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[shinobi602]

The new Xbox One controller should last you around seven to 10 years, if not longer, according to Microsoft.

The new Xbox One controller, that has been redesigned for the new console out later this year, has been undergoing testing for the past six months to see how tough it really is and whether it can withstand the daily bashing gamers are likely to give it as they try to complete the ultimate multi-button combos.

"Each button gets pressed over and over, between 4-5 times a second," Bob Brown, the accessories and hardware manager for Microsoft, told Pocket-lint when we were invited into the testing lab at Microsoft's HQ in Redmond. Those 4-5 times a second soon add up, and the 20 controllers Brown has in his custom-built testing rig normally get tested around 2 million button presses apiece.

But it's not just pressing buttons randomly to see if they eventually break, each button is connected to a computer so Microsoft can check that the button press is delivering the right result. If it doesn't it is recorded and then a technician can look into it further.

So keen is Microsoft to ensure the controller can take a beating that button pressing isn't the only test the controller goes through however. Brown also explains that the thumbstick has also been worked and worked, as well as, a series of drop tests that are filmed in slow motion so Microsoft can see the shock points to make sure the insides aren't damaged.

Brown tells us the testing is still continuing, although the design has been finalized, and that the latest batch are withstanding over 3 million button presses - way over the target - and way beyond the 10-year projected lifespan of the new console.

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/121340-microsoft-new-xbox-one-controller-will-last-over-10-years-if-not-longer

 

[Effigenius]

So at least the controller will still be working after they shut down the servers.

 

[Squire]

Assuming it's as good or better than the current 360 controller, yes and thank you.

 

[xxracerxx]

All my original controllers going back to the NES still work. Just how much gaming are people doing to wear out controllers?

EDIT: Also, who needs buttons when you have the power of Kinect?

 

[MagicWithEarvin]

I'll buy one for my PC

 

[Moxx19]

Servers will probably be down before then.

 

[IHaveCandy]

That's good to hear. The grips and plastic molding will probably give out first though. I always have to swap any system controller after 3-4 years because of the grips wearing out too much.

 

[GoofsterStud]

Well that's good news. I wouldn't mind a new PC controller.

 

[otapnam]

Arnt people going to be too busy playing fantasy football to push buttons?

 

[RiverBed]

But how long will the console itself last?

 

[kitch9]

Can it shoot for the sun then?

Fuck that shooting to the moon. I want sun and clouds.

 

[Vegivo]

Ill believe it when I see it.

 

[Domino792]

So at least the controller will still be working after they shut down the servers.

lol

 

[RetroGreg]

Yeah right. Things break.

 

[enzo_gt]

We're at the ridiculous claims part of the next gen cycle. Microsoft carrying the momentum since Xbox Reveal.

Never change, gaming industry. Never change.

 

[Calvarok]

So at least the controller will still be working after they shut down the servers.

If that ever happens, I wouldn't rule out a small update that nullifies verification checks. I mean, in the event that they DO go ahead and use those.

We're at the ridiculous claims part of the next gen cycle. Microsoft carrying the momentum since Xbox Reveal.

Never change, gaming industry. Never change.

If you actually read the article, this claim is pretty contextualized.

3 million button presses withstood is still nothing to sneeze at, and it sounds like they have indeed found out how to make it last longer even when its dropped.

The 10 years thing was emphasized by the article writer, but I'm sure the guy behind the testing knew that obviously this is only according to the kind of environment they were testing in.

All this research is good, is what I'm trying to say. At least something is.

 

[IonicSnake]

I change controller once they start to become disgusting to hold but I would like one of these for my PC.

 

[Mr. Robot]

Nice, too bad it most likely wont be forward compatible...

 

[Exentryk]

Still needs AA batteries.

 

[MormaPope]

All my original controllers going back to the NES still work. Just how much gaming are people doing to wear out controllers?

EDIT: Also, who needs buttons when you have the power of Kinect?

The analog sticks on my wireless controller that came with the new slim model were borked after a few years of use, character I would control would get movement hiccups and stop moving.

 

[SimpleGamer]

judging by how long this generation lasted, I wouldn't doubt it.

 

[Sojgat]

So at least the controller will still be working after they shut down the servers.

10/10

 

[a Master Ninja]

What is the worst quality first party controller ever released? The SEGA Master System controller?

 

[jediyoshi]

Yeah right. Things break.

Name a console system.

There are probably still working controllers for it.

 

[FlyFaster]

So at least the controller will still be working after they shut down the servers.

goddamnit lol.

 

[GhaleonEB]

I find on the 360 it's not the buttons that wear down, but the thumb sticks. The texture wears down and becomes smooth, and they develop dead zones in the center. That's when I replace them, which seems to be every 2 years or so.

