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?
Dale North is Destructoid's Editor-In-Chief, a founding editor, and specialist in Japanese gaming. An accomplished musician, Dale was reporting from Japan during the earthquakes of 2011. Luckily, he got the fuck out alive and is home in America now with his wife and beloved corgi, Einstein. Dale is also a co-founder of Destructoid's sister anime site
Japanator. Likes Corgis, Sega Saturn, PSP, iPhone, Photographic tools.
Meet the rest of the team
| BBcode help |
| [b]Bold text[/b] |
Bold text |
| [i]Italic text[/i] |
Italic text |
| [url]http://www.dtoid.com/[/url] |
http://www.dtoid.com |
| [url=http://www.dtoid.com/]Web link[/url] |
Web link |
|
| [img]http://www.example.com/robot.jpg[/img] |
 |
Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:
Comment with Facebook
Click connect and comment instantly!
|
Comment with Dtoid
New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds
|
97 comments | showing # 1 to 50
|
Comment with Facebook
Click connect and comment instantly!
|
Comment with Dtoid
New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds
|
Comments policy
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
3:53 PM on 04.07.2008
| 
what? we're nothing like McDonalds!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1) I don't like kiddy/casual Nintendo games
2) I don't want to wave my arms around while I play
"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]
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?
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!
Which, from reading comments here, might be a profitable demographic to chase!
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.
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.
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?