Xbox One Controller

Xbox One Wireless Controller is the primary controller for the Microsoft Xbox One console. The controller maintains the overall layout found in the Xbox 360 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.

The controller has been released in three major variations: the standard release, the "Elite" controller and the version included with the Xbox One S. Additionally, it has been offered in various color versions, some featuring special designs to tie into specific games.

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.^[1]

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, the removal of the protruding 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.^[2][3][4][5] 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.^[3][4]

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.^[6] 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.^[7]

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.^[7] 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.^[8]

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.

Variations

Standard controller

A standard black controller, shipped with all standard Xbox One consoles, and also available for standalone retail purchases. On June 9, 2015, Microsoft unveiled a revision of the standard controller. Its shoulder buttons were redesigned for improved responsiveness, a 3.5 mm headphone jack was added near the controller's expansion port, and support for wireless firmware updates was added.^[9][10] Per a partnership between Microsoft and Oculus VR, Xbox One controllers are bundled with the Oculus Rift.^[11]

Special editions

• Day One Edition. Versions with the inscription "DAY ONE 2013" were bundled with limited "Day One Edition" Xbox One bundles at launch in November 2013, which were intended for those who pre-ordered the console.^[12][13]
• White controller. A white version of the standard controller was bundled with white Xbox One hardware, such as the Sunset Overdrive bundle, and one given exclusively to Microsoft employees on the release of Xbox One.^[14][15] The ones in the employee bundle contain the inscription "I MADE THIS LAUNCH TEAM 2013";^[16][17]
• "Forces" controllers, featuring camouflage pattern, and optionally bundled with a matching stereo headset.^[18] First, the Armed Forces controller, in green color, was released in October 2014.^[18] The design was also made in a blue-colored variant called Midnight Forces, released in November 2014,^[19] and a grey and black Covert Forces version, released in June 2015. The Covert Forces version is based upon the revised Xbox One controller with 3.5 mm headset jack.^[20] In November 2015, Microsoft re-issued the Armed Forces edition, with the new batch based upon the revised controller with 3.5 mm headset jack.^[21]
• Forza Motorsport 6 special edition controllers were released in September 2015 with a limited edition of the console, to coincide with the game's launch. The controller is colored in dark blue with a "racing stripe" pattern down the centre, similarly to its corresponding Xbox One special edition.^[22] A concept edition of the Elite controller based upon the Ford GT, including redesigned thumb sticks and trigger buttons inspired by the vehicle, was also presented by Microsoft in collaboration with Ford Motor Company.^[23]
• Lunar White special edition controllers were released on September 22, 2015. They are based upon the revised Xbox One controller with 3.5 mm headset jack, and feature a white body, gold-colored "chrome" d-pad and triggers, and monochromatic face buttons.^[24]
• "Shadow" controllers were unveiled in March 2016. They feature metallic color schemes with a gradient effect that fades to black. The Shadow line was unveiled in copper Copper Shadow and blue Dusk Shadow versions; in the U.S. they are exclusive to GameStop and Best Buy stores respectively, as well as Microsoft Store.^[25]

Limited editions

• Titanfall limited edition controllers were released in March 2014 to coincide with the launch of Titanfall. The controllers have a white, black and orange design that was inspired by the in-game R-101C carbine, and also accompanied by a similarly-styled console given to Respawn Entertainment employees.^[26]
• Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare limited edition controllers were released in November 2014 to coincide with the game. The controllers are inspired by the aesthetics of the in-game Sentinel Task Force, featuring its emblem, monochrome lettering on the face buttons (colored dots indicate the face button colors), a gold-colored D-pad, and gold, silver, and grey accents.^[27]
• Halo 5: Guardians — The Master Chief and Halo 5: Guardians limited edition controllers were released to coincide with Halo 5: Guardians in October 2015 (the latter was also packaged with the Halo 5: Guardians console bundle). They are inspired by the armor designs of Master Chief and Spartan Locke respectively; the Master Chief version features a military green color scheme with a gold "chrome" d-pad and triggers, and the Spartan Locke version has a silver color scheme with a blue "chrome" d-pad and accents. Both are based upon the revised controller with 3.5 mm headset jack, and feature monochromatic face buttons, etched detailing and texture effects, and are bundled with codes to unlock in-game customization items in Halo 5.^[28]

Elite controller

Xbox Elite Wireless Controller

On June 15, 2015, during its E3 2015 press conference, Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller, a new controller which Xbox division head Phil Spencer described as being "an elite controller for the elite gamer". It features a steel construction with a soft-touch plastic exterior, along with interchangeable rear paddle buttons (with either short or long forms), analog stick tops (concave and convex), and directional pad designs (either the traditional four-way design, or a convex disc-like design), and "hair trigger locks" for the triggers that allow users to reduce the amount of distance they must be pressed to register a press. Through software, users can customize button and paddle mappings and adjust the sensitivity of the triggers and analog sticks. Two button profiles can be assigned to a switch on the controller for quick access. The Elite Controller was released in October 2015.^[29][30][31]

Limited editions

• Gears of War 4 Limited Edition was unveiled during Microsoft's E3 2016 press conference. It features a rustic, dark red color scheme with a blood splatter effect and the series emblem on the rear of the controller, and a D-pad disc with weapon symbols corresponding to the in-game weapons bound to these controls.^[32]
• Another Gears of War 4 Limited Edition was also released in a blueish green Microsoft calls "Deep Blue". This console and revised controller can only be purchased in this color by purchasing the bundle since the color isn't a choice in Microsoft's Controller Lab options.

Xbox One S controller

• A third revision of the standard controller was launched as the controller included with the Xbox One S. It features a more streamlined design, textured grips and support for Bluetooth connectivity, although the Wireless Adapter is still supported. It is colored in white to match the Xbox One S console.^[33] Users can also custom-order this controller revision via the "Xbox Design Lab" service, with their choice of colors, and an optional inscription of their Xbox Live screen name for an additional fee.^[34]

PC support

Drivers were released in June 2014 to allow Xbox One controllers to be used over a USB connection on PCs running Windows 7 or later.^[35] The Xbox One Wireless Adapter for Windows, which consists of a USB dongle, allows the controller to be used wirelessly. Upon its release in October 2015, it was supported only by Windows 10. Drivers for Windows 7 and 8.1 were released in December 2015.^[36][37]

The wireless adapter can have up to eight separate Xbox One controllers connected at one time.^[38] Windows 10 features include button remapping for the Elite Controller, audio through the controller, and firmware updates. On Windows 7 or 8.1, drivers are required, and the aforementioned features are not available.^[39]

Accessories

Stereo headset adapter

The Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter allows the use of headsets with 3.5 millimeter headphone jacks with the original Xbox One controller, which didn't include the 3.5 mm jack. An adapter for 2.5 millimeter headphone jacks (except for ones with a dongle-like adapter) is also included.^[40][41]

Wireless Adapter for Windows

The Xbox One wireless adapter is a USB dongle that allows wireless use of Xbox One controllers on PCs running Windows 7 and later.^[37]

Chatpad

A keyboard chatpad attachment, similar to the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit, was unveiled at Gamescom on August 4, 2015.^[42]

Play & Charge Kit

Similarly to the Xbox 360 version, the Play & Charge kit is the official rechargable battery pack for Xbox One controllers.^[43]

References