Microsoft Hints At New Controller Plans

Speaking at a panel at the Microsoft Gamefest event in Seattle, Robert Walker, the company’s hardware unit product manager, has hinted that a new iteration of the Xbox 360 controller may be created with improved functionality for first person shoot ‘em-ups. As reported in detail by veteran consumer site Shacknews and also relayed by others, Walker indicated that there were still no plans to support a keyboard and mouse in future titles but that a new optional “advanced” controller may be introduced with a redesigned right analogue stick (the equivalent of a mouse in most console control systems) to allow for more precise movements. Walker made it clear that the proposed controller would not replace the current joypad, which has been almost universally praised by users. This is in notable contrast to the original Xbox controller, which was oft-criticized by by users, despite claims from Microsoft of hundreds of hours of playtesting. The original joypad was eventually phased out and replaced with the “Controller S”, which was originally designed for the Japanese market. Walker also commented on the possibility of a motion sensor controller for the Xbox 360, repeating comments made by Microsoft executives concerning experiments with the technology on the PC. Walker admitted that the device released in the mid ‘90s was not well promoted to developers but insisted that the technology had not proven sensitive enough for shoot ‘em-up and racing titles. However, no new product announcements are expected imminently with regard to this.