Microsoft Tears Down Homophobic Xbox Pride Controller Critics

It's June, which means only one thing - the gaming world is flying its rainbow flags and covering everything in a thick layer of colourful glitter. We're not a fan of a cheap cash-in, but away from this, we'll admit Microsoft's Xbox Pride controller is a good way to show your colours as a member of the LGBTQ+ community or support as an ally.

While this sometimes transparent display of support for the LGBTQ+ community gets called out for the right reasons, it's a positive step that many developers and publishers get behind the minorities that play and make their games. Microsoft is one of the major three alongside Nintendo and Sony, so for it to put its full backing behind Pride Month is a big deal.

Why Is Microsoft Defending Its Xbox Pride Controller?

The release of the Xbox Pride controller comes after it was teased last year and some LGBTQ+ creators were given one. This updated version has expanded the design to include 34 different community flags "in a fine, interwoven manner to celebrate the nuance, complexity, intersectionality, and strength of the many LGBTQIA+ communities." More controllers are available from today (June 9) through the Xbox Design Lab, and with the controller largely being a hit, it's enough to make you feel all fuzzy inside.

When Microsoft shared the Xbox Pride controller on Twitter, you can only imagine the usual deluge of negativity. Alongside the usual complaints of "why do we need this," there were some more extreme displays of prejudice that moved into the realms of blatant homophobia. 

Comments ranged from "This is why PlayStation is better" to "GayBox," while others were a lot worse. Things got better when the official Xbox Twitter waded in to shoot down some of its haters. When someone said, "No one asked for this," Xbox replied saying, "And no one asked for you to reply, but here we are." Whoever was in control of the Twitter account could sit there all day coming up with sassy responses, but all we've got to say is "Yaaaaas gurl, slay those haters."

Are All Gaming Companies Supporting Pride Month?

For those saying they'd give their money to Sony instead, supporters pointed out that Microsoft's biggest rival is showing a similarly vibrant display of LGBTQ+ pride in June. The debate of Pride month has put everyone under a rainbow-coloured microscope. After Electronic Arts refused to make a clear about where it stands, staff threatened a walkout. This also led to an outcry from the likes of Apex Legends developer Respawn Entertainment - which is known for its LGBTQ+ characters. 

Remember when Injustice rewarded you for beating up LGBTQ+ characters in Pride Month? There's a lot to be said about these corporations jumping on the Pride bandwagon while still having a presence in companies where being gay can lead to the death penalty, but it's an uphill struggle where some representation is better than none. Whether you think Pride Month is just corporate greed or an important time of the year to give the sometimes downtrodden a voice, at least we can all agree that's one snazzy-looking Xbox controller.