Exclusive: Xbox 360 Controller Mystery Solved – New Live Outlined
New pic surfaces too.
One of many things to land in our inbox today was this rather interesting snap of what is the near-final design for the Xbox 360 controller. The pic - although blurry and snapped without the use of the ever faithful close photography tulip mode - does tally well with an image that surfaced on Ourcolony some weeks ago.
SPOnG received word that this is the version of the pad as shipped with the long-awaited updated SDK units for Xbox 360, with some studios receiving upgrade packs of late.
The image does differ slightly from the original glimpse we were afforded, with the all-important mystery bulbous central button missing. So what does this all mean and what is the magic button that appears in the centre of the finalised wireless pad?
SPOnG had access to a US developer of Xbox 360 software this week, with our source outlining its functionality and laying the matter to rest. The button is named the Xbox 360 Button. Really. And will be the defining difference between Xbox of old and the progression of the console into an ever-growing Live community.
“It gives you instant access, globally, from whatever you’re doing, to your Xbox360 menus,” explained our source, speaking under terms of strict anonymity. “They’re going to show it at the E3 conference in all its glory, but in a nutshell, if you’re watching a DVD, you’re still signed into your Friends list, so you can still be invited into games, discussions and other Live events. You’re always connected to the community. It’s like the interactive button for digital TV. And this really is the key factor to bear in mind with the upgraded Live system. It will be a lot more like a digital TV experience, just more interactive. Microsoft is looking at the viability of Live competing with the set-top box and this Xbox 360 button in the key to this.”
Expect all of the above information to be outlined by Microsoft at E3. Stay tuned for concise coverage from the show.
SPOnG received word that this is the version of the pad as shipped with the long-awaited updated SDK units for Xbox 360, with some studios receiving upgrade packs of late.
The image does differ slightly from the original glimpse we were afforded, with the all-important mystery bulbous central button missing. So what does this all mean and what is the magic button that appears in the centre of the finalised wireless pad?
SPOnG had access to a US developer of Xbox 360 software this week, with our source outlining its functionality and laying the matter to rest. The button is named the Xbox 360 Button. Really. And will be the defining difference between Xbox of old and the progression of the console into an ever-growing Live community.
“It gives you instant access, globally, from whatever you’re doing, to your Xbox360 menus,” explained our source, speaking under terms of strict anonymity. “They’re going to show it at the E3 conference in all its glory, but in a nutshell, if you’re watching a DVD, you’re still signed into your Friends list, so you can still be invited into games, discussions and other Live events. You’re always connected to the community. It’s like the interactive button for digital TV. And this really is the key factor to bear in mind with the upgraded Live system. It will be a lot more like a digital TV experience, just more interactive. Microsoft is looking at the viability of Live competing with the set-top box and this Xbox 360 button in the key to this.”
Expect all of the above information to be outlined by Microsoft at E3. Stay tuned for concise coverage from the show.
Companies:
Microsoft Game Studios
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Comments
Showing the 20 most recent comments. Read all 27.
Jayenkai 4 May 2005 21:24
8/27
Awww.
At first I thought it might've been a trackerball in the middle..
But no.. . It's Alt+Tab!
At first I thought it might've been a trackerball in the middle..
But no.. . It's Alt+Tab!
acidviper 4 May 2005 22:34
9/27
1. Why couldn't you download pr0n, I mean that is what they made the internet for and if you have a hard drive and broadband, what is stopping me from transferring a video file to a buddy?
2. This is not the final model. It has a cable, the real one will be wireless. You don't make prototypes out of gold, you make the cheapest one you can.
2. This is not the final model. It has a cable, the real one will be wireless. You don't make prototypes out of gold, you make the cheapest one you can.
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westerhive 4 May 2005 23:02
10/27
so the fact that it looks like a cheap piece of plastic garbage that I could buy for my PC for 15$ isn't annoying you. Oh wait, you'll all be buying a new PC this christmas with a big green X on it right? Nevermind.
neis 5 May 2005 00:03
11/27
westerhive wrote:
so the fact that it looks like a cheap piece of plastic garbage that I could buy for my PC for 15$ isn't annoying you. Oh wait, you'll all be buying a new PC this christmas with a big green X on it right? Nevermind.
... and the fact that it is likely a prototype and not a finished model doesn't have anything to do with its looks? Before your criticize something how about you wait and see what the final product looks like?
westerhive 5 May 2005 04:35
12/27
Haha, THAT's your arguement? You're gunna snap at a Nintendo Fanboy like me, by saying that a prototype is ALLOWED to be cheap? Shouldn't it be the other way around. I mean, a prototype is hand crafted, ideally, because there are only a few made. Hence the "prototype", if you want an good prototype, you want an example of the best possible resulting product. I mean, once something is MASS PRODUCED, quality is generally bound to decrease (*cough*except with Nintendo products TEH UNBREAKABLE!*cough*) This looks like an attempt to be sleek and CuTTinG EDgE!!! But it comes out looking like a garbage MadKatz turd. Bring it
fluffstardx 5 May 2005 09:04
13/27
How can a Nintendo fanboy insult design? Do the words N64 and 64DD mean anything?
