Microsoft testing enhanced Xbox 360 controller AND motion-sensor controller

In a presentation at the Gamefest event in Seattle, Microsoft's product unit manager for hardware Robert S. Walker made some comments suggesting that the company may release a new optional "advanced" version of the Xbox 360 controller in the future.

He even confirmed Microsoft have made motion sensor controller prototypes.

[Shadow Flare]

"He even confirmed Microsoft have made motion sensor controller prototypes"

And now microsoft is scraping into the whole motion sensing scene, even after Bill Gates and cronies said the motion sensing controllers were a gimmick

http://www.gizmodo.com/gadg...

Microsoft is ridiculous

I don't think i need to say anymore

[specialguest]

look what we have here! hahah now MS wants in on this motion sensing controller after basically saying it's worthless.

i can't wait to see what the MS fanboys have to say about this one. hahahaha

[The great Me]

It may be useless as Gates has said, but that won't stop people from using it as a "my console is better than yours because..." argumemt. And that, I think, is why microsoft is adding it. And why not? No real loss, just another feature/gimmick, whatever your view is. But it does take away a bullet point from Sony's unique feature list. MS did it with the hi-def playback feature too. Just trying to get people to ask really what does the PS3 offer that the 360 doesn't.

[kingboy]

lol i guess we all copy hahahah!! if sony has one ,i`m having it too..sony has next gen format, oh i`m gettin hd dvd drive..

[Aramis001]

Hmm, M$ has achievments, oh I'm getting "entitlements." Hmm, M$ has an online arcade, I better get one too! Hmm, Nintendo has a motion sensitive controller, me too!

Think before you post.

P.S. The Blu-ray drive and HD-DVD addon are entirely different and were announced at about the same time.

[Asuka]

The 360 controller has a nice layout to it, but its nothing really new. So an upgraded controller would be cool!

[Optimus Prime]

i agree lance. the 360 controller would be more awsome with an upgrade. if they come out with a motion sensor controller, i aint buying, i am not gunna look like a complete dumb a$$ waving my arms around the room.

[JIN KAZAMA]

Lets get thsi straight, they are working ona motion Sensing Controller!! Okay 360 Fans, how the hell are you gonna get outta this ONE??
Just show some integrity, please, and just say, OKAY, they are copying too. Dont give no BS answer, that , Well, tehy arent goign to copy, they will make the ebst one or something, the point it, they are follwing in the footsteps of Nintendo and Sony on this one.

[Optimus Prime]

ok, ms is copying the idea. not gunna deny it, it is because i hate the idea of motion sensor controls. but alot more people will like this then dislike this.

[Aramis001]

I'll tell you how we'll get out of this one: by sticking by our previous claims. This is stupid. Sony shouldn't have done it, and M$ should never do this. I don't think they will, M$ is not stupid, they know what fallout they'l get if they go through with this. It will probably never become mainstream anyway.

Also, all 360 fans posting should definetely bash this, you can't possibly praise M$ for copying if you bashed Sony for the same thing. M$ is not infallible, it's alright to adimit they screw up every once in a while, though admittedly not as often as Sony.

I will repeat that despite what I said this will probably never be implemented, so I wouldn't worry too much.

[shotty]

Heres the thing Microsoft already has a motion sensing controler that was made in the late 90's and it was released and sales were alright. However this controller was only pratical for airplane games. The wii is something totally different since it is shaped so that it can be held like a pointer and it can detect distance. The ps3 on the other hand can't do this all it can do is detect motion relative to the controlers original location. What this means is the ps3 controller will be like the original sidewinder controller from microsoft. I also don't see microsoft releasing a motion controller since not much games will support it.

[silent ninja]

i hate these constant upgrade, next time they should build everything at the same time

i can see this being with core syestem in the future and their will be better than the lauch consoles but what about those who bought on day 1 won't they fill betrayed

[JIN KAZAMA]

I give you guys much respect. I am glad to see that type of integrity.

[Aramis001]

Thanks Jin, it's nice to have a good, intelligent conversation with someone, especially since they are so hard to find lately on this site. Speaking of intelligent conversations, I'm gonna have to cut this one short, gotta go!

[Optimus Prime]

thnx jin.

[Islandkiwi]

"Microsoft is looking at ways to modify the right analog stick on the controller to make it more conducive to the precise movements used in shooters and various other genres. This controller would not replace the original controller, and would merely be an option available to players looking for a more advanced control scheme."

