December 29, 2007, 7:05 AM by alterego
I think MS should take a closer look at that link...the obvious solution to hardcore motion control is staring them in the face. I mean, look at all those buttons! It's like 720p vs. 480p...more lines of resolution, more buttons!

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j31/vividsection/widget_box_01.gif

December 29, 2007, 7:41 AM by chairmansteve to alterego
I'm sure Microsoft has looked at that Windows Media Center remote. The R4000 model coming in 2008 has a backlit LCD screen and UltraSense Technology.

http://www.gyration.com/p-57-r4000-lcd-music-remote.aspx

Don't get too excited. A gaming peripheral would be simpler.

December 29, 2007, 1:40 PM by Alex
There's talk now that they are looking into improving the right analog input as well.

I'd like to see them put a laser pick up under and sliding or floating D pad so we can get some mouse action. I'd also like to see a lighter chat pad standard. Ultra sense would be nice especially if it could add some mousing action or some look spring action in an intuitive way but the controler would have to be as light as the wired 360 controler.

December 30, 2007, 1:45 AM by chairmansteve to Alex
Just now? The talk of improving the analog stick is over a year old.

Mouse action is not needed. Typical console gamers don't seem to have a problem with analog sticks. Microsoft and 3rd parties are selling tons of software made for that audience.

Motion control appears to be popular with the casual crowd playing Wii Sports and Wii Play. There's a good chance that MS will try to better those games by adding better graphics, better control, online, etc. But it should remain simple.

December 30, 2007, 3:52 AM by David_South to chairmansteve
Guess Microsoft is hedging their bets.
Playstation 3 (PS3) will have dual shock 3 and motion sensing next year.
So not to be outdone or left behind by Wii, Xbox is adding motion sensing.

December 30, 2007, 5:11 AM by nenroth
One major problem might be that casual gamers won't buy the X360 because it'S too expensive and not user-friendly for people new to video gaming AND hardcore X360 owners just won'T care for motion controls and gimick games, unless of course it upgrades existing FPS gaming.

200$ for a X360 premium or elite... that would be sweet...

A mouse like control is essential now in video gaming and Nintendo showed how it could be done. If M$ is inspired by that and releases some real neat Wiimote killer, well, what can you do? It's a jungle out there where only the strong survive.

Halo Wars could have a huge potential with these kind of controls.

December 30, 2007, 6:20 AM by chairmansteve to nenroth
Marty, you're not thinking fourth dimensionally! When the motion device hits 88 miles per hour, Xbox 360 will be less expensive. $199 for Xbox 360 Arcade is a possibility.

Halo Wars can be fine with the regular gamepad. The game just has to be designed for it from the start. Motion games should be casual, and a game should be bundled with the motion controller. Think of the model used by Guitar Hero, Wii Play, Wii Fit, Eye Toy, Scene It, and Dance Dance Revolution.

If the Xbox 360 hardcore really cared about precision control for shooters, they'd play PC shooters instead.

April 9, 2008, 10:38 AM by chairmansteve
The rumors are picking up again. Apparently, it's coming this fall, it's codenamed Newton (after Isaac Newton), it will have an analog thumbstick, and the pack-in game will be a mini-game compilation developed by Rare.

April 9, 2008, 3:34 PM by Airzonk to chairmansteve
I can't believe that Microsoft is going to start making the x360 a "gimmicky" console. What has this world come to?

April 9, 2008, 4:29 PM by chairmansteve to Airzonk
Xbox 360 already has gimmick controllers like guitars, drums, dance mats, and trivia buzzers. Another won't hurt. The motion controller will get some first party casual games, maybe some ports from Wii, and maybe some small budget third party titles on Live Arcade. That's about it. I don't expect it to be the main focus of the console.

April 9, 2008, 5:06 PM by Chrome
I thin the motion control controller will be a great bonus to the xbox.
The Wii has the motion, handful of games that make the wiimote great.

Given the power of the 360 and its top tier games, the motion controller will be perfect.

Gears 2 is coming in Christmas, the motion would be nice. Even though the controller will be out after 1 million game titles, im sure you should be able to customize buttons or download layouts from LIVE..
Lets wait and see.

April 9, 2008, 5:33 PM by chairmansteve to Chrome
Gears of War 2 will be fine without any motion controller. Gears 2 will be built for the standard controller. It's possible but unlikely that they would design the game for optional motion control.

Get ready for Furry Sports.

April 17, 2008, 4:57 PM by Chrome
The latest leak!

The motion device will have 3 gyroscopes for pitch, yaw, and roll, a accelerometer and magnetometer so it will be able to tell what direction you are facing and your angel from the "host" device.

It mentions using blue tooth and controlling your xbox, PC and home lighting, kind of like an all-in- one home remote control.

---

.....Microsoft was researching had the functionality of both the Nintendo Wii Remote and the Nunchuk packed into a single device,
with a shape 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.

---

http://media.teamxbox.com/dailyposts/hardware/xbox_einstein-prototype.jpg
http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/16252/Microsoft-Patents-Wii-Remote-Killer-Game-Controller/

The Patent application form. April 10 2008.
MICROSOFT CORPORATION - Wearable computer pointing device

1. In a computing environment, a system comprising, a pointing device configured for wearing on a user's hand,

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the pointing device is generally U-shaped, and has a first part that fits in the user's palm coupled to a second part that fits behind the user's knuckles.

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220080084385%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20080084385&RS=DN/20080084385

April 17, 2008, 7:52 PM by andrewc513 to Chrome
Here's more details on the "wearable mouse".

http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080416/microsoft-patent-reveals-wearable-mouse-design/

http://www.istartedsomething.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/microsoftwearmouse2.jpg

April 17, 2008, 8:23 PM by chairmansteve to andrewc513
Three Analog Devices ADXRS150 gyros would cost $90 ($30 each). Gyroscopes are more expensive than accelerometers. The ADXL330 accelerometer used in the Wii remote is only $5.45.

That makes it doubtful for a casual game controller for Xbox 360.