Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

http://www.xbox360digest.com/2010/08...ller-unveiled/

Well not new, but more modified.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

When are they going to make controller's chargeable? I hate going through so many batteries...

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

Interesting D-pad.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

Hmmmm, I guess I should read a little farther into articles...

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

He says it comes with the play and charge kit?

$64 is a lot though.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

The play and charge kit comes with a rechargable battery pack.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

Mmm play and charge kit is 20 dollars alone right now. Controller is around 45. So it's the same price.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

I hope for the people who buy it's sake; that the next gen Microsoft system has a controller system like Sony's.

Because honestly; not having to worry about batteries at any point is the best thing that's happened to cordless controllers.

And it's only roughly 50 bucks for a new PS3 controller.

Yeah, Playstation is pretty great.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

Am I missing something? Isn't the PS3 controller just a bluetooth controller that recharges with mini-USB?

Are you just happy that is has a built-in re-chargable battery? Or happy that is can be charged using a standard cable?

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

I'm happy I don't, nor have ever had to spend a single penny on a battery; or a rechargeable battery combination. Does it use USB? Totally. Does it have a rechargeable battery inside of it? Definitely. Do I have to worry myself with prying the back of the controller off, spending money on something I already paid for, and putting them in? Not once.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

Unless your battery goes bad.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

It's still expensive. :P

That being said I think I'll get it.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

Yeah.
But none of them have.
So, you know.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

I have found that my PS3 controller battery seems to last a pretty long time after a charge. Hell I didn't use the thing for 3 months basically and it still had a charge when I unpacked it to play heavy rain.

That being said, I've had the play and charge kit for my 360 controller for about 5 years now and the batter still holds a roughly 15 hour charge. No beef with spending 20 bucks on it. However my controller is grody, and old, so I will be getting a new controller because of that. :D

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

I've had 360 batteries die. I actually use a mix of rechargable AAs and my wired controller.

Personally I like replacable batteries, since gaming devices seem to stick around more than a couple years. I wouldn't want to pull out my PS3 in 10 years and see the controllers gone bad because the batteries have rotted. I do wish they didn't have proprietary cables though (unless there is some benefit), and came with rechargable battery packs in addition to the little AA battery holder.

Speaking of batteries, can you charge PS3 controllers while the system off? And does USB power turn off once finished?

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

I'd assume the system has to be on when you're charging the controller. Much like your phone has to be on to have its battery charged. I don't know for sure, because I just charge it while the systems on. But it only makes sense.

And I can't say much for 10 years of PS controller-ship, but the controller I got with my system 3+ years ago still works perfectly, and holds it's charge ridiculously long.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

I only ask because on Xbox if you have the play-and-charge kit connected and you shut down the system (at least via the controller), the system enters a low-power mode where it will continue to provide power to the USB ports until the controller finished charging, and then shuts off completely. They also support continuing downloads after you shutdown these days too.

Just a nice way to have your wireless controller fully charged for next time you play.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

Both systems get the job done. I don't really see where the weak debate we're having lies. :confused:

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

I'm not trying to debate you, other than pointing out the possible long-term side-effects of built-in batteries. I absolutely hate the PS3 controller, but it has nothing to do with batteries.

I'm actually just curious how PS3 worked, because I've never really used one.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

The PS3 controller does not charge when the PS3 is off. I think this is a stupid oversight, but nonetheless hasn't affected my gaming much.

The other stupid oversight is that the USB cord to charge the controller is I think like 3 feet long. So when I'm gaming and relaxing back on my couch playing on an HDTV about ten feet away, and the controller buzzes warning me it's almost out of juice, I have to pull up a chair up close to the TV and be chained to the PS3 3 feet away. To be fair, it's just an annoyance, and obviously not that big of one, otherwise I'd just go buy a longer cable...

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

To Gekko,

Yeah, the Ps3 controller lasts pretty darn long without a charge. I usually don't ever turn the system off too, unless I'm going out of town or something.

I remember when I used my mini USB for my phone and ended up losing it for a while... I played my system just as much as normal and the controler lasted almost 2 weeks. But it never even died... That's just when I got the USB charger back.

