Meet MS's Wiimote-killer!

[digitalhigh]

From TeamXbox.com

Back in 2007, we had to publish a news article during the Christmas holidays to let you know that the sketches of a supposed motion sensing controller for the Xbox 360 were false. We told you at that time that we’ll reveal further info on Microsoft’s plans for a next-generation controller, but since our insiders would be in jeopardy, we decided to wait until more info was public.

We are finally able to talk more about what we know after a patent application for a gyroscopic-based input device by Microsoft has been published on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Described as a “ computer pointing device (generally a mouse but alternatively a game controller or remote control device) that may be worn on the hand and operated without needing to contact a (mousing) surface,” this patent was filed back in 2006.

We were told that the motion sensing controller that Microsoft was researching had the functionality of both the Nintendo Wii Remote and the Nunchuk packed into a single device, with a shape that is neither that of a banana, nor a remote controller, but more like a “pistol grip.” On top, it is supposed to have an analog stick (that could be replaced by a trackball) surrounded by the four action buttons.

[h2o pete]

Looks pretty good

Any idea when we might see this on the shelves?

[digitalhigh]

I read "end of 2008" in one of the reports about it...

[n00bFRAGGER]

We need body suits that you can plug into the wall so damage in game can translate to the spot on the suit with an electrical charge. Now that I would buy... it would be perfect for MMORPGs...

[o KaMi o]

ouCh, But yeah that looks cool.

[CodeytheRhino]

Anyone else think it looks like a butt plug?
But srsly, I'm think I'm gonna boycott M$ for this. It's a good idea, don't get me wrong, but to blatanly steal the idea for the Wii is pretty weaksauce IMO

[digitalhigh]

Quote: Originally Posted by CodeytheRhino

Anyone else think it looks like a butt plug?
But srsly, I'm think I'm gonna boycott M$ for this. It's a good idea, don't get me wrong, but to blatanly steal the idea for the Wii is pretty weaksauce IMO

Dude...did you even read the whole article?

"This patent was filed in 2006"...the same year the Wii was released. And, like the other threads on this topic I've posted have stated...all three developers were working on similar ideas at the same time.

This has nothing to do with the Wii...other than they released it first. The motion sensing hardware is relatively new, and as soon as everybody heard about it...they started trying to build it into their toys.

Sorry...but MS isn't totally ripping off Nintendo here. They're just trying to keep up. I'd rather have a late motion-sensing controller than never have one at all...

[CodeytheRhino]

Quote: Originally Posted by digitalhigh

Dude...did you even read the whole article?

"This patent was filed in 2006"...the same year the Wii was released. And, like the other threads on this topic I've posted have stated...all three developers were working on similar ideas at the same time.

Not gonna lie, I just read the stub briefly. But if the patent was filed in 2006 for M$, the the patent for the Wiimote had to have came early, amirite? Since this has been 2 years in the making for M$, whose to say that Nintendo didn't have a patent for it in 2004? And I just have been a massive Nintendo fanboy since the dawn of time. To me, motion sensor is synonymous with Nintendo, but I agree that it's been an idea for a while with the big 3 brands.

[digitalhigh]

If you really wanna get anal...I believe that MS had a motion sensing mouse out YEARS and YEARS ago, but ppl just weren't ready for it yet. Personally, I think that the Wii offers one kind of gaming, and the 360 another. Making the 360 use a motion-sensitive controller isn't gonna kill the Wii's fanbase at all...it's only gonna hurt PS3. And THAT is something I'm all for.

[CodeytheRhino]

Quote: Originally Posted by digitalhigh

If you really wanna get anal...

Ummm... No.:laughing:

Quote: Originally Posted by digitalhigh

I believe that MS had a motion sensing mouse out YEARS and YEARS ago, but ppl just weren't ready for it yet. Personally, I think that the Wii offers one kind of gaming, and the 360 another. Making the 360 use a motion-sensitive controller isn't gonna kill the Wii's fanbase at all...it's only gonna hurt PS3. And THAT is something I'm all for.

They prolly did, but in the context of gaming I think of Nintendo. I wonder if the motion sensing thing will be cross platfor for PCs and the 360, since they have controller that will play on both. And I agree totally of screwing the PS3 over. TBH, if M$ makes more adult games (FPS mostly) with motion sensing controls, then I might actually but one. I <3 my Wii but many of the games are geared to 10 yo's not 20 yo's.

Completely off topic: How long have you had that avi? I think you had it when I started here over a year ago. Master Shake ftw!

[tufly4u]

there gonna prob make som dl. games that u can use 4 the motion sensor cuz i cant see it get fused into reg games

[digitalhigh]

Quote: Originally Posted by tufly4u

there gonna prob make som dl. games that u can use 4 the motion sensor cuz i cant see it get fused into reg games

What makes you say they'd have to be dual layer? Or...why would the games have to bigger? The control system is all done through the hardware in the controller...not the games. With a lot of hacking, you can already use the wiimote for any 360 games. The process is just very difficult...

[DrastiK]

Why is this so much better than the Wiimote?

[digitalhigh]

b/c it's one-handed? Looks cooler?

IDK if it's necessarily BETTER...it's just loooong overdue. MS should have released this a long time ago.

[FalconxXxFaith]

Seems cool, can't wait till the finished product gets out.