Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • Submit your game clips
  • GDC
Don't miss these
An 8BitDo Ultimate 3E on a desk
Gaming Controllers 8BitDo's new Xbox pro controller looks like the Elite Series 3 we never got
Xbox Elite Series 2 controller
Gaming Controllers The best Xbox Series X controller in 2026
The GameSir G7 Pro Aimlabs 8K PC controller
Gaming Controllers GameSir is going all in on the G7 Pro controller with two new special editions and a carry case
The GameSir/HyperKin X5 Alteron and some of its swappable modules
Gaming Controllers GameSir and Hyperkin's modular mobile controller could take over the market
An Xbox One X box next to some console peripherals on top of a green background
Games The best Xbox One accessories
Five different gaming controllers for PC scattered around a desktop surface
Gaming Controllers The best PC controller for gaming 2026
Razer Wolverine V3 Pro in its carrying case
Headsets & Headphones How we test controllers on GamesRadar+
A Nyxi Flexi on a desk with pink lighting turned on
Gaming Controllers This controller lets you swap between Xbox and PlayStation thumbstick layouts
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox gaming headset
Headsets & Headphones The best Xbox One headsets for 2026
Xbox - Future Owns
Hardware Xbox Project Helix might arrive in 2028, analyst suggests – and it "could be priced at $900" at minimum
The GameSir SwiftDrive controller in its reveal trailer
Gaming Controllers GameSir is putting a Direct Drive sim racing wheel on a controller, all because a high schooler developed it in their dorm room
Black Xbox 360 controller leaning against ROG Xbox Ally X on Baseus Steam Deck dock.
Handhelds Sorry Microsoft, but I've shoved your handheld onto a Steam Deck dock and started playing 2000s games using an Xbox 360 controller
A reviewer holding the Asus ROG Raikiri 2
Gaming Controllers The Asus ROG Raikiri II's microswitch buttons are on par with the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro for less money
Xbox Project Helix logo on black background
Hardware Everything we know about Xbox Project Helix - the next-gen Xbox console
The Moza R3 racing wheel held against a white wall by a reviewer
Gaming Controllers The best Xbox steering wheels 2026: All the top picks to keep you in line
  1. Platforms
  2. Xbox

Video: designing the Xbox One controller

News
By Tom Ivan published 12 August 2013

Microsoft says new pad features over 40 improvements over Xbox 360

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Microsoft has released a new video focused on the design process behind the Xbox One controller. The firm says it conducted 20 research studies globally with more than 500 participants in a bid to validate proposed improvements to the Xbox 360 pad. It settled on the final design, which it claims introduces over 40 technology innovations, after creating 200 prototypes.

Xbox Accessories general manager Zulfi Alam, who features in the video above, told CVG in a new interview that Microsoft spent an eye-watering amount of cash developing the controller. "The investments in redesigning a controller go into the hundreds of millions of dollars in tooling and R&D costs. Bearing in mind we started with something that people considered best-in-class, the pressure to do it right again was tremendous. Honestly, some of us felt like we were putting our career on the line. We were afraid we were going to burn through $100 million and come back with an under-developed controller."

Alam added: "The final Xbox One controller may not look different on the outside, but inside it's remarkably different.” Watch the video to find out how and get our hands-on impressions of the pad in this preview.

You may like
  • An 8BitDo Ultimate 3E on a desk 8BitDo's new Xbox pro controller looks like the Elite Series 3 we never got
  • Xbox Elite Series 2 controller The best Xbox Series X controller in 2026
  • The GameSir G7 Pro Aimlabs 8K PC controller GameSir is going all in on the G7 Pro controller with two new special editions and a carry case

Last week, Microsoft released the first Xbox One unboxing video, in which it confirmed that it had reversed its decision not to bundle a headset with every console. Xbox One will be available in 21 markets this November. The Xbox One price has been set at £430/$500.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Tom Ivan
Read more
An 8BitDo Ultimate 3E on a desk
Gaming Controllers 8BitDo's new Xbox pro controller looks like the Elite Series 3 we never got
 
 
Xbox Elite Series 2 controller
Gaming Controllers The best Xbox Series X controller in 2026
 
 
The GameSir G7 Pro Aimlabs 8K PC controller
Gaming Controllers GameSir is going all in on the G7 Pro controller with two new special editions and a carry case
 
 
The GameSir/HyperKin X5 Alteron and some of its swappable modules
Gaming Controllers GameSir and Hyperkin's modular mobile controller could take over the market
 
 
An Xbox One X box next to some console peripherals on top of a green background
Games The best Xbox One accessories
 
 
Five different gaming controllers for PC scattered around a desktop surface
Gaming Controllers The best PC controller for gaming 2026
 
 
Latest in Xbox
The Girl approaches Grace in Resident Evil Requiem, who is hiding in a well-lit room
Resident Evil Resident Evil Requiem's terrifying stalker sounds that way because its actor "went through two jugs of milk"
 
 
Shocked Palworld creature looking into a box
Survival Games Palworld devs are "still bad at spending money and we're still bad at saving money"
 
 
Mouse: P.I. For Hire key art featuring multiple characters like Jack Pepper
FPS Games The only thing missing from this Cuphead-meets-Doom boomer shooter is the heavy metal soundtrack
 
 
Macduff on his horse looking at the landscape of Pywel in Crimson Desert.
Open World Games Crimson Desert players say they feel "misled" after learning most mounts aren't permanent
 
 
Fortnite Chaos Cubes
Fortnite Fortnite Chaos Cubes locations and rewards for finding them
 
 
Arc Raiders player holding a gun
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders guns totally changed after one dev remade the entire reload system "himself"
 
 
Latest in News
The Girl approaches Grace in Resident Evil Requiem, who is hiding in a well-lit room
Resident Evil Resident Evil Requiem's terrifying stalker sounds that way because its actor "went through two jugs of milk"
 
 
Red Dead Redemption 2's Arthur Morgan falls to his death as attackers look down at him and an Elden Ring-style 'You Died' banner appears on screen
Open World Games Red Dead Redemption 2 modder creates the perfect open-world game by turning Rockstar's masterwork into Elden Ring
 
 
A sim racing rig in the passenger seat of a commercial truck
Simulation Games Truck driver replaces passenger seat with $6,000 sim driving rig, uses it while "stuck in traffic"
 
 
Ben Kingsley as Trevor Slattery and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams in Wonder Man.
Marvel TV Shows Marvel greenlights Wonder Man season 2 with Simon Williams and Trevor Slattery confirmed to return
 
 
Shocked Palworld creature looking into a box
Survival Games Palworld devs are "still bad at spending money and we're still bad at saving money"
 
 
Black cat riding in front basket of bike gets pat on the head
PC Gaming Cat Parents devs "never imagined" 100,000 wishlists in three days, but I'm surprised they're surprised
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. The Girl approaches Grace in Resident Evil Requiem, who is hiding in a well-lit room
    1
    Resident Evil Requiem's terrifying stalker sounds that way because its actor "went through two jugs of milk"
  2. 2
    Red Dead Redemption 2 modder creates the perfect open-world game by turning Rockstar's masterwork into Elden Ring
  3. 3
    Truck driver replaces passenger seat with $6,000 sim driving rig, uses it while "stuck in traffic"
  4. 4
    Marvel greenlights Wonder Man season 2 with Simon Williams and Trevor Slattery confirmed to return
  5. 5
    Cat Parents devs "never imagined" 100,000 wishlists in three days, but I'm surprised they're surprised

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...