Microsoft Fuzzily Define the New Menu and View Buttons on the Xbox One Controller

Coming out of Tuesday’s Xbox One announcement, one of the notable changes from the 360 was the controller. Sure, it looks relatively similar, but the start and back buttons have been replaced with the “Menu” (right) and “View” (left) buttons.

Speaking with IGN, a Microsoft rep vaguely described how these additions will function. The start button’s replacement, the Menu button:

“The Menu button (on the right) will bring up context-specific menus which game and app developers can design to enhance the user experience. The Menu button could be used in scenarios such as bringing up in-game menus, showing video playback options, and accessing commands on the console’s user interface.”

Back has been subbed for View, which appears to be open to interpretation from developers. The rep said that it “will change views or provide more information in games and apps”, before continuing the cloudy definition:

The function of the View button will be driven by developers. Possible uses of the View button include viewing a map during a role playing game, displaying a leaderboard in a first person shooter, and enhancing the navigation of the console’s user interface.”

What are your thoughts on the controller? How do you think it looks? What would you like to see studios do with “Menu” and “View”? Let us know in the comments section, below.