For a controler that has force feedback and motion controls, it's pretty damn power efficient. (If the system is in the stand-by/screen saver mode where the light dims, I just have to pick up the controler and everything lights back up because of the motion feedback)

I've yet to meet someone with a faulty Ps3 controler battery too. I think down the line it may be a problem, but by Ps5 they're likely going to have Ps3 backward compatibility anyway... if there's not already some new downloadable media store like the Wii/Ps3 has.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

Well, it's just a normal USB cable, is why. You can use any USB cable in your PS3. My friend charged his phone via my PS3 the other night. I've charged my PS3 controller on my computer before. Circle of life.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

Well, duh, way to repeat what I just said. It still doesn't mean it wasn't a stupid choice (read: cheap choice) to include a ridiculously short 3 ft cord for the controller. Especially since it doesn't charge unless the console is on, so it's not like it's just a short charge cable, it's a short playing cable. And there's no such thing as a "normal" length USB cord -- it was just a cheap decision.

But I can't imagine you admitting anything Sony did with the PS3 was dumb in any way... :p

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

15' USB for less than $2. :)

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

For posterity's sake and anyone looking at this thread, that's the wrong one. You'd actually want this one with a mini-B end --

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...t=1#largeimage

Or a more versatile solution, a regular USB cable extender --

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

(Which reminds me, I already have one of these extensions -- thanks for bringing up the link since it helped remind me!)

But the $2 price tag is just my point. It would cost Sony a few cents extra wholesale to include a 15 foot cable (or just anything > 3 ft), and yet they didn't. That's cheap.

But also as I said initially, it's not like this is a huge deal. If I were that annoyed I would have just bought another cable already. It's just a dumb decision while on the topic of the PS3 controllers.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

Uh... They made it wireless with a ridiculously long battery life. I think that kinda defeats the idea that the cord is too short. You're kinda digging deep here to find something wrong with the controler. lol

But I guess for you the glass is half empty and for Typhoid it's half full.

The way I see it, if they gave me an 8 foot USB that I only use when the controller is charging, that'd actually be MORE of a problem. Since the controller is sitting right by the system every time it's charging. Now I'd have this massive wire that I have to wrap around the controler for no reason.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

Why is it so hard to admit that including a 3 ft wire was a cheap decision? And like I'll repeat for the 3rd time now, it's not like it's a huge deal, but it was a cheap decision.

And the only reason it works for you is because you apparently keep the PS3 on at all times and so your controller is always charged. I don't leave it on. I think it's waste of energy. And so my controller isn't always charged, and I sometimes have to charge it mid-game and sit up close to the TV. That's not digging deep for something wrong, that's a fair criticism of the system as it comes. And thus this ties back into the stupid decision to not let the controller continue to charge while the PS3 is off.

Again, these obviously aren't humongous deal breakers. I'm not returning my PS3 because of it. But I have a hard time figuring out why it's so hard to admit that these are dumb decisions. I'm not arguing that the 360 controller is SO much better, or that the Wiimote is the best ever. I'm just talking about the PS3 controller and its small issues. That's it. Apparently you guys feel the need to come to the PS3's rescue and defend it from any criticism. :p

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

I predict some big changes for the controller of the PS4. Keeping that 10 year old design is retarded.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

I don't really care enough to keep defending it. I've yet to have an issue with it, if you're not charging the controler 2 hours for every 20 hours you play, then I think that's a personal problem lol.

And Duggler, I hope they don't change it. The controler's design is simplistic and it works well imo. I don't think they should fix what isn't broken.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

Ick, it looks ugly to me. Silver and chrome... ew.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

That's what I hear from PS users all the time and if it's fine with you then OK. And me I couldn't care less, I don't buy playstations.

I know they gave you one hell of a scare with the boomerang, but you should give them another chance :)

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

Because those problems that you have such a big deal with don't bother me and The Game, because we charge out controllers when we aren't playing our system, opposed to you - who apparently never charge it unless playing.

I don't find the cord dumb because A) I'd much rather have any length of USB cable than a giant battery pack in the back B) It's never hindered my gameplay in any way. Has my controller died mid-game before? Totally. What did I do when that happened? Used my other, fully charged controller. Catastrophe avoided.

I'm not saying I can't see why people wouldn't like the USB cord. But personally, it doesn't make a single difference to me. I've never once thought "Damn this cord" or "I really wish I had a longer cord". Because I'd assume if I ever wanted a longer cord, I'd simply just purchase one instead of begrudgingly using the small one I hate oh-so much.

What you call "cheap", I call "cost effective" and "efficient". You don't need a huge, long cord, anyways. The idea behind a wireless controller is to play it wirelessly. Therefore the length of the cord [in idea with the fact you don't play it with the cord in] doesn't factor into it one bit.

