At first glance you might not notice much different about the new Xbox One controller. It’s instantly familiar to anyone who has used the tried-and-true Xbox 360 controller, but the differences are many, and sure to make gamers happy. A new blog post surveys more than 40 innovations that make the new controller more immersive, precise and comfortable.
On the immersive front, new impulse triggers enhance the sense of reality, creating experiences where gunshots, car crashes and explosions come to life. Sound quality over the headsets also increases, to the point that in-game chat over Xbox Live is often clearer than talking on the phone.
Of course, precision is key to exacting gameplay, and to that end the new controller delivers a number of improvements, starting with thumbsticks that have been revamped for greater precision, comfort and a better grip. The sticks require 25 percent less force to move, so you can fight faster and with more accuracy. Also, the controller has a brand new D-pad optimized for more precision and tactile feedback for gaming. Other new improvements include the controller’s buttons, connectivity with other players, and power efficiency.
Great games can keep you playing for hours and hours. To make that time as easy on you as possible, the new controller was honed to the closest tenth of a millimeter to offer the most comfortable fit in users’ hands, and was tested extensively by a broader age group than ever before. Angled triggers and bumpers were carefully designed for both precision and comfort, and the triggers require a lighter pull, so squeezing it repeatedly is an easier and more precise action. Another change that provides an unexpected comfort gain comes from moving the compartment that houses AA batteries into the interior of the controller, freeing more room at the bottom for your fingers to grip.
Read the blog post to find out more about the new controller, and tune into the big Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) event on June 10 for lots more about what’s next for Xbox.
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Steve Clarke
Microsoft News Center Staff