40 Days #38: Roll out premium precision controllers

It is common knowledge that there is a lot of money in accessories. It is also common knowledge that most third-party accessories are shoddily-made crap.

Given all that, whatever happened to Microsoft's plans for a premium wireless controller? Backlit buttons, rubber grips, a better D-pad - sounds like a winner to me. It wouldn't be a first for Microsoft either - they already produce the massively under-utilized Big Button controllers for Scene It. Sony also has a premium accessory in their recently announced DualShock 3 controller. And, of course, Nintendo keeps churning out mostly useless - yet not free - pieces of plastic for their Wii controllers too.

A premium controller with more precise sticks and most importantly a "fixed" D-pad would address the one major complaint that Xbox gamers have had with the otherwise much loved controller since it launched. Since the Xbox 360 is host to a decent number of fighting and retro Arcade games - as well as hotly anticipated brawlers like Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix - there is definitely a sizeable market segment that would want an improved controller.

Sure, one could argue that Microsoft should just redesign and fix the original controller, but the D-pad is probably good enough for most people, and if the new controller added a few other improvements, it would still be seen as a premium accessory that gamers might want to buy.

I do wonder what sort of impact backlit buttons would have on battery life, but as long as they didn't cut it much more than when the Chatpad is attached, it wouldn't be so bad. The new controller would also have to come with some sort of cool shiny surface treatment to appear truly special. Build a nice new piece of hardware, and they will come. The fighter fans, the power gamers, the gaming leagues and clans. Given that accessories include a nice and healthy profit margin, it's surprising that Microsoft hasn't pursued this product segment yet.