Seems like Microsoft is working to make the new design for their Xbox controllers “different” as a recently filed patent appears to try to reduce noise from analog sticks.

Originally reported by GameRant, the "Sound Reducing Directional Input Stick” is intended for the standard Xbox controller and tries to soften the controller's noise level. You may be wondering how this is supposed to work, well, the patented idea 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. Apparently, the soft material will reduce the noise on the controller by adding a protective layer between the plastic on the shaft and the controller shell.

A solution…

Now, the patent suggests that the damping ring will be very helpful for games that require quick inputs from the thumbstick, actually, it is a solution for the stick drift that concerns any gamer who uses a controller with analog sticks. On the other hand, the document also highlights how helpful this change will be in order to soften the impact with the controller's shell and lessen the tactile vibration of the controller from the analog stick.

Of course, an element that is “hit” every second of your gaming session will wear off, so the patent suggests that the damping ring may be replaceable, however, it does not specify a time window for this.

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Hopefully, this little but important change will help improve the life-span of our Xbox controllers or upgrade them so we don’t have to deal with unnecessary issues like the ones presented on the Xbox Elite Core Controller; like players have reported controllers arriving damaged or input issues.

Source