Topic: Xbox One controller drivers for PC released

[idolminds]

If you're into that kind of thing.

Beginning today, new PC drivers for the Xbox One controller will be available for download, offering PC gamers a better way to play using the Xbox One controller. We’re planning to release the drivers as part of a Windows update in the near future; however, today, I am happy to offer  early access to our dedicated PC gamers on MajorNelson.com.

We know our fans have wanted PC compatibility, and we know they wanted to be able to use the Xbox One controller with the same games and applications they have been playing with using the Xbox 360 controller. We can’t wait for them to play their favorite PC games with what we consider the best controller ever made and we’re excited for fans to experience the improved D-pad, redesigned battery compartment, new comfortable design and offset analog sticks. The new PC drivers will enable the Xbox One controller to be used with any game that featured gamepad support for the Xbox 360 controller. Simply download the drivers, connect your Xbox One controller to your computer through a micro USB cable and you’ll be gaming in no time.

[gpw11]

Any reason one would upgrade a 360 pad to this?

[idolminds]

I hear the dpad isn't shit.

[scottws]

Are they later going to revoke it and pretend it never existed like the wireless receiver for the Xbox 360 pad?

[K-man]

Not sure what you're referring to.  You can buy them all day long, they're just bundled with a 360 controller.

[W7RE]

I was going to buy a new wireless receiver like 2 weeks ago, but decided $25 would be better spent toward Wolfenstein. (I was right btw) I'm glad I waited. Now I spend no money and get to use the superior controller on PC as well.

Hint: The tip to buying a wireless receiver is finding someone (usually a third party seller on Amazon or ebay) that is buying the controller bundle, and then selling the receivers and controllers separately.

[Xessive]

...connect your Xbox One controller to your computer through a micro USB cable and you’ll be gaming in no time.

So, wired only? Or is the cable connection only used one time to register the device?

[scottws]

Not sure what you're referring to.  You can buy them all day long, they're just bundled with a 360 controller.

Oh, I see things have changed.  I had one but needed to download the driver for it and couldn't find it anywhere on Microsoft's site.  Later it died and I tried to buy a new one, but couldn't find it for sale anymore.

I see that things have changed since then.  This was 4-5 years ago.

[K-man]

I had honestly forgotten they were ever sold standalone at retail.

[W7RE]

So, wired only? Or is the cable connection only used one time to register the device?

Yea, wired only until they release a receiver or something. I installed the drivers, plugged the controller in with my phone's USB cable, and it worked. Most games are already setup to show Xbox 360 button graphics if you're using a 360 controller, they show the same with the Xbox One controller.

[Xessive]

Yea, wired only until they release a receiver or something. I installed the drivers, plugged the controller in with my phone's USB cable, and it worked. Most games are already setup to show Xbox 360 button graphics if you're using a 360 controller, they show the same with the Xbox One controller.

That's ok, I guess, but it sorta defeats the purpose. It'll be dealt with in due time, perhaps.

The XBOne controller seems like a great opportunity to captilize on PC players who don't have (or won't buy) an Xbox One. Why not make it the ultimate gamepad choice on the PC? They did it with the X360 controller.

Does the XBOne controller use RF (like the X360 controllers) or WiFi connectivity? If it used Bluetooth it would be an easy fix to connect it and people wouldn't be arguing about it.

Connecting a the DualShock 4 is easy but of course onscreen button prompts won't display correctly. There are methods to make your game recognize it as a X360 controller though. I would love to see Sony develop an input driver for the DS4 to facilitate immediate plug & play game recognition (like Microsoft's XInput).

[W7RE]

That's ok, I guess, but it sorta defeats the purpose. It'll be dealt with in due time, perhaps.

Well, it depends on what you're doing. If you're playing your PC in your living room on a big TV, a cord is not ideal. I play my PC at a desk, and have the Xbox and TV right next to it. It's nothing to grab my controller and plug it into the PC (the cable is always plugged into the PC anyway, for my phone). I can now play Rogue Legacy and Volgarr the Viking again, and didn't have to spend any money. Though I would prefer to have another controller just for the PC and it be wireless.

Does the XBOne controller use RF (like the X360 controllers) or WiFi connectivity? If it used Bluetooth it would be an easy fix to connect it and people wouldn't be arguing about it.

It uses Wifi Direct

[gpw11]

Oh, I see things have changed.  I had one but needed to download the driver for it and couldn't find it anywhere on Microsoft's site.  Later it died and I tried to buy a new one, but couldn't find it for sale anymore.

I see that things have changed since then.  This was 4-5 years ago.

I had this exact same problem, as did a ton of other people.  I don't know why, but whoever manufactures for Microsoft can't solder worth shit.

[scottws]

In my case I don't think it was a defect of the Microsoft item, but rather an issue with my computer.  I was using it on an ungrounded outlet and lost a few USB devices.  Eventually I had to replace the motherboard because it would have trouble detecting the hard drives.

