Xbox One Controller Tested to Last Over 10 Years

116
Richard Walker

Here's something useful to know next time you throw a controller or hammer the buttons during a rage-filled gaming session; Microsoft claims that the Xbox One controller has been designed and tested to last for seven to ten years, and maybe even longer, meaning they should make it through the entire console cycle.

Apparently, the current controller prototype is capable of enduring over 3 million button presses, and has been rigorously tested at Microsoft's HQ in Redmond, WA, using a custom-built rig that presses buttons 4-5 times per second, checking they remain responsive.

Both analogue sticks are also tested for durability, while the pad's overall ability to absorb shocks is studied with drop tests performed in slow-motion to determine how effectively the Xbox One controller can cope with falling damage. Microsoft's Accessories and Hardware Manager Bob Brown notes that tests are still being carried out, but the Xbox One controller has improved vastly since early prototypes.

Our Xbox 360 controllers have stood the test of time from a structural integrity standpoint; it's the battery that ends up biting the dust all too early. Here's hoping Microsoft is working to address that too. How do you get on with your Xbox controllers? How many have you destroyed over the years?

[Pocket-Lint via OXM]

Comments
116
  • I hope so, the 360 controllers always sticks over time (mostly under a year), even if I'm not button mashing. Occasionally they also become unresponsive.
  • Upgrade the shit potentiometers and remove all drifting/ slow-turning, then we'll talk.
  • That's great news. I've never actually destroyed a 360 controller before. Although, I came really close to trying when I was going for seven day survivor in Dead Rising.
  • Can it survive a 2 year old chewy the rubber of my damn analogue sticks? That is the question Also hope there's a wired version. Can't stand dying batterys and faulty play and charge cables
  • Can't wait to play Dark Souls 2 with this controller!
  • Show me some games already!!
  • I broke my 360 controller. It was the x of 100 of controllers ive killed. But i must they, that the 360 controller are realy strong and can take a lot. I´m looking forward to this one, looks good. Is the Xbox-Button a button or just a logo?
  • TBH i actually like the overall look of the xbox one and controller. Just waiting to have the used game issue cleared up as that will be the deciding factor for me.
  • Should be good when playing a new trials game. If one comes out on Xone.
  • @7 Think its just a logo. There is a guide button where the start one used to be i think?
  • I've had a 360 since 2007. I'm on my 3rd controller now. The previous two have suffered from not returning to neutral after prolonged use. They still worked, but they were a little irritating given you would have input when you intended there not to be any. Other than that, no issues. I remember my N64 controllers all suffering much worse. Probably due to Mario Kart requiring wiggling for power sliding.
  • Would be nice if they made it compatible with the 360. It seems to have all the necessary buttons.
  • so it will outlast the console?
  • I remember my GameCube's controller, it was turning off the gamecube everytime i was connecting it.
  • i think they should also use the kinect to record how many times you say a swear word while playing dark souls 2...and at the end it gives you a break down of every word and how many times u say it...you can keep track of how many controllers you break youself
  • @1 what the hell are you doing to your controllers for them to last less than a year?! I play a lot of xbox and my reach controller is perfectly fine.
  • The only controllers I have ever had die on me were a couple of PS2 pads after a long multiplayer session on International Track and Field. Was pretty intense, lol!
  • @1: Do you eat while you play games? The most common reason buttons start to stick is because of greasy fingers. I mean no offense, this is just a fact. I have the same 2 controllers i got with my Xbox in 2005. 8 years ago, and they both still work just fine. The joy sticks are worn completely smooth obviously, but No sticky buttons because I never eat anything while using them and i try always wash my hands before playing. If you intend to eat finger food and then immediately use your Xbox One controller the buttons will still stick eventually(wiping your hands on your pants doesn't help) Anything can last a long time if you take care of it.
