I believe that Microsoft found it un-economical to compete with the other joystick manufactures, Logitech, Saitek, etc...

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Which is a shame really, as the quality of the Microsoft joysticks was first-class...

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Recently, I found that I could not replace my
Win 8.1 64-bit. DX11. Advent Tower. Intel i7-3770 3.9 GHz 8-core. 8 GB System RAM. AMD Radeon HD 7700 1GB RAM. DVD ROM. 2 Terra Byte SATA Hard Drive. Philips 17" LCD Monitor. Saitek Cyborg X Fly-5 Joystick. ...and a Briggs and Stratton Petrol Lawn Mower.