controller.

Timestamps:

0:00 | Intro

1:12 | Two Button Mode

3:05 | One Button Mode

4:45 | Menu Accessibility

5:45 | Outro

Developer Resource:

SpecialEffect DevKit logo

For more video examples of how developers have improved the motor accessibility of their games, please visit https://specialeffectdevkit.info/

Gran Turismo 7 | Motor Accessibility – Beginner Assist Preset & Control Options.

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Gran Turismo 7 is a sim racing game available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles. This video will look at the motor accessibility of the game and will look at options and settings that might help to make gameplay easier.

All of the footage in this video has been captured on a PlayStation 4 console.

When the game is first started the player has to select certain control configurations and assist presets before they can start playing. These options are Steering Controls, Pedal Controls and Assist Preset Selection. Steering Controls allows you to select how you steer the car.

The options are Left Stick, Directional Pad and Motion Sensor Function. Pedal Controls allow you to select how your car accelerates and brakes.

The options are L2 for brake and R2 for accelerate, the Cross button for accelerate and Square button for brake or the Right Joystick. Pushing UP or FORWARD on the Right Joystick will cause the car to accelerate and pulling BACK will cause the car to brake.

Assist Preset Selection allows you to choose what level of assistance the game gives you when driving. There are 3 presets available each tailored to a different skill level. These are Beginner, Intermediate and Expert. The Beginner Preset automatically adjusts the following assist settings.

Auto-Drive is set to Brake & Steering. This means that the game will provide some assistance for braking and steering.

For braking, the car will automatically start braking at suitable points to help the player control their speed. This option is not a full assist, and the player will still need to monitor their speed and may need to physically brake at times.

For steering, the AI will prevent the car from oversteering and can help with smooth transitions through corners. This is not a full steering assist, and the player will still need to physically steer the car. Driving Line Assistance is set to ALL. This activates corner indicators and full driving line which makes it easier to navigate around the track. Braking Indicator is set to ON. This means that text and your HUD will flash telling you when you should brake.

Braking Area is set to ON. This means that an indicator for the best place to brake will be displayed above the track.

Replace Car After Leaving Track is turned ON. This means that your car will be automatically replaced on the track if you drive off.

All of these options can be changed at any time by going into the Settings and selecting the Assist Settings at the beginning of a race.

In the Assists menu you can customise these assists and you will find a few additional settings that will have also changed, depending on the preset chosen. These can be used to help make the game more accessible. Some of these will be activated when the Beginner Preset is selected.

Selecting Automatic Transmission means that you will not have to change gears so the game can be played with fewer buttons. With the Beginner Assist Preset, this is automatically changed to Automatic.

Traction Control sets the extent that the engine power will prevent the wheels from spinning. The higher the value, the less the wheels will spin, making the car easier to control. However, exit speeds from corners will be adversely affected.

With the Beginner Assist Preset, this is automatically changed to 5. ABS alters the effectiveness of the Anti-Lock Braking System, which prevents tyres from locking under braking. Setting this to Default means that the braking force will be controlled. With the Beginner Assist Preset, this is set to Default.

With Stability Management turned ON this will help prevent your car from spinning out. With the Beginner Assist Preset, this is automatically changed to OFF.

Counter Steering Assistance automatically rights the car when it has oversteered. With this set to Strong, even a minimal amount of oversteer will activate the system, making the car easier to control. With the Beginner Assist Preset, this is automatically changed to Strong.

Before you start the game you will also need to select which difficulty you would like to race at. The options are Easy, Normal and Hard. The default that the game suggests is to race on Normal, but Easy is recommended for beginner racers. The Easy option means that the AI-controlled rivals in world circuits are slower. Difficulty level selected does not affect prize money. To change the race difficulty, go to the Gran Turismo symbol in the World Map and select Options. You can then select Race Difficulty.

The default controller layout will vary depending on what steering controls and pedal controls are selected. If you do not want to use the preset controller layout, you can remap the buttons to your own choosing. To do this you can go into Options, by selecting the Gran Turismo logo in the World Map. Or select the Controller Settings menu before you start a race. You can only use the preset options for steering, but you can remap the pedal options and the other gameplay buttons. The only other buttons you cannot remap are the Share and Options button.

In this example L2 is being mapped to Accelerate and L1 is being mapped to Brake.

In the Controller Settings menu, you can also change the controller sensitivity. You can only access this in the Settings just before you start a race, not from the World Map. Controller Steering Sensitivity adjusts the steering speed and response speed of the front tyres. A lower value produces a slower response time, which allows for smoother steering. A higher value makes the car more sensitive. For steering wheel users, this menu also has some force feedback options.

Thank you for watching this video, if you have any questions about accessible gaming, please contact SpecialEffect.

Gran Turismo 7 is a sim racing game available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles. This video will look at the motor accessibility of the game, and options and settings that might help to make gameplay easier.

All of the footage in this video has been captured on a PlayStation4 console.

Video Timestamps (clicking on links will take you to view them in YouTube):

0:00 Intro

0:41 Basic Controls & Assist Presets

2:13 Beginner Assist Preset

5:27 Race Difficulty

6:08 Control Layouts

7:39 Outro

Music: Flight of the Inner Bird by Out of Flux and Ezra by Notize (both Artist.io).

