Microsoft is sending out a survey to Xbox Series S/X owners, inquiring if they were “aware of the features on PlayStation Controllers and wished they were on the controller that came with this (Xbox Series S/X) console.” This hints that Microsoft is working on a new Xbox Elite Controller.
The full email from Microsoft read as follows:
“We want your feedback!
As part of our desire to hear more from our users, you’ve been selected to take part in a survey about your experience using Xbox consoles…
…You’ve received this email because you’ve opted-in to contact from Xbox and/or Microsoft. For this survey, we’ll process some personal data, such as your email address. Your email is used to send this survey and is shared with Alchemer only to email the survey invitation to you. We will anonymize all identifying information no later than 30 days after the survey closes. Your privacy is important to us and we’re committed to handling personal data responsibly.”
The two major differences between the Xbox Series S/X controllers and the PlayStation DualSense controllers are
- The touchpad
- The adaptive trigger
The touchpad isn’t exactly an exciting feature. It’s been around since PS4 and apart from marketing, it hasn’t served any major purpose on the DualShock 4 or DualSense. However, the adaptive triggers on the DualSense is a really exciting feature.
Microsoft’s controllers were a clear winner of last gen’s console war. The huge update being the rumble triggers, which integrated rumble motors into the triggers itself. However, the Xbox Series S/X’s controller was quite uninspired, that’s a polite way to say that it was pretty much the same as Xbox One’s controller.
Adaptive triggers on the new Xbox Elite controller could help Microsoft’s controller regain its undisputable position as the “best controller” in the market. And, as it turns out, Microsoft already has not one but four different patents to implement adaptive triggers. And it turns out that these patents were filed back in 2017, so the lack of adaptive triggers on Xbox Series S/X controllers seems like a missed opportunity.