Least it doesn't look like it was made from Fimo...
Ah, that feels better. Me = Sega fan...
Least it doesn't look like it was made from Fimo...
Ah, that feels better. Me = Sega fan...
kid_77 5 May 2005 11:07
14/27
Welcome to 1991.
claudioalex 5 May 2005 11:18
15/27
Hell here, whats the diference between this control and a PS1? and PS2? and the start button now have a new name? these guys are really copycat.
Cheap marketing, cheap controll, Zero evolution, still selling the same 15 years old controll
Cheap marketing, cheap controll, Zero evolution, still selling the same 15 years old controll
Greg2k 5 May 2005 12:05
16/27
So, the big round button in the center will be like...the Start button in Windows?
Weird
Weird
westerhive 5 May 2005 13:43
17/27
Hmm so the fact that the Nintendo 64 decided the introduce the analog control that now is used by all consoles. What a TERRIBLE IDEA. The Z button... wow what a terrible placement of a .... wait you mean it's like a trigger? WHOA AWESOME. 64DD was never technically released in US or Europe so i dunno how that plays into anything really, but as an add on it looked fine to me. And the 'Dolphin' itself was black and curvaceous, no one can deny that it is a sexy machine. BUT what I will give you is when the Dreamcast was shown, I drooled cause that was teh sexxors!
PEN15 5 May 2005 14:21
18/27
Well if you look at the ourcolony pictures of the console and compare it to the leaked picture its obvious the leaked picture looks much more better then what was shown on ourcolony. Meaning the controller may in fact be a prototype used only to test the system and nothing more.
westerhive 5 May 2005 18:22
19/27
Geez, I don't know what is harder to get over, the fact that this palm sized piece of crud is actually gunna be released, or that you are all looking for ways to support it.
auzdafluff 6 May 2005 09:09
20/27
westerhive wrote:
Haha, THAT's your arguement? You're gunna snap at a Nintendo Fanboy like me, by saying that a prototype is ALLOWED to be cheap? Shouldn't it be the other way around. I mean, a prototype is hand crafted, ideally, because there are only a few made. Hence the "prototype", if you want an good prototype, you want an example of the best possible resulting product. I mean, once something is MASS PRODUCED, quality is generally bound to decrease (*cough*except with Nintendo products TEH UNBREAKABLE!*cough*) This looks like an attempt to be sleek and CuTTinG EDgE!!! But it comes out looking like a garbage MadKatz turd. Bring it
How old are you? Either way sit down and shut the f**k up.
Prototypes are made of cheap plastic, and yes while your right SOME prototypes are handmade, your not seriously suggesting they should use the highest quality plastic to make something that is just to gauge size and position in a physical form...
Really... some people...
PreciousRoi 6 May 2005 13:33
21/27
westerhive wrote:
Hmm so the fact that the Nintendo 64 decided the introduce the analog control that now is used by all consoles. What a TERRIBLE IDEA.
1st off analog controls are nothing new, PC joysticks had it for decades, hell even the old Apple IIe and Atari 5200 had analog joysticks. That single analog stick isn't s**t without a friend, its the combination of the two that makes movement through a 3d world work...
If the N64 controller was so great, why didn't anyone copy any of its design features? Sorry they get no credit for the trigger, either, on the DC and Xbox they're natural evolutions of the shoulder buttons introduced in the SNES, not copies of the central Z button on the N64... Hell the only thing N kept was the names of some buttons. Everything else was taken from older and better controllers, like the SNES--->Sony--->GC, Genesis--->MS Sidewinder--->Xbox.
You youngsters just can't get over the idea that everything video games began with Nintendo, can you? Too bad its all just lies and wishful thinking...
westerhive 6 May 2005 14:11
22/27
Actually the first handle based controller with shoulder triggers would have been the Virtual Boy's. REGARDLESS, the commodore in my room and the Atari I have packed up downstairs DO have joystick controllers, and so did the SNES. Never before was there a fully analog joystick control built into a "conventional" video game controller. Yes fine, act like you know sooo much, but trust me, I am probably the same damn age as you and you can't bring anything to the table. Lemme ask, can you push that joystick with just your thumb? Are there shoulder buttons on the side of the joystick controller, right beside that big orange button? No, no aaaand no.
