What the hell is this. It looks so uncomfortable.
this post was submitted on 14 May 2026
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"What if we made a Valve Steam Controller, but worse? 🤔" -- Microsoft
Looks like a successor to https://www.8bitdo.com/lite2/ but with Xbox branding.
These make sense as are portable, meant to be squeezed in a bag.
I have an older handy 8bitdo controller. Forgot its name. It's fully featured with d-pad, 2 sticks, 2 shoulder buttons each side, even works with Nintendo Switch. I keep it with me in the bag with the USB C charger and cables. The added bulk is not noticeable. It's too small as the main controller for daily use but from time to time being able to join in when visiting friends is a nice option
Let’s take everything we learned over the years about making kick-ass controllers and forget all of that and make a shitty one instead!
...why do you need a special controller for Cloud gaming?
If it's like the Stadia controller, stuff like user authentication is done by the controller's embedded system.
If it's like the Stadia controller, it'll have a kickass D-pad but shitty battery life, featuring a battery that CAN'T be replaced.
featuring a battery that CAN’T be replaced.
That would make it tough to impossible to sell in certain jurisdictions that adopted right to repair laws.
Good thing Google killed it before that became their problem!
But we already know its not.
The controller sends nput direct to the server via WiFi, rather than via Bluetooth through the viewing device. Removes some latency, which given how much latency cloud having introduces makes a difference.
But then why is it shaped like a shitty pancake?
To make it more portable would be my guess. Same reason the Switch is flat.
But we already know its not.
"It will connect directly to Xbox Cloud Gaming servers to reduce latency, much like how Google’s Stadia controllers used to work."
Nothing about user authentication in that sentence.
Everyone would have to buy new ones then
Looks like Microsoft is preparing to shut down console department or at least handheld department.
Wut? Xbox controllers are my favourite controller form factor, what the hell is this thing?!
My God that looks uncomfortable
Exec 1: What's the most universally lauded controller design that we can emulate for our Next Big Thing?
Exec 2: The Wii U gamepad, but we take away the screen
Exec 1: Brilliant!
It takes some effort to cramp in a single controller every single wrong thing that you can imagine about a gamepad
E-waste. Nothing more.
E-waste. Nothing more.
Status LED on top clearly shows that it will also work as regular local controller:
