220°

Why the next Xbox doesn’t need a new controller

Ben Salter of MMGN: Nintendo slapped control sticks on a tablet. Sony jammed a ridiculous touchpad into its 16-year-old controller. Microsoft will, by all reports, ignore all of that nonsense and rehash its perfectly serviceable Xbox 360 controller for the next generation.

That’s totally fine. I’m actually happy to hear it and here’s why:

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360.mmgn.com
Snookies124058d ago (Edited 4058d ago )

"Sony jammed a ridiculous touchpad into its 16-year-old controller".

Obviously the writer of this article didn't care to see the other features that are good about the DS4. The fact that the triggers are now curved up slightly (not nearly as much as the 360's thank goodness), it has convex AND concave analog sticks, color coded light for which controller is which, the "share" button, which is probably my favorite thing about it, and a redone more Vita-like D-pad. It looks to be an all around improvement. If you're trying to say the 360 controller needs NOTHING to be improved, you're wrong. The 360 controller is good, don't get me wrong, but nowhere near perfect. If Microsoft doesn't even try to improve it, that'll just show me that they're not trying hard enough.

Y_51504058d ago

I agree with you, they can at least improve the D-pad. People might be disagree with you for numerous reasons. The share button has so much potential but instead the uninformed would think it's just for sharing stuff on Facebook, it's way more than that.

iGAM3R-VIII4058d ago

Agreed, personally I think Sony's DS4 controller is sexy and I cannnot wait until E3 to hold it and get some demos from it. I also think that the touchpad is an amazing new feature and if we are advancing in technology, why not advance the controller

Blackdeath_6634058d ago

also the battery pack that presses against your fingers needs to be gone actually just two days ago i went to a friends house to play fifa, we tried to turn it on what happened? no batteries and we had to go out and buy AA batteries. my reaction "are you f***ing kidding me". that is one area that certainly has to improve other than that i was actually impressed by how comfortable it was the d-pad is annoying as hell though and when playing fifa the tactics menu kept showing up which was irritating.

3-4-54058d ago

Controller is nearly perfect as is.

A controller has never fit better in my hands.

AngelicIceDiamond4057d ago

@Y_5150 either way if MS even thought about doing something similar like the social button or anything of that nature people would say "MS is copying" and defend what Sony's doing.

If it was MS say who showcased their next gen first instead and had a share feature on its controller people would bash, make fun of it, offend it, and say MS is losing focus with social and media.

It would be a totally different story.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4057d ago
konnerbllb4058d ago

I don't have a problem with the 360's triggers, they are concave, like triggers in fighter jets are. The ps3/4 doesn't have traditional triggers and I think it should.

Snookies124058d ago (Edited 4058d ago )

Well to be honest, I liked the 360's triggers at first. However, when a moment in gaming comes up that requires you to repeatedly press it as fast as you can... It gave me the absolute worst hand cramp I've ever had. The sharp upwards curve mixed with the amount of tension that needs to be applied to press it can be a real problem. That's why I'm optimistic about the DualShock4's approach which gives a bit of a curve instead of a whole lot. It goes for the middle ground, which is what I personally was hoping for in a console controller. The PS3 I will agree with. Its triggers weren't good at all, your finger would slip right off. However, if you look at the DS4, it clearly gives a curve at the end to prevent that.

sengoku4058d ago

that's exactly just whats with the x360 guys.
a trigger needs to be exactly like the ones in fighter jets and that's what they always should be compared to and be like.

well it might be good for fight sims or the like but those buttons should just a nicely fit into other games in which there might be goals another shooting and blowing up stuff.

unchartedxplorer4058d ago

Yeah maybe we should have an ejector seat with the controller, just like the fighter jets.
Oh and flares as well!

xPhearR3dx4058d ago

TBH, the only thing the 360 controller needs to fix is the D-pad. Everything else is perfect for me. All though, maybe some sort of grip on the triggers could be nice.

Snookies124058d ago (Edited 4058d ago )

Yeah, the main issue I have with the 360 controller is the D-pad. Everything else I'm pretty okay with. I just think that they shouldn't just be "okay" with their controller. Always try to improve, even if you "think" you've found perfection. That's what I want from a company if I'm going to buy their product. Which is why I'm a little concerned about Microsoft, if they end up not redesigning their controller even a little bit.

