Microsoft on Thursday released more details about the controller that will accompany the Xbox One later this year. The gamepad was shown and discussed briefly during the company's reveal event last month but naturally, a lot of the finer details were skipped over for the sake of brevity.
One of the biggest changes with the new controller is the impulse triggers. Small vibrating motors behind each trigger are designed to bring things like car crashes, gunshots and explosions to life and give users a sense of in-game directionality and depth.
A perfect example of this is in Forza Motorsport 5 where the triggers are used to provide specific feedback during a race. If your tires break traction from mashing the throttle too much or you lose it in a turn, you'll feel it in the triggers via a distinct vibration. This of course is combined with the classic rumble that's felt when driving over uneven surfaces or feeling the power of your engine.
Another welcomed addition for anyone that has used the communication headset is improved audio over Xbox Live. Microsoft said the data transfer rate between the console and the controller has been improved which in many cases will result in audio that's clearer than talking on a phone.
The new controller is also much more precise, we're told. Revamped thumbsticks, built for precision and comfort, are said to require 25 percent less force to move. A new directional pad has been honed to provide accurate cardinal directional input and better tactical feel while the A, B, X and Y buttons now sit lower on the controller and are closer together to make the transition between each one smoother.
Last but certainly not least, the new controller is said to be more comfortable that previous offerings with angled triggers / bumpers and an internal battery cavity. The whole experience is said to be familiar to anyone that's played the 360 but refined in virtually every aspect.