What is the worst quality first party controller ever released? The SEGA Master System controller?

Genesis six button controller was amazing. So was the original Saturn pad.

 

[Takuya]

What is the worst quality first party controller ever released? The SEGA Master System controller?

Ouya.

 

[MagicWithEarvin]

Still needs AA batteries.

Eneloops.

Not a problem.

 

[xxracerxx]

The analog sticks on my wireless controller that came with the new slim model were borked after a few years of use, character I would control would get movement hiccups and stop moving.

Really? Was this as big a problem as RROD for the slim controllers or just a freak occurrence? I mean my old DS2 sticks are in that plastic-yuck age, but I just need to wipe them off and they are good.

 

[Orayn]

It does look like a really nice controller. Hopefully it works on PC and is "backwards compatible" by way of using Xinput.

 

[filopilo]

sure , if you don't use it.

(jk/)

 

[DBT85]

So at least the controller will still be working after they shut down the servers.

One of the greatest first posts ever.


On topic though, it's good that they are testing this stuff. However there is a difference between a drop test and a "FUCK YOU RAGE QUITTER I WAS PWNING YOUR ASS" *throws controller at wall*.

Eneloops.

Not a problem.

Some of us prefer integrated batteries. Just like some of use prefer analogue sticks in the wrong place

 

[drizzle]

10 Year Cycle

 

[Tan]

Sounds familiar. Nevermind, read wrong.

 

[MormaPope]

I find on the 360 it's not the buttons that wear down, but the thumb sticks. The texture wears down and becomes smooth, and they develop dead zones in the center. That's when I replace them, which seems to be every 2 years or so.

Yup. The analog sticks are supposed to have pointy/prickly braile dots on them. Old 360 controller analog sticks feel like smooth rubber.

Really? Was this as big a problem as RROD for the slim controllers or just a freak occurrence? I mean my old DS2 sticks are in that plastic-yuck age, but I just need to wipe them off and they are good.

I'd say it depends on how much you use the controller and what for.

FPS games that require you to click to sprint and then jam the stick forward probably do the most damage. I also played 20 days worth of hours of Black Ops 1 on the borked controller.

 

[Kaako]

So at least the controller will still be working after they shut down the servers.

God damn, hefe. That primero post.

 

[LumpOfCole]

My wired 360 controller I got for my PC (bought before the 360 even came out) is still going at 100%.

Microsoft builds a fine controller and I'm glad they're not doing too much to "fix" what they got right.

 

[J-Tier]

I wonder if they tested it for fighting games. Hah. As if the pad is any good for fighting games.

That aside, I think it'll get worn down pretty quick with enough quarter circle motions.

 

[Cheerilee]

But how long will the console itself last?

Ten year plan.

 

[madmackem]

I watched the interview on gttv and he said they never found the breaking point on the last pad, yet i went through about 20 pads this gen. The claim is bs tbh and doesnt account for real world use.

 

[falconzss]

Controller works for 10 years, console dies after 2. Nice.

 

[flamingotripod]

Yeah right. Things break.

My super Nintendo controllers still work to this day perfectly and Ive played the shit out of it.

 

[PreyingShark]

All my original controllers going back to the NES still work. Just how much gaming are people doing to wear out controllers?

I'll be getting a new PS2 controller in the mail tomorrow because none of our current ones are 100% functional. Yes, this includes two first party ones, one that wasn't used very much at all before the left analog stick went "kaput". The other just has button issues.

I don't know what my brother does to these things. Well, aside from having horrible hand washing habits. That probably explains the one with button issues. >_> Oh, but my GCN controller is just fine. My Classic controllers are just fine. Etc. Interestingly, a certain somebody doesn't use these... HMMMMMMMM

If the Xbox One controller is durable enough to prevent others from having the same desire to kill their brother that I currently do then I approve of it, even if I likely won't end up using it.

 

[VOOK]

Are they going to br protected against Doritos, Mountain Dew and semen though?

 

[Speedy Blue Dude]

What about the sticks?

The buttons are RARELY what breaks for me, sticks on the other hand get loose regularly, and start getting stuck in directions.

 

[Kill Your Masters]

Not if I and Fifa can help it...

 

[IceBreak]

As for the batteries...

 

[ZROCOOL]

Because the kinect will be used more. Duh

Spoiler

jk

 

[jambo]

So at least the controller will still be working after they shut down the servers.

 

[PreyingShark]

What is the worst quality first party controller ever released? The SEGA Master System controller?

As far as relevant ones go, I'll go with the N64 controller just because of those analog sticks. The rest of the controller is high quality but golly do those analog sticks suck.