Since the Xbox 360, Microsoft's game controller design has often been considered the standard bearer for modern day design. So much, that the core ergonomics were retained for the Xbox One and Series X. Even Nintendo adopted the mold with the Wii U and Switch Pro Controllers, along with a plethora of PC controller designs emulating it. 

The "if it's not broke, don't fix it" has worked for the Xbox brand, there is much critical acclaim and approval towards the PlayStation 5's DualSense controllers and its haptic feedback triggers. This is not lost on Microsoft's Vice President and head of the Xbox brand Phil Spencer, who has been very vocal about his praise and enthusiasm for the work of the other platform's hardware.

In a recent guest appearance on the Kinda Funny Gamescast podcast, Spencer spoke about Xbox's hardware prospects and stated that while there are no plans for accessories like VR headsets in the console's future, changes similar to Sony's adaptive triggers are something that may be interesting to pursue.

“When I think about our hardware roadmap, and I really love the evolution of Liz Hamren’s team and the work that they’ve done,” he said. “We’re definitely thinking about different kinds of devices that can bring more games to more places. There’s probably some work that we’ll do on the controller. I think Sony’s done a nice job with their controller and we kind of look at some of that and [think] there are things that we should go do.

“But [we’re] probably not in the more bespoke accessories place right now,” he added. “We just look at what happens on Windows and other places and see if there’s a unique opportunity for us. Right now I don’t think there’s anything that’s obvious to me.”

Back in January, Spencer had spoken highly of the PlayStation 5's triggers in an interview with The Verge and tits influence is important for the gaming industry:

“I think for all of us in the industry, we should learn from each other and the innovation that we all push on, whether it’s distribution of business model like Game Pass, or controller tech, or the Wii back in the day, which clearly had an impact on us when we went off and did Kinect and Sony did the Move.”

Quality of life changes to the Xbox controller aren't a bad thing, there has been some minor adjustments over the generations, so the focus on making advancements on the hardware will always be a welcome addition. Microsoft asked fans about features they would like to see for the Xbox, and overwhelmingly, something similar to DualSense was the forefront of the suggestions. 

SOURCES: Kinda Funny Games, The Verge, VGC