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Feast your eyes on these original Xbox controller designs from 1999
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Published onJune 27, 2016
published onJune 27, 2016
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While it’s been nearly 15 years since Microsoft entered the gaming console market with the original Xbox in 2001, it seems that the first installement in the Xbox series of consoles has yet to reveal all its secrets with us. Three years ago, original Xbox launch team member Seamus Blackley revealedhow Microsoft settled for the name “Xbox”after considering “Direct Xbox”, “Midway” or even “Windows Entertainment Project.” Yesterday, Blackley revealed a couple more details about the original Xbox design process by sharing these designs of the original Xbox Controller on Twitter. You can have a closer look at them in the screenshots below:
Some original Xbox controller designs from November 1999. Enjoy!pic.twitter.com/cTReQCJ96s
— Seamus Blackley (@SeamusBlackley)June 26, 2016
When asked by someone on Twitter if Microsoft took inspiration from Sega’s sixth generation Dreamcast console which was first released in Japan in November 1998, Blackley answered that “these look as they do because at the time Dreamcast was king.” However, he added later that while it’s no secret that designers often take inspiration from competing hardware products, Microsoft didn’t go forward with these controller designs and that “Xbox was its own beast.”
No, we didn’t almost go with any of these. These look as they do because at the time Dreamcast was king. Influence.https://t.co/hyw0l34C1C
— Seamus Blackley (@SeamusBlackley)June 26, 2016
No, you just need to keep in mind that concept designers often copy what’s in front of them. Xbox was its own beast.https://t.co/gYaswYifk4
— Seamus Blackley (@SeamusBlackley)June 27, 2016
We’re really glad that Microsoft went on to invent its own design language for the original Xbox controller, and the company successfully iterated on this first design to deliver the more ergonomic Xbox 360 and Xbox One controllers in the following years. Back in 2013, we reported thatMicrosoft spent $100M in researching a new controller, only to end up with something quite similar to the Xbox 360’s controller. The Xbox One controller has since been redesigned with theaddition of a headphone jack in June 2015, while the upcoming Xbox One S will bring in August aslight hardware revision with better grips and bluetooth support. Do you think the Xbox One controller has come a long way since the original Xbox controller from 2001? Let us know what do you think in the comments below.
Radu Tyrsina
Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).
For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.
Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.
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Radu Tyrsina
