How can Microsoft improve the next Xbox controller?

[Gundam]

The Xbox controller. Though there have only been 3 generations of Xbox and 4 base controller models, you could arguably trace it's roots all the way back to the Sega Saturn, and by proxy all the way back to the Sega Master System.

The controller has evolved a ton, and though many, myself included, refer to the Xbox One controller as the GOAT and standard go to for PC controllers thanks to its build quality and layout, outside of ergonomics, there haven't been too many innovations from the 360 model.

Does a controller need much more?

2 triggers, 2 bumpers, 2 sticks, 4 face, 1 D pad, 1 guide, 1 start and 1 select.

The obvious feature is some sort of screenshot or record button. The way it's handled right now for Xbox One is less than optimal, requiring you to use the Xbox guide. In Single player games with suspend/resume, this isn't an issue, but in Multiplayer games, it can potentially cost you a win.

Personally, one minor thing that I'd love to see improved is controller syncing. The sync button on both the 360 and One pads in combination with the actual process is kind of garbage and takes forever. I'd like to see an implementation similar to the Nintendo Switch in this regard.

Thoughts?

 

[kadotsu]

More tension on the sticks, remodel the bumpers, standard paddles, no lights on the face.

 

[EvilBoris]

Symmetrical sticks

/s


A speaker , I love that shit

 

[Lukas Taves]

Make the elite the default one, only with less expensive materials and no swaping parts except for the paddles

 

[PCPace]

Internal battery pack sku for those who prefer it.

 

[Cynn]

It's pretty near perfect as/is.

 

[lil jetski]

• More resistance to the bumpers
• Less sticky face buttons (maybe just mine?)
• Better placement of the start and select buttons (yes, I still call them that)

I will say though that I think this controller is close to perfection. There is absolutely nothing ergonomically I would change. It's like it's molded after my hands

 

[Jersa]

I love the Elite (own three), but would appreciate if they upped the build quality on the LB and RB buttons. If they made that piece of aluminum, instead of the lousy plastic that will invariably fatigue and break at some point, it would be perfect.

 

[Radishhead]

Make the elite the default one, only with less expensive materials and no swaping parts except for the paddles

Click to shrink...

This.

It's already the best controller on the market, they don't need to change much.

 

[I KILL PXLS]

• Better D-pad
• Rethink the bumpers either changing the design or making them more natural to hit
• Make paddles standard

 

[Rocco]

How does one improve upon perfection?

 

[Raide]

Make the elite the default one, only with less expensive materials and no swaping parts except for the paddles

Click to shrink...

this. elite should be the default.

 

[Boots The God]

Random but I'd like a built-in mic in the controller. The jump to the Xbox one x really made me realize the convenience of being able to chat with friends through kinect, without using a headset. A mic in the controller could solve this.

 

[Tora]

Dedicated share button and more tension on the sticks. No batteries this time and a decent battery life.

 

[Roven]

Fix the damn bumpers. It's just baffling how cheap they feel in comparison to the 360 controller

 

[neufel]

Put the letters on the right buttons.
Jokes aside, I wonder if we'll see a PS4 approach: keep the essentials, the layout, etc, and add the touch of novelty on the side. I'm not saying kinect camera to check on your eye movement level of novelty... but you know.
If energy wasn't such a problem for controllers, I would have said "small screen" dreamcast-like. The return of the Duke felt like a prototype in that regard.

 

[ThreepQuest64]

• Buttons on the back so I don't need to let go of the right thumb stick to reload/jump/take/activate/etc.
• (Internal) Battery that can be charged via USB while playing.
• A button dedicated for screenshots/recording.

 

[Baked Pigeon]

The shape and design is perfect. Just make the sticks a little tighter and improve the bumper build quality. I am just going off my experience with my own controller, assuming I don't have a faulty one.

 

[harz-marz]

A dpad similar to the Sega Saturn's revised pad would make it perfect.

 

[J_ToSaveTheDay]

I think it'd be cool to get a gyro in there. I don't want it standardized across all games but it'd be a nice option -- I do like gyro aiming on Nintendo's platforms in some games, for instance.

I do want a dedicated "Share" button, as I do find myself using it a lot on PS4 and find the Xbox One Guide Button and submenu navigation to be cumbersome by comparison.

Finally, an internal rechargeable battery that's consumer-replaceable. Maybe just keep the same exact setup as now, where there's just a small lid that can be used to open up and access the battery, but just ship it with a rechargeable already installed. Make sure it's as high quality a battery as can be -- reasonable battery life and ability to recharge a ton. The latter seems to have been a problem for the official "battery packs" that come from Microsoft since the Xbox 360...

 

[Boots The God]

Dedicated share button and more tension on the sticks. No batteries this time and a decent battery life.

Click to shrink...

Hmm this is the first I've ever heard someone not satisfied with battery life on the controller. How many hours do you get out of yours?

 

[pikachief]

Make the elite controller standard, but also not fall apart after less than a year of standard use.

Also all I want from controllers now is clickable scroll wheels instead of shoulder buttons.

 

[CanUKlehead]

D-pad for me still off for fighting games, to the point I still get fighters on the PS4.

A little too...dunno, 'mushy'.

