Details on the Xbox One Special Edition Covert Forces Controller
In mid-2015, Microsoft released the Special Edition Covert Forces controller for Xbox One, featuring a new camo design and key hardware improvements.
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In June 2015, product listings on Amazon revealed new photos and details for the Xbox One Special Edition Covert Forces Wireless Controller. The gamepad featured a modern camouflage pattern with black and grey accents, giving it a distinct military aesthetic. Beyond its unique look, this controller model incorporated several significant hardware revisions that were becoming standard for new Xbox One gamepads at the time.
Controller Features and Improvements
The most notable upgrade was the inclusion of a 3.5mm stereo headset jack built directly into the bottom of the controller. This was a major change from the original Xbox One controller, which required users to purchase a separate Stereo Headset Adapter to connect most third-party gaming headsets. The new integrated jack simplified audio setups and made the controller compatible with a wider range of accessories out of the box.
Alongside the new port, Microsoft enabled new audio adjustment options. Users could modify microphone monitoring levels and fine-tune the volume balance between game audio and voice chat. The controller’s shoulder buttons, or bumpers, were also refined for improved consistency and responsiveness, ensuring a click was registered across the entire surface of the button. Another key enhancement was the ability to receive wireless firmware updates. This removed the previous requirement of connecting the controller to the console with a USB cable to install updates.
Release Date and Console Bundle
According to the Amazon listing, the Xbox One Special Edition Covert Forces Wireless Controller was scheduled for a release date of July 16, 2015. The controller was not the only new hardware planned for that day. Microsoft was also set to release a new Xbox One console bundle that included the Covert Forces controller.
This bundle featured an Xbox One console with a 1TB hard drive, doubling the storage capacity of the standard 500GB model. The package also came with a digital download code for Halo: The Master Chief Collection, which contained remastered versions of the first four mainline Halo games. This combination of increased storage and a popular first-party title made the bundle a compelling option for new Xbox One owners.
E3 2015 Context
The controller’s release was timed around a busy period for the video game industry. The source article noted its July 16th launch date coincided with the opening of the E3 2015 show floor. Microsoft was expected to have a significant presence at the event, with major upcoming titles like Forza Motorsport 6 and Halo 5: Guardians anticipated to be major showcases. Other potential games, such as Scalebound, were also part of the conversation, framing the new hardware as part of a broader push for the platform heading into the latter half of the year.
Frequently asked questions
What was the Xbox One Covert Forces controller?
The Covert Forces controller was a special edition Xbox One gamepad released in 2015. It featured a black and grey camouflage design and was one of the first models to include hardware updates like a 3.5mm headset jack and improved shoulder bumpers.
What new features did the 2015 Xbox One controllers have?
The revised Xbox One controllers introduced in mid-2015 featured a built-in 3.5mm stereo headset jack, which eliminated the need for an adapter. They also had improved bumpers for better responsiveness and supported wireless firmware updates, so a USB cable was no longer needed for updates.
When was the Xbox One Covert Forces controller released?
Retail listings from June 2015, such as on Amazon, showed a scheduled release date of July 16, 2015, for the Xbox One Special Edition Covert Forces Wireless Controller.
Was there a console bundle with the Covert Forces controller?
Yes, Microsoft released an Xbox One console bundle on the same day as the standalone controller. The bundle included a console with an upgraded 1TB hard drive, the Covert Forces controller, and a digital copy of *Halo: The Master Chief Collection*.