Motion sensing controllers: Nintendo did it up right, Sony tried to do something like it, and now Microsoft is busy working on their version.
MTV News gives us the first details on Microsoft's answer to the Wii Remote. According to their anonymous source, this Wiimote-looking device is scheduled to appear before the end of the year. This source says also that this controller has been in the works since last summer, and it seems that the Microsoft-owned studio Rare has been tasked with creating the interface and look for the controller. The source says that Rare has had trouble meeting deadlines, though.
A sketch of a concept from this source (shown above) reveals that there are four face buttons, an analog stick, and a microphone. There are also plans for the controller to interact with the Xbox 360 camera.
This source doesn't seem to like the idea of this project:
"They want the usual assortment of 'Halo'/ 'Gears'/ 'Forza'/ whatever, just in waggle form," our source told us. Such idea-generation has not gone smoothly. "The whole thing is a colossal clusterf---," the source said. "[Microsoft] marketing just want it so they can match the Wii point for point. The biggest parts of their marketing materials outline how easy it would be for third parties to port their Wii games to the 360."
The source goes on to say that even the Mii concept has been adapted for their use.
What do you think about Microsoft's attempt at the Wii market? How will this be received?
Do you think this will even see the light of day?
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21 comments + 95764 views
what? we're nothing like McDonalds!
Rare having trouble meeting deadlines? I can't believe it!
Ugh... Even as a fan of the big M$, this is almost more than I can take. At least I have the option to pass on this heaping pile of fail.
Well, I think it's only natural. You can't deny that Nintendo is on to something, but I don't think Microsoft has the audience for this type of device. I'm basing this on the fact that, in most forums, it seems the xbox-centric players seem to make fun of the Wiimote.
Of course, when they actually use one, they may change their tune. Who knows. I can say for certain that I am very excited to see motion controls get more attention. I don't own a 360, and never plan to buy one, but it's cool that owners of that system will get to experience how awesoem motion controls can be.
....Microsoft needs to focus on the hardcore we got the where they are...I can see their idea though with the arcade bundle as cheap as the wii. However i feel this is gonna result in epic fail.
PS3 steals motion sensitivity and achievements, while the MS takes wiimotes?
Here we go again!
Good God, that's kind of sad.
Kinda late in the game to start introducing new peripherals isn't it? Has the industry not learned yet from Segas mistakes of the past?
Plus, how about we just let Nintendo have the casual market? the 360 is doing a pretty good job of taking care of the hardcore gaming crowd....plus something like this at this stage in the game just screams "rip-off." Make motion controls into the next Xbox and leave things be now.
Wow. That's... wow.
If this shit works well and was backed by some AAA titles, I'd give it a shot.
That said, it's pretty fucked up, this blatant rip-off of Nintendo. Either way, so long as they continue to focus on making games that use the standard controller, I could care less what they do/steal.
Honestly, those drawings are laughable. I really don't want to see Halo, Gears, etc. with "waggle", but if they can slap a decent dpad on this thing and let me use it for arcade games I will be happy. I also wouldn't mind a pointing device if something like Sam & Max came to XBLA.
@ nanowerx
Motion controls do not necessarily mean "casual" any more than a mouse and keyboard does. Nintendo has proven with the Wii that using motion controls can make gaming more open to the casual market while not alienating the hardcore crowd. You may say that many hardcore gamers feel alienated, but I think that is because they are alienating themselves. There are plenty of deep, immersive games available already in the Wii lineup, with many more to come.
That's pretty pathetic. I like microsoft and all, but for them to completely copy something that Nintendo originally did, it's just sad.
MS doesn't need to do this. Leave Rare alone to finish Banjo, then push them to do some Killer Instinct
*Facepalm*
This move reeks of utter desperation. And insecurity too.
Do not want. If I want to use my wii controller on my 360, I'll beat the hell out of that damn...I mean I don't particularly care for a motion senser control on my 360. That's why I bought a wii.
lawlz.
this shit is seven days late.
wait... I've seen this before
Pathetic "me too" garbage the likes of which has kept the industry stagnant for years.
Didnt Microsoft say the wii will fail hard. One oif the old egm's I have has Shane Kim saying that the revolution will flop and nintendo will become strictly portable and third party. This is worst than the Sony rumble situation
I don't know why everyone is so surprised that this is more or less on the same level as those chinese Wii rip-offs that started appearing a while back. On the design front at least. And on the blatant rip-off front too.
This has been the basic Microsoft MO for years (decades?). Wait until someone taps into something successful, then (cheaply) copy what they're doing (preferably buy a company already established as to not incur any R&D costs) then throw as much money at it until you dominate that segment of the market.
