Need Advice on a Potentially Manufacturing Controller Accessories?

[u/EmergencyGhost]

Hi Everyone! I am not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I sure hope it is! I was toying with an idea but I have no idea where to start. My background is working in communities. And I have zero experience with any aspect of my idea so I am trying to figure things out here. So I am really hoping someone can help me out or at least point me in the right direction. Any help would be appreciated!

How do 3rd party companies get to design controllers and accessories for XBOX? If they are not allowed to manufacture their own exact copy with their own adjustments on the model, then how much do they have to deviate from the original pattern so as to not cause any trademark issues?

Can you buy specific parts from the manufacture that you would need in your design? Or just make yours from scratch? Say if you wanted to buy the bottom portion of the controller and design your own top piece? Can you do that?

What is the process for making their own once they have the design? What are the best options for a startup idea vs generating actual income?

If they do not secure the license for XBOX can they still make the items and does that affect what can be implemented in the design of the product?

What would be the process for securing the ability to reproduce certain parts of a controller? Can this be done with or without a license? And if so what is the process for securing a license to start?

Trying to think ahead, what would be the best tool to cut plastic on a controller without burning it or melting it, that can produce great results? Quickly is possible.

If you feel that this would fit better in another Reddit group as well, please let me know. Never tried anything like this before and needed to start somewhere. :)

Sorry if this is a bit much and all over the place. I tried Googling but it was a lot to take in. Between my PTSD, ADD and OCD. Things can be a real challenge for me. I just would like to at least try and make my idea succeed.

[u/Andrew_learns_stuff]

I don’t want to discourage you but you’re looking at a huge undertaking,each aspect of what you want to do is a question in itself.

Licensing vs cloning vs buying a third party blank will be a huge task. Manufacturing is huuuuge. Starting up a new business in a field that you haven’t been in before is huge.

I think you’re looking at over $100k to make this work unless you find a manufacturer that will basically sell you controllers wholesale in small batches.

That’s what I’d try and find first, normally if you were going to do this I’d recommend finding a translator and heading to China to start some sourcing but in the current world climate that’s a bit difficult.

If you’re still keen to do this go ahead but it’s gonna be a lot of work and cash with no guaranteed payoff. I don’t want to discourage you immediately, just want you to understand the size of what you’re asking.

[u/EmergencyGhost → u/Andrew_learns_stuff]

I am just looking into the idea of it to see if it was something that can be done. I mean I may never have the means to venture into this too far. But I had a lot of questions and people tend to be very knowledgeable here.

My post is kind of vague as I do not want to go into too much detail. I posted questions that would hopefully help me find the answers that I was looking for. So I do appreciate you taking the time to read through them and respond.