The future of Microsoft accessories [Update 1]

by Kyle Orland { Aug 16th 2006 at 10:55AM }

FiringSquad has an interesting report from a Microsoft GameFest panel on controllers and accessories for the Xbox 360. Chief among the revelations at the panel is the development of a USB adapter that will let gamers use their Xbox 360 wireless controllers on a PC. Price and release details weren't discussed, but FiringSquad speculates that a fall release is likely.

[Update 1: Apparently the wireless receiver is old news, as Microsoft announced the peripheral at E3. My bad.]

Microsoft hardware chief Rob Walker also mentioned that they had been testing prototypes of a motion-sensitive controller for the Xbox 360, but said that testers complained about fatigue after extended play. Despite this, Walker said they still haven't totally written off the idea of a motion-sensing controller for the Xbox 360 in the future.

Check out the full article for more tantalizing hints at potential Xbox 360 accessories, including a larger hard drive and a controller with a QWERTY keyboard.

Tags: accesories, accesory, controller, xbox 360, Xbox360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Fagaymer @ Aug 16th 2006 11:02AM

Their testers are PITIFUL!

You're half undressed
Eatin' chips of your chest
While you're playin' Halo 2
No one's classier than you

Derbeste @ Aug 16th 2006 11:02AM

"testers complained about fatigue after extended play."

Oh boy.....here we go.

/braces for impact.

Chris @ Aug 16th 2006 11:04AM

"testers complained about fatigue after extended play."

Just what you want after a long day at work.

camp @ Aug 16th 2006 11:07AM

This isn't necessarily new. Microsoft discussed the PC wireless controller adapter at E3.

Unidentified creature @ Aug 16th 2006 11:15AM

OMG! A motion sensing controller! That's so origional. Man, what kind of geniouses do they have working in R&D?
*dripping with so much sarcasm that someone slipped on it and broke their back*

Monkey see, monkey do.

Sponge @ Aug 16th 2006 11:18AM

"Microsoft hardware chief Rob Walker also mentioned that they had been testing prototypes of a motion-sensitive controller for the Xbox 360, but said that testers complained about fatigue after extended play. Despite this, Walker said they still haven't totally written off the idea of a motion-sensing controller for the Xbox 360 in the future."

A thought they already said that motion-sensing was a bad idea. They are becoming more like Sony at every announcement.

Riot9 @ Aug 16th 2006 11:20AM

The real news that interested me wasn't mentioned at all in this article.
http://gear.ign.com/articles/725/725812p1.html

I'm far more interested in the possibility of them redesigning the 360 controller to allow for more precise control in FPS games. I wonder if they're looking to replace the right thumbstick with a trackball. That's the only solution I can think of.

If PC gamers really are going to be going head to head with 360 users sometime in the future, a better designed FPS joystick is going to be needed.

White Rose Duelist @ Aug 16th 2006 11:21AM

Well, if it was the size of the original Xbox controller, I wouldn't be surprised. That one was fatiguing without the motion sensor.

.ed @ Aug 16th 2006 11:23AM

the fatigue comment is obviously to stir bad press for nintendo and sony's efforts. and to give xbox only gamers something to reference when bashing.

uhg.

Jdoki @ Aug 16th 2006 11:35AM

The 'fatigue' comment is obviously a shameless dig at the competion while showing that MS have their finger on the pulse of the industry; but you can't blame them for igniting the fanboy fires. :)

Personally I'm really looking forward to the Nintendo Wii (and lesser extent the PS3), but I do have minor concerns about fatigue when using the Wiimote (or Dual shake) for extended periods of gaming.

I'm sure MS will protoype many controller designs in the hope that they strike gold and create the 'uber FPS controller', 'uber RTS controller', 'uber beat-em up controller' etc.

I'd be very happy to get a generic controller with my console of choice, and then pay extra for specific gaming genre controllers like those I mentioned above.

smakdown @ Aug 16th 2006 11:40AM

Wow fatigue....god forbid little kids get some excersize for once in their life. We can't let this happen people! :sarcasm:

Marty @ Aug 16th 2006 11:40AM

Fatigue comment is probably a retaliation against Reggie and his anti Wii60 comment.

SuicideNinja @ Aug 16th 2006 11:42AM

They just need a better d-pad. The controller is perfect otherwise.

And I'm leaving motion control for the console I will be purchasing this year, and it sure isn't a PS3...

Derbeste @ Aug 16th 2006 11:47AM

Btw....I should just say this now...

Notice how he didn't specify what "extended" play means. 1 hour? 3 hours? 8 hours?

Also notice he didn't explain "fatigue" either.

Finally, It is futile to compare this to the Wiimote. The wiimote (so far) does not seem to have many games designed for "extended play". The Wii (so far) was envisioned to be played in short bursts (and with one hand at that)...you know.....like a CASUAL gamer would.

Conclusion: His comments show that he either has no concept of how motion sensors should be used.....or they are clearly a propaganda technique.

Chris @ Aug 16th 2006 11:54AM

@ Derbeste, is in nice over the in denial?

Were not talking about the Wii. The Wii is different because you use one hand in a more natural girp. The tilt control is like a normal control but you have to keep twitching your hands and this will cause fatigue.

Try it with any control you have and see how long you can do it without cramp or strain.

polly @ Aug 16th 2006 11:56AM

Does anyone remember that kid when you were growing up that would always lift his controller to sort of jump along with the character, or actually lean with his whole body when turning in a racing game? We mercilessly made fun of that guy. Now we're SUPPOSED to play like that and look like morons? What is the world coming to?