PreciousRoi 6 May 2005 14:35
23/27
shows how much you know, actually the 5200 had two sets of "shoulder" buttons, but I guess since you can't use the fully analog joystick with your thumb (actually you could, it just wasn't ideal), and it precedes Nintendo it doesn't count? I think you're actually thinking of the 2600, which has a digital joystick (also used by Commodore), and that orange button on top you mentioned. Incidentally, SNES and joystick? Shoulder buttons yes, joystick, I really don't think so...take the time out from schlobbing on Mario's knob to get your facts straight before you come at me again, kiddo...you only prove the truth about the lies and wishful thinking...
PEN15 6 May 2005 16:26
24/27
Schlobb Mario's Knobb.... hahahaha. I gotta right that one down.
Anyway am I the only one who is gonna miss the white and black buttons? Even if they didn't have the 6 face buttons, due to the complexity of most games nowadays I do wish there were buttons off to the side that I could access for other things besides actions that take place on screen.
I mean look at FPS games nowadays:
2 joysticks for movement and ducking and zooming
button to fire
button to alt fire/alt attack
jump button
cycle weapon forward
cycle weapon backward
interact/action button
flashlight button
And a button dedicated to some specific ability unique to the game.
Thats basically all the buttons except for the D-pad and using the d-pad for an action game has the potential to make you input the wrong command... despite loving its use in Doom 3 (X-Box) I'd even admit to accidentally pressing an undesired weapon switch.
Having those 2 buttons off to the side to either manage weapon inventory or switch weapon order cycle or to activate squad commands or any other unique element would have been nice. And while voice recognition is available most games don't use it (excep the upcoming Black Hawk Down) because it doesn't work very well.
Anyway am I the only one who is gonna miss the white and black buttons? Even if they didn't have the 6 face buttons, due to the complexity of most games nowadays I do wish there were buttons off to the side that I could access for other things besides actions that take place on screen.
I mean look at FPS games nowadays:
2 joysticks for movement and ducking and zooming
button to fire
button to alt fire/alt attack
jump button
cycle weapon forward
cycle weapon backward
interact/action button
flashlight button
And a button dedicated to some specific ability unique to the game.
Thats basically all the buttons except for the D-pad and using the d-pad for an action game has the potential to make you input the wrong command... despite loving its use in Doom 3 (X-Box) I'd even admit to accidentally pressing an undesired weapon switch.
Having those 2 buttons off to the side to either manage weapon inventory or switch weapon order cycle or to activate squad commands or any other unique element would have been nice. And while voice recognition is available most games don't use it (excep the upcoming Black Hawk Down) because it doesn't work very well.
Ditto 6 May 2005 16:53
25/27
Here's my take on it all, slightly more structured hopefully than 1991 bashing.
* I don't think M$ would use cheap materials for prototypes. This is one of the world's biggest companies, if they're going to do something they'll do the prototypes using the same materials as a final product. It's the only way to visualise it 100%.
* The 64DD was flawed. It had few advantages over traditional carts, and most of the innovative features such as the Capture Cassette and the 3D modelling packages were taken out. By the time it was released there weren't enough N64 purchasers ('active' owners) to support it, and enough games in development.
Finally, a non-constructive moan, but I need to get it out of my system. This sig:
Really annoys me. Makes me cringe every time I see it ;).
* I don't think M$ would use cheap materials for prototypes. This is one of the world's biggest companies, if they're going to do something they'll do the prototypes using the same materials as a final product. It's the only way to visualise it 100%.
* The 64DD was flawed. It had few advantages over traditional carts, and most of the innovative features such as the Capture Cassette and the 3D modelling packages were taken out. By the time it was released there weren't enough N64 purchasers ('active' owners) to support it, and enough games in development.
Finally, a non-constructive moan, but I need to get it out of my system. This sig:
www.britxbox.co.uk - Not Just A Great Community, Its A Great Source For Xbox News, View and Reviews
Really annoys me. Makes me cringe every time I see it ;).
westerhive 6 May 2005 20:08
26/27
http://www.consolepassion.co.uk/super-nintendo-hardware.htm
7th item down "Super Advantage Arcade Controller" and it's an officially released Nintendo product.
7th item down "Super Advantage Arcade Controller" and it's an officially released Nintendo product.
PreciousRoi 7 May 2005 09:47
27/27
I'd say you really had me there, if I hadn't been ignoring aftermarket controllers in favor of stock...I actually used to own one of those. No shoulder buttons. Almost all consoles had some kinda aftermarket arcade stick, wether 1st or 3rd party... I mean even the NES had one of those...not as cool as the Epyx 500XJN or whatever its called, I swear I saw one...:)
Still I suppose thats a minor victory for you...you need it...I could argue the point, but your kung fu isn't good enough for me to gain much honor in your utter defeat.
Still I suppose thats a minor victory for you...you need it...I could argue the point, but your kung fu isn't good enough for me to gain much honor in your utter defeat.