Blogs

There's lots of video-game controller and peripheral news coming out of the Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany, today. Here's a roundup:

New keyboard: Microsoft, continuing the revival of its SideWinder gaming peripheral brand, this morning announced a new keyboard, the SideWinder X6, with a removable, programmable keypad that can attach to either side, depending on how gamers want to use it.

It's expected to be available in September for about $80.

PS3 keypad: Sony says it plans to introduce a wireless keypad attachment for its PlayStation 3 controllers, for entering text and communicating with other gamers. Engadget has a photo. Sony's news release highlights an interesting feature: One mode will let people "use the entire surface of the keypad as a touch pad, allowing them to easily maneuver the pointer while web browsing, simply by sliding their finger on the keypad surface." Microsoft already offers an Xbox 360 keypad.

The PS3 keypad is due out in late November. No word yet on price.

Limited Edition Xbox 360 controller: Sites including IGN and Gamesindustry.biz are reporting that Microsoft is offering a new type of Xbox 360 controller with an improved directional pad. Reports IGN:

While aesthetically identical to the previous controller, the d-pad has been re-engineered to offer more instant control, with an eight way input taking place of the previous four. A brief hands-on with the controller playing Pro Evolution 2009 proved that the redesign has been effective, with the d-pad sitting in a larger rocker and proving more tactile.

Xbox 360 gamers in North America shouldn't hold their breath. An Xbox representative just passed along this explanation via e-mail:

The Limited Edition green wireless controllers are available for a limited time in Europe, Asia and Latin America, and they have been optimized for certain games that are D-pad intensive. There are no plans to make those changes to the existing wireless controllers at this time. However, the Xbox 360 wireless controller is one of the most popular controllers of all time and we're confident that it will continue to provide the complete gaming experience.