Microsoft has announced the release of five new custom Xbox controller designs tying into the upcoming release of Redfall. Redfall will be the Xbox platform's largest first-party release since Halo Infinite's launch in late 2021. There's clearly a lot of excitement for the cooperative multiplayer game, and Xbox's marketing efforts reflect that. Five custom Xbox controller designs may seem like a lot, but it's representative of the hopes Xbox has for Redfall's success.Redfall will arrive on PC and Xbox Series X/S consoles on May 2. It's an open-world cooperative multiplayer first-person shooter, an iteration of the popular subgenre defined by Left 4 Dead. Redfall launches with four playable characters, each with their own unique personalities and gameplay abilities. The characters' names are Devinder, Jacob, Layla, and Remi, and Microsoft and developer Arkane Studios are clearly hoping that Redfall players find them relatable.Four out of five of the new Xbox controller designs are based on Redfall's four playable characters. Each character has their own respective design, based on their personality, style, and abilities. For example, Layla Ellison's controller has references to her biomedical engineering background, her purple telekinetic abilities, and her ex-boyfriend Jason turning into a (friendly) vampire. Jacob Boyer's controller offers a military/cybernetic-fusion style, inspired by his background as an ex-sharpshooter and his magical vampiric eye.
The fifth controller available as part of the new Xbox controller designs is themed after the four Redfall protagonists' vampiric enemies. The "Bite Back" controller is of black and red design, featuring a graphic of a vampire's bloody teeth on the front and plenty of speckled blood. It's a great pick not just for Redfall fans, but for fans of vampires in general.
All five new Xbox controller designs are already available to purchase. They aren't being released individually, though, but rather as designs that can be customized through the Xbox Design Lab. They cost a steep $84.99 apiece, partly explained by exclusive Redfall engravings on each controller's back. Extra features like metallic triggers, rubber back or side grips, and gamer tag engravings can also be included for an extra price. All controllers work on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Windows, and mobile devices.
The Redfall controller designs are quite unique, though perhaps not immediately attractive based on design alone. What Microsoft may be hoping for is that Redfall players fall in love with the game and the character they play, leading some players to want an Xbox controller reflecting their excitement. Redfall will first have to deliver on expectations when it arrives next week.
Redfall launches May 2 on PC and Xbox Series X/S.