Xbox Series X controller revealed: share button, cross-compatibility, and more
Xbox worked to create “a next-generation controller to deliver what fans wanted most”.
The Xbox Series X controller has been officially revealed, with confirmation it will have a share button, as well as work with older Xbox models.
The details came through Xbox Wire, who interviewed Xbox senior designer, Ryan Whitaker.
When the Xbox Series X was first revealed, we did get a glimpse of a controller that looks almost exactly the same as the current Xbox One controller. Will Tuttle, editor-inchief on Xbox Wire, explains that the fans love for the current controller resulted in the team wanting “to ensure they didn’t change things for the sake of change,” and to instead build on the Xbox One controller in “smart evolutionary ways” that would still allow players to retain the muscle memory they’ve built up over the years through using the current-gen controller.
“The Xbox design team developed a next-generation controller to deliver what fans wanted most: improved ergonomics for a wider range of people, better cross-device connectivity, easier sharing, and reduced latency,” Tuttle states.
Cross-compatibility
Cross-compatibility is a big factor in Xbox’s shift to next-gen, and Whitaker states that there will be support for cross-compatibility between Xbox Series X and Xbox One controllers and consoles:
“They all work together with the same great Xbox Wireless Radio. Gamers can also play on more devices including PC, Android, and iOS. We’re implementing Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) so that pairing to these devices is much easier. The new controller also remembers multiple devices so switching between them is more seamless. And a USB-C port allows gamers to play and charge with a modern cable that’s more readily available.”
Compatibility and connectivity were key areas when it came to the design of the new controller. “The new controller needs to work equally well on Xbox One and pairing and moving between all these devices needs to be easy,” Whitaker says. The controller is described as a “common touchpoint for your Xbox games across all devices” and it’s specifically designed with interconnectivity in mind.
Easier sharing
One of the controller’s most noticeable changes is the inclusion of a new Share button. Whitaker shed some light on why Xbox decided to add the button to the Xbox Series X controller, saying “adding a Share button is the best way to make capturing and sharing instantaneous. It’s easy just to grab a screenshot or record a video without needing on-screen menus. Then you can easily access and share content with your favourite social platforms or directly with friends.”
Size and textures
The feel of a controller when you’re holding it can really be, pardon the phrase, a game-changer. Xbox has added new textures and finishes to the next-gen controllers with a “tactile dot pattern on the triggers and bumpers, which provides grip to improve feel and performance during gameplay.” .
The size was taken into consideration too. One of the key areas Xbox explored was ensuring the controller fits a wider range of hand sizes. “By accommodating hands similar to those of an average 8-year-old, we found we could improve accessibility and comfort for hundreds of millions more people without negatively affecting the experience of those with larger hands,” Whitaker explains.
Compatibility and connectivity were key areas when it came to the design of the new controller.