  • Worn out two, broke one. The broken one was lightly tossed onto the couch in what could have easily been a rage toss, apparently fate is a mind reader, because it bounced and landed shoulder button first on the floor. Still mostly works, but RB is finicky. The worn out ones were the right stick and a B button.
  • Most faithful controller is the one that plugs in. I have used that on the PC as well as the 360 and it's got to be my go to when the batteries fail me on the wireless. I have four controllers, only one has gone the way of the grave.
  • @16 I guess I got crap luck, because I've been through at least 3 and I never purposely damage the controllers. @18 Nope, I hate eating when gaming. I do sweat a lot though, that could be why.
  • Hope this one will be available for PC.
  • Im on my 10th controller in 3 years...
  • I've gone through four.......Its always the LB button thats gone, due to me being a massive tank ho in Battlefield.
  • The one and only thing the ps3 controller has had over the Xbox 360 controller is it's weight, due to the battery issue. Surely that's one thing microsoft will change this time around, after what's been a terrible reveal so far... they need something positive to stop loyal gamers turning to Sony imo. And as far as Dark Souls rage goes, I leave my controller alone for some reason and just destroy myself physically and mentally.
  • Been using the same 360 controller for 4 or 5 years already and it still works like a charm, it's only natural MS makes another durable controller. But honestly i don't think it's all that much to brag about, those times of faulty controllers are long gone.
  • Too many to count. Mostly due to anger management issues. Plus a few consoles have been thrown. I think I drove over one of them.
  • I've had several batteries wear out, which is hopefully rectified next gen, but besides that the only real issue I've had on several different controllers is the sticks becoming loose. Not to the point where you can't use it anymore, but sometimes the game will register a slight movement of the stick when I'm not touching it. If they can fix that, then I will be thrilled.
  • Of course its gonna last over 10 years, youre never gonna use it. Cuz it is ALL KINECT and ALL TV.
  • Believe that when I see it. The analogs get sticky and bind around 2 years in. Don't get me wrong, I've thrown the 360 controller, stepped on it, thrown it some more and it still works fine, but the sticks bind alot.
  • @7 and 10... i thought it was similar to the current xbox button just seeminglessly integrated into the controller to give it a flatter look
  • im on my 5th controller, just typical issues like buttons sticking and dodgy analog sticks, oh and throwing them at the wall.
  • That's good. But the main problems I have with the controllers, and this applies to ALL controllers, is the analog sticks start to drift in less than a year of use.
  • Hey guys just to inform you, amazon.co.uk has released the price for the new consoles, £500 each and games are £90, if true I'm waiting til Christmas time, damn thats expensive.
  • the ONE controller looks pretty nice, except for the chunky logo section. it looks out of place and doesn't fit aesthetically with the rest of the pad (opinion- before the thumbs down) still on my first controller after 6+ years. the key to stop buttons jamming is to take it apart and wipe all the inside with some cleaning spray and a cloth, to remove all the built up grease. ive changed the analogs sticks once as they were worn down, which cost me the grand total of £1 for 4 sticks of ebay.
  • @34 just checked that out and it says £600 pound on my screen. now that a fucking rip off. i think i'll stick with the 360 or might invest in a gaming pc
  • @29 you summed it up nicely.
  • A 360 wireless controller literally lasts for 5 months before the analog sticks get sticky and do not reset propperly, the grip of them also wears off pretty fast and numerous people having problems with shoulder buttons. But worst of all, as mentioned battery packs arent worth shit and they die way too easily. If they allowed us to open the thing up and replace parts or even just simply fix sections easily it would be actually worth the ridiculous price they are. But it is Microsoft, anything to force you to buy their own brand stuff over and over and over. I have had at least 10 heasets, all broke.
  • @34 it's just placeholder. No one would buy £90 games and they know it. @36 - You aren't gonna get far for £600 with a proper gaming PC. Plus you'll probably need to upgrade it at least twice during the XB1's cycle.
