A Newton - of the Apple version.
Yesterday the rumour and speculation regarding a Wii Remote-a-like for the Xbox 360 reared up and were questioned. Today 'Microsoft insiders' have apparently named the device to the Seattle Post Intelligencer (Spi).
The motion-sensing controller is apparently being developed under the title, 'Newton'. Spi tells us, "This is not to be confused with the defunct Apple Newton PDA, this is just and internal name, when this controller comes to market it will have a retail name.
The hardware is still being worked on and it might be a couple months before we see leaked shots of prototypes when they start to mass manufacture it but I am sure that there is an early software developer kit and prototype out there."
The rest of the report details 'strong feelings' about colours and retail price as well as the following, "From what I've learned from internal sources at Microsoft I can collaborate that the Newton project is moving forward and I can believe the time table that it has been in development for a while now and they could get it on the market by winter of 2008.
"The Newton is also going to use an LED sensor bar that can be powered by the USB ports on the 360, it is going to have an LED sensor on the front accelerometer and gyroscope sensor that can detect tilt and motion, rumble motors, wireless two way data communication with the 360, a built in Microphone for Xbox Live and voice-activated games."
Now, we hit a kind of a wall here. Sure, Microsoft could well be working on a motion-sensing controller (and about time to). If so, why not just announce it? Why all the 'insiders tell us' and 'unnamed sources'? Not that we doubt that these sources have been talking.
Our pinch of salt here is sprinkled not because of the unliklihood (see what we did there?) of a motion-sensing Xbox 360 controller, but the manner in which it's being leaked. If we were Microsoft, faced with the Wii onslaught and with growing competition from PS3, we'd also ensure that some FUD was thrown into the market regarding our platform's similarities to the market-domination of Nintendo's Wii.
We'd then probably just put out a Xbox 360 controller with built-in mo-sense that looks distinctly similar to our current controller, thus ensuring we don't need to tool up another factory or ten.
Microsoft itself, as ever, does not comment on rumour and speculation.
Source: Seattle Post Intelligencer
The motion-sensing controller is apparently being developed under the title, 'Newton'. Spi tells us, "This is not to be confused with the defunct Apple Newton PDA, this is just and internal name, when this controller comes to market it will have a retail name.
The hardware is still being worked on and it might be a couple months before we see leaked shots of prototypes when they start to mass manufacture it but I am sure that there is an early software developer kit and prototype out there."
The rest of the report details 'strong feelings' about colours and retail price as well as the following, "From what I've learned from internal sources at Microsoft I can collaborate that the Newton project is moving forward and I can believe the time table that it has been in development for a while now and they could get it on the market by winter of 2008.
"The Newton is also going to use an LED sensor bar that can be powered by the USB ports on the 360, it is going to have an LED sensor on the front accelerometer and gyroscope sensor that can detect tilt and motion, rumble motors, wireless two way data communication with the 360, a built in Microphone for Xbox Live and voice-activated games."
Now, we hit a kind of a wall here. Sure, Microsoft could well be working on a motion-sensing controller (and about time to). If so, why not just announce it? Why all the 'insiders tell us' and 'unnamed sources'? Not that we doubt that these sources have been talking.
Our pinch of salt here is sprinkled not because of the unliklihood (see what we did there?) of a motion-sensing Xbox 360 controller, but the manner in which it's being leaked. If we were Microsoft, faced with the Wii onslaught and with growing competition from PS3, we'd also ensure that some FUD was thrown into the market regarding our platform's similarities to the market-domination of Nintendo's Wii.
We'd then probably just put out a Xbox 360 controller with built-in mo-sense that looks distinctly similar to our current controller, thus ensuring we don't need to tool up another factory or ten.
Microsoft itself, as ever, does not comment on rumour and speculation.
Source: Seattle Post Intelligencer
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Comments
deleted 9 Apr 2008 11:05
1/10
Its very possible i would think that MS wants a wii-mote-a-like in 360 gamers hands, as MS do seem to understand the value of the casual gamer, and with the rather rubbish performance of Scene It and its Big Button Controller and great games like Viva Pinata not hitting where it matters, why wouldnt they release a controller of sorts to compete?
Can i smell a Banjo 360 / Wii60Mote launch?
You can quote me on this when i am wrong or right?
