The Xbox One's controller may not be a revolution, but Microsoft promises several important enhancements under the hood in an effort to preserve the identity of its Xbox 360 ancestor and provide developers with the tools to create tactile experiences. In Microsoft's official Xbox Wire blog, the company discusses new-fangled "impulse triggers," enhanced audio quality, an improved DPad, and more responsive thumbsticks, among other things.
So, what are impulse triggers? The Xbox Wire staff writes, "Xbox One's Wireless Controller sports four vibration motors - a small one behind each trigger that adds precise haptic feedback to the fingertips, and a large one behind each trigger that adds more precise haptic feedback to the fingertips, and a larger in each grip for large scale rumbles." While it might not sound like much, optimistically developers will craft inventive ways to use this new technology to add a new dimension to gameplay.
Kinect enabled games will now be more intuitive as well, and use infrared signals to identify which player is holding a particular controller. This is made possible by the inclusion of "invisible reflective technology and LEDs."
As for the thumbsticks, Xbox promises "25 percent less force to move." The much maligned Xbox 360 DPad has also seen a resdesign with a new cross shape. Xbox Live junkies will be happy to hear that headset audio quality has been markedly improved as well.
Despite a deluge of bad press surrounding Microsoft's mixed messaging on use games and online requirements, the console market contender plans to come out swinging next week at their annual E3 press conference.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
