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Xbox Wireless Controller

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  • AU: November 22, 2013
  • BR: December 1, 2013
Xbox One Controller
Xbox One controller
ManufacturerMicrosoft
TypeVideo game controller
GenerationEighth
Lifespan2013 - Current
ConnectivityWireless, Micro USB
  • 2× clickable Analog sticks
  • Digital D-Pad
  • 2× Analog triggers
  • 11× Digital buttons
  • Wireless pairing button
  • 3.5mm Stereo Audio Jack (newer revisions)
PredecessorXbox 360 Controller

The Xbox One Controller is the primary controller for the Microsoft Xbox One console. The controller maintains the overall layout found in the Xbox 360's controller, but with various tweaks to its design, such as a revised shape, redesigned analog sticks, shoulder buttons, and triggers, along with new vibrators within the triggers to allow for directional haptic feedback.

Since launch, there has been one minor revision to the Xbox One controller: the addition of a 3.5mm stereo headset jack and an improved bumper mechanism.[1]

Design

Microsoft invested over $100 million into refining the controller design for the Xbox One; internal designers had created prototypes with various tweaks and refinements to the design over the Xbox 360 controller, along with those including unorthodox features such as embedded screens and speakers (which were rejected due to their effects on battery life, and redundancy to the main display and sound system), and the ability to emit odors.[2]

The Xbox One controller maintains the overall layout found in the Xbox 360's design, but with enhancements such as redesigned grips, a smoother build (including a slimmer battery compartment) and "Menu" and "View" buttons replacing "Start" and "Back". The controller also contains light emitters that allow it to be tracked and paired using Kinect sensor, and to detect when it is not being held to automatically enter a low-power state. The controller contains a micro USB port, enabling wired use of the controller with the console or on computers running Windows 7 or later with drivers, and firmware updates.[3][4][5][6] For communication, the controller uses a new proprietary protocol with a larger amount of bandwidth than the wireless protocol used by the Xbox 360 controller, reducing wireless latency and allowing higher quality headset audio.[4][5]

The analog sticks feature a new textured rim, while the D-pad was changed to use a more traditional 4-way design rather than the circular 8-way design of the 360, factoring criticism by players of fighting games (who, ironically, despite the use of "sweeps" across the D-pad in these games as motivation, felt that the Xbox 360's D-pad performed poorly in fighting games), and their use as "keys" in some games.[7] The design of the face buttons were designed to improve their legibility, using a three-layer design consisting of a black background, colored letter, and a clear covering intended to make the letter appear to "hover" inside it. The buttons themselves are also spaced slightly closer together.[8]

The bumpers and trigger buttons were overhauled with a new curved shape to improve their ergonomics, as the user's fingers now naturally lie at an angle upon them unlike the straighter design on Xbox 360 controllers. The bumpers were also made flush with the triggers. The triggers themselves now have a smoother feel, and were made more accurate.[8] Each trigger features independent rumble motors called "Impulse Triggers", which allows developers to program directional vibration. One trigger can be made to vibrate when firing a gun, or both can work together to create feedback that indicates the direction of an incoming hit.[9]

Layout

A standard Xbox One controller features ten digital buttons, a syncing button, two analog triggers, two analog sticks and a digital D-pad. The right face of the controller features four digital actions buttons; a green "A" button, red "B" button, blue "X" button, and amber "Y" button. The lower right houses the right analog stick, in lower left is a digital D-pad and on the left face is the left analog stick. Both analog sticks can also be "clicked in" to activate a digital button beneath. In the center of the controller face are digital "View", "Menu" and "Guide" buttons. The "Guide" button is labelled with the Xbox logo, and is used to turn on the console/controller and to access the Dashboard. Unlike the Xbox 360 controller, the Xbox One controller features a white, glowing Xbox logo on its guide button and does not feature the "ring of light". The left and right "shoulders" each feature a digital shoulder button, or "bumper", and an analog trigger.

PC support

On June 5, 2014, official drivers were first released, to enable the use of the Xbox One controller in Windows PCs.[10] These drivers, however, only enabled the use of the controller while connected via a micro USB cable to the computer. Soon after, a new SKU of the controller, called "Xbox One Wired Controller for Windows" was released, which included the regular black controller together with the necessary cable, intended for Windows PCs.[11]

Finally, on March 3, 2015, a wireless receiver was announced to launch coinciding with the release of Windows 10, which would enable the use of the controller on PCs wirelessly.[12]

Accessories

Stereo headset adapter

The Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter allows the use of headsets with 3.5 millimeter headphone jacks with the Xbox One controller. An adapter for 2.5 milimeter headphone jacks (except for ones with a dongle-like adapter) is also included.[13]

PC wireless receiver

The Xbox One wireless adapter is a USB dongle that allows wireless use of Xbox One controllers on Windows 10 PCs.[14] It is expected to become available by the end of 2015.[15]

Chatpad

A keyboard chatpad attachment, similar to the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit, was unveiled at Gamescom on August 4, 2015.[16]