Derbeste @ Aug 16th 2006 12:05PM

Chris...

So I don't get it....

Your comments seem to agree with mine. Yet I know you're not a Wii fan and you seem to think I'm in denial...so I think I'm not reading your comments right.

I said an xbox motion sensor couldn't be compared with the Wiimote.

You also say the Wiimote is "different". Therefore, my comments are not directed at you, but any other ms/sony fanboy that will try to use this as evidence that the Wiimote will result in the same implied undesirable experience.

So it seems somehow we are in violent agreement. (and we both are in denial somehow).

Fan @ Aug 16th 2006 12:06PM

"Does anyone remember that kid when you were growing up that would always lift his controller to sort of jump along with the character, or actually lean with his whole body when turning in a racing game?"

This is what everyone who is not experienced with gaming does. If anything motion controlers makes games more accessible to the massess and IMHO more fun.

Lets just hope both Nintedo and Sonys motion sensors have a fast response time. Nothing would suck more than unresponsive controls.

LunarDuality @ Aug 16th 2006 12:06PM

I don't really think anything Joystiq mentions here is a "revelation". The PC adapter was announced at E3 (or earlier?) along with all the other accessories for the next year (wireless wheel, camera, wireless headset, etc). It's supposed to retail at around $20 but you never know how those rumors hold up.

I too am concerned about the possibility of "fatigue". I love my DS and Trauma Center, but sometimes I'm exhausted after trying to pass some of those missions!

@ Unidentified creature
Actually, MS already did the motion sensing controller for the PC and it flopped. So, the "copying" isn't really being done by MS...it's really Nintendo and Sony (not to say that they are not each bringing something new or innovative to the idea, just that this idea isn't new to begin with).

Anonymouse Rep @ Aug 16th 2006 12:59PM

Ummm - just out of curiosity, does Firing Squad read Joystiq? This was mentioned on here in MAY, along with a price point of $20.

Go check out your local Game Stop - it's in their pre-order system here: http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=802337

(OMG, for all those who complain Joystiq is behind the times - here they are ahead of this issue - by about 3 months. http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/12/rumor-360-wireless-gaming-receiver-20-wheel-130-headset-60/ )

Tristan @ Aug 16th 2006 12:59PM

Be careful, LunarDuality Im sure some people have seen the apparently true vid of a motion controller being used with warhawk for ps1. IM not sure if that vid is real or not. It could be sony trying to show that they made it first by making a vid that made people think it was the time then. Its Sony you never know. So if that vid if fake. Microosft could be the first ones so we will never know.

H Lime @ Aug 27th 2006 2:20PM

Trackball's a great idea, but what Microsoft should do is replace the Xbox GUIDE button with a trackball. That would alleviate lots of gripes, including the relative difficulty (compared to the probable and elegant PS3 system) navigating around blades, allow for some slick scrolling action in my 5000+ WMV music files and many pictures, etc.

Ubersnuber @ Aug 16th 2006 1:25PM

Ps1 had a motion sensing controller, but i think the wingcommander (MS) had it first
But if MS throw in motion sensing this late, nobody is going to respect them..that's how the gaming world is ;)

Agent MOO @ Aug 16th 2006 2:23PM

PS3 and Xbox360 should stay away from motion sensing. Adding it to the already saturated level of inputs will just confuse things, especially if each console has a different spatial "feel".

This setup should work well for wii though, because they are simplifying and replacing inputs.

Also... XBL camera can only lead to only bad things... I don't want to see these freaks who shout obscenities and sing nursery rhymes over the headset.

Here's an idea, how about you let people use the keyboard to chat? The 360 already recognizes it and lets you use it to type in text for things like profile names. The headset system is obused to the point of uselessness, I've given up blocking 10% of the people on there and just have it muted permenatly, so in team based games it affects the strategy.

http://agentmoo.com

Isurus @ Aug 16th 2006 2:36PM

"Also... XBL camera can only lead to only bad things... I don't want to see these freaks who shout obscenities and sing nursery rhymes over the headset."

From what I understand, you will only be able to see people who are on your friends list. So, as long as you don't add 'freaks' to your friend list, you should be just fine.

Ubersnuber @ Aug 16th 2006 2:56PM

"23. PS3 and Xbox360 should stay away from motion sensing. Adding it to the already saturated level of inputs will just confuse things, especially if each console has a different spatial "feel"."

Yea, Sony's developers has only worked with the motion thingy for a few months, im sure they would drop it now...
can you say sarcasm?

dsub @ Aug 16th 2006 3:04PM

You guys cannot blame MS for spending some money to look into a motion controller. Look at how much positive hype the Wii is getting. MS and Sony would be FOOLS to not at least get a head start and throw some money into Research and Development to look at there options and play with the idea.

This way if the Wii is a success, they have a leg up. If it's nothing but a gimmick, there set. MS has set the standard for console online systems, and while everyone seems to be thinking that's a great idea, I don't see anyone calling the others copy-cats. MS is doing a hell of a good job with the 360 compared to the XBOX. They are here to stay, and I won't be one bit surprised if they are the ones on top when all is said and done.

BillDoE @ Aug 16th 2006 5:14PM

"Does anyone remember that kid when you were growing up that would always lift his controller to sort of jump along with the character, or actually lean with his whole body when turning in a racing game?"

I tried to get my boss to play a racing game a few years ago on a PS2. He may as well have been using motion sensing controller, because he leaned into every corner and even stood up several times. I was LMAO the whole time.