The The Xbox Design Lab website is backso that users can officially create their own custom controllers which are then built and shipped by Microsoft. The lab was first launched in 2016, but briefly shut down during Xbox Series X / S startup. Now it’s back and supports the new Xbox controller too.
The Design Lab works similarly to third party operated custom controller websitesso that people can choose different colors for different parts. Do you want blue triggers and a green front? You can do it. However, unlike these websites, The Design Lab’s controllers are officially Microsoft and in my experience have much better build quality and color quality. It also tends to be cheaper: a fully custom controller from Microsoft costs $ 69. You can also have a customized message engraved if you feel like it. But that will drive the price up by $ 10.
Our own Fahey have developed some nice looking controllers with this service. Back in 2017, he made a really nifty Xbox gamepad using bits and parts that were recently added to the website.
Already in October 2020, Micorosft has discontinued the Design Lab service, but made it clear that this was not permanent. Instead, the tech giant paused support for the website until sometime in 2021. It turned out to be sometime in June! Now the big difference from 2020 is that the site supports the new Xbox controllers, which include a nifty little share button. (I wonder where Xbox got the idea for this button from. Hmm …)
If you want to make your own classy (or nasty) looking Xbox controller, you can jump over it today on the site. Just a note: even after the little break and update, Microsoft is still not making custom designs for Elite controllers.
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