Microsoft teases 'all-new Xbox hardware' debut at Gamescom

By Dan Thorp-Lancaster
last updated

Will we see a new Elite controller?

Microsoft is planning to debut some new Xbox hardware at Gamescom next month. In a blog post (via The Verge) today, Xbox's Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb teased that the company will have some "all-new Xbox hardware and accessories" to show off during its Inside Xbox stream.

But don't get your hopes up for any new console news.

In a separate post on Xbox Wire (opens in new tab), Microsoft's wording is slightly different, pointing to "new Xbox One bundles and accessories" making their debut instead. That likely points to new controllers or third-party accessories. But there's still another option that could get Xbox fans excited: a new Xbox Elite controller.

The original Elite Controller was launched in 2015 as a premium controller, complete with trigger locks, paddles for the rear, and the option to add longer joysticks and different directional pads.

An Elite Controller 'V2' has been rumored for a while, and some alleged leaked images have even popped up from time to time. As for what to expect, the Elite Controller V2 looks to be more of an iterative update, with a three-stage hair trigger lock, tension control for the joysticks, and Bluetooth connectivity. It's also possible we'll see the new Elite Controller get its own matching charging dock.

Updated July 19, 2018: Microsoft has confirmed to Windows Central that the "all-new hardware" wording was a mistake and the company intends only to show off new bundles and accessories at Gamescom.

In any case, we'll know what Microsoft has up its sleeves when Gamescom kicks off next month. Specifically, Microsoft is planning to show off what it has in store on August 21 during a special episode of Inside Xbox at 7:30 a.m. PT (10:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. CEST).

The current Xbox Elite Controller is available now for $150 (opens in new tab).

Dan Thorp-Lancaster
Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl. 

11 Comments
  • I'm calling it! Keyboard and mouse support.
  • Maybe I understood incorrectly but isn't that Accessibility Controller thing that's coming out supposed to allow that to happen?
  • Hopefully they release a new type of Kinect or way to speak to Cortona? That would be sweet. And please fix Cortona on Xbox to let me change channels again.
  • Cortana on Xbox continues to get worse. I don't think they would want anyone else to use that feature at this point. I turned it of and switched back to original Xbox voice commands. It works much better.
  • Special edition console maybe? Think we're due one. I doubt it will be a Crackdown console. BFV though or RDR2?
  • Maybe they can release a black Xbox One S now as well.
  • Kinect 3.0? I know everyone's been dying for a refresh.
  • A replacement for the Kinect would be an obvious choice. Myself and many other xbox one early adopters have been putting off upgrading to the xb One X because it would fundamentally change the way we interact with our Xbox (no voice commands).
  • You can plug in a Turtle Beach Streaming mic or use a headset for voice commands. Much cheaper than a Kinect if you can even find one...
  • Every Xbox One came with a Kinect when they first came out. Finding one isn't an issue, as everyone who bought an Xbox in the early days already has one. Does a streaming mic work for the xbox voice commands? I haven't ever heard of someone using one for this purpose. Still doesn't solve the skype problem though. The headset isn't a good replacement for the Kinect, for obvious reasons.
  • I'm calling it as Occulus Rift support for Xbox 1. Seriously go and look at the pictures of the touch controllers for it - https://www.windowscentral.com/e?link=https2F%2Fclick.linksynergy.co... - the pair of touch controllers between them have X, Y, A, B buttons, 2 sticks, plus the 2 menu buttons - what does that sound like? An Xbox controller, that's what. MS are way behind Sony in terms of VR on XB1 but if they can bring all the Occult Rift Win10 games to Xbox with what amounts to a recompile of the game that would give them a massive boost. I recently got Sony's VR for PS4 in the days of play sale (£199) and it is awesome, despite only being 720p. The immersion that VR + 3D sound + move controllers gives is mind blowing.