Variants

Standard variants

  • A standard controller in black is shipped with all standard Xbox One consoles and are also available for standalone retail purchases. Per a partnership between Microsoft and Oculus VR, Xbox One controllers will be bundled with the Oculus Rift.[17] Bundles with white Xbox One hardware (such as the Sunset Overdrive bundle, and one given exclusively to employees on the release of Xbox One), include a white version.[18][19]
  • On June 9, 2015, Microsoft unveiled a revised version of the standard controller. Its shoulder buttons were redesigned for improved responsiveness, a 3.5 millimetre headphone jack was added and it now supports wireless firmware updates.[20][21]
  • Xbox Elite Wireless Controller: At E3 2015, Microsoft unveiled a new version of the controller, costing roughly 2.5 times the price of the standard controller. It has a number of improved features, including more durable materials, interchangeable analog sticks, D-pads and paddles, hair trigger locks, an Xbox Accessories app, and support for two profiles for different games. It will become available on October 27, 2015.[22]

Limited and special edition colors

  • Day One "Limited Edition" controllers were bundled exclusively with the "Day One Edition" Xbox One console at launch in November 2013.[23]
  • Titanfall "Limited Edition" controllers were released in March 2014 to coincide with the launch of Titanfall. The controllers are a white, black and orange design which was inspired by the in-game R-101C carbine.[24]
  • Armed Forces "Limited Edition" controllers were released in October 2014. The controllers are a green camouflage pattern that Microsoft describe as being a "modern camouflage pattern and military look."[25] The controllers also have a metallic D-pad.
  • Midnight Forces "Limited Edition" controllers were released in November 2014. The controllers feature the same design as the 'Armed Forces' controller but instead have a blue camouflage theme. The controllers also have a metallic D-pad.[26]
  • Call of Duty Advanced Warfare "Limited Edition" controllers were released in November 2014 to coincide with the release of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. The controllers are a grey/emery color with gold, silver and black decals. The main design features a Sentinel Task Force logo on the front of the controller. The standard green, red, blue and yellow 'ABXY buttons' have been made monochromatic to match the rest of the design. The controller also has a golden metallic D-pad.[27]
  • Forza Motorsport 6 "Special Edition" controllers were released in September 2015 to coincide with the release of Forza Motorsport 6. The controllers are colored mainly in different blue colors, with certain Forza Motorsport 6 decals, which are supposed to represent the 2017 Ford GT. The Forza logo is displayed on the stripe of the controller as well. The standard green, red, blue and yellow 'ABXY buttons' have been changed to a blue color to match the rest of the design. The controller also has a black D-pad. The item is priced at $65 before tax if applicable.[28]

References

  1. ^ "Xbox One Wireless Controller". VentureBeat. 2015-06-29. Retrieved 2015-06-29.
  2. ^ "The Xbox One controller: Projectors, smells (!), and other stuff that didn't make it in (part 1, exclusive)". VentureBeat. 2013-11-18. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  3. ^ "Update your Xbox One Controller to use the Stereo Headset Adaptor". xbox.com. Microsoft. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  4. ^ a b "The Xbox One controller: A look at the new rumble, faster speed, smooth design, and everything else (part 4, exclusive)". VentureBeat. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Xbox One controller can be plugged in via USB to save power". Eurogamer. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  6. ^ Goldfarb, Andrew (2013-05-24). "Microsoft Explains Xbox One Controller's New Buttons". IGN.com. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
  7. ^ "The Xbox One controller: What's new with the analog sticks and D-pad (part 2, exclusive)". VentureBeat. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  8. ^ a b "The Xbox One controller: What's new with the buttons and triggers (part 3, exclusive)". VentureBeat. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  9. ^ Lowe, Scott. "Xbox One Controller Hands-on". May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  10. ^ "PC Drivers for the Xbox One Controller Now Available". MajorNelson (Larry Hryb). 2014-06-05. Retrieved 2015-03-22.
  11. ^ "Xbox One Wired Controller + Cable for Windows". Microsoft.
  12. ^ "Microsoft announces PC wireless adapter for Xbox One controller". TechReport.com. 2015-03-04. Retrieved 2015-03-22.
  13. ^ "Some caveats come with Xbox One headset adapter [update]". Engadget. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  14. ^ "The Xbox One wireless controller adapter is exclusive to Windows 10 for...reasons". PC World. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  15. ^ "Xbox Elite Wireless Controller". Xbox.com.
  16. ^ "Xbox One controllers get a chatpad this November". Polygon. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  17. ^ "Explained: How the Oculus Rift streams PC and Xbox One games". CNET. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  18. ^ "Sunset Overdrive bundle with a white Xbox One hits Oct. 28 for $399.99". Polygon. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  19. ^ Warren, Tom. "Microsoft creates white Xbox One for employees". The Verge. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  20. ^ "Xbox One doubles storage to a terabyte, gets jacked-up controller". CNET. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  21. ^ "Microsoft Launches Updated Xbox One, Controller, and PC Adapter". Anandtech. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  22. ^ Tom Phillips (17 June 2015). "Hands-On with Microsoft's Ridiculous $149 Elite Xbox Controller". Eurogamer. Retrieved 21 June 2015. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ "Xbox One Day One Edition includes exclusive Achievement, commemorative controller". Polygon. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  24. ^ "Take control of your Pilot and Titan with the Xbox One Titanfall Limited Edition Wireless Controller!". Titanfall.com. 2014-01-15. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  25. ^ "Special Edition Armed Forces Xbox One Controller And Stereo Headset Coming Soon". Game Informer. 2014-07-15. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  26. ^ Makuch, Eddie (2014-09-09). "$65 Xbox One "Midnight Forces" Controller Revealed". GameSpot. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  27. ^ "Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare-branded Xbox One controller is pricey". Polygon. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  28. ^ "Xbox One Special Edition Forza Motorsport 6 Wireless Controller". Microsoft. Retrieved 2015-09-11.
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