  • @5 Dark Souls2 won't be coming to XB1. That are at least From Softwares current plans.
  • Dark souls 2 would be badass on next xbox one
  • http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Xbox-One-Console/dp/B00BE4OUBG/ref=sr_tr_sr_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369916322&sr=8-1&keywords=xbox+one cod ghosts is £89.99 lmfao!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • bet i could brake it
  • The Xbox 360 controllers have no problem with the test of time. It's the analogue sticks that wear down after a year or two. It's not comfortable to use a controller with the bare plastic. That needs addressing. But, of course this controller will last 7-10 years because It'll remain on the shelf for that time as nobody wants the Xbox One!
  • Yeah £90 a game no wonder they don't want you buying used games.
  • Lol, "may not apply to Dark Soul gamers." Brilliant! The Xbox controllers were always the best in the industry, with a few glaring issues: 1) Fix the D-Pad! Sony has ALWAYS had a much more responsive one: please fix it! 2) The battery pack was always the weakest link. Please attach them firmly next generation so I don't have to tape it to my controller. 3) The analogue sticks should be able to not be wore down so quickly. Even after losing its grip, it should not stick in one direction. Shooter fans know what I'm talking about.
  • I have had several XBOX 360 controllers in my full 360 life cycle, but have generally found them to be durable & wear free:) More of the same please:)
  • The only problems I had with their controllers is that they don't last through the wear and tear. The analog sticks would always start to get loose and eventually I had to get a new controller because some games were too sensitive with it. This has happened maybe 4 or 5 times. I have never broken a controller through rage or dropping it. I hope they fix the analog stick although I'm not sure what they could do. My playstation controllers never had this problem... >.>
  • Anybody else finds this controller similar to the controller of the first Xbox?
  • #44 same...had an elite controller along with my elite system when it first came out. The controller is flawless except for the right analog stick when press up+left doesn't responsive very well due of racing games I played. So I got myself an extra wireless controller last year, still works good except for one thing, it's a battery pack that run out fast. Replaced it once a year. My 25+ years old nes controllers works great especially when through beating and rage when I was a kid in 80's and 90's lol.
  • If test are still being carried out, here's one for them. Let my 4 year old son mess with the controller....then we'll see how durable they are. Personally I have not broken or worn down a controller, however my son has caused me to replace 4 or 5 in the past 2 years. Typically it's the shoulder buttons that go (from my son dropping the controllers), except the time he dropped one in a bucket of soapy water.
  • Wont last that long for my friend, he some how wears the rubber coating off the joysticks (yeah I know, insert joke here lol) on his within a year or so. Dunno how he manages it. I've had a couple that the sticks on em got off center though, so if its the left you character always walks slowly forward and to the left usually, or the right stick it'll shift your view down and to the right. I really hope this new controller still feels like the 360 controller, even with the slight durability issues, the 360 controller is easily the best controller ever made.
  • until someone plays fifa :P
  • yeah mine always start walking themselves afetr a while. i fact battlefield and tombraider boosting alone killed a controller for me this year.
  • Ive had my elite console for four years and never needed to change the controller i got with that. Also if you look on the 3D image posted yesterday theres a port in the back of the controller which may lead to mean we dont need to buy batteries every week, Hoorah!
  • Would anybody else thoroughly enjoy the ability to pick custom skins from video games for your controller? Like basically building a custom controller.
  • All the next controllers really need to do is have way better thumbstick coverings and a better D-pad, I've had my controller since '07 and no problems other than those.
  • On my second controller because the left analog stick and the L1 buttons wore out on my first.
  • Been through like 5 controllers but its the same flaw over and over the rubber is tasty to younger and older brothers please Microsoft fix this fatal flaw make the rubber taste like shit so I can keep the same controller for The full ten years
  • My left sticks are always the first thing to go out for me, I teabag in Halo constantly. Why couldn't they be this extensive with Guitar Hero controllers?
