The Byowave Proteus Controller preorder was announced last week by Microsoft. Despite being incorrectly quoted by many as a Microsoft branded controller, it is in fact a licensed controller. With this preorder we also learn the price for this innovative modular controller. The preorder for the standard kit includes a 15% discount, making the price $255 USD instead of $299 USD. Shipping is estimated to start in Fall of this year, with normal orders following after. Preordering might be the only way to make sure you get one as soon as possible. A price tag of $255 might not seem cheap, but considering the product it’s not as expensive as some of us expected. Let’s take a look at what we know about the controller.
The Byowave Proteus Controller
Byowave’s Proteus Controller is a modular controller. Players can attach cubes together to create a unique controller. Cubes have slots to attach to each other, or attach controls such as face buttons or a D-pad. There are angled pieces as well for more unique shapes. By allowing players to determine the overall shape and location of controls, it adapts to them instead of the other way around. Handy for one-handed controls for example!
The standard kit includes two power cubes, which includes a battery and provides the connection to PC or console. At least one is needed for a Proteus controller to work. It connects wirelessly to the console or PC using an USB-dongle (one is included). With extra dongles and power cubes it’s possible to make up to four kits that can work as one controller. Also included is one half cube, which allows for a 45 or 90 degree angle between components.
Analog sticks and other controls
Rounding out the modules that can make up the main body of a Proteus controller are 2 analog cubes. The analog cubes have an integrated analog stick with hall effect sensors. Hall effect sensors increase durability and accuracy, and are less likely to drift. The stick itself can’t be removed, but the stick caps are interchangeable. Several files to create 3D printed caps are already available. Using these full size sticks isn’t required, and one mini analog stick is included that can be placed on any of the slots.
Other included peripherals that connect to the slots complete and complement the full set of controls you can find on an Xbox controller. These include two trigger modules (with hall effect sensors), a face button (XYAB) and a D-pad module. There are also two one-button modules and a module that includes the Xbox, menu, view, and share buttons.
The controls can be remapped, and the modules even remember this mapping when they are placed in another slot. Like you would expect, stick dead zones and directions can be adjusted and swapped as well. It’s possible to save game specific profiles using the companion app, although these are not saved to the controller itself. Vibration and an audio jack are also absent from the Proteus controller, but a rumble module might be developer later.
Who can benefit?
The Byowave website mentions the Proteus Controller can be beneficial for players who need one-handed controls or otherwise have difficulty with standard controller designs. During development they have worked with disabled people to test the controller. Byowave mentions that in its current form the controller may still require strength and dexterity to push small buttons. The included single button modules may help, but additional modules are being worked on as well. A mount is developed to help players who cannot hold a controller. This mount module has a common ¼ thread, compatible with many camera mounts. The Xbox Adaptive Controller and the Access Controller both also have this mounting option.
For now, the Byowave Proteus Controller will only work on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC. Support for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch may come in the future, but Byowave makes no promises here. It will be interesting to see how the Proteus Controller shapes up. We expect to see a bit more of the controller in the coming months.
