First batch of Xbox Design Lab custom controllers arrives in September

By Danny Cowan Published August 26, 2016

Microsoft is boxing up its initial shipment of player-customized Xbox Design Lab controllers for the Xbox One, announcing that its first wave of vibrantly colorful gamepads will arrive on player doorsteps in September.

Xbox Design Lab controllers are still up for pre-order, and newly created designs will ship out within 14 business days.

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The Xbox Design Lab is an online customization program that allows players to outfit Xbox One controllers with colorful shells, buttons, analog sticks, and d-pads. Microsoft notes that Xbox Design Lab controllers offer players 8 million different color combinations to choose from, and custom-crafted designs can be shared across Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Xbox Design Lab gives players an easy way to identify their Xbox One controllers in a group setting with a personalized touch. Custom-built controllers can also be outfitted with a laser-engraved 16-character message, making it easier to identify your hardware if an opponent tries to swipe your controller at a local meet-up.

Microsoft’s made-to-order Xbox Design Lab controllers are currently available for purchase in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, and the company plans to “[bring] Xbox Design Lab to more Xbox markets in 2017 and will have more to share in the near future.”

Xbox One owners have multiple options with regard to controller input, as the recently launched Xbox One S console introduced a redesigned controller with Bluetooth support, boosted wireless range, and textured grips. Players who demand precision may opt to pick up the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller, a $150 device that boasts customizable metal analog sticks, a disc-shaped d-pad, and rear slots for interchangeable paddles.

Hardware appears to be a major component of Microsoft’s Xbox platform strategy, as the company recently revealed that an upgraded version of its Xbox One console is in the works. Code-named “Scorpio,” the upcoming Xbox One hardware refresh is rumored to feature a faster GPU, VR compatibility, and support for 4K resolutions.

Xbox Design Lab controllers can be customized and ordered via Microsoft’s website. Prices for custom orders start at $80.

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