Hi-res images: Microsoft Wireless Racing Wheel
by Blake Snow 
{ May 10th 2006 at 8:00AM }
Microsoft announced their new wireless racing wheel today due out this Fall. Though details were sparse, the company also unveiled several high resolution images of the accessory that were initially difficult to download (80 mb zip file). So without further ado follow the break for the images in all their glory.
[Thanks, FrenchPoodle]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Spiffae @ May 10th 2006 2:24AM
If it's truely wireless, then there's no way it'll be force feedback - an absolute sin against racing games. Once you've played GT4 or Live For Speed with a Logitech Driving Force Pro, you can't go back, no matter how good Forza is.
norp @ May 10th 2006 8:07AM
Reply to #1:
It is wireless (and appently just uses normal rumble motors) on batteries, or it has an AC adapter for force feedback.
I remember reading that it had a huge amount of motors in it.
Gareth @ May 10th 2006 8:16AM
#1: Wireless means there's no wired connection to the console. It doesn't mean it magically draws power from the air - you'll still have a power cable to power the motors inside.
jaemz @ May 10th 2006 8:19AM
If this could be bundled with Forza2 and cost under $200... I would be very happy.
Jon C @ May 10th 2006 8:30AM
Why was this article pulled from Joystiq when it was published last night? Pressured by Microsoft? A little bit hypocritical isn't it when compared to your defence against Konami's request.
chris @ May 10th 2006 8:38AM
*Sigh* when will racing setups allow for a clutch and gear stick? When they spend millions of polygons modelling exotic cars, why not extend a bit of accuracy to the control system too?
phipscube @ May 10th 2006 8:39AM
WOW! what a nice looking wheel! and decent pedals that dont look half rushed!
For some reason it reminds me of the old Dreamcast wheel by madcatz. I think its the port at the side for the headset.. it reminds me of the memory cart slot on the old DC wheel.
thund3rh4wk @ May 10th 2006 9:08AM
That looks great! What I really need to know is whether or not it can also be used on PC. If it can, then I'm getting one for sure. I think there's a really good chance of it being PC compatible, too, since M$ is clearly attempting to revive PC games and since they already make an 'xbox 360 controller for windows'.
I've been holding off on getting a wheel for a long time now and I really hope this will be the one I get. I (amazingly enough) don't own a ps2. So, I do my racing on my xbox. There are a couple awesome racing games on PC (GTR and LFS) and I've always wanted to get a wheel to play them. However, I could never justify getting an accessory that big and that expensive that wasn't cross-platform.
ivanv4 @ May 10th 2006 9:20AM
too bad force feedback its not compatible with previous Xbox racing games :(, Well it seems i will have to get a 360 and Forza 2 too :).
JPRacer @ May 10th 2006 9:49AM
Yeah, GTR, GTL anf LFS are all excellent racing sims that really bennefit from a wheel.
If I had the money I'll probably buy a TSW wheel or a similar wheel, but at $600+ for basic wheel and $1000 for the top wheel, it's out of range for me.
The problem with cheap wheel ($200-) is the noise. When you must conter-steer and do rapid movements the gears inside make soo much noise... Since I always play late at night I must play all my racing sims with a Logitech Rumblepad. Not so bad, but can't beat a wheel.
Pixelantes Anonymous @ May 10th 2006 11:14AM
Looks a little too plasticy to me, but I'd have to get my hands on one to really figure it out.
Sean @ May 10th 2006 11:48AM
@ #6
If you knew ANYTHING about motor shifting systems, and you don't have to know a lot. You would then know that a LOT of those "Exotics" you mentioned don't use a stick but rather a paddle shifter behind the steering wheel and built into the steering column as you can see M$ did. plus if we all wanted it our way then we'd have a modular shifting mechanism where you could swap in the paddle shifter when you wanted that and removed the shifter knob or vice versa.
As much as I hate M$ I have to admit the XB360 is turning out to be quite the little powerhouse. That's not to say that the other consoles don't have their own power of sorts. Alongside the XB360 I'll probably get a PS3 and Wii as well due to PS3's large library of games beyond that of fps shooters and thw Wii's engaging control system.
Fanboys be damned.
Eric @ May 10th 2006 11:50AM
I wonder how PS3's racing wheels will fare in the future.
"Force feedback is last gen, this gen we hook electrodes to your nuts and let the sweat of your balls control the car."
Mmmmm....can't wait for that one.
BumbleBB @ May 10th 2006 12:59PM
Major Nelson hinted on one of his podcasts that they would be revealing a device that used the same battery pack as the controllers, and that is the only device mentioned that i could see that would use a battery, and yes they said that the wireless controller,wheel , and headset would all work with the wireless adapter for windows that is coming out.
sargent @ May 10th 2006 1:15PM
#6 check over on engadget, looks like logitech has answered your request. Sure the price is more, but it has all the bells and whistles.
Galley @ May 10th 2006 1:33PM
#6, ToCA Race Driver 3 for the PS2 supports an analog clutch.
martin @ May 10th 2006 1:57PM
# 5, http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/09/microsofts-wireless-racing-wheel-a-qanda-with-marc-whitten/
I think this is the article you were talking about. It was never pulled. The article that this comment is on now is a new one about having Hi-res images. the subtlties of reading comprehension can get you far!
Will @ May 10th 2006 2:18PM
how about a wheel with a working horn, so i can honk at other drivers in game?
Hotdrop @ May 10th 2006 2:30PM
Can it do the 2 and 1/2 revolutions that the logitek wheel can do?
Mike @ May 10th 2006 3:18PM
Seriously, videogame steering wheels are the stupidest thing ever. Actually, the people who buy videogame steering wheels are the stupidest things ever. I can't think of anything more geeky or useless.
Jappleng @ May 10th 2006 4:00PM
I love steering wheels when it comes to games. They are usually over my budget but when ever I get the chance to play with them its like playing the game that your used to playing all over again anew.
Isamu @ May 17th 2006 12:19AM
you guys are a bunch of stupid motherfuckers.
This wheel is a prime piece of shit! The wheel I'm putting together is gonna take a giant shit all the way from mars on this shitty fucking POS wheel.
I'm putting together a Happ Controls wheel with BRD pedals and a happ 4-way shifter. Nothing Logitech or Micro$haft puts out will cum remotely CLOSE to it.
Stick with your plastic fucking piece of garbage M$ delivers for Flopza2.
Why am I even wasting my time here? You knuckleheads aren't even hardcore racing gamers to begin with...