It's incredibly frustrating that Microsoft made a Pride controller this cool, and isn't letting me buy it

[CloseTalker]

Microsoft yesterday revealed a selection of Pride merch, much of which is honestly pretty sweet. However the coolest thing they showed off was the above controller, which features a certifiably incredible design, which they "will share these controllers with key influencers and media in the U.S. and internationally."

Umm, that's real shitty. I would love to have been in the meeting where at least one sane person said "If we sold these and gave 10% of the proceeds to LGBTQ+ organizations, we'd make a killing and garner a ton of goodwill", and that person was shot down with "Hmm, let's just send them to press and influencers who didn't ask for them and might not care at all".

Truly a dumb move, and it's a testament to how cool the controller is that it makes me as irrationally annoyed as it does. As a queer dude I would have jumped on this in a heartbeat, even if they charged a $10 premium for it.

My only hope is they get enough blowback on social that they come to their senses and put it up for sale.

 

[Lowrys]

I would buy that immediately if I could.

 

[Terbinator]

Completely agree. Seems the most obvious way to knock up a donation scheme, too.

 

[Ouroboros]

I need a second controller. I'd buy this one in a heartbeat. Especially if it was a limited time offer.

 

[Richietto]

I would buy that immediately. That shits hot. Like no for real that is one of the coolest looking controller designs ever.

I don't get the point of giving them his dug to specific people and news outlets. What dos that do???

 

[RecRoulette]

That's so fucking cool

 

[Lari]

I want that!

 

[Daysean]

That's so fucking stupid
Their decision to not sell it, not the controller I mean
Like even though I'm always super skeptical of corporations and advertisement/being inclusive on specific times, I WANT that

 

[MrCibb]

That's one funky controller.

 

[RoKKeR]

I'd say we let them hear about how much we want it! Agreed, it's beautiful.

 

[internet rabbit]

that looks NEAT, i hope they do sell it!

 

[EvilChameleon]

I also would buy that controller immediately.

 

[Aarglefarg]

What is that large vertical flag that the central buttons are on? I recognise all the others.

 

[elenarie]

Yea I wanna buy a few of these! :D

 

[nihilence]

Do influencer sell, donate or do anything with them?

 

[Mattmo831]

We need Xbox design labs to come back. Probably an e3 announcement maybe

 

[Nox Potens]

I dont even need a controller and i would buy that.

 

[Canyon]

Hell yeah, I'd buy that.

 

[starfoxxxy]

So will they go on sale eventually or what?

 

[DarthButcher]

I don't own an XSX or XSS, but I would buy that in a heartbeat.

 

[Possum Armada]

I'd happily but that as well.

 

[OrigamiPirate]

I want one so much

 

[PianoBlack]

Aw man and they even brought back the 360-style full color face buttons??

 

[Dan L]

I would buy that immediately. Actually 2 one for me and one for my daughter.

 

[DrScruffleton]

They do this all the time, its hella annoying. Theres so many controllers they do either a super limited run of that you have to win or they only give to certain people, but never sell them. Idk why they just dont do them made to order.

 

[Doc Laserstein]

What is that large vertical flag that the central buttons are on? I recognise all the others.

Click to shrink...

The kind of pale yellow/violet/pinkish/white? I think that's the pangender flag.

 

[Lorul2]

Politely have you and those who agree with you petition Xbox marketing execs on Twitter. They usually watch for trending stuff there. If it becomes the usual FUD that comes out of "Here" they will probably ignore it.

IMHO

 

[IMCaprica]

I don't know what's worse: that they've unveiled this controller and immediately announced it for influencers for PR, or the possibility that this is also a money-making opportunity where they release them to the public shortly after influencers get them.

 

[Deleted member 60402]

Holy shit that look gorgeous. Though I'm not fan of the button, it a shame you can't buy it.

 

[Taffy Lewis]

That's one ugly controller.

 

[Lobster Roll]

I physically recoiled with disgust. Influencers and key media? Sell that damn controller, it looks amazing.

 

[Izzard]

They'll be on eBay for £150 soon enough so fret not.

I can't understand why they thought giving these out to people that probably can't even tell you what LGBTQIA stands for was a good idea.

 

[ghostcrew]

Would 100% buy this controller. They should sell them.

But bringing a new product to market, even a recolour, takes time and I'm assuming this just came through too late to bring it to market in time for their Pride month celebrations. Otherwise why wouldn't they be selling it to everyone. They have tonnnns of controller options.

Now that doesn't mean they can't work on brining this to market afterwards. Representation and showcasing things for Pride doesn't stop once June is done. They should put this in stores. Would be big.

 

[Rabbit Clock]

I'd buy the hell out of that. Lame that it's influencer only.

 

[Deleted member 17184]

I need it!

 

[Hardvlade]

I stopped buying controllers after getting my Elite S2, but damn I'd get that in a heartbeat.

 

[Lari]

I'd buy it at a high price if they sold these and sent the proceedings to LGBTQ+ foundations.

 

[Dice]

Posting here for the cause, hope you get heard, cuz that's a really cool controller. They should be buyable.

 

[Daysean]

They'll be on eBay for £150 soon enough so fret not.

I can't understand why they thought giving these out to people that probably can't even tell you what LGBTQIA stands for was a good idea.

Click to shrink...

I would assume that the media influencers would be lgbtq+ themselves otherwise that would just be disheartening

 

[bytesized]

This influencer gifting whatever has got to stop

 

[Aarglefarg]

The kind of pale yellow/violet/pinkish/white? I think that's the pangender flag.

Click to shrink...

Thank you, that's the one.

 

[defaltoption]

I wouldn't buy it because I don't need any more controllers but that's dope as hell

 

[Izzard]

I would assume that the media influencers would be lgbtq+ themselves otherwise that would just be disheartening

Click to shrink...

I would love that to be the case, but until I'm proven otherwise I seriously doubt it to be the case.

 

[Katmeister]

This just contributes to my disgusts of "influencers" fuck those people just getting free shit. At least let me buy the damn thing, it looks awesome and I'd be down for a percentage going to charity. Like seriously charities are great, fuck Joe Middleclass influencer.

 

[Gradon]

This influencer gifting whatever has got to stop

Click to shrink...

Honestly it's getting obnoxious. And then you have something that's meant to be for goodwill given to influencers and unable to be bought for anyone else. Talk about completely missing the point.

This just contributes to my disgusts of "influencers" fuck those people just getting free shit.

Click to shrink...

It's not the influencers fault that they receive free shit. It's what companies do for exposure because they think they'll get more money from it.

 

[Blackleg-sanji1]

Man that's a really beautiful controller. Joining the cause for that to hit the streets we need it

 

[thankyoumerzbow]

hopefully when they announce the new store for customable controllers this is one of the designs you can choose

 

[Cosmic Schwung]

Genuinely excellent design

 

[Deleted member 13798]

Dumb move, maybe they will send them into production? That's a cool ass controller and would be amazing for them to make it and donate. Influencers getting is like...the most narrow audience possible. So okay, they promote it to their viewers, and then what? It would be fine to start it with them but they should sell them too.

 

[vixolus]

It's a great design. Would have been nice to see these sold. Even if they were pricier at like $80 with the proceeds going to non profits.