Otherwise, I prefer to play all games on the X1 controller; their best effort yet.

 

[jamsy]

I thought the Xbox One controller was a downgrade from the 360 controller.

The sticks are now too tall and too loose. The bumpers are too clicky. I honestly prefer the PS4 controller and I thought I'd never say that.

 

[Wing Scarab]

Remove that crappy d-pad. Make it more like the design of the Saturn or 360. My goodness that Xbox One d-pad is horrible for fighting games.

 

[MadMike]

I'd probably be fine if it was just an XB1 controller with a D-pad that wasn't complete shit. I would, however, like to see the bumpers improved a bit. I can't really decide what it is that I don't like about them. I just know they don't feel very good to use compared to the DS3/4. A dedicated share button would also be nice, especially if they can make it work on PC.

 

[Complicated]

I'd love built in paddles or buttons on the back like on the elite that aren't so easy to accidentally press. Even if it was just an experimental controller separate from the standard/elite controllers.

 

[Paxton25]

It's perfect, why change it ?

 

[Rocketz]

Make the grip from the lunar white controller standard and were there.

Improve share features.

 

[DanteLinkX]

I hate the dpad on that position, one of the reasons is fighting games, also it doesnt have a capture button, I also think it doesnt have any motion controls or rechargable battery, does it? for me Switch Pro controller (the 80+ hours of battery is a god send) and Dualshock 4 (only gripe with this one is the big ass light) are vastly superior.

 

[Deleted member 17630]

It's already perfect.

 

[pswii60]

I'd rather the buttons were a little less convex and slightly flatter like the DS4 buttons, but other than that it's near perfection. I think the triggers and sticks could be a little tighter but I'd rather they don't mess with the design too much. The D-Pad it's my favourite this gen by far.

 

[Mathias Lesauvage]

It needs a gyro. The controller looks so good, but it's still lacking the gyro sensor the Switch Pro-Con has, which makes playing some games with it pretty darn hard (Looking at you, shooters)

I'd also like to see it have paddles on the grip like some controllers have now, and an actual Share button like what's on the Switch. Yeah, I'm a little too addicted to how instant screenshoting and video clipping is on Switch.

 

[kubev]

Replace the right analog stick with something that could make the controller more comparable to a mouse in terms of camera control accuracy.

 

[Sir Guts]

I find it perfect. Size and the analogs places. Maybe the only thing I want them to do is a screenshot/save clip button instead of pressing home and Y/X. It's a minor thing but a must

 

[Nexus2049]

Honestly, maybe just round it off. Not a giant fan of the angular design, but I'm just nit-picking.

 

[Heisenburger]

Finally get a d pad that's worth using for once?

 

[Wing Scarab]

It's already perfect.

Click to shrink...

No just no.

 

[WillyFive]

Replace the right analog stick with something that could make the controller more comparable to a mouse in terms of camera control accuracy.

Click to shrink...

Although the Steam controller was pretty successful, the console userbase would probably riot at something so different.

 

[Boots The God]

Internal battery pack sku for those who prefer it.

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I'd be ok with this as long as they swear not to use the battery used by Sony in the DS4. That thing is terrible in comparison to the play and charge kit for Xbox.

 

[SHAQ]

The LB/RB needs to be adjusted. They click very weird. Sometimes they don't register and it's been a thing on all the controllers I get. Make them like the trigger or something

 

[Mathias Lesauvage]

Replace the right analog stick with something that could make the controller more comparable to a mouse in terms of camera control accuracy.

Click to shrink...

Gyro controls can help with that. That's why I love the Switch Pro-Con so much when it comes to shooters. (Except Fortnite but they were pretty badly implemented in Fortnite)

 

[FUNKNOWN iXi]

Fix the shitty breakable bumpers. Every damn controller I've owned has had bumper issues; it's ridiculous.

 

[Seahawk64]

Just make the sticks a little tighter.

Other than that, It's pretty much perfect.

 

[FHIZ]

A better distinction of what the two boxes and three lines buttons are/do

 

[Patitoloco]

Fix the d-pad and the bumpers layout, they're really weird to press.

Fix the shitty breakable bumpers. Every damn controller I've owned has had bumper issues; it's ridiculous.

Click to shrink...

Have you thought maybe you do something to them? It's not normal they break in every single controller you have lol

 

[LordBaztion]

paddles and a dedicated button for captures

 

[pswii60]

Remove that crappy d-pad. Make it more like the design of the Saturn or 360. My goodness that Xbox One d-pad is horrible for fighting games.

Click to shrink...

What? The Xbox One D-Pad is fantastic, and it's clicky nature is very Nintendo (as opposed to the spongey DS4 D-Pad) and gives great tactile response for platformers and fighters. And the 360 D-Pad was plain broken, so I'm baffled how you could want it to be more like that?! Basing this on the V2 XBO controller as never used the V1 version.

 

[Shpeshal Nick]

Just needs 3 sharing button along the bottom ridge "built into" the design of the pad.

Screenshot button. Clip button and a broadcast button. Aside from that it's perfect.

 

[RobbRivers]

Buttons form and pression touch a la switch pro controller, more resistant shoulder buttons, gyro, a bit more rounded edges and nothing else. The offset sticks are perfect!