Joystiq

An illuminating look at PDP's Afterglow Wireless Headset

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:00:00 EST

We were pretty impressed with PDP's Afterglow wireless stereo headsets when we saw them at E3 last year. We recently got a chance to try one out and decided to film a short video. But where to film a video about a glowing headset? The only sensible place, of course, was the one source of perpetual darkness and fear for children and children-at-heart: the closet.

Turn off the lights and come join us, won't you?

An illuminating look at PDP's Afterglow Wireless Headset originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Wii U accessory onslaught begins in the Scribblenaut-iest way

JC Fletcher — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:15:00 EST

With a new console comes a world of new accessories. I encountered my first Wii U accessory in PDP's booth, and it's glorious. To go with the Wii U version of Scribblenauts Unlimited, PDP has concocted a cover for the WiiPad designed to mimic Maxwell's "rooster hat."

Now that it exists, every Wii U controller that isn't in a rooster hat is a missed opportunity.

The Wii U accessory onslaught begins in the Scribblenaut-iest way originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection to bring the original trilogy to XBLA and PSN

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 12 May 2011 11:03:00 EST

Has the rich, all-encompassing story mode of Netherrealm Studios' reboot of the Mortal Kombat franchise filled you with an unquenchable thirst for more of the universe's gore-lore? We suggest going back to the franchise's roots -- an act which will be made much easier in late summer, when Warner Bros. Interactive launches the Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection on XBLA, PSN and PC for 800 Microsoft Points ($10).

The compilation promises to include "arcade-perfect" ports of the series' original trilogy: Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat 2 and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, each of which will be infused with online multiplayer and leaderboards. As an added promotion, the company is licensing an official Mortal Kombat Klassic Fight Stick with PDP, a $129.99 peripheral with a retro Mortal Kombat button layout (similar to PDP's recent Tournament Edition stick) which includes a download voucher for the upcoming Kollection. The Fight Stick is available to pre-order now, but the Kollection itself is not. Because you don't have to pre-order downloadable games, you silly goose.

Continue reading Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection to bring the original trilogy to XBLA and PSN

Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection to bring the original trilogy to XBLA and PSN originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 May 2011 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mortal Kombat tournament koming to Bally's Las Vegas May 14-15

Mike Schramm — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST

Planning to be in Vegas later this summer and know a thing or three about pulling off Fatalities? Good news: PDP Tournaments is coming to Bally's in Las Vegas on May 14 through 15, and is bringing along $21,000 in prize money for a Mortal Kombat tournament.

All you need to do to enter is sign up on the event's website (though you'll need to book a place to stay if you're not from around there, of course). The tourney will be played using official PDP Mortal Kombat joysticks, so you've got the option to shell out $129.99 at sign-up for your own to practice on.

The event sounds exciting: double elimination over two days of nothing but MK. Good luck to everyone who enters; we'll help you start psyching up right now.

Mortal Kombat tournament koming to Bally's Las Vegas May 14-15 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PDP and Power A reveal first batch of 3DS accessories

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST

You've already made the biggest decisions regarding your upcoming acquisition of the Nintendo 3DS: What color should you buy? What launch titles are worth your time and money? Shouldn't you wait for that Zelda jam? However, we'd wager that one of your most important decisions remains unmade: Which accoutrements should your purchase to compliment your new, handheld friend? (That's French for "video game accessories," we believe.)

Power A and PDP have each revealed their Nintendo-licensed suites of cases, chargers and cleaning kits -- all of which are available to order from their respective sites. We're confident that between the two of them, all your needs are accounted for. Need a standalone car charger? No probs. A businesslike, faux leather case? Oh, here it is. How about a Rainbow Telescoping Stylus Pack? We don't even know what that is, but we want one.

PDP and Power A reveal first batch of 3DS accessories originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PDP Mortal Kombat Fight Stick's secret compartments revealed

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 20:20:00 EST

Wondering exactly what makes the PDP-designed "portable" fight stick that comes bundled with the $150 Tournament Edition of Mortal Kombat so darn "portable?" Check out the nooks and crannies of the device in the gallery below -- looks like it's got enough space to fit a small family of guinea pigs.

Continue reading PDP Mortal Kombat Fight Stick's secret compartments revealed

PDP Mortal Kombat Fight Stick's secret compartments revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Take an elongated look at PDP's Marvel Versus Fighting Pad

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 17:50:00 EST

If the upcoming Mad Catz Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Fight Sticks are a little too intimidating for you, Marvel and PDP have cooked up a much more diminutive option. The Marvel Edition Versus Fighting Pad comes packed with love-it-hate-it Marvel artwork, an arcade button layout and an elongated left ... erm ... prong(?) for more ergonomic digital pugilism. Furthermore, both the buttons and specially designed thumb pad operate using actual microswitch actuators -- the same kind you'd find in a real arcade cabinet.

