The latest rumor and speculation around the Internet regarding the Xbox 360 is that Microsoft is developing a “Wiimote” like controller for the system. This information comes from an MTV News Report that talked about the controller and how it would have four face buttons, an analog stick and a microphone. They article reads:
If everything goes according to plan, Microsoft’s response to Nintendo’s Wii will appear before the end of the year, a developer who has been briefed on the project told MTV News. The Xbox 360 manufacturer has been working on its own version of the motion-controlled Wii remote since last summer, the developer said.
The developer that MTV spoke with also sketched out a reproduction of the last prototype that he had seen which looks like this:
We’ve seen how successful the Wii has been, partially because of its controller and so it makes sense that Microsoft would want to introduce a new type of controller for the Xbox 360 that involved motion. A blog entry over at SeattlePI.com talks about how this rumor is highly plausible. The author said he knew that Microsoft was developing at least four different accessories (they’re money-makers) for the system that were to launch in 2008 and this controller could very likely be one of them. He also mentioned that in the past, Microsoft had job postings seeking someone who had experience with motion sensors.
Of course this is just a rumor so it shouldn’t be taken too seriously yet, however this does sound like something Microsoft would want to do and we wouldn’t be surprised in the least if it’s launched before the holiday season.
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Tags: Gaming, Microsoft, Wii, Xbox 360
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I’m sure Sony and MS will attempt to clone the Wii in the next year or two, but…
The Wii is actually fun for regular people. I’m not sure that they can clone that aspect.
Sony’s controller already supports motion-sensing. It’s not as serious as the Wii’s though. But c’mon Microsoft, think of you own thing. Don’t copy the other guys…
Yeah I agree with you there. I mother has a blast with Wii bowling, because it’s simple and fun to play, oh and not to mention that she like her Mii.
But an analog stick on the Wiimote lookalike…that is will be an overkill. I think Microsoft should go with a D-pad.
Very true. I’ve had people playing the Wii that would have never touched a video game system otherwise. And the fact that these are finding their way into elderly homes is astonishing.
I think it really depends on what game you’re playing. In some games it’s nice having the joystick for moving around at unusual angles, but the more simple games I prefer to have the D-pad.
They’ve all copied eachother to some extent over time. Because Sony has already added motion-sensing, it only makes sense for Microsoft to do it, in my opinion. Although if the controller ends up looking like the image above, it does resemble the shape of the Wiimote a little too much.
Here is pretty much all that I know and suspect about the new motion sensing “Newton” Xbox controller project.
[8bitjoystick.com]
So how about some emails addresses and referrals of some PR agents of game publishers so I can get some review copies and stuff?
Jake Metcalf
8bitjoystick.com and Seattle PI reader blog Digital Joystick