This is not an example where MS is all fired up and ready to go with motion sensing in the controllers. It's actually kind of ho-hum about it, even going so far as to say that people started to experience fatigue when using them.

[FordGTGuy]

in 95' Microsoft created the Sidewinder controller with motion sensors. Sony only had the idea for a motion sensing in 99'. So if Microsoft wants to make a motion sensing controller they can but you can't say that they copied anyone.

[Schmeltz]

I think MS is doing it for mainly the Arcade games where motion sensing could be fun. But other than that I stick to racing(sim.) and shooters, where motion sensing WILL get flustrating because it needs much more accuracy found in a thumbstick.

[headblackman]

i really dont care what they make aslong as ive got my xbox360. everything else i can really care less about but if it stands out then i just me invest in it, but until then im just going to stick to the video game system (XBOX360 IS THE BEST) NO REALLY IT IS :)

[ironwolf]

But not committed to manufacture. I doubt they will. It's possible but I doubt it. Why? Because they have prototyped and tested it. As he said in the article, about half the testers found it to be tiring to use. I, for one, am not interested in dancing around the room when I play a game; I kick my easy chair back with a neck pillow and wait for my thumbs to get cramps. I would venture to guess that most gamers are like me (if they're over 12) and aren't going to care for the "whip-it-around like your life depends on it" controllers.

[Marriot VP]

you can't upgrade a console with more than 10-20 million controllers out there. NOT POSSIBLE, and won't happen. It'd be the worst move MS could make.

They'll wait 4 years for xbox 3 I guarantee it. Just the fact that their testing it and playing around with the idea doesn't mean it's coming out this gen. I could care less and most people agree with me.

Releasing a new controller after 10-20 million have been made is insanity. They won't do it.

[Bishop]

There will be a whole new fad to embrace amongst the controller world.

[Bhai]

Thanks buddy, you're one of the first among the X-Freaks who have accepted the idea that all X360 worths is a 4 years of lifespan, unlike even the PS2 which is going to complete 7 years and is still kicking !

[Marriot VP]

First, I'm not an x-freak, I've have nintendos stuff and a PS2 but sold that for breaking. The 360 isn't a 4 year console I'm saying in 4 years plus 1 year that's it's already been out.

[ironwolf]

They said it would be a controller made for games that require extra fine control like a PC gets with a mouse.
As to who came up with the motion controller first, take a look at this video. It was included on the Windows 98 install disk, and I think you'll find some of the onscreen visuals look kind of familiar. Oh, yeah, wasn't the first motion controller for the Sony products introduced in '99?

Oops! I forgot the link! http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[DJ]

i guess they don't want to be left behind.

[ASTAROTH]

If I buy all the upgrades my 360 could en up costing $1000. Nice rush job Microsoft. And we believe the PS3 was an expensive beast.LOL. WELCOME CHANG3!!!

[BIadestarX]

What's with you guys? I think it is on Nintendo's best interest that not only Microsoft copy them but also Sony. If not they will be Isolated by most game developers who will not port most of their games to the wii. At this moment developers feel the need to have a presence in the wii. If the wiimote explodes and the consumer accept it as a good thing; all consoles will come with motion sensitive controllers. After all the smoke clears; all consoles will have a similar interface to make developers life easier on making multi-platform games. If the wiimote does not get a positive response from the wiimote; lets just say; this might be the last console Nintedo makes. This is not the first time everyone gets excited about a piece of hardware and later be considered a piece of sh**. I really hope the wii makes it. I will give you a logical example. If Sony have 30% market share, microsoft has 30% and Nintendo 40%. Logically even though Nintendo would hold more market share than Microsoft or Sony; it is safer for developers to develop for both (PS3,XBox) instead of developing for the wii which requires creating the entire game from scratch. The only way this will work for the wii is if they take both Microsoft and PS3 market share all at once. How likely is that?

[pRo loGic II]

RETARDED I HOPE THIS ISN'T TRUE. IT AT LEAST BETTER BE MORE THOUGHT OUT THAN ps3'S CONTROLLER.

[Bhai]

Sony got the first motion-sensing games running with eye-toy and GameTrak, but everybody just did say Sony is copying Wii for the Gimmick, can't you see nerd ! so now declaring motion-sensing 'unnecessary' first and then going for it agin this very gen, or even mentioning of its importance and work upon, absolutely makes MS an even copier, that's it ! Hah !!!

