A recent patent filed by Microsoft suggests the company may be working on a quieter design for the analog sticks of Xbox controllers. Throughout the more than 20 years since the original Xbox debuted, Microsoft has constantly made new iterations of its controllers to try new ideas and improve the design. Recent years have seen peripherals like the Xbox Elite and Xbox Elite Core controllers looking to provide a more premium experience with features like interchangeable triggers and D-pads. Now, Microsoft may be looking to re-engineer its controller's analog sticks to make less noise.
A patent filed by Microsoft for a "Sound Reducing Directional Input Stick" shows a new design for the standard Xbox controller that looks to soften the controller's noise level. The patented change adds a "damping ring" on the sides of the analog stick's shaft, with the ring compressing when it connects with the side of the stick's cavity on the controller. The soft compressable material used on the damping ring would look to reduce the noise level on the controller by adding a protective layer between the plastic on the shaft and the controller shell.
Microsoft cites the need for a damping ring within the patent as relating to games that require quick inputs from the thumbstick. "Rapid movements of the analog stick" can cause the shaft of the stick to impact the controller's plastic shell with the ring looking to soften the impact. The patent also cites the softening of the impact with the shell as working to lessen "tactile vibration" of the controller from the analog stick. The patent also suggests the damping ring may be replaceable to account for the wearing of the material.
Microsoft making a major change to its analog stick design would come as stick drift has been a controversial issue for many gamers on modern hardware. While stick drift has been most notable on the Nintendo Switch, several other platforms have dealt with similar issues. Players on Steam Deck even reported stick drift issues early on in the system's life, with the handheld platform featuring built-in joysticks. Microsoft itself has become familiar with the ongoing issue as well, previously dealing with lawsuits over analog stick drift.
While Microsoft has created a new design for sound reduction, the hardware juggernaut has also come under fire for the Xbox Elite Core Controller launched earlier this month. Fans have already reported a variety of issues with the Xbox Elite Core, ranging from quality control to the controller's overall build. Some players have reported controllers arriving damaged or experiencing input issues like double-clicks and consistent problems with the right bumper missing inputs. While Microsoft's newest controller has seen its fair bit of early controversy, the developer's analog stick patent will look to remedy one headache of modern controllers.