The Versus pad is available for pre-order for $40 and is expected to arrive on February 14, making it the perfect last minute Valentine's Day gift for the nerd in your life. Only the Xbox 360 version of the pad has been announced, though a PS3 version may be released if the 360 pad does well. Check out an in-depth video of the Versus in action after the break.

Continue reading Take an elongated look at PDP's Marvel Versus Fighting Pad

Take an elongated look at PDP's Marvel Versus Fighting Pad originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PDP discusses American-style design of Mortal Kombat arcade stick

JC Fletcher — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 22:00:00 EST

According to Gerry Block, senior product manager for PDP, the differences between the arcade stick packaged with the $150 Tournament Edition of Mortal Kombat and the popular Street Fighter FightSticks produced by Mad Catz is culturally based.

"Mad Catz did some good work with the Tournament Edition (Street Fighter IV) sticks," Block told Kotaku, "but those are Japanese style sticks for a Japanese game. We thought it would be a lot of fun to respond with an American style stick for an American fighting franchise." That's why the MK stick has parts more traditionally associated with American arcade machines: a bat-top stick instead of a ball-top, concave buttons instead of convex, and parts made by Happ instead of Sanwa. That should make it the ideal stick for the American Mortal Kombat -- and only for Mortal Kombat, thanks to the wacky button layout that game uses.

Other design elements aren't so much America-focused as just nice. The internal components are encased in easily removable transparent plastic for modding, and the bottom of the stick has a memory foam pad for comfortable use on your lap.

PDP discusses American-style design of Mortal Kombat arcade stick originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PDP introduces headset for Wii's Call of Duty: Black Ops

JC Fletcher — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Yes, you'll be able to play the Wii version of Call of Duty: Black Ops online -- and even use voice chat, if you happen to have the proper equipment. To that end, PDP has announced the $25 "Headbanger Headset."

Conveniently, PDP is releasing the headset on November 9, timed with the release of the game. It'll be available in white, or in a "limited edition" Call of Duty: Black Ops version -- meaning: in black with the game's logo printed on it. That way, when someone asks you what you're playing, you can simply point at the side of your head, without the need for more conversation; which is good, because nobody would want to talk to you after that.

PDP introduces headset for Wii's Call of Duty: Black Ops originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon highlights savings on Afterglow controllers

JC Fletcher — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 11:50:00 EST

Looking for an extra controller? More specifically, are you looking for an extra controller that will make your coffee table look like a Christmas tree? Amazon is offering the full range of PDP's Afterglow controllers at a discount today, as its Deal of the Day.

Continue reading Amazon highlights savings on Afterglow controllers

Amazon highlights savings on Afterglow controllers originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PDP announces lineup of Kinect peripherals

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

"Peripherals for Kinect? How does that work?" you might be asking yourself. First, we would point out that every article of clothing you own is technically a Kinect peripheral. Second, the first Kinect peripherals from PDP aren't the kind you might expect. Rather than offering up plastic tennis rackets or lightsabers, PDP has announced a line of products (first glimpsed at E3) to help consumers mount their new Kinect in various situations.

Wall Mount - $14.99
TV Mount - $39.99
Extension Cable - $49.99(!)
Floor Stand - $29.99

We suppose some people might spend $40 on the VESA standard TV mount, though you could accomplish the same task with $5 worth of Velcro. The floor stand might prove useful, however, as it keeps the unit "above the floor to help protect the Kinect for Xbox 360 from foot traffic and dirt." We might suggest the off-brand version of the floor stand, though. It's called a table. PDP's Kinect products will be available this November.

PDP announces lineup of Kinect peripherals originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joyswag: Set of Afterglow controllers for PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii

Justin McElroy — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 21:50:00 EST

[Update: We've got a winner! If you're username "iFester" you need to go check your email!

We aren't typically unnerved by packages sent to Joystiq HQ, but for the life of us, we can't figure out how this box of Afterglow controllers from PDP is functioning. There's no visible battery, no plug and no solar panel, which leaves only one possible power source: Witchcraft.

We want these foul magicks out of our home!

To enter this giveaway:

Leave a comment telling us your favorite spell.
You must be 13 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec).
Limit 1 entry per person.
This entry period ends at 2:00PM ET on Friday, July 9.
At that time, we will randomly select one winner to receive four Afterglow controllers and carrying case (ARV $119.99).
For a list of complete rules, click here.

What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition.

For more info on our policy, click here.