MikeMyers4058d ago

Not sure how good the controller was when they updated it with the spin style d-pad but the original wasn't that good.

They do need to update the controller but keep it fairly consistent with the original 360. I expect a few more tweaks and perhaps some new type of function. What I would like to see is some more personalization where you can apply whatever button you want for any game. Meaning if a game has the A button for jump I can make it so that every game I play makes the A button the jump button. I hate it when the developer forces button placements. I would also like to see it be linked to your account. Meaning nobody else can use my controller, don't touch! Just like don't touch my seat settings on my car.

MYSTERIO3604058d ago

So you like having to switching battery's and having to get rechargeable ones? As for me no sir-ry i've had my fun /s and don't want to deal with it again next gen. Plus i think it needs some sort of grip on it like the DS4.

Why o why4058d ago (Edited 4058d ago )

d pad and batteries. Everything else is fine

lol@ domination below regarding the madcatz lookalike. ...I hear ya. A sony pad that doesnt have that 'SONY' printed above the start and select just looks 3rdpartyish... I'm hoping they sneak it on there somehow...lol

MikeMyers4057d ago

"So you like having to switching battery's and having to get rechargeable ones?"

I don't like having to pay for extra batteries but it is really convenient to simply put in another pack or batteries and keep playing wireless. I imagine they will have rechargeable built-in like everyone else now.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4057d ago
DOMination-4058d ago

I must admit, I thought the DS4 looked like a cheap madcatz controller when I first saw it, but is has grown on me. I like it, but I have to say, that share button is kinda useless. Oh, don't get me wrong, I love the features it provides, but why not just have the PS button and choose it from a menu? Does it really need it's own button? It's like having a button for turning subtitles on and off. Yeah it's kinda nice but it's not a big deal that I just pause and go into a menu. It just feels redundant.. if they were gonna add another button, it would have better having an additional button that can be used in proper gameplay..

As for the 360 controller.. if it stayed the same I honestly wouldn't be too disappointed. It's a very good controller with the exception of the dpad. But as with everyone else, I'm always excited to see new stuff so I hope they change it up a bit.

hesido4058d ago (Edited 4058d ago )

Sharing through the menu would also be sufficient for most cases.

That said, marketing-wise, it conveys the idea so much better, that being able to share your gaming moments is one of the under-lined features. Less people would be talking about the ability to share your game videos online if they just went: "Hey, you can push the PS button, select share -> select screenshot / video to share your screenshots / videos". The button underscores this feature so well.

Non-marketing wise: The button could be preconfigured to do screenshots, or simply start a video relay etc etc. Maybe press-and-hold would differ from a single press, marking the start of a video for storing a longer play than the last 5-10 minutes) which may be better for cases when you are playing multiplayer and don't want to fiddle though menus.

Also, it is not like it gets in the way, nor is it in a place that you could accidentally press it. It is also not in a place that you would want to be constantly pushing for gameplay, so we cannot say how it would be better if that space was used for in-game related tasks.

dedicatedtogamers4058d ago

Am I the only one who remembers the 360 crowd bashing the DualShock 3 because "Sony never updates their controllers"? Hahahha, but now it's a good thing when MS does it?

I miss what they did with the Xbox. Microsoft had multiple sizes of controllers, and that was really cool. They should go back to that.

Blaze9294058d ago

lol multiple sizes? They only had two bruh...

Nafon4057d ago

The share button is your favorite feature? wow. and those curved triggers help keep your fingers on

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4057d ago
aaron58294058d ago

I dont think i'm ready to game without controllers.

GribbleGrunger4058d ago

Because the recent rumours suggests it hasn't got a new controller and the author of this piece wants to play his hand early?

MasterCornholio4058d ago

The DPAD is garbage on the 360 controller. That in my opinion needs to change.

Even though I don't like the positioning of the analog sticks it isn't a design flaw just a preference issue.

Motorola RAZR i

Mr_Writer854058d ago Show
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100°

Why Xbox believes it must cut costs and close studios

Companies, particularly public companies like Microsoft, need to grow.

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eurogamer.net
gold_drake4h ago

i mean its pretty simple, they spent close to 30 billion in acquiring activision, they thought they'd make it bk no problem, and that didnt happen.

its just shit that because of MS's miscalculation alot of people lost their jobs.

