Original Xbox Developer Who Named the Duke Controller Has Died

Brett Schnepf, one of many earliest builders on the unique Xbox {hardware}, has handed away. As a part of Microsoft‘s {hardware} division, Schnepf’s profession with the corporate spanned 18 years. However, Schnepf initially needed nothing to do with Xbox. According to Seamus Blackley, Schnepf was skeptical about making a video game console for Microsoft, and even believed it would spoil his profession. Schnepf would go away an enduring influence, nevertheless. Besides his pivotal work on the console itself, Schnepf was a lead developer on the unique Xbox controller, which he codenamed “Duke” after his son. Now Duke Schnepf has began a GoFundMe for his father’s funeral prices. A hyperlink could be discovered within the Tweet beneath.

Brett was within the {hardware} (mice and keys) group once we rolled in and screwed up his group and his entire world up with the console concept. His straightforward smile, appeal and relentless loopy drive was instrumental. He was additionally terrified it was going to finish his profession! pic.twitter.com/I8OhnmH9pZ

— Seamus Blackley (@SeamusBlackley) August 16, 2020

Blackley isn’t the one one paying tribute to Schnepf. Xbox boss Phil Spencer additionally took to Twitter to share his reminiscences and condolences.

Incredibly unhappy information. A loss for anybody who knew Brett. Thoughts exit to his household. I keep in mind Brett as somebody who got here at any problem with power, ardour and a need to do what’s proper.

— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) August 16, 2020

Outside of Xbox, Schnepf additionally performed a job in a lot of different Microsoft initiatives. He contributed to the event of the Sidewinder controllers for PC, in addition to Microsoft Train Simulator and Microsoft Flight Simulator. He is survived by sons Duke and Jack.

Schnepf’s contributions to the Xbox model are a testomony to the unseen work that happens in video game improvement. While Schnepf is probably going not a family title to most Xbox followers, his efforts have left a significant influence on the video game trade as a complete. The Duke controller has lengthy been thought-about one of many extra controversial video game controllers, however it nonetheless has a passionate fanbase, in any case these years. After fairly a while off the market, Microsoft introduced the Duke controller again in 2018, and followers will nonetheless have the ability to use it when Xbox Series X launches later this yr. That solely appears becoming, for the reason that console may not exist if not for Schnepf’s contributions to the Xbox model.