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The video-game world is abuzz over this MTV News report asserting that Microsoft is working on a motion-sensitive Xbox 360 game controller in the style of Nintendo's "Wiimote" controller for its Wii console. Questions have been raised about the story, which relies on a single, anonymous source. MTV defends its reporting in this post. Microsoft is giving the standard line: "It is Microsoft's policy not to comment on rumors or speculation."

Thinking about this in the broader context of Microsoft, the company has been focusing more on natural user interfaces, including touch, speech and computer vision. Examples include the Microsoft Surface computer. With that in mind, it might be logical for the Xbox team to be looking into some form of motion-sensitive controller, akin to the Wiimote, that would let people use natural motion to control and interact with games. Of course, the success of the Wii might make it even more logical.
Lastly, in light of the MTV News report, it's worth looking back at Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates' response to my question about the success of the Wii during an interview at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. Was a Wiimote clone one of the "neat ideas" he was alluding to in this comment?
"Well, the Wii has certainly done well," Gates said, "and they deserve credit for some of their easy entry and how some of the older folks have found that attractive. Clearly we think we can match that and do better. We've got a lot of neat ideas that are coming along in that space."
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Posted by fletc3her at 4/8/08 3:14 p.m.
Yes, Microsoft needs to add motion sensitivity to its video game system. The world of dual analog sticks looks might quaint once you've tasted what multiple accelerometers buys you. It is as stark a difference as comparing an NES control pad to the modern XBox controller. A Wiimote/Nunchuck combo has two three-axis accelerometers, IR pointer, an analog stick, two analog triggers, a control pad, and half a dozen buttons.
However, even if Microsoft releases a clone of the controller they will have a hard time copying the success of the Wii. All of the Wii game developers know that the Wiimote will be available on every system. A Microsoft add-on would need to be a pack in with a game which makes it more difficult for future games to count on consumers actually having one.