Microsoft confirms revised 360 d-pad News
Xbox 360 News by Tom Bramwell
Microsoft has confirmed our earlier report that it plans to release a new Xbox 360 controller with an improved d-pad on 24th October.
We found the pad and photographed it on Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer stand, and Microsoft confirms the pad is "optimised" for the football series.
"The new limited-edition green wireless controller offers enhancements to d-Pad functionality, which will add to the experience of playing games where the d-Pad is the primary control mechanism," Microsoft told Eurogamer.
"We're always looking to improve products and we made these changes based on feedback from gamers."
However, the new pad is "a limited edition promotional item that is only available in Europe, Asia and Latin America while supplies last", which is likely to upset fans who feel the d-pad needs full-time replacement rather than a one-off patch for PES.
Speaking to Eurogamer at Games Convention, one third-party publisher told us that the pad was also designed to work with Street Fighter IV, so perhaps it will turn up again next year.
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Comments: 1-38 of 38 in total
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asphaltcowboy
20/08/08 @ 13:40
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What?! Why wouldn't you just change all production so it stays improved?
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Edited link so now no-one needs to play 'hunt the timeline'
There is only one thing to say to this news: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RgKYpISuw4
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 20/08/08 @ 15:00
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GarthVaderUK
20/08/08 @ 13:59
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Surely it's just that colour of controller that's limited, not the dpad itself?
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the_dudefather
20/08/08 @ 13:59
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everything is available for a limited time or in limited amounts, unless there are infinite universes full of 360 controllers
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How stupid is that? Revising the 360 controller's main weakness - its D-pad - for only a limited period!!! That's ludicrous. :?
I regularly skip between 360 and PS3 games and although I rarely use the D-pad in-game, I use tend to instinctively use it for navigating menus and inputting text (in PS3 games anyway, on the 360 I have a Chatpad) and the 360's D-pad has proven itself to be beyond awful. Microsoft NEED to improve the D-pad PERMANENTLY IMO, not just for a trial period. |
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andywilkie35
20/08/08 @ 14:09
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from what I can tell, it says it was basically revised for Pro Evo...
Couldn't they just spend a bit of money saying "use the analog stick, its better" than go through all this shit? |
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convercide
20/08/08 @ 14:21
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Is it me or does it look just as shit as the regular D Pad. I'm pretty sure the problem isn't just how loose the buttons is, more its shitty design.
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the_dudefather
20/08/08 @ 14:28
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@Luvbeers
the main problems seem to be the dpad not reconising directions clearly enough, like trying to press up and you get a up-left response or vice versa makes quick switching in oblivion and other games a bit annoying sometimes |
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don't bloody use the d-pad then - only thing I've ever used it for is sending messages via the dashboard.
i havent yet had one single game that demands use of the d-pad, not even VF or Soul Calibur, which was a surprise I must admit. Who uses it anyway, and for what? [edit] Just remembered I do use it for Ninja Gaiden II - retard that I am.
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 20/08/08 @ 15:32
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skullcommander
20/08/08 @ 14:46
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A lot of games are designed to be played with the D-pad/arcade stick, such as Street Fighter, Pro Evo, Tony Hawks (not more recent versions) and a hole host of old style shooters. For those style of games the analogue doesn't give the player the precise movements needed in a 2D game. Microsoft really should have had this sorted three years ago, but better late than never.
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Mentalist(air)
20/08/08 @ 15:44
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I had to compare images considerably before I could see the difference.
Is a miniscule kink in the plastic going to help much? |
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JediMasterMalik
20/08/08 @ 16:41
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Who thought: "Let's improve the controller by fixing it's biggest fault, but let's only let them have the best version for a limited about of time"?
Kill that person! |
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Anthony_UK
20/08/08 @ 16:49
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The crap d-pad made me change to the stick on pro evo, now after getting used to it, I can't imagine going back! Plus no more thumb blisters after extended sessions! :-)
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foreverafternothing
20/08/08 @ 17:33
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Where does it say that the new d-pad is limited edition?
I'm reading this article is it saying that the green controller is limited edition. |
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It will be limited at first for Europe etc. and as what is already happening, US folk are crying out for it too along with people hear in non puke colour.
Microsoft "Due to popular demand we are making this new controller standard" P.S We were just testing the water with this so we don't get flak for selling 20 million crap d-pad controllers. |
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@Arbiter
That's exactly what I think. If anything, it seems it will only make it worse, now that there's about 4x more chances of hitting a wrong direction. By the way, wasn't the d-pad from the second version of the controller for the original Xbox pretty good? If so, I wonder what made MS think it was a good idea to redo it for the 360 one. |
Comments: 1-38 of 38 in total
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