With future XAC support, one software engineer is enhancing the usability of gaming on Linux systems.
For gamers with wounds and impairments, the Microsoft Xbox Adaptive Controller (XAC) has improved PC accessibility since late 2018. Now, XAC drivers will soon be available for Linux, courtesy of the cleverness of one software programmer.
The Xbox Adaptive Controller has allowed those PC and Xbox users who lack the complete movement range the opportunity to play their favorite games thanks to its amazing ability to adjust to each individual user’s demands. Without resorting to making unconventional game controllers out of commonplace items or giving up on gaming altogether a true travesty.
Nathan Yocom, a software engineer and co-author of The Definitive Guide to Linux Network Programming, will shortly be able to help Linux users in taking advantage of the flexibility the XAC’s modular gaming setup may offer, according to Phoronix.
Yocom has been upgrading the Xpad driver code that is already included in the Linux kernel in order to give customers of Linux support for the Xbox Adaptive Controller. Along with the Xbox button, it adds support for the layer button, which has four active states assigned to an Axis control.
It doesn’t seem like the XAC driver code is complete now, but improvements are being introduced often. Therefore it shouldn’t be long before Yocom is prepared to provide Linux customers with this extremely adjustable accessibility option.
Therefore, it seems the software side is far from stagnating, even though Microsoft’s accessible lead acknowledged last year that the subject of building accessibility tech has reached a “bit of a plateau.”
The $99.99 Xbox Adaptive Controller, which is marketed at a variety of stores like Amazon, Target, Gamestop, Newegg, Best Buy, Walmart, and of course, the Microsoft Store, has been a huge help to gamers with impairments and restricted mobility on Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
