Both Eurogamer and CVG are reporting that a new Xbox 360 controller was in use at this year's Leipzig Games Convention. The new controller, while visually identical to the current controllers, features eight-way directional input as opposed to the current four-way.
It's nice to see that Microsoft has listened to its fans when it came to that shoddy D-pad.
Sources:
Eurogamer (2)
CVG
While aesthetically identical to the previous Xbox 360 controller model (apart from being green in colour), our man on the floor reports that the d-pad on the new one is massively improved, sporting a full eight-way directional input as opposed to the previous's four.
The coloured pad is on demo booths playing Pro Evolution Soccer 2009, which we're told benefits greatly from the better d-pad.
This slight redesign should also work wonders with beat-em-ups such as Street Fighter IV and Xbox Live Arcade titles, which have been suffering badly with the current 360 controller's dodgy directional pad.
Microsoft has confirmed that the controller is new and "optimized" and states that 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."The coloured pad is on demo booths playing Pro Evolution Soccer 2009, which we're told benefits greatly from the better d-pad.
This slight redesign should also work wonders with beat-em-ups such as Street Fighter IV and Xbox Live Arcade titles, which have been suffering badly with the current 360 controller's dodgy directional pad.
It's nice to see that Microsoft has listened to its fans when it came to that shoddy D-pad.
Sources:
Eurogamer (2)
CVG