Microsoftemployed the services of a master craftsman to create a special, one-of-a-kind Xbox controller made entirely of jade. The mineral often used to craft traditional Chinese jewelry was commissioned byMicrosoftin celebration ofWo Long: Fallen Dynastycoming to Xbox.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynastyis a third-person action-adventurerole-playing game with Soulslike elements set during a fantasy version of the final days of China’s Han Dynasty. It was developed by Team Ninja, the developers behind theNinja GaidenandNiohseries.Wo Longwas met with generally favorable reviews when it was released on March 3. Jade plays an important role in the game’s combat, as early on the nameless player character is given a jade talisman that allows them to unleash a powerful attack that summons a legendary animal.
RELATED:Microsoft Reveals 6 New Custom Xbox Consoles and Controllers
The attack, which is key to defeatingWo Long: Fallen Dynasty’stroublesome first boss, Zhang Liang, is powered by the bright green mineral, as jade plays a vital role in the game’s lore. To honor its importance, Microsoft commissioned the work of a master jade craftsman to create an Xbox controller with a shell made entirely of real jade. In a promotional video released on YouTube, jade artist Andy Chi describes the challenges of using a precious and fragile mineral typically used to craft jewelry to make the first-of-its-kind video game controller.
One of Chi’s biggest obstacles involved figuring out how to protect the sensitive mineral from getting damaged during prolonged play by the controller’s plastic inputs. The solution involved lining the outer edges of the thumbstick base with a plastic ring that absorbs the shock of sudden movements. The manufacturing process was a struggle, too. Chi had to cut the individual pieces that make up the outer shell multiple times as the pieces kept cracking during the cutting process. The hard work seems worth it, as the result is a uniquely gorgeouscustom Xbox controllerthat honors not only the release of a video game but also the long, rich history of the nation and the people that inspired it.
While the controller is certainly a step up from other game tie-in controllers like therecently announcedStarfield-themed Xbox controller, the jade controller is, sadly, not being manufactured at a large-scale and is not for sale. Andy Chi’s jade Xbox controller is a work of art designed for promotional purposes only. In the same vein, Microsoft has not announced a promotional giveaway for the controller.
MORE:Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty: 8 Side Quests You Should Not Skip
