The Xbox One isn’t even out yet — it hits stores this Friday — but Microsoft already wants fans to help give part of the new gaming console a makeover.
The company is planning a contest that invites players to come up with their own look for the face of the Xbox One controller. Starting Nov. 21, Microsoft will open the contest on its website (it won’t be live until Thursday), and amateur or professional graphic designers will find a template they can use to get all artistic on the new joypad.
People can submit designs through Dec. 31. After that, Microsoft will select the top 10, and then open the contest up to voting. The winner will get the People’s Choice prize, which is $750. The rest of the top 10 will get $500 each.
The Xbox manufacturer will also award a special prize to the best entry that uses Windows 8’s Fresh Paint app to design the art.
Microsoft will reveal the winners on Feb. 28, 2014.
The company would like to sell the winning look as a limited-edition controller, but it won’t guarantee that it will. It’s difficult to re-create exact colors in some designs due to the complications of manufacturing, and the firm is afraid to make a promise it can’t necessarily keep.