New details about the anticipated Xbox Elite Series 3 controller have surfaced, offering potential buyers a peek into its innovative features. The information, extracted from Xbox’s Design Lab website, has been shared on Reddit, showcasing noteworthy advancements and customisation options.
Innovative Stick Technologies
The leak reveals that the Elite Series 3 may feature options between Hall Effect and Tunnel Magnetoresistance (TMR) sticks. Both technologies use magnets rather than a physical connection, which helps to minimize common issues such as wear and stick drift. It remains unclear which of these will be the default offering or if users will be required to make a choice.
Enhanced Haptic Feedback
The controller is expected to include “advanced haptics,” echoing some of the immersive feedback aspects found in the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller. This will be accompanied by impulse triggers, which offer haptic feedback and have multi-stage press capabilities.
Customisation and Variants
Among the noted features is a distinctive “audio scroll wheel,” indicating a further step in user interface development. Customisable faceplates and multiple d-pad options are also on the cards, hinting at a highly personalised gaming experience. The leak suggests there will be two primary variations of the Elite Series 3 controller: the Base and the Complete models. Both models will likely include the haptics motor, resulting in four possible product configurations.
Premium Gaming Experience
The Elite Series is known for catering to dedicated gamers, with the Series 2 Core model released in 2022 priced at £115 / $130. This followed the more feature-rich 2019 model priced at £160 / $180. The comprehensive details provided by the leak suggest an official announcement may be imminent.
Xbox’s Broader Transition
These developments come amid significant organisational changes at Xbox under the leadership of Asha Sharma. Recent restructuring has seen 268 employees laid off, the strategic move of the Halo franchise to Activision, and the reported closure of the UK-based studio, Ninja Theory, following the last round of redundancies at the end of September.
Reporting based on coverage first published by eurogamer.net.