Being in circulation now for two months, a lot of fans finally have their hands on the Xbox Series X, getting to experience the console's enhanced SSD, optimized visuals, and quick resume feature first hand. However, it seems Microsoft is still wondering what it can do to improve its state of the art next-generation console, with a recent survey hinting that it's interested in discovering how valued some of Sony's new features have been.
Microsoft's questionnaire asks Xbox Series X/S purchasers a range of questions regarding early impressions of the new console, the most interesting of which surrounding its controller. Among querying whether players have used the Series X's share button and how proficient they feel they are with the new gamepad, it also asked if players were disappointed it didn't include the same features as the PlayStation 5's controller. And indeed, there's a case to be made for their inclusion if Microsoft updates or releases a new model of the controller.
The official question reads "I am aware of features on the PlayStation 5 controllers that I wish were on the controller that came with the console," prompting readers to input how much they agreed with the statement on a scale of 1 to 5. Of course, the features referenced here are the Dualsense's innovative haptic feedback settings, which provide immersive vibrations pertaining to what's happening on screen. Triggers also react, resisting the player in certain scenarios such as firing a weapon or using the boosters of a rocket ship. It has been one of the PlayStation 5's most heralded aspects since release, with critics and players noting how it makes titles like Astro's Playroom and Demon's Souls more engaging.
It would likely go a long way with making upcoming Xbox Series X/S titles like Avowed or Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 stand out even more. Not to mention, it would also somewhat level the playing field with third-party titles as well, while also encouraging these companies to incorporate more of these functions. For those lucky enough to have both, these added features on PS5 stand out a bit more and could, in theory, draw more players to that version.
Ultimately, Xbox Series X didn't include these features, opting for a controller very similar to that included in its prior Xbox One consoles. It'll be interesting to see whether the question leads to the integration of similar features down the line, especially if players heavily suggest that they're disappointed the Series X doesn't also feature haptic feedback. At the very least, this question seems to indicate that Microsoft is considering how important these features may be in any future model updates.
If Xbox were to integrate the idea, it'd be interesting to see if it becomes more of a commonplace feature going forward. While Sony's first-party lineup utilized haptic feedback frequently, third-party games have been less frugal with the feature, with titles like Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Watch Dogs: Legion using it minimally in their next-generation ports. With Microsoft on board, it could become a bigger focus for external studios to double down on the idea, making it a core part of the next-generation experience. Regardless, Xbox is clearly curious to see what its fanbase thinks about Sony's next-gen advancements.
