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XB1 Elite Controller ($150)

One thing to consider is that unlike the way things normally work for first-party controllers where the price stays firmly in one place, with this I think they know they'll have to experiment with price.

My guess is that since it's not possible to take price up after starting too low, they will start with $150 to get the folks (from which we've heard numerous times on this thread) who are happy to pay a lot for a controller like the Elite. Those people will buy and have the panache of owning something better than what most people have for some period of time.

Then after a few months Microsoft can drop the price to $99 or $90 and get the consumers that aren't willing to pay $150 but will pay some premium to have it.

The beauty of this of course is that they will screw over early adopters again, which is pretty much what Microsoft's strategy with respect to their consoles and peripherals has always been.
 
I want it especially if i can design to be like the dual shock. No problem with the asymmetrical design of the xbox controller but with this level of customization i have to at least try it out. This might be the best controller of all time. Dat price doe. I'll wait for deals.
 
Here is some additional context.

Elite level controllers

Thrustmaster HOTAS Wart Hog Joystick: $407. Perfect for Star Citizen. But why buy when you can play SC with a Mouse and Keyboard?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00371R8P4/?tag=neogaf0e-20

Mad Catz Pro Racing Force Feedback Wheel and Pedals for Xbox One: $394. But why buy when a regular controller works just fine?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GSJAQ9W/?tag=neogaf0e-20

Hori Real Arcade Pro: $149. Perfect for SFV..... But why buy when a DS4 will do?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ND0EBQ8/?tag=neogaf0e-20

We buy because we want and it makes us feel good :)
Umm.. No!

You're replacing a controller with a better feeling controller with more options. That's all there is to it. It's not gonna magically improve your K/D ratio. You can compete at an elite level with or without the elite controller.

Replacing a controller with a flight stick or racing wheel is a completely different ball game as they're pretty much mandatory if you even want to think about competing at en elite level. Try being competitive in iRacing with a keyboard and get back to me.
 
Umm.. No!

You're replacing a controller with a better feeling controller with more options. That's all there is to it. It's not gonna magically improve your K/D ratio. You can compete at an elite level with or without the elite controller.

Replacing a controller with a flight stick or racing wheel is a completely different ball game as they're pretty much mandatory if you even want to think about competing at en elite level. Try being competitive in iRacing with a keyboard and get back to me.

Actually, it many cases like racing and flight sims. better performance is gained through non-specialist controller means. Star Citizen dogfighting was easier with keyboard and mouse, than HOTAS.

Back in PGR days, the lap times set on a controller were superior to that with a Wheel.

The specialist devices add an additional level of immersion to the game experience.

Back to point.

Specialist controllers cost money.

MS priced the Elite competitively with the market.
 
One thing to consider is that unlike the way things normally work for first-party controllers where the price stays firmly in one place, with this I think they know they'll have to experiment with price.

My guess is that since it's not possible to take price up after starting too low, they will start with $150 to get the folks (from which we've heard numerous times on this thread) who are happy to pay a lot for a controller like the Elite. Those people will buy and have the panache of owning something better than what most people have for some period of time.

Then after a few months Microsoft can drop the price to $99 or $90 and get the consumers that aren't willing to pay $150 but will pay some premium to have it.

The beauty of this of course is that they will screw over early adopters again, which is pretty much what Microsoft's strategy with respect to their consoles and peripherals has always been.


Except that:

It uses the new bumpers.

Hopefully people will get a chance to pick one up. It's heavy and the fit-and-finish is amazing. The sticks are stainless steel. There is a delrin bushing in each thumbstick cavity that is silky-smooth and should basically never wear out. There are two profiles that remember your settings and follow you to different consoles.

This is not a minor cosmetic special-edition. Watch the videos with the dev team. We worked closely with a bunch of pro gamers to really refine every aspect. We don't expect it to sell in huge volumes. For us, this was about building the best most premium controller we could make, and the price came out that. When you feel it in person, I think you'll see where that $150 went.


People expecting a price drop soon because of low sales are not getting to whole point of this product.
 
The beauty of this of course is that they will screw over early adopters again, which is pretty much what Microsoft's strategy with respect to their consoles and peripherals has always been.

And that's not exclusive to MS, or true for every early adopter. Consoles evolve with price, factor and accessories. Early purchasers know what they are getting.
 
Actually, it many cases like racing and flight sims. better performance is gained through non-specialist controller means. Star Citizen dogfighting was easier with keyboard and mouse, than HOTAS.

Back in PGR days, the lap times set on a controller were superior to that with a Wheel.

The specialist devices add an additional level of immersion to the game experience.

Back to point.

Specialist controllers cost money.

MS priced the Elite competitively with the market.
NO!

PGR is not a Sim, it wasn't designed around an authentic driving experience. Like I said, get back to me when you can be competitive in iRacing/Assetto Corsa/rFactor etc.. with a keyboard. A regular controller is fine for casual play, but to compete at an Elite level you're gonna need the right hardware. That's what separates the genre specific hardware from fancy controllers. Now whether or not it's worth the price is a personal preference.
 
NO!

PGR is not a Sim, it wasn't designed around an authentic driving experience. Like I said, get back to me when you can be competitive in iRacing/Assetto Corsa/rFactor etc.. with a keyboard. A regular controller is fine for casual play, but to compete at an Elite level you're gonna need the right hardware. That's what separates the genre specific hardware from fancy controllers. Now whether or not it's worth the price is a personal preference.

I did not know that your argument was solely focused on sims. Sorry.

A lot of pros use SCUFs.....

The paddle at the back of the controller allows for reloading whilst both thumbs are still on the sticks.... This makes a difference for pro players. So it appears that the Elite meets yours criteria for value.

Albert Penello has explained that the Elite is some a minor modification to the existing controller.
 
The issue there was that there was already a precedence for lower priced consoles with similar features. The precedence for custom controllers are in the $200 range.

There is no precedence for first party custom controllers or ultra luxury peripherals.
 
I am confused. Did Amazon put this up for sale at the wrong price? I see people talking about Amazon cancelling orders due to wrong price.

I got my order in at $149. That is the correct price? And I should be good? Really nervous I won't get it at Release date cuz I ordered a day late I think (just put my order in an hour ago). I guess I worry too much. Should be fine.
 
Wow, this is looking better and better. I feel like their competitors are going to have to lower their prices or something given how much you get with this package.

Also Plug and Play kit all day, err day.

Wow indeed. Watching that video *drool*

Honestly, I'll gladly pay $150 for this. Can't wait to play Halo 5 + Forza 6 w/ this.
 
Our pro team swears by it. I think it's literally the best controller I have ever used.

Oh wow, you've tried it!?

How does it feel!? This is honestly the best thing that came out of E3 for me. I want this so badly for my X1. This announcement + just knowing Halo 5 is coming. I'm so happy. I can't stop thinking about this controller and watching the video. The quality of the material looks so amazing. It looks like it grips to the hand, and feels so good resting in your hands. X1 controller was already my favorite controller of all time. So I'm just obsessed with this upgrade.
 
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