Create your custom controller before Xbox Design Lab temporarily shuts down

News
By Zachary Boddy
published

Shutting down for a while, until the new year.

Xbox controller
Xbox controller (Image credit: Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • Xbox Design Lab is a program that allows you to custom build your own unique Xbox controller from hundreds of combinations.
  • The program will become temporarily unavailable soon, so interested gamers should get in their order before October 13, 2020.
  • Xbox Design Lab won't return until 2021, indicating that they're making major changes to the program.
  • It's possible Xbox Design Lab is making the change to the new Xbox Series X and S controller, which will take time.

Microsoft's Xbox Design Lab is a fun service from the company that allows players to create practically any Xbox controller they could imagine. With a vast array of color options and customizations that can be combined in almost any way, it's easy to obtain the perfect Xbox controller to play with. Xbox Design Lab has created hundreds upon hundreds of different choices, but interested players shouldn't wait long before putting in their own order, as the program will be temporarily shutting down starting October 13, 2020.

After October 13, 2020, the Xbox Design Lab will no longer be available, and presumably won't be returning until sometime in 2021. While Microsoft doesn't provide a reason for this decision, it's likely to prepare and outfit the Xbox Design Lab with the new Xbox controller that will debut with Microsoft's next-gen consoles, the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.

Those consoles are coming November 10, 2020, so the Xbox Design Lab shutdown gives Microsoft plenty of time, and prevents any overlap with the next-gen consoles. However, it could be months before the Xbox Design Lab makes a return with the new controllers, so interested players should create their custom controllers soon so they can get them in time for the new consoles. Fortunately, most current Xbox accessories will be fully forwards compatible with the Xbox Series X and S, so you don't have to worry about your new custom controller not working.

The Xbox Series X and S may come out on November 10, 2020, but pre-orders are starting September 22, so mark your calendars!

Mix and Match
Xbox Design Lab

Build your custom Xbox One controller today.

Xbox Design Lab realizes the Xbox One controller of your dreams, assembled from a pool of hundreds of components. With over one billion combinations and a fair price tag, it's the one-stop controller shop to try.

Xbox Series X/S

Main

Zachary Boddy
Zachary Boddy
Staff Writer

Zachary Boddy (They / Them) is a Staff Writer for Windows Central, primarily focused on covering the latest news in tech and gaming, the best Xbox and PC games, and the most interesting Windows and Xbox hardware. They have been gaming and writing for most of their life starting with the original Xbox, and started out as a freelancer for Windows Central and its sister sites in 2019. Now a full-fledged Staff Writer, Zachary has expanded from only writing about all things Minecraft to covering practically everything on which Windows Central is an expert, especially when it comes to Microsoft. You can find Zachary on Twitter @BoddyZachary.