The controller Microsoft designed for the Xbox 360 is considered by many to be the best one ever made for any game console. So obviously the team that was tasked to design the controller for the upcoming Xbox One had some very high expectations to reach.
In the end, the basic design for the Xbox One controller has not changed that much from the Xbox 360 version, at least on the surface. However, in a new post on the Xbox Wire website, Microsoft says that the Xbox One controller team actually made "more than 40 technology innovations that make it more immersive, precise and comfortable."
One of the changes involves putting in four vibration motors. There"s a small one inside each of the the controller"s triggers to give people more precise feedback when playing games. There is also a larger motor in each grip for bigger in-game rumble effects. The thumbsticks have been revamped so gamers use 25 percent less pressure to actually move the sticks, again for more precise in-game actions. The D-pad, perhaps one of the biggest issues of the Xbox 360 controller, has a new design for the Xbox One version that should offer improvements for mobility as well.
The A, B, X and Y buttons on the right side of the controller are now lower to the controller case and are also closer to each other compared to the Xbox 360 version. The headset audio features have also been updated. Microsoft claims that there have been some improvements made for the controller"s wireless hardware. It states:
Each controller uses a combination of invisible reflective technology and LEDs to send a patterned infrared signal to your console and Kinect sensor. Not only does this make pairing the devices seamless, but it enables Kinect to associate the controller with whoever is holding it.
Microsoft says that the controller will enter into a lower power state when not in use, which should conserve its battery life in wireless mode.
The Xbox 360 controller was very comfortable to hold, even for hours at a time. Microsoft claims the Xbox One is even more comfortable, stating that it "was tested extensively by a broader age group than ever before to ensure it is optimized for as many people as possible."
Source: Microsoft | Image via Microsoft