  • @42 as stated those are place holders they want people to start ordering them but if they say its 399 and it turns out to be 499 they have to sell it for 399, but if its 600 and then turns out to be 399 they can drop it, same with the games as most speculate that it is same price of at least for me 59.99 or 69.99 depending on the title
  • if the xbox one is anything like the 360 it'll prob outlive 6/7 consoles, and its a reason i'll be gaming on the pc as of next week
  • What the hell are you people doing with your controllers? I have the Halo 3 Xbox and the only issue I've had with the controller is the play and charge battery pack wouldn't hold a charge for more than an hour, so hardly a problem with the controller.
  • The controllers on the 360 are the best I've ever used. I have only ever replaced it once as the thumbsticks were getting really worn and slightly sticky, but it still works like it did when I first got it. I also hope they have tested the new console as well the new controllers this time as the RROD with the 360 was a bit of a joke.
  • Does this mean there wont be any more squeaky triggers? Saw the vid of the testing facility where machines were pressing the buttons multiple times. Would be funny if the trigger was squeaky. Would not want to be in that room.
  • So they've been testing the controller since 2003 then, right? The potentiometers on the analog sticks are the shittiest part about XBox 360 controllers. Every single one I've purchased has had both sticks gimped in at least two directions. My current controller's right stick is so bad that I've trained myself to make the much faster 270 degree clockwise rotation instead of the dreadfully slow 90 degree counterclockwise rotation.
  • Also because I thought of it after posting my previous comment, I'm sure they're only testing these on an average amount of usage time. If research shows gamer A uses their controller 100 hours a week and gamer B uses theirs 10 hours a week, chances are they're only testing these controllers for 28600 hours (10 years * 52 weeks * 55 hrs/wk) which means gamer A will break his controller 5 years in. I'm betting on these controllers failing a lot faster than a decade.
  • @15. There should be an achievement for that.
  • I've owned 4 controllers and never broken any. Why would I pay $40+ for new ones? The only thing I've replaced was my thumbsticks and joysticks. After years of abuse, the rubber piece got worn down to the plastic and I had to replace it. I bought a 50pk of OEM thumbsticks, Torx 8 screwdriver and 10pk of replacement parts for $9 online. Then I used a sodding tool to replace joysticks. If you need a sodding tool, Amazon sells many. All took less than 30mins to do. If any of you need free lessons, search on youtube.
  • *50pk of OEM thumbsticks was $15s & Torx 8 was $2s.
  • @3 that shit cost me two controllers and I still never got it thanks to Florida's shitty power grid.
  • @29 This pretty much says it all... 10 years, yeah right. In the hands of serious gamers I'll give that controller a little over a year.
  • I unsure design of Xbox One look but I like new design of Xbox One controller look. I just can't wait to have and play Xbox One and PS4 along with many great games on way this year. GTA V, Mario Kart U, Watch Dogs, Sonic: Lost Worlds (Wii U), Mario 3D Platformer (possible this year or next year, Wii U), Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, Forza 5 (Xbox One launch), Killzone 3 (possible PS4 launch), Splinter Cell: Blacklist, New Super Luigi, Pikmin 3, Bayonetta 2 (Wii U), inFAMOUS 3 (possible PS4 launch) and many many many many many more!!! :D I am so exciting to play each own games and consoles. :) Remember Me is begin with next week then The Last of Us coming week after this. GRID 2 and Fuse this week but not very exciting games for me but GRID 2 is fact better game release this year and I usually not buy many new real simulation or arcade racing games anyway. :)
  • Edit to my last comment as small mistake and change better here for whole last sentences in my last comment. Year is remove while week is input correct as mistake. :) "Remember Me is begin with next week then The Last of Us coming week after this. GRID 2 and Fuse this week but not very exciting games for me but GRID 2 is fact better game release this week (not year mistake as last comment) and I usually not buy many new real simulation or arcade racing games anyway. :)"
  • @4 I have the same problem with my 2 & 3 year olds, and my 7 year old when she was 2. Personally, I prefer the wireless controllers as the wired controller cable lasts no longer than a play & charge cable, and is far more expensive to replace.