[Cobra951]

I'm wondering if it was more than just ungrounded.  Reversed polarity, maybe?  Either that, or a really dirty power line.  (Bad PSU?)  I've used ungrounded plugs before without such awful problems.  The year I lived in New York, I used an adapter to plug a powerstrip into a 2-prong outlet, and all my computer stuff plugged into the strip.  No casualties.

[Quemaqua]

I find it hilarious that this, of all things, is the most active thread on the gaming board lately.

[scottws]

I'm wondering if it was more than just ungrounded.  Reversed polarity, maybe?  Either that, or a really dirty power line.  (Bad PSU?)  I've used ungrounded plugs before without such awful problems.  The year I lived in New York, I used an adapter to plug a powerstrip into a 2-prong outlet, and all my computer stuff plugged into the strip.  No casualties.

I don't think the polarity was reversed.

The death wasn't just a sudden thing.  This happened over the course of about two-and-a-half to three years.  First it was random USB devices dying and then over time my SATA interface became less and less reliable.  My conclusion was that the southbridge on the motherboard was damaged over time by power surges due to the surge protector not being able to send surges to ground.  Of course, I could be wrong and the southbridge could have gone bad for other reasons such as poor design or quality.

[gpw11]

Fair enough.  I remember looking into it with the adapter when mine went and a ton of people had the same problem, due to solder breaking down (kind of like the red ring, I guess).  You could crack it open, solder a couple points and fix it.  In just tossed it and bought a Logitech controller.   No regrets

[Xessive]

I finally checked out a XBOne controller and my first impression was definitely good.

Build quality is noticeably better than the X360 controllers (including the special editions).

The first major improvement my eyes darted for is the d-pad. It is world's better than the original X360 d-pad but I can't say it's necessarily superior to the more recent transforming d-pad (from some special edition controllers). It is actually a d-pad now as opposed to a flimsy rotary plate but the contact points are clickers, so it kinda feels like each direction is a "mouse click." It works relatively well for menu browsing but I haven't put it through the real test: Street Fighter IV.

The gamepad's overall shape is akin to the wired X360 controller. The battery compartment has been reworked into that slimmer frame. I do appreciate Microsoft's choice in keeping the controller battery operated; you can always choose to get a Play'N'Charge kit if you want to take the "recharge" route.

The analogue sticks have a rugged texture minimizing thumb-slipping. The sticks' sensitivity has been tweaked, it's very similar to the DualShock 4.

The triggers are much wider, though they narrow towards the tip. They have clearly received a great deal of attention, squeezing the triggers is smooth as butter. From the moment I start pressing I only feel the slightest resistance but no other mechanical bits or any plastic squeaking. While I love the DS4, one complaint I had about the triggers is the "cheap plastic feel" and squeaking each time I pull a trigger.

The shoulder buttons LB/RB are technically an improvement but they're not especially great. They're still clickers but they seem a bit more responsive. The only issue I noticed was that I have to be sure I click them at the very edge. If my finger is drawn up too far they might take a bit to mechanically respond.

With regards to connecting the XBOne controller to a PC, it's got the opposite problems of the X360 controller (which could only be connected wirelessly with the receiver), which is manageable for the time being. As we discussed earlier, it can only be connected by wire so at least you don't need to occupy two USB slots like the X360 controller (one for receiver and one for charging). I never understood why the wireless receiver for the X360 controller didn't have an integrated USB slot (like the way Logitech do it for some of their wireless gear).

Anyway, the XBOne controller ($60) seems to make a good replacement for the Wired X360 controller ($40) for Windows but at the price it's a tough sell.

[PyroMenace]

I have checked out both controllers, they both feel pretty nice in the hands however I felt like the analog stick motions, push/pull sensitivity have been reversed which was my main gripe with the PS3 controller. Now the Xbox One controller feels too sensitive and the PS4 feels just right. So the 360 controller will continue to remain my default, unless some official PS4 controller drivers happens which it won't.

[W7RE]

It's kind of dumb that they designed it in a way that this even needs to be addressed, but here's how you can comfortably use the bumpers on the Xbox One controller. I just happen to use the Xbox 360 controller the same way, so the transition was pretty seamless. When I pull the trigger, it's the middle knuckle of my finger that's on it, not the tip. But for anyone who's used to using their fingertips, the bumpers on the XB1 controller will probably seem terrible at first.









Also because of the way the shape of the bumper and trigger are flush with each other, you can sort of just roll your finger up onto the edge of the bumper and press it pretty easily. Actually, by hitting the bumper with the side of your finger, you can hit it without releasing the trigger (though I don't think I ever do this).

[Xessive]

Thank you for that accurate illustration of the bumpers! haha That's exactly where I fall with both the X360 and the X1 bumpers.

The DS3 and DS4 still reign supreme when it comes to the bumpers