Behind the controller

How Playcycle Is Made

A sustainable, modular controller requires a completely different production process. Here’s how we turn raw materials into a repairable gaming device built to last.

1. Modular Design Engineering

Every Playcycle unit begins with an engineering philosophy built on modularity. Instead of permanently attached components, we design:

  • Hot-swappable joystick cartridges
  • Independent trigger & bumper modules
  • Replaceable USB-C board & battery
  • Upgradeable shells and grips

2. Responsible Material Sourcing

To reduce environmental impact, we choose suppliers who prioritize recycled and durable materials.

  • Recycled ABS/PP plastics for the housing
  • Hall-effect sensors for drift-free joysticks
  • Panelized PCBs that minimize waste
  • Recycled aluminum for stick shafts & supports

3. Assembly & Testing

Controllers are assembled in small production batches. Each module is tested individually before pairing with a main unit.

  • Electrical continuity checks
  • 250,000-cycle button & trigger testing
  • Hall-sensor calibration
  • Firmware installation & diagnostics

4. Low-Waste Packaging

All controllers and modules are packaged plastic-free. Replacement modules ship in compact recyclable mailers to reduce carbon footprint.

5. Software Diagnostics

The Playcycle app makes maintenance easy by tracking part health and guiding users in replacing modules.

  • Stick drift monitoring
  • Trigger & button response tracking
  • Battery wear estimation
  • Automatic firmware updates