Using Xbox Design Lab Online Software

Thanks to Xbox Canada, we got the chance to experiment with the Xbox Design Lab online software to create our own controller for the Xbox One (which we will review when it arrives). After receiving our credit for the review, I figured getting a controller designed would be a piece of cake. Unfortunately, a few hours later, I realized how wrong I was. Using the Xbox Design Lab software is both exciting and frustrating, not because of how the software works, but because of the number of options Microsoft offers to you!

The Xbox Design Lab software is incredibly easy to use, and will step users through each aspect of their custom controller build, body colour, back plate cover, 5 different button options, analog stick colours, D-pad colours, trigger colours, and bumper colours. With all of these options, the customization is almost endless, hence why I spent so much time trying to build a controller.

When picking colours, it’s important to remember that most things are twinned together. You pick 1 colour for both triggers, 1 colour for both analog sticks, and so on. Let’s walk through my own design, with images, so you can see what the options were, as well as the extra costs above and beyond the 99.99 price tag!

Body – Midnight Blue

Back – Midnight Blue with Rubber Grips (+5.99)

Bumpers – Robot White

Triggers – Sterling Silver with Metallic Finish (+3.99)

D-Pad – Sterling Silver with Metallic Finish (+2.99)

Thumbsticks – Robot White

ABXY Buttons – Grey on White

View and Menu – Grey on White

I also added the personal engraving option, which can be almost anything you want, or you can easily just select to have your Gamertag printed on the controller, which seems to be the most popular options for most gamers. The total cost for my controller came in around 122.94 Canadian, which is a steep price to pay for what amounts to a regular Xbox One controller in terms of functionality. That being said, having one unique controller, that you created, and that potentially no one else has, it’s somewhat exhilarating. For that reason, I strongly suggest every Xbox One fan try out the Design Lab at least once, and gets a unique controller to add to their Xbox One system!

We will review the controller once it arrives, so stay tuned to GamesReviews for that! Show us what you have created on Twitter!