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Photo by Hanoudt: Microsoft

“In previous generations, we did refreshes of the way the look and design was done — what we call the ‘I.D.’ or industrial design,” said Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s head of Xbox, in an interview on campus. “This is an opportunity for us to refresh obviously the industrial design, but also the performance of the box.”

Microsoft’s gaming division saw a three per cent increase, or US$44 million, during its fourth quarter and 2017 fiscal year ending June 30, thanks in part to its online subscription service, but its Xbox hardware revenue dropped a substantial 29 per cent due to price drops and low sales.

But if Microsoft is to come back swinging in a market it once led during the previous generation cycle, it needs a new console that asks — if not, begs — die-hard gamers to return.

In a small, nondescript room within Building 87, several industrial 3D printers that line the walls are pumping out prototypes of new Xbox One controllers in order to test sizes and textures.

Photo by Handout Microsoft

Outside the door are two shelves with Xbox-related 3D printed items such as funky-coloured controllers and famous characters, all laid out Hall of Fame style.

In adjacent spaces, Microsoft employees are trying out new paint colours on its gaming controllers, as well as fabrics for Surface keyboards.

The facility’s most impressive area, however, is a 20,000-square-foot space filled with row upon row of industrial machines that employees use to input test designs for a variety of prototypes.