Microsoft has revealed that the Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller is now able to be fully customized with its Xbox Design Lab service. Gamers have been waiting for a chance to customize their Xbox Elite Series 2 controllers and now the Design Lab service has finally been extended to cover the professional controllers.Xbox released its range of Elite controllers on October 27, 2015, as a new, top tier, level of controller aimed at the professional gaming market. Phil Spencer, Xbox Division Head, called the new offering, "an elite controller for the elite gamer," at its announcement at 2015's E3 conference. Due to the success and popularity of the Elite controller, a Series 2 edition was released in 2019 with dramatic improvements over its predecessor, including adjustable-tension thumbsticks, shorter hair trigger locks, a wrap-around rubberized grip, and a host of interchangeable components to suit each gamer's play style. As with the Series X/S consoles, however, the Elite Series 2 was only launched in two colors: White and Black.Microsoft announced that it was extending its Xbox Design Lab service to the Elite Series 2 controller on Tuesday, October 18, and left a placeholder message on its Design Lab website stating, "Xbox Design Lab will be back in a bit. Wait until you see what we're working on." The service will offer gamers the chance to color customize almost all external parts of their controllers, and for the first time ever in Xbox Design Lab, color-customize the thumbstick base and ring. The announcement on Xbox's website claimed that, "Since Xbox Design Lab launched in 2016, the number one fan request has been to include Elite controllers in our unique customization program to empower further personalization of our premium controller. Now you have billions of colorful ways to make the most customizable controller from Xbox unmistakably yours!"
Design Labs has included a personalized laser engraving service to add customers' names, Gamertags, or custom 16-character message to their controllers, alongside a range of customizable carry cases being made available. The Xbox Accessories app also allows for power button light changes to match any color scheme chosen by the controller's owner, boasting over 16 million hues of light. Custom controllers start at $149.99 and can be purchased bundled with all available Elite component for $209.99.
Gamers have been waiting for the personalization of Xbox Elite Series 2 controllers since their release and, now that wait is over, they can start to add their own touches to Xbox's top line of controllers. Fans will be able to showcase their unique controllers by using #XboxDesignLab on social media and take inspiration from featured designs on the Design Lab website.