  • Apart from my 1 year old chewing on the analouge stick, i've had the same controller since 2007. Also got a chat pad attached to it, I like the extra weight it gives. Still works perfectly. So much so that when I got a slim I kept the same controller!
  • the rubbers on the stick is gone, left stick tend to get sticky when push upwards but overall it still works like a charm since I got in 2007.
  • I've had the same controllers since 2009. (Ah well, besides a crappy white controller from 2005, of which the Left Stick is looser than your local slutty schoolgirl) which I use for games on PC.
  • Watch E3 in a couple weeks idiot
  • went thru many controllers becuz of destroyed sticks, never really raged and threw a controller, they just all got worn out
  • Only destroyed 1 360 controller, dropped it off my 3rd floor apartment's balcony onto pavement. NOT on purpose. PS2 and 3 controllers, on the other hand.... Lets just say I could have bought a car for all the destroyed Sony products I've had.
  • @34 & 36 holy shit you're right £600 for a console is too much, but i could possibly deal with it. £90 for a game - not a chance in hell I'm paying that.
  • I've broken a TON of controllers, I still have one of my original white Xbox controllers, its worn out to shit, cause I got really entertained by SvR 08 back then.
  • Only really destroyed 2 controllers a couple got spilled on. I still have the first controller I got with my 1st console tho its a bit stiff. Most recently tho I got injustice and discovered the fault with the twisty d-pad. Incase any of you r unaware they snap off
  • WHAT EVER
  • @82 taken from the PS4 and XBox One listings on amazon. "Please note that there are no official prices announced for Xbox One products. The price stated above is a placeholder. With our Pre-order Price Guarantee, you can order now and if the Amazon.co.uk price decreases between the time you place your order and the release date, you'll be charged the lowest price."
  • Lol , may not apply when playing dark souls!
  • It won't apply when playing dark souls because Xbox one can't play 360's games
  • My RB button was always wrecked :p. Gears reloading, Halo reloading, Marvel Assists button, Dark Souls primary attack, bwah D: Enforce dem bumpers, Microsoft.
  • I've had two pads lose the ability of the left stick to center on me. Hopefully these will last more than 2 years each
  • They don't need to address any battery issues.You just buy rechargeable double As. The 360 ones have a very high failure rate anyways, esp if you buy third party. My stepdad has bought battery packs (both 1st and 3rd party) multiple times and they have almost all failed. And he doesn't even really use the system, nor anyone else!
  • Thumb stick drift is what I always end up with and it drives me nuts.
  • Iv gone through 2 wired pads and 4 normal wireless pads in over 4 years please god let these pads be better :), usually the thing that goes in mine are the thumbsticks pressing down or one of the other buttons
  • Give me new DMC and we'll know how many days it will survive :D
  • I would hope it would last more than ten years, since with Kinect I am the controller.
  • i have my 360 controler for 3 years and it still works fine. only the right stick works a bit to easy after thousands of dmr zooms
  • There is no mention of wearing down of the control stick nipples. I want more resilient nipples!
  • I've owned so many wireless controllers where the batteries stopped responding, the joysticks began to drag, or, I broke the controller. I gotta say, last November, I bought a wired controller, Microsoft brand. It's lighter, it's more comfortable, it has still not developed a bit of joystick drag, and on top of it all, it's cheaper. I don't want to go back to dealing with wireless controllers, Microsoft, so don't make me. Make a wired option.
  • Batteries are the worst. Less than two years and they stopped holding a charge. Left stick seems to drift left a lot of the time now, bought it with the 250GB console when it launched, feels like it should have lasted longer.