Continue reading Joyswag: Set of Afterglow controllers for PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii

Joyswag: Set of Afterglow controllers for PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 21:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gallery: PDP's peripheral lineup demoed at E3

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:00:00 EST

PDP is quickly making a name for itself as a manufacturer of quality peripherals, and one lap around the company's E3 booth showed why. Though companies like PDP are still battling with the perception that third-party controllers and other complimentary devices are sub-par knock-offs, much of PDP's line of products don't just feel sturdy and well-made -- some are actually pretty innovative, to boot.

The Afterglow collection is PDP's current bread and butter. Each comes with built-in Red, Green or Blue LEDs, and clock in roughly $10 below MSRP of their first-party equivalent. The highlight is the Wii controller, which not only sports a $29.99 price tag, but features a much more ergonomic button layout: The Plus and Minus buttons are now located directly to the left and right of the A button, while the 1 and 2 buttons are skewed slightly to the left and right, giving players a better indication of which input they're sliding their thumbs over.

A few other peripherals didn't have quite so much in the function department, but more than made up for them with form. The Tron-inspired controllers looked awfully sharp, while the Epic Mickey Wiimote dock made us reconsider our firm position against novelty controller charging stations. Check out the full lineup of PDP's current and future products in the gallery below.

Gallery: PDP E3 Booth Tour

Gallery: PDP's peripheral lineup demoed at E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PDP's new controllers have The Glow

JC Fletcher — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:30:00 EST

Third-party controller company PDP has unveiled a new line of controllers for Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii designed to attract attention, and/or help land airplanes. The Afterglow line is a set of transparent controllers with LED lights inside, so they glow in a way sure to dazzle and irritate your roommates.

That's not the only feature, though it's the one that stands out the most on account of they freaking glow. The Wii controller features + and - buttons above the A button, in the manner suggested by N'Gai Croal back in 2007, and is paired with a (glowing) nunchuk with a retractable cord. The wired PS3 controller swaps the Dual Shock's D-pad and left stick placement to be more like the Xbox 360 controller. The Afterglow Xbox controller, a licensed product, appears to be pretty much identical to the official controller, but with what IGN calls an "improved ergonomic design."

Also, these controllers allow us to reference The Last Dragon. That's ... a feature ...

See more images of the Afterglow line at IGN.

PDP's new controllers have The Glow originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joystiq puts hands on Squeeballs, GameTrak Freedom

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:31:00 EST

The Gametrak Freedom is doomed. Some clarification: I'm don't think the Freedom is a bad product. In fact, there's a very marketable product to be found in both the controller and its bundled game, Squeeballs. As one PR rep put it to me when I arrived for my appointment -- and I'm paraphrasing here -- "it turns your Xbox 360 into a Wii." There's definitely a market there. I'm sure there are plenty of young fathers out there that would love to turn their Call of Duty box into a Wii for the kids, minus the cost of an actual Wii.

I'm not sure if I liked Squeeballs, but then, it's not meant for me.

Gallery: Squeeballs art

Continue reading Joystiq puts hands on Squeeballs, GameTrak Freedom

Joystiq puts hands on Squeeballs, GameTrak Freedom originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xbox 360 motion controller dev not afraid of Project Natal

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 02:35:00 EST

Imagine you work for a small peripheral development studio who's been working on a motion controller for the Xbox 360 for ages. Now imagine that Microsoft announces their own revolutionary motion control peripheral -- one that's supported by a bazillion dollar technology juggernaut. "Crap in a hat," you would likely proclaim. However, Performance Designed Products, creators of the long-in-development Game Trak Freedom controller, doesn't seem daunted by Microsoft's recently unveiled Project Natal tech.

During our tour of PDP's E3 booth, we had a chance to ask Senior VP of Marketing John Moore about the manufacturer's new impressive competition. According to Moore, "we met with Microsoft, and they gave us a heads-up about Natal, so we knew it was coming." Still, it's not all doom and gloom. Moore said he thinks "there is still a need and room in the market for interactive peripherals." Moreover, he claimed "there's a possibility of using our infrared controller technology and incorporating it into Microsoft's new product."

We'll have our hands-on impressions of the Game Trak Freedom, as well as its bundled software counterpart Squeeballs, within the next couple of days.

Xbox 360 motion controller dev not afraid of Project Natal originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 02:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony to never stop getting sued for rumble technology

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:55:00 EST

It's been more than two years since Immersion and Sony settled their kerfluffle over the latter party's infringement on the former's "haptic feedback" (rumble) technology. However, Sony's not quite out of the woods yet -- it's currently the subject of yet another civil suit, filed this time by Craig Thorner, an engineer who also held a number of patents relating to haptic feedback.

