In a shocking announcement, Microsoft has closed the Xbox Design Lab. Fans may know that this is a method of creating personal custom controllers from Xbox, at a premium cost of course. One of the most unique elements of the Xbox Design Lab is the ability to engrave something into the controller, typically an Xbox Gamertag.
It should be noted that the Xbox Design Lab has closed before—prior to the release of the Xbox Series X. It opened back up a few months later, with most signs pointing to the closure being due to supply issues with COVID-19. Obviously, this doesn’t seem to be the case here, not just because supply has improved, but because the website says that Microsoft techs are working on something.
What the Xbox Design Lab Closure Could Mean
Ultimately, its closure suggests one of three things, but there’s one big determining factor. If it opens in a matter of hours or just a couple of days, it’s probably nothing big. If it hasn’t been re-opened by the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase, it’s more likely to be something big.
The simplest reason for the closure is obvious: updating the design lab with new customization options, as well as more customizable parts. Notably, the face button customization on the Xbox Design Lab wasn’t the most in-depth, and there are a ton of ways the general choices could be improved. All in all, if it’s re-opened soon and even if it isn’t, this is the most likely result.
The second possibility is also viable and would perhaps be the most exciting option. With or without the above, introducing the option to customize Xbox Elite controllers would certainly be welcome. That would automatically come with more options and a higher price, but as the Xbox Design Lab currently only applies to the standard controller, it would be awesome to personally customize Xbox’s Elite series of controllers. Many love and prefer these controllers, and it would be a good step forward for the service.
The last option is the least likely, but potentially the most interesting and exciting. It would seem more likely if it wasn’t reopened before the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase. While that showcase is meant to focus on Xbox first-party games and Game Pass, it would be the perfect place for a controller revision—this could introduce new features and perhaps something to compete with the PS5’s DualSense. All in all, it remains to be seen, but Xbox is teasing something and it’s hopefully worth the wait.
The Xbox Design Lab is currently closed.