We’ve all been there in the middle of an important game; a notification pops up on your screen, notifying you to use a certain button that you’ve never even heard of before, giving you only a few seconds to act, or it could cost you the game. When it comes to the Xbox, that control is commonly the “LS” function.
What is LS on Xbox Controller & Where is it located?
LS stands for the left joystick; it’s located on the top left of the front side of your controller. It can be used directionally, or it can even be pressed as if it were a button.
Typically this is used to move your character in most games. It can also be tied to a certain action when pressed, such as Sprinting in certain games such as Call of Duty or crouching in games like GTA V.
Xbox Controller Buttons Explained
Xbox One Controller
Left stick (LS) and right stick (RS): These are the joysticks located on the top left and bottom right of your controller. The left stick is commonly used to move your character and also has a specific function tied to it when clicked as if it were a button, such as crouching or sprinting. The right stick (RS) is generally used to control the camera in 3D games.
Left bumper and right bumper: These are the two oblong-shaped buttons located on the top of your controller. The use case varies depending on the game, but LB is generally used to check your inventory in-game, whereas RB typically has a specific in-game function tied to it. For example, RB is used to take cover in GTA V, and Halo infinite uses RB to throw a grenade.
A,B,X,Y Buttons: The A,B,X,Y buttons will be your primary buttons in most games. Their use case will vary depending on the game.
View Button: this is typically used to change views in the game or provide detailed information about the game.
Menu Button:Â The menu button is commonly used to access in-game settings as well as help with commands in the Xbox interface.
Direction Pad (D-pad): The D-Pad is located in the bottom left of the front face of the controller. The D-Pad has multiple functions. It can be used to turn the controller on when off. It can also be used to open the guide on the Xbox console. Pressing and holding the D-Pad will open the “What do you want to do?” menu, which offers several functions such as turning off the console or controller, restarting the console, or turning on the Narrator or Magnifier. And finally, you can press and hold the D-Pad for 6 seconds to turn your controller off.
Xbox Button:Â The Xbox button takes the form of the Xbox logo located on the top center of the front face of your controller. It can be used to turn your controller on when off. It is also generally used to navigate back to your Xbox home page.
Right trigger (RT) and left trigger (LT):Â These are the buttons positioned just behind the bumpers on the upper edge of the controller. While the use case depends on the game, RT is generally used to fire a weapon in FPS games or to accelerate in racing games. LT is commonly used to zoom in on FPS games or brake in racing games.
Why is the left Joystick on the Xbox controller Located on the top left?
Ultimately the reason for the Joystick placement comes down to ergonomics. Having the joystick on the top left corner makes its placement parallel to the A,B,X,Y buttons allowing for quicker reaction times. Additionally, this placement positions your finger closer to the trigger buttons (LR & RB), which is ideal for fps games.
Overall, the effectiveness of the design really comes down to personal preference; PlayStation users prefer having the joysticks closer to one another, while Xbox users prefer having both joysticks placed asymmetrically.
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