Brace yourselves -- this gets confusing. After its settlement with Sony, Immersion was set to take on Performance Designed Products (PDP) for similar rumble-yoinking reasons. PDP contacted Thorner for some pre-litigious preparation. They negotiated terms for the licensing of his patents -- though Thorner used the same lawyers who represented Sony to help with said negotiation. His complaint is that these lawyers got him unfavorable results in the negotiation, including low royalty payments, and the inclusion of a provision that would grant a patent license to Sony.

So, technically, Sony's getting sued for patent infringement and legal malpractice. Hopefully, no suspected shady dealings will go down in this case. We'd hate to see Sony get stuck in some sort of inescapable infinite lawsuit loop.

Update: Turns out we've already turned your attention to this intense legal showdown. Consider this a helpful accidental reminder!

Sony to never stop getting sued for rumble technology originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 May 2009 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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N.J. inventor says Sony ripped him off, tricked him out of cash

Justin McElroy — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:15:00 EST

OK, you know we have little tolerance for anything that's more legally demanding than Phoenix Wright, so just try to hang in there with us. Inventor Craig Thorner has filed suit against Sony, saying that the company and a handful of lawyers tricked him out of some money he could have received for patents he owned on rumble technology.

To put it as simply as possible: Thorner had some patents that both Sony and Immersion tried to get during their legal squabbling. Thinking it might net him some cash, Thorner licensed his patents to Immersion, which won its case against Sony. Immersion then went after PDP/Electro Source, which also licensed Thorner's patents after he believed his deal with Immersion expired. But (stick with us!) Sony and PDP/Electro Source had teamed up, and Thorner alleges that he wasn't informed of the deal, which made him license his patents to PDP for much less than he could have had he known (that's the "tricked him out of cash" part).

God, that was exhausting. If you want even more detail (if not necessarily a better understanding) of the case you can read GamePolitics' full piece here.

N.J. inventor says Sony ripped him off, tricked him out of cash originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GDC09: Waggle finally arrives on DS

JC Fletcher — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:40:00 EST

If you thought PDP's motion-based GameTrak Freedom controller for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 was a great idea, prepare to be blown away. At GDC, the company is also showing off a motion controller for ... the Nintendo DS. This huge stick is the SmartStylus, a device that provides various advanced features for the DS, including rumble, uh, blinking lights, and, in one configuration, motion control.

The SmartStylus 1, expected to launch this fall pending Nintendo approval, is basically a Squiggle Wiggle Writer connected via (we believe) a GBA cartridge, acting as a rumble pack. The SmartStylus 2 "can include a variety of added features, including LEDs, sound and motion feedback." Wow, all that in just one hilariously oversized device! After the break we've got a shot, taken by Kevin Kelly, of the SmartStylus display on the show floor.

Continue reading GDC09: Waggle finally arrives on DS

GDC09: Waggle finally arrives on DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rage Wireless guitar will rock your face off -- literally

Alisha Karabinus — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:41:00 EST

Filed under: News, Peripherals, Controller

Uh, if you play with your face, that is. Just go with it.

The Rage Wireless Wii guitar from Performance Design Products has been recalled due to its tendency to burn human flesh if not handled correctly. Well, it burned one set of flesh, at least, and that was enough. According to the official recall, if the batteries are installed incorrectly, something with the circuit board will cause those batteries to leak. That can't possibly enhance your fake-music-playing experience. If you happen to have one of these, check the manufacturer's website for more recall information.

Do not buy (or keep) guitars that have the potential to hurt you worse than you have ever been burned. Buy a safe guitar instead. Y'know, like one of these.

[Via GoNintendo]

Rage Wireless guitar will rock your face off -- literally originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Plastic guitars, now for girls too (thanks, Aly & AJ!)

Christopher Grant — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:58:00 EST

Filed under: Peripherals

Hey ladies! Be honest, if there's one problem with today's Rock Band and Guitar Hero plastic guitar offerings, it's this: they're not pink and/or heart-shaped enough, right? Here to right this egregious wrong are pop starlets Aly & AJ, both of whom have lent their considerable skills (being women?) to the design of the above two "fun and feminine" plastic guitars.

Of course, since these guitars are built exclusively for the ladies, you'll find they're only compatible with the Wii and PS2 since ... uh, we're really not sure why that is. Regardless, if that works for you, and you've got $69.99 to burn ('spensive!), hit up your local retailer in mid-October. Check out another pic of the guitars - and a video of the teenagers pitching the gear on E! - after the break.

[Via VideoGamesBlogger]

Continue reading Plastic guitars, now for girls too (thanks, Aly & AJ!)

Plastic guitars, now for girls too (thanks, Aly & AJ!) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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