Half empty/Half full. We have different opinions on something entirely pointless that stems from our specific encounters with the system. And like you said, it's not a deal breaker anyways, so it's not even really important to be talking about anymore.

Also, my two cents on the design of the controller being the same - I think it's a good idea, personally. Why should you change up your controller every system? Why drastically change something that's worked for a decade, and everyone that buys your system is used to? Changing controllers needlessly is Nintendo's bag. Even Microsoft has never changed the Xbox controller, technically. You don't fuck with what works for you. Business rule 4.

The design is simple, light, and fits the hand perfectly. I'm curious though, The Duggler, what do you think they should improve and change on the Playstation controller? Make it fatter, wider, more buttons, lights and whirring noises? Maybe shift the location of every single button, and make the controller 100% different, so that when it comes out next gen everyone who's grown used to the controller has to start all over again. What can they possibly change? are 11 buttons [2 being pressure sensitive], 2 sticks, and a d-pad [not to mention an on/off for the system itself] not enough shit on a controller for you? How many more buttons do you want? Maybe it's the positioning of the buttons you find dumb. Would you suggest they make it more like the 360 controller, which essentially just has 1 joystick and d-pad switching locations with eachother? Is that the zenith of controller placement technology? Maybe all controllers should be gaudy things that take plug-ins and have wires and straps flapping around. Maybe it shouldn't have any buttons at all, but should slightly resemble a St. Bernard.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

I think it'll be good for backward compatibility to keep things similar too.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

I think the dual shock and the 360 controllers are both perfect...hope they never change. I slightly prefer the 360 one though, because of the trigger design.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

Personally not a fan of the DualShock controller.

Prefer the placement of the analog stick on the 360 controller and the likes.

And on the SixAxis still feel the R2/L2 buttons feel so filmsy.

I doubt Sony will try much new though, which is odd.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

I prefer Sony's controller design for fighting games. However I haven't played fighting games on a standard controller in 3 years now. So... Yeah.

Other than that I don't really notice the difference too much between the two except it would honestly have been nice to have the analogs some other way. They're uncomfortable to use.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

Really? Come on now, you can't possibly sit there with a straight face and say a shorter USB cable helps keep the price of PS3 down. Cutting costs is removing the backwards compatibility, leaving out rumble, removing accessories which used to be packaged in, etc. A longer USB cable costs pennies when buying in these numbers.

They haven't made drastic changes, but it's definitely changed. Xbox shipped with a huge "thing" called a controller. Then they released in Japan with a radically re-designed controller. Then came the S in the US, which is the same basic shape as the Japanese controller, but the resistance in the sticks and triggers is different, and the buttons are a glossy plastic instead of a hard plastic (think DC buttons).

The Xbox 360 controller has changed a little bit during its life too. The D-pad on a newer controller is actually much better than the launch controllers, they just never advertised the change. They released a special edition controller for a soccer game where they improved the d-pad again, and now they have the limited-edition switchable d-pad which also modified the thumbsticks.

I will also say I don't like the PS3 controller. Nice for d-pad games, but those are a minority. Would like to see the left thumbstick move, and the triggers should be concave like every other controller ever made with analog triggers.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

So now that we've discussed most of that... where does the Wii Classic Controller (Pro) fit in? Too much like a Dual Shock without the rumble?

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

Well, except the original PS controller, dualshock 1, dualshock 2, dualshock 3, and whatever the other non-rumble controller is called. Oh, and theres the non-concave joystick of the N64 and the Gamecube.

Come to think of it, only 3 controllers have concave sticks. The Xbox 360 controller, and the Xbox controllers.

That seems to be 7 that don't indent, and 3 that do.

They removed some plastic. Sweet. They went from:



To:



Buttons are still all in the same spot, relatively. No major additions or subtractions. No real changes. [I don't count the black and white button as "major changes"]

Opposed to this:



to



to



to



That is what I meant by changes. A complete overhaul. Not changing the colour, removing some plastic and keeping the layout.

Re: Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller
 

He said analog triggers, not analog sticks. :)

Also Nintendo systems have been around for much longer, and had to endure the transition from 2D to 3D. Also neither the N64 controller or the gamecube controller were very good, probably because they were trying to change and be different for the heck of it. The only reason I like the N64 one is because of nostalgia.

But really, I don't see the point of change for the sake of change.