Microsoft is working on a virtual gaming controller
Microsoft is more invested than ever in its Xbox property, and is reportedly planning to turn touch devices into programmable game controllers that can be used to play games on other devices as well, just like a real wireless controller.
While, much like Apple, Microsoft regularly secures patents to protect its inventions, the Redmond giant’s patently purchases rarely get the spotlight; however, in this case, Microsoft’s latest patent application has managed to grab headlines in the tech community.
The screenshots surfaced from Patently Apple and a handful of other news sites show a tablet-like device, featuring what seems to be different sets of gaming controls for different categories, such as fighting, driving, flying, and other settings.
While there is nothing new about overlay touch controls, this application allows a user to operate the virtual controls on a Windows tablet, or Windows Mobile device, to control a game that is running on a completely different device like an XBox One, or a PC with Windows 10.
The customization of each controller does not stop at a chosen configuration for each game. controls can be adjusted and fit the user’s hand size, and the position of each control switch, lever, dial, slider and button, for the most comfortable game play.
Universal support
Due to the nature of this type of controller, the range of games that it can be used with is very broad, however, the caveat is that games playing on the same device where the controller is running may present user experience hurdles, which suggests that a feature like this might make more sense as a remote gaming controller.
User experience
Using a touch screen controller might not bring back that “old-school” feeling, but considering that younger gamers are far more used to touch screens than older generations, virtual controls might actually turn out to be much more versatile and useful than physical controllers, and will work with any device that runs Windows 10, may that be a Windows laptop, a tablet, or a smart TV.
Will it ever happen?
While it’s too early to tell, this is merely a patent, which means that Microsoft is looking at securing the right to create something that may or may not have all the characteristics described. Having said that, the idea behind this concept is solid, and could even be part of a bigger picture concerning HoloLens applications.