[pRo loGic II]

I GUESS IT'S THe SAME THING AS SONY AND FRIENDS TALKING BAD ABOUT ONLINE PLAY ON A GAME CONSOLE. LOL

[Bhai]

I never got even a single place where Sony and your so assumed "friends" talked BAD about the online play dude ! But yeah MS did talked BAD about Motion-Sensing this generation and now they are going for it ! Hah, such retards...with 360 costing 700$ with HD-DVD and Wireless, and a broken upgradation like this, its more of a PC than a console. You know all MS cares for is business and they are raving mad to get the market share they so badly lost with the original xbox ! HaHaHa !

[pRo loGic II]

That's how i feel it's fuc*in stupid. PS fans are useing motion senseing as a tool against MS. What a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

[Bhai]

That is how you are made into a complete fuc*in fanboy, if MS DID use motion-sensing in the first place with the launch of 360, you would have been more than happy with it, and you know retard, all games that use it in PS3 have the option of turning it on or off, so its just an awesome existance of Hi-Tech that accompanies the PS3 package from the first day and if anybody likes to use it or not, its their decision, but YEAH its going to be there being a definite show factor of a true next-gen console, so you can keep you likings to yourself and let the world enjoy the games as they like to do it. I just like to move it ! move it ! a-han a-han !!!

[pRo loGic II]

If MS DID use motion-sensing in the first place with the launch of 360. #22.1 Are saying Sony and fanboys imbraced online on Xbox1?.

[pRo loGic II]

I have read articals fron Sony REPS stating MS was foolish for online gaming. lol Online was stupid to Sony fanboy's at first.

[SEER]

Paul, i think 360 will have a longer than expected lifespan than 5 years. Next-gen consoles are more powerful, cost more to manufacture, and Microsoft said that they won't see profit until 2008 so i reckon 7-8 years max. Remember, the Mass Effect trilogy is being developed in direct line with the lifespan plans, so let's say Mass Effect is released Xmas 2007. Then Mass 2 in xmas 2009. Then Xmas 2011 for the final and that's 6 years minimum

[AzaziL]

Since sony threw in the motion sensing card, without a doubt that games on the ps3 if on the 360 may be missing that one feature. Some games may be completely different or even unplayable without motion sensing so it looks like M$ is preparing for that, so that they won't lose out on too many exclusives for the ps3. Honestly though, I think motion sensing will sink, at least on a regular video game controller with the Wii the only exception. I move too much to have to keep my hands steady when I play games.

[neeharb]

I think ..now xbox has every thing u phony guys were bragging about ... now u guys are doomed

[heihoosilver]

I don´t give a damn about motion sensing on my 360 pad.

[Mikey_Gee]

But for the record, MS and Logitech game up with this technology WAY BACK WHEN so I would not call it a case of MS steeling ideas.

[MySwordIsHeavenly]

This is ridiculous.

Motion sensing has been around for MANY years. All three companies have had motion sensing patents FOREVER!

Nobody's copying ANYBODY! It's a matter of wanting to bring down the other companies. MS thinks that if they can offer the same thing as the PS3 at a cheaper price...they'll win! I'm just doubting that anything they produce will be as good as the PS3 version. Nothing personal, but...sony has the best electronics on the market and sells them at prices that are outstanding. Any other company producing the same product at the same price would go bankrupt! We sony fanboys don't hate ur online gaming. Everyone has said that xbox live is the best online experience out there. It truly is...apart from PC gaming. Im just hoping sony can do the same thing, but without it costing us. xbox live is actually very cheap, but i'd still rather not pay. I'm not looking for commitment right now...haha.

Oh, and whoever said the 360 has everything the phony guys were bragging about is STUPID as heck. They're two different systems with completely different features. There's no comparing.

[MySwordIsHeavenly]

If you guys are saying the PS3 and 360 have the SAME features...and are practically the SAME system...it makes me question MS's motives. Nintendo got into this business to let people enjoy fun games. Sega got into it because they wanted money...and look where they ended up! Sony got into it because they wanted to offer a different type of gaming to everyone. The n64 and ps1 were two ENTIRELY different types of machines. And NONE of the ps1 games copied off of nintendo! However, when ps2 was out...i believe someone created a system with slightly better graphics and roughly the same game line-up...just not as good. Who could that be? I'm just guessing here...but...MICROSOFT???

They're in this thing to make money off of you freakin' idiots that will buy any overhyped system on the market. The 360 offers...better graphics than anything out there. What other upgrades were there from the xbox? Hm...???

I'm just wondering if you guys know what your money's going to...