Joystiq

Joystiq tries a custom Xbox Evil Controller (and you can win it!)

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 29 May 2013 16:30:00 EST

Remember Evil Controllers' Kickstarter for a lithium-ion Xbox 360 controller? The controller is now a reality, packing a built-in battery that Evil Controllers claims can hold up to 60 hours of charge. They built a special unit just for us, featuring custom Joystiq iconography and colors, and we've been testing it out for a couple weeks now.

We can't verify the 60 hour claim, but we haven't had to recharge it once, and the battery indicator on the Xbox 360 dash has yet to drop by even one bar. Beyond that, the build quality is exceptional and the Evil D-pad is great for action games and shooters.

But enough chat! You read the headline and you want to win this bad boy. To enter, simply follow the directions below. We announced the giveaway during the live Super Joystiq Podcast last week. We broadcast new episodes every Thursday, and we have giveaways like this all the time. Be sure to follow us on Twitter so you know when to tune in!

Evil Controller giveaway:

Subscribe to Joystiq's channel on YouTube. Send us a message on YouTube with your name and email. Be sure to include "Evil Controller" in the subject line. Spelling counts! Comments posted here do not qualify.
Only one entry per person.
This entry period ends at 12:00PM ET, Friday, May 31, 2013.
At that time, we'll randomly select one (1) winner to receive an Evil Controller custom Joystiq Xbox 360 controller.
For a list of complete rules for JoySwag, click here.

What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition.

For more info on our policy, click here.

Joystiq tries a custom Xbox Evil Controller (and you can win it!) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 May 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Evil triumphs: Evil Controllers Xbox 360 mod Kickstarter succeeds

JC Fletcher — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:30:00 EST

The Kickstarter drive for Evil Controllers' lithium-ion powered Xbox 360 controller has ended successfully, with the company receiving $24,624, well above its $15,000 goal. The modified controller charges over USB and can be used for "well over 10 hours of straight gaming between each full charge."

The battery pack kits go to everyone who pledged $50 or more, and will ship starting in January. The full controller, with the pack pre-installed along with new thumbsticks, went for $150.

Evil triumphs: Evil Controllers Xbox 360 mod Kickstarter succeeds originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Evil Controllers kickstarting a Li-Ion powered 360 controller

Mike Suszek — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST

Evil Controllers, makers of controller hacks such as the evil d-pad and the accessible Adroit "switchblade" controller, have recently taken to Kickstarter to fund a lithium-ion-powered Xbox 360 controller mod. The battery can keep the same charge for weeks, according to Evil Controllers CEO Adam Coe, though the Kickstarter page also lists an expected battery life of 10 hours of non-stop use. The updated battery charges over a provided mini-USB cable as well as Microsoft's play n' charge cord.

A $50 pledge to the project nets donors a backplate for their Xbox controllers with the battery included. It takes a fairly large donation, $150 and $200 to be precise, to receive a fully-modded Evil Controllers gamepad. The project's funding goal is $15,000, which Evil Controllers hopes to reach by December 2.

Evil Controllers kickstarting a Li-Ion powered 360 controller originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ablegamers president explains Adroit Switchblade controller

Justin McElroy — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST

If you're not particularly well versed in controller accessibility, the Adroit Switchblade (recently unveiled by the Ablegamers Foundation) may seem a little daunting.

If you're interested (and you should be, because it's really cool), Ablegamers co-founder and president Mark Barlet took a few minutes out of PAX to demonstrate exactly how this unique controller functions.

Gallery: Adroit Switchblade controller

Ablegamers president explains Adroit Switchblade controller originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Adroit accessible controller, 'Switchblade,' revealed

JC Fletcher — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:45:00 EST

You might know the name "Switchblade" as the tiny, currently concept-only laptop by Razer. However, it's also the first in Evil Controllers and AbleGamers' "Adroit" line of controllers designed for easy accessibility for players with disabilities.

The Switchblade is basically a big black box, with 19 ports to which sticks, buttons, rumble packs, and other attachments can be placed in any configuration. It comes with two joysticks, but as Thrifty Nerd reports, it's possible to make a directional pad out of four buttons as well, if that works better for the owner's needs. You can also program macros for each individual port.

The Switchblade is built for Xbox 360, but adapters will be available for use on PC and PS3. There's no date yet, and no official price, but Thrifty Nerd reports that it'll be "a few hundred dollars." It's pricey, but not compared to the cost of having your own customized controller built.

First Adroit accessible controller, 'Switchblade,' revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Adroit' controller line to make games more accessible

JC Fletcher — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 12:30:00 EST

Evil Controllers, a company that augments controllers by adding LED lights, d-pad upgrades, auto-fire and other extra capabilities, has announced a plan that we can't find evil no matter how much we look. It's working with the AbleGamers Foundation to design accessible peripherals for disabled gamers.

The "Adroit" line of controllers is intended to enhance accessibility at an affordable cost. "The problem with equipment currently available to help the disabled community get into videogames is that it often costs way more than someone on disability can afford," AbleGamers.com EIC Steve Spohn said in the announcement. "These controllers will be higher quality with lower cost. What's not to love?"

AbleGamers and Evil Controllers haven't released specifics about the Adroit line yet, mentioning only that it " will include all of the fan favorite features available on Evil Controllers mods". More information about the first releases will be divulged "within the next few weeks," according to the press release. In the meantime, feel free to be thoroughly teased by the video after the break.

Continue reading 'Adroit' controller line to make games more accessible

'Adroit' controller line to make games more accessible originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Evil Controllers summons the Evil D-Pad for Xbox 360

JC Fletcher — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 03:00:00 EST

If you want an improvement over the Xbox 360's current D-pad, you can wait until November 9 and pick up one of the new controllers with the twisty directional pads ... or you could get one of these things. Evil Controllers is offering standard wireless or wired Xbox 360 controllers with the addition of the "Evil D-Pad," which replaces the traditional rocker switch with four buttons. Desperate times (including any time you're trying to play a game with the D-pad) call for desperate measures!

You can order a wired controller with an Evil D-Pad for $54.99, or a wireless version for $74.99. That is, of course, unless you choose to bundle it with other mods. If you're going to do this to your controller, why stop there?

Evil Controllers summons the Evil D-Pad for Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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