SpecialEffect’s Developer Resource:

SpecialEffect DevKit logo

For video examples of how developers have improved the motor accessibility of their specific games, please visit https://specialeffectdevkit.info/

Sackboy: A Big Adventure | Motor Accessibility Video

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Sackboy: A Big Adventure [PEGI 7] is a 3D platforming game available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles. The game requires you to control Sackboy through a variety of different platforming levels and bonus content.

This post will look at the controls needed to play Sackboy, and the in-game options related to the motor accessibility of the game. All of the footage in this video has been captured on a PlayStation 4 console.

First, we will look at the default controls needed to play Sackboy: A Big Adventure. The left joystick will move Sackboy around. Tapping the Cross button will make Sackboy Jump. Tapping the Cross button again while in the air will activate Flutter. Tapping the Circle button will activate Roll. Tapping the Square button will activate Slap. Tapping Triangle while Sackboy is in the air will activate Nosedive. Pressing and holding the R2 button will make Sackboy Grab. The R2 button will also activate the Clawstring. This item is available later in the game. Some levels have hidden weapons and items. The R1 button will use the item. The L1 button will Discard the item. Pressing and holding the L2 button will enter Acting mode. You can then use the right joystick to move Sackboy’s arms. All directions on the D-pad can be used for different emotes and facial expressions.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure has local and online multiplayer. When playing cooperatively, if the players get separated, R3 can be pressed to activate Flare. This calls the Assistance Copter which will reunite all of the players.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure allows you to remap all the gameplay buttons. This can be useful for players who cannot access all of the controller or find certain buttons difficult to press. To remap the controls, go into the Settings menu and select Customise Controls. You then press Cross on the button you want to change and Cross again on the button you want to remap to. You cannot remap buttons onto joystick directions. You also cannot remap the functions of the Options, Share or Touchpad.

The Controller Settings menu has a few features that some players might find helpful. It is possible to change the vibration strength of the controller. By default, the vibration is set to maximum, but it can be turned down or completely off.

The function of the left and right joysticks can be swapped. By default the Left Stick is the primary stick which controls character movement. By selecting to swap the joysticks, the right joystick will now control character movement. This option only swaps the sticks for gameplay. The Left Stick or D-pad is still required for menus.

It is possible to invert the X and Y axis for the Left Stick or the Right Stick if you have selected the Swap Left and Right Stick option. This option only works in gameplay, the axes are default in the game menus.

The Inner Deadzone options enable you to adjust the size of the Inner Deadzone which is the area in the centre of the stick where the stick will not register anything. Making the Inner Deadzone smaller means that the stick will register the movement sooner with less movement required. People with small movements might benefit from a smaller Inner Deadzone. People with tremors or involuntary movement might benefit from a larger Inner Deadzone as a joystick will be less likely to register accidental movement. The Outer Deadzone option alters the size of the Outer Deadzone which is the area at the very edges of the joystick where nothing is registered. A larger Outer Deadzone means the player will not have to move the stick as far for the character to be at full movement.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure requires accurate timing of button presses, sometimes in close succession. You also need to be able to access the buttons at the same time as the stick. 

The Game Assists menu has some options to help make some gameplay controls easier. The Roll option allows you to select whether Roll is selected in game play by tapping Circle button or holding the Circle button. Some players find holding buttons down difficult so setting this to Tap might be easier.

The Grab option allows you to select whether Grab is activated by holding R2 or whether R2 is toggled. Having the Toggle option selected means you do not have to constantly hold R2 while grabbing an object. Instead, the Grab is activated by tapping R2 and then released by tapping R2 again.

By default to Flutter you need to press Cross to Jump then Cross again in the air to Flutter. By selecting Hold to Flutter, Flutter will be activated if Cross is held down. This could be useful for players who find tapping buttons quickly difficult.

Selecting Infinite Lives means that Sackboy will constantly regenerate. With this option selected you will never have to restart the level and you will regenerate at the last checkpoint selected. Sackboy will still get injured by enemies and can still fall down gaps. Infinite Lives cannot be turned on if you are in a level. You need to be in the World Map to turn on this option.

Some game levels require platforms to be moved manually. The Tilt Platform menu allows you to choose whether this is performed by tilting the whole controller or by using the right joystick.

Thank you for watching this video. If you have any questions about motor accessibility and video games, please contact SpecialEffect.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure [PEGI 7] is a 3D adventure platforming game available on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles. The game requires you to control Sackboy through a variety of different platforming levels and bonus content.

In this video we look at the controls needed to play and the in-game options related to the motor accessibility of the game.

Video Timestamps (clicking on links will take you to view them in YouTube):

0:00 Intro, 0:45 Controls, 2:26 Customise Controls, 3:02 Controller Settings, 5:06 Game Assists and 6:46 Outro.

An additional written post going through these options can be found here: Sackboy: A Big Adventure | Motor Accessibility – GameAccess

Music: Bark Technology – YesNoMaybe (artist.io)

SpecialEffect’s Developer Resource:

SpecialEffect DevKit logo

For video examples of how developers have improved the motor accessibility of their specific games, please visit https://specialeffectdevkit.info/