Oculus' Touch headlines new controllers unveiled at E3

The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) that recently ran in Los Angeles saw traditional and anticipated video game releases, and controllers for PCs and consoles unveiled by a number of companies.

The most talked-about controller wasn't from a company mostly associated with traditional video game controllers: Oculus. The Facebook-owned virtual reality headset maker announced its Oculus Touch, a controller intended to be used in concert with its Rift VR headset. It may be a misnomer to call it "a" controller, however, as the system uses a controller for each hand. The controllers use a pistol grip interface with a trigger, an analog stick and a pair of buttons. What is most interesting about it, however, is how sensor-laden the device is and how far it advances motion controllers.

The "ring" around the controller includes a number of sensors meant to interface with the Oculus system, ensuring that the VR software has an accurate understanding of where the user's hands are in the real world, and track where the user's fingers are. In addition, the trigger has a sensor embedded within to detect whether the user's fingers are actually touching them. All of these sensors add up to an extremely accurate and natural motion control system. One of the most striking things about the device is something that permeated a number of reviews: the controller felt "natural" in the users' hands.

While the controller will not ship with the final consumer version of the Oculus Rift when it releases in Q1 2016 - it will include the Xbox One controller instead - it is expected to be released some time in 2016.

On that note, Microsoft also made some headlines with the announcement of its Xbox One Elite controller. The $150 controller justifies its high price by being a modular platform. The D-pad has been removed in favor of a haptic touchpad, though if the user prefers they can swap it out for a more conventional D-pad. Sticks and paddles can be moved or removed by the user as they see fit with sticks of different sizes and shapes. Each control can have the sensitivity customized much the same way that premium gaming mice can be customized.

See a comparison table of selected video game controller suppliers on GlobalSources.com