Microsoft’s $150 Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller is popular — like, really popular. Just over eight months since the premium, modular control pad launched, the one millionth unit rolled off the assembly line, according to a tweet from Head of Xbox Phil Spencer.
Great milestone, our one millionth Xbox Elite controller. Thanks to all who have supported. pic.twitter.com/semvYxD5Yg
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) June 28, 2016
It’s important to note that Microsoft has not necessarily sold one million of these controllers yet. In fact, that would seem unlikely given that Spencer still had possession of the one millionth unit as of yesterday. However, it’s likely only a matter of (brief) time until the company reaches that milestone.
While there was some skepticism when the Elite was announced at E3 2015, the doubters were immediately proved wrong when the controller released last October. The Elite sold out at most retailers shortly after it hit store shelves and remained difficult for most consumers to find until at least March.
Though nearly everyone who got their hands on the unit at last year’s E3 came away impressed, many thought Microsoft had essentially lost its mind by announcing a controller with an MSRP that is $90 more than the basic pad. Microsoft took this feedback into account when deciding on a manufacturing pipeline, ultimately producing far fewer Elite controllers than consumers wanted to buy.
After seeing just how far short of demand Microsoft’s production was, CMO Chris Capossela admitted that, “If I could have built 10 times the number I built, I would have.”
Source: @XboxP3