Yesterday, Xbox released a post for a new Fire Vapor Special Edition wireless controller, proclaiming it was time to “Feel the Burn”. On any other day, this would not have raised any eyebrows particularly. The controller headlining the announcement featured a fiery-theme with burnt orange colours, so the introduction made sense when you read it in total isolation.
However, yesterday was far from just another day at Microsoft, as the company left many reeling when – just hours before it published this controller blog post – it announced it was closing a number of Bethesda studios, including Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks.
Unsurprisingly, Microsoft’s controller announcement was met with criticism due to its timing and insensitive nature. “That’s how you know when a company is tone deaf,” came one reply to the initial post.
As a result, the company has amended its blog post announcing the latest Xbox controller in its ongoing Vapor series (which includes Stormcloud Vapor, Dream Vapor, and Nocturnal Vapor controllers).
The post on Xbox Wire now has a much more neutral headline: “Introducing the Fire Vapor Special Edition Controller”. It then continues as before, stating the controller was inspired by flames with the colour swirls being an “expression of blazing fire”.