Jingsing30m ago

This is exactly what many people said would happen including the CMA and FTC. Lies lies and more lies and they allowed a $69 billion buy out to happen.

gold_drake22m ago

oh yeh it was 70 billion. that was my bad haha even worse.

thesoftware73020m ago(Edited 15m ago)

gold,

You can't be serious, right?

Do you think that MS thought they would make 80bill in a year & Half? They haven't even released titles under MS yet, lol.

But in fact, that A/B revenue is already paying off, look at the last earnings call. That $80 billion is long-term money, my guy, no sane person/company would think they would make that back in any short-term situation, it's a long-term investment.

Let's play silly then. If MS's reason for laying off staff and closing studios was due(which it really was not) to the A/B deal, tell me what Sony's reason was for past studio closures, the recent 900-person layoffs, closing Sony London, shutting down Dreams, and closing Japan Studio? Zipper? Psygnosis? cuts at all their internal studios.

Keep in mind, you are claiming MS's reason is because of the A/B deal; please explain Sony's reason.

Hofstaderman11m ago

You actually still defending them? Sheesh.....

gold_drake9m ago

this is not a sony vs MS debate. dont make it something it isnt.

and of course not, but im pretty sure they thought they'd make more money after the deal. they didnt, and closed off some studios.

its pretty insane to think there is any other reason for the closure of studios in this case.

romulus232m ago(Edited 2m ago)

(It really was) due to the Activision Blizzard deal and the loss of physical sales due to gamepass. You keep bringing up Sony in all your posts about this, stop deflecting and trying to change the topic, this is about MS and what they are doing.

anast31m ago

They are going to use AI for a large portion of the game development process. Upper management need bonuses and the shareholders need more money. So, people will lose their jobs.

Skuletor21m ago

Maybe they were already using AI to make business decisions, which would explain why they closed Hi-Fi Rush's studio, then said they need more games like Hi-Fi Rush not long after that announcement.

60°

Apex Legends Converted Me, A Solos Hater, To Playing Alone

I was sceptical about Apex Legends’ Solos mode. Now I’m engrossed

Read Full Story >>
thegamer.com
210°

All Hopes I Had For A Prey Sequel Have Been Crushed — Well Done, Microsoft

The magnificent Prey was once again abandoned as Microsoft disregarded Arkane Austin's achievements and crucified it just for Redfall.

RaidenBlack1d 4h ago

well, not entirely ... the main Arkane studio i.e Arkane Lyon's still there ...
Its only that, the sequel will take more time now ... after Blade & Dishonored 3

MrBaskerville9h ago

But who knows, Dishonored 3 could have been Austins next project, so might be cancelled.

-Foxtrot1d 3h ago (Edited 1d 3h ago )

Not even this Prey

Still longing for a sequel to the original Prey with Tommy

The studio didn't even want to call this Prey, it was just Bethesda being dicks to them for some reason.

RaidenBlack22h ago

MS closed Roundhouse Studios (ex-Human Head Studios) as well

Yui_Suzumiya11h ago

Yeah, that's who was going to do the original sequel.

bunt-custardly3h ago

Don't worry there are some other games in development that might fill that void. Look up Vigilancer.

isarai18h ago

Came here to say this, my hooes for a Prey sequel died when this "Prey" came out

Profchaos9h ago

Prey 2017 still hurts to play because what could have been looked so incredible

Profchaos9h ago

Same Bethesda basically screwed over the original developer team human head back around 2011 so it was really never going to come despite a honestly amazing trailer. I liked prey 2017 but it always held a stink of disappointment due to what we never got

FinalFantasyFanatic5h ago

I really didn't like this game, tried it because of how loved the original Prey was, played the demo of this one and thought it was garbage, it didn't feel nice/fun to play.

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LostPotato1d 3h ago (Edited 1d 3h ago )

Keep dreaming then as Prey and Dishonored 2 did not sell well enough to get sequels.

Hence we got Deathloop and Redfall instead.

RaidenBlack22h ago

lol, Deathloop came from Prey: Mooncrash idea

Unknown_Gamer579411h ago

To everyone who cheered MS’s acquisitions, we told you so…

Inverno9h ago

Those people will just argue that Arkane Austin and Tango would've been shut down either way.

MrBaskerville8h ago

Zenimax allready put them in a tight spot by demanding them to do a multiplayer title. So it's not unlikely, considering how bad the game performed. They didn't stand a chance. MS had the money to save them and to correct Zenimax' mistakes.

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