Still wouldn't touch this with a ten foot pole though.
so this is what Rare has been doing instead of making games. I actually like this idea. In theory MS will be able to control the entire 3rd party market with a controller that allows Wii 3rd party games to be non-exclusive. I'd love to play Zack and Wiki with achievements. I'd love for there to be an Okami 360. Even if this is indeed a rip off its still a good idea from the players stand point. The big thing is if it nails the response time. If it does that better than the wii-mote then there may be some competition for Nintendo who is currently printing money. I just wish they'd give up the analog for a d-pad...if we had a good XBOX 360 D-Pad on a controller, wouldn't that be something?
Why make one that looks like a Wiimote when many says that it's not sufficient for gameplay?
i'm sorry, but people are surprised by this? it seems like a very microsoft thing to do.
DO NOT WANT.
This is so funny I'd bet this going to be about as effective as a your left hand is to jacking off.
Our cirlces are in the shape of a diamond, well this remote has been formed! how do you feel about frilly toothpicks? I'm for em!
Oh wow, it has motion control.
wtf. I didn't buy a Wii for 2 reasons:
1) I don't like kiddy/casual Nintendo games
2) I don't want to wave my arms around while I play
This will be forever named:
"The Microsoft Walkie-Talkie Waggle Stick"
Incorporating the analog stick onto the Walkie-Talkie Waggle Stick would make heads explode. They want to combine walking movement with camera controls on 1 stick? That's like getting me to rub my belly and pat my head at the same time.
[IMG=http://worldofwonder.net/image1/dhasselhoffAGTpress.jpg][/IMG]
Oops, fail.
I was pevved when i first heard about this but now that i think about it, this is just sixaxis all over agian just with more stuff. I also either think this well go to ways, xbox gamers will reject it right away, or the xmote well be in the background creating a buzz hear and there but no system sellers,outside of halo/gears with waggle. I also am concered about this simplistic mii looks, microsoft fans love the console for its mature look and this avatars sound simple and child-like. That being said unfournately nintendo will have to step up it's online or some other area of the wii to combat this.
How many accessories are we going to have to buy? The Xbox 360 costs $50. The Wiimote/Nunchuk cost $60.
I have two SixAxis controllers. You don't know how pissed I am that the rumble controller is out a month after I bought a PS3.
Why did controllers get $50 to $60 anyways. I remember the N64 controller costing $20 and the PS2 controller costing $30?
Uh, no...
Motion controls on the PS3 and Wii aren't that great.
I don't see why Microsoft is trying one...
Especially when it looks almost exactly like a Wiimote!
Lawl. Nintendo innovates; industry imitates.
April fools was last week.....
This will be a hit among the 'Really wants to play Wii deep down but told all their friends on gaming blogs they were too cool for that sort of thing' demographic.
Which, from reading comments here, might be a profitable demographic to chase!
I am amazed MS hasn't done this sooner. But I suppose if this came out last year, it would seem like they're copying the other 2.
Releasing it now gives the impression they're ready for it, they've seen that little console do it with "some" success, so now it's time to make it "NEXT GEN!"
I hope it works for MS. It would mean Nintendo and Wii devs have to add more than just waggle to a game to make it "fun". Like gameplay... remember that? We knew the Wii had weaker graphics, so gameplay was king! how wrong we were, Billy the wizard, indeed.
Yeah, tell us this is just an April Fool's joke that missed the deadline. Please.
I guess this really illustrates Iwata's whole blue ocean/red ocean mantra. Now the blue ocean is turning red, dun dun duuuuunnnnnnn!
I really hope this is a leftover April fools gag that didn't quite get off it's feet last week. If not, god damn you nintendo I had a wii, didn't enjoy it, and now my 360 is going to expect me to use some bullshit waggle? Look at Brawl, how many different controllers can you play that fucking game with? And how do a majority of people choose to play it? I rest my case.
This will not catch on because:
A developer is not going to spend time porting a 3rd party wii game to the 360 (hi-rez graphics, achievements etc) that requires an optional controller. That's worse than making a 360 game require a harddrive install when not everyone has a harddrive. There will not be enough of an audience for them to bother. I mean, the people that want waggle will opt for the wii. The people that want hi-def gaming with some motion-controls will opt for PS3.
MS copying other products, no way, did I wake up in some parallel universe? I agree with Dexter, I'm noping this is a late April fools joke. I do hope they can implement it well but I just keep wondering why? They have a good console, not without its problems like the others, and I think it doesn't need this.
Doesn't matter. I'll never buy it anyway.
just trying to sell more units in japan. move along, nothing to see here
How many accessories are we going to have to buy? The Xbox 360 costs $50. The Wiimote/Nunchuk cost $60.
I have two SixAxis controllers. You don't know how pissed I am that the rumble controller is out a month after I bought a PS3.
Why did controllers get $50 to $60 anyways. I remember the N64 controller costing $20 and the PS2 controller costing $30?
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