  • Just checked amazon.co.uk myself and the preorder price is £599.99!! Wtf?! I'm out if that's the cost. See for yourselves: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00BE4OUBG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1369939546&sr=8-1&pi=SL75
  • will it survive a direct shot to a tiled floor after i rage quit? my 360 controllers have survive for about 4 years now, only problem i found is the battery doesnt stay in good anymore when the controller vibrates.
  • I have had my controllers for years. I use re-chargeable AA batteries that still haven't degraded after years of use and if they did i have tons more. I have had no issue with buttons wearing out or getting stuck. The only thing up with my controllers is that some rubber has worn off the thumb sticks. god knows what some of you do to your controllers lol. And there are far too many people throwing their controllers, bizzare.
  • anyone have any idea about how current surround sound headsets will fit in new controller? i dont really want to have to buy a new headset when the one i have is superb
  • You people with your broken controllers. You people with your analog sticks that start to drift. You people who can't take care of your controllers and keep your emotions in check enough to actually allow your controller to last multiple years. You people who actually go through the trouble to take your shit apart and attempt to clean it. You people make no sense to me as I've never had these problems. Sure our controllers have normal wear and tear but why is it that it lasts me 3 years before I even think of buying a new one? And even then it's just because the analog sticks are worn down and really isn't necessary. I bet the same people who can't get a controller to last them more than a year are the same people who stack their console ontop of other components and set they console on the dirty carpet and have been through 4 or more 360's. You people need to learn to take better care of your shit because some of us don't have these problems.
  • The controller seems to be the only thing Microsoft got right with the Xbox One.
  • im excited to get to use the new controller ot: umm i still have my 360 controller back from when it came out in late '05, still in near mint condition :)
  • @104 whats wrong with taking it apart to clean it?
  • @107 The question is why would you want to take it apart to clean it? I still have my wireless pad from 3 years ago and the only thing I need to clean is the exterior. The only time I ever took a controller apart was when I bought a custom shell for it.. Turned out the custom shell didn't fit back on correctly because it was not a good product. If grime and sweat builds up in the analog sticks that means that people should have cleaned the exterior more often. Every few days I take a wet washcloth, remove my chatpad and clean the exterior. Again, I've never had to take a controller apart to clean it and I have no intrest in doing so.
  • I want to know if these controls will be able to work with the 360 because I kinda like the look and it'd be good to have better controls.. maybe?
  • I am still on my first wireless controller and battery pack with no issues other then discolouration of the rubber on the sticks.
  • @110, Same here. Im still playing on the first two controllers that I got with the launch xbox 360, which I still play on. These controllers have contributed to 95% of my achievement score over the last 7 years. How so many people are having problems with their controllers Ill never know.
  • It's the battery and analog sticks that always get worn out on my controllers, not the buttons. I'm not sure if there's a way for the sticks to last that long since it's constantly being pushed in different directions when used.
  • I got one of the 'Transforming D-pad' controllers last march for my Birthday, and between me and my girlfriend, it's been dropped probably upwards of 500 times. All the buttons still work just fine, save for the left analog stick is a tiny bit non-responsive when pulled from a straight direction to diagonal too quickly, but that's not too common and it's not a controller killer. However, there are surprisingly deep cracks running from the bottom of the battery dock towards the grips. So, knowing that's the only part that's really taken damage over the course of so much abuse, I'm glad to hear that the next controllers are so vastly improved.
  • I have destroyed about a controller a year since 2006. I'm starting to think I have anger issues....
  • "capable of enduring over 3 million button presses" i guess you have never seen me play Street Fighter! Also when i lose i Street Fighter i throw my controller across the room, will the Xbox One Controller stand up to this? (JK i just swear a lot :) )
  • 104: lol, as respectable as your elitist attitude is (it's not), I've bought controllers that had joystick drag problems right out of the box. Not everybody complaining about the current controller on here uses that same controller as a boomerang. Some of us just got a crappy product and don't feel it right to have to spend another $50 or 60 to try and get it right the next time.
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