Advertising

Our network sites seattlepi.com

Blogs

Print thisE-mail this
Should Microsoft make an Xbox Wiimote clone?

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."

Picture
Nintendo's Wiimote
Whether or not the report turns out to be true, the other interesting question is, should Microsoft be working on something like this? Or would a motion-sensitive Xbox controller be seen as nothing more than a copycat?

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."

Posted by at April 8, 2008 2:16 p.m.
Categories: ,
Comments
#115657

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.

#115717

Posted by 8bitjoystick at 4/8/08 6:26 p.m.

They are already making it. The code name is "Radon". I have a source inside Microsoft that is collaborating the MTV story.

There also was a job posting at Excell.com looking for a hardware engineer that gives some pretty big hints on this project
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/digitaljoystick/archives/136061.asp

I am working on a piece about this right now but Nintendo licensed a patent from a company called Gyration that makes 3d Mice. Microsoft also licensed this patent.

I will bet you twenty bucks that they show this off at E3.

#115725

Posted by 8bitjoystick at 4/8/08 6:48 p.m.

Scratch that. The code name is "Newton" like Newtonian Physics.

#115777

Posted by unregistered user at 4/8/08 10:14 p.m.

im a nintendogg.. but i still say, go for it! my wii is collecting dust, the games coming out for this system totally suck! even smash brothers wasnt what i was hoping for. good luck microsoft

#115797

Posted by 8bitjoystick at 4/9/08 12:08 a.m.

Here is pretty much all that I know and suspect about the new motion sensing "Newton" Xbox controller project.

http://www.8bitjoystick.com/archives/jake_xbox_360_newton_motion_sensing_controller_confirmed.php

#115806

Posted by unregistered user at 4/9/08 1:46 a.m.

there is no point tho, its to late, unless its gonna be like the PSEye or EyeToy

#115993

Posted by number.61 at 4/9/08 1:18 p.m.

No, Microsoft does not need motion control in their console. It will just feel tacked on, like the PS3's motion control. Clunky and doesn't really work.

I'm not sure if you tried playing on FPS's on the Wii, but it's a horrible experience. In my opinion, nothing will kill the analog sticks . . . well maybe the mouse and keyboard but that's another story.

Clearly Microsoft is jumping on the band wagon with the 360. They refused to offer HDMI in their consoles, than Sony made it standard - now Microsoft provides HDMI on all consoles. Wii and PS3 has motion control, so naturally Microsoft needs to jump on that.

Nintendo is different, their motion control works because its targeting their main audience. The main reason why the PS3 and soon to be Xbox motion control is clunky because the target audience doesn't see the point of needing it.

#124270

Posted by unregistered user at 5/2/08 9:20 a.m.

bull shit, I could've sworn Bill Gates was making fun of the Wii and its motion controls calling it "kiddy and gimicky" and yet they now all of a sudden trying to implement it?

Up yours bill, stick to your guns and stop faking out with your ignorance..

And if you wanted to implement this for the 360, why this late in the game? Why not reserve designs for your next console? Trying everything and anything to get rid of the competition right, even if it involves copying nintendo, the company you didn't see as competition and mocked?

Bullshit, I'm sticking to my ps3 and Wii...

! Login below to post a comment.

Registered users, log in here
E-mail 
Password 
Remember me
 HELP! I forget my password

Unregistered users, sign up now

Or post anonymously (About this feature)

Your comment (No HTML allowed, use these special codes instead)
Violating our Terms of Service may result in your post being removed.

Special codes
  • [b]selected text[/b] -- Display the selected text in bold.
  • [i]selected text[/i] -- Display the selected text in italics.
  • [link]www.seattlepi.com[/link] -- Creates a link to the url between the link tags.
  • [link title="Seattle Post-Intelligencer"]www.seattlepi.com[/link] -- Creates a link to the url between the link tags, uses title as link text.
  • [mail]newmedia@seattlepi.com[/mail] -- Creates a link to an email address.
Enter the code shown:
What is this?
SUBSCRIBE

RSS
Headline widget

BLOGGER BIO
photo
Joseph Tartakoff: P-I staff reporter
SUBMIT A TIP

E-mail or call 206-448-8221 with tips or ideas

FEATURED COMMENT

PictureQ: Why can't Microsoft buy 'Coolness'? A: Because Coolness has a poison pill in its contract in the event of a Microsoft takeover.
-- Reader on Microsoft to sell line of "softwear"-labeled shirts

MSFT: DAILY TREND

TOPIC: WINDOWS 7

· Microsoft polishes Vista into Windows 7
· Microsoft details Windows 7 features
·
Reviewers mostly applaud Windows 7
· All stories and posts

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER

twitter.com/josephtartakoff

    RECOMMENDED READING
    ARCHIVES
    Search this blog

    Recent entries
    · Video: Sing a melody and Microsoft will provide the backup
    · Microsoft announces new search deals with Dell, Verizon
    · Liveblogging Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's CES keynote
    · Microsoft puts search for more Seattle space on hold
    · Noted: Windows 7 beta to be released by next Tuesday

    Browse by month
    Browse by category
    LINKS

    Microsoft News
    · Microsoft PressPass
    · Directions on Microsoft
    · WinInsider
    · ActiveWin
    · NetworkWorld: Microsoft
    · Microsoft Research News
    · Channel 9
    · OS News
    · Microsoft SEC filings
    · WinInfo
    · Microsoft Confidential
    · Bink.nu

    Microsoft Blogs
    · Ed Bott
    · Mary Jo Foley
    · Ina Fried
    · LiveSide
    · Emil Protalinski
    · Rafael Rivera Jr.
    · Paul Thurrott
    · Joe Wilcox
    · Long Zheng

    Microsoft Employees
    · Employee Blog Portal
    · S. Somasegar
    · Raymond Chen
    · Dare Obasanjo
    · Brad Abrams
    · Heather Hamilton
    · Chris Anderson
    · Joshua Allen
    · Chris Sells
    · John Porcaro
    · John Montgomery
    · Kevin Schofield
    · Sean Alexander
    · Jobs Blog
    · Harry Pierson
    · Mini-Microsoft

    Technology Blogs
    · Robert Scoble
    · Paul McNamara
    · Dwight Silverman
    · Charlene Li
    · Joel Spolsky
    · Engadget
    · Gizmodo
    · Simon Phipps
    · Paul Andrews
    · Chris Pirillo

    Search-related sites
    · John Battelle
    · Greg Linden
    · Yahoo! Search Blog
    · Live Search Blog
    · Google Blog
    · Search Engine Watch

    Browser-related sites
    · Internet Explorer team
    · mozillaZine
    · Surfin' Safari
    · Browser News

    Antitrust info
    · FindLaw: Microsoft
    · DOJ Microsoft site
    · Microsoft legal site
    · Findings of Fact
    · ComputerWorld Report
    · Sun legal page
    · Dan Kegel's antitrust site

    TECH EVENTS

    · Washington Technology Industry Association
    *all tech events

    ADVERTISING

    Most recent posts
    · Dateline Earth: Unusual Cloud Forest dance show in Seattle this week
    · Devouring sEATtle: Goodbye to another Seattle institution
    · Girl About Town: Around Town: Notable January Events

    *Would you like to blog for us?

    Advertising

    Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    101 Elliott Ave. W.
    Seattle, WA 98119
    (206) 448-8000

    Home Delivery: (206) 464-2121 or (800) 542-0820

    Send comments to newmedia@seattlepi.com
    ©1996-2008 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Terms of Use/Privacy Policy

    Hearst Newspapers