XBOX Launch Controller Code name: The Duke
In 1999, Bill Gates decided that Microsoft would begin to develop a game console that he envisioned would not only challenge Sony Playstation, the industry's indisputable leader, but that would revolutionize the home gaming industry. The Duke, code name for the launch controller during development, was designed to ship as part of Microsoft's introduction to the gaming space, XBOX.
As the lead industrial designer, I was responsible for developing the conceptual creative direction into a physical first article. Additionally, I designed all peripherals, including the launch XBOX Live communicator headset, memory units and all plastic plug overmolds.
Design iterations were explored through hand sketches and physical models for the controller, the console, plug overmolds and peripherals. The design iteration process for the controller focused heavily on reducing the external case size millimeter by millimeter.
Design & Development
Making the controller small, while still accommodating a pre-designed circuit board twice as large as the competing Playstation board was the unavailing challenge that would ultimately seal the fate of the controller and be the driving factor of its excessive size and untimely death.
Usability Testing
The Duke tested extremely favorably with American gamers who, on average, had larger hands then Japanese gamers. However, the opposite held true in Japan where testing proved disastrous.
Due to the controller's large size Microsoft completely replaced it within 18 months of initial launch.