But i sense it will be launched along side Banjo 360, which will have the motion sense as part of its main gameplay rare have already said the Wii is interesting i think this has been in development longer than suspected and these leaks are just that leaks, i also reckon we will see a MS Singstar game which could also use the wii60mote, and with the mote having both motion and voice use RTS would be perfect!
Can i smell a Banjo 360 / Wii60Mote launch?
You can quote me on this when i am wrong or right?
But i sense it will be launched along side Banjo 360, which will have the motion sense as part of its main gameplay rare have already said the Wii is interesting i think this has been in development longer than suspected and these leaks are just that leaks, i also reckon we will see a MS Singstar game which could also use the wii60mote, and with the mote having both motion and voice use RTS would be perfect!
Steviepunk 9 Apr 2008 11:20
2/10
MS will need more than just Banjo for this to be successful, though that could be why we are starting to see some leaks on this now - there will have to be many developers involved if this is going to have enough games to justify it as well as enough games to actually attract the Wii type user.
Leaks are inevitable, however Microsoft won't make an announcement until they are ready, it does seem a little too early in the year to make announcements for Nov/Dec releases.
To be honest, with the Core version at the Wii price point, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Core version come with one of these controllers and possibly even a suitable game (Banjo would be logical).
Leaks are inevitable, however Microsoft won't make an announcement until they are ready, it does seem a little too early in the year to make announcements for Nov/Dec releases.
To be honest, with the Core version at the Wii price point, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Core version come with one of these controllers and possibly even a suitable game (Banjo would be logical).
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PreciousRoi 9 Apr 2008 11:39
3/10
SPOnG wrote:
Our pinch of salt here is sprinkled not because of the unliklihood (see what we did there?) of a motion-sensing Xbox 360 controller, but the manner in which it's being leaked. If we were Microsoft, faced with the Wii onslaught and with growing competition from PS3, we'd also ensure that some FUD was thrown into the market regarding our platform's similarities to the market-domination of Nintendo's Wii.
Yeah, because a 3SixtyAxis would make more sense than a Wii60Mote?...use ya head....MS isn't going to copy a soon to be obsoleted failure, they're going to copy a winner, even if they have to throw money at the problem. There is currently a kit availble to add motion sensing to 360 pads, AFAIK, its not very popular. (Even among modders, who live to muck with things like this) Besides, I thought the mooted point of all this was to allow devs to port games developed for the Wii to 360. An added benefit would be to make specific motion sensing development for both platforms more attractive by making it multi-platform. This could actually increase the number of 3rd party games for Wii which take full advantage of the WiiMote.
ALSO, and I just thought of this, the "Newton" would likely be fully PC-compatible, which might be velly inellestink.
SPOnG wrote:
We'd then probably just put out a Xbox 360 controller with built-in mo-sense that looks distinctly similar to our current controller, thus ensuring we don't need to tool up another factory or ten.
cheap bastards.
tyrion 9 Apr 2008 12:19
4/10
PreciousRoi wrote:
ALSO, and I just thought of this, the "Newton" would likely be fully PC-compatible, which might be velly inellestink.
There are already PC drivers for the Wii remote and the Sixaxis out there in homebrew land, for Windows, Linux and (I think) MacOS X. However, they don't seem to have spawned huge numbers of games that take advantage of them.
To be honest, I can't see this being anything more than a marketing box-ticking exercise.
Even with 100% of Wii owners able to use the motion controls in games, publishers other than Nintendo are having great difficulty coming up with engaging games that take advantage of the Wii remote.
On the 360, you'll have the "peripherals never sell" effect to take into account as well as the lower overall console sales. Even with a generous 20% take-up rate amongst 360 owners, you're only looking at about 4 million sales worldwide, compared to the Wii's 24-ish million sales. That's not enough of a market to invest too much effort into.
If this 360 remote comes out, expect to see huge numbers of sloppy Wii ports and party game/Wii Sports type games that won't sell.
PreciousRoi 9 Apr 2008 12:21
5/10
They'll have the library of 3rd party Wii titles to either get ported or copy...If used in pairs I see no reason why they couldn't be used in a 1st person game, two sticks, 4 buttons (d-pad equivalent functionality), two triggers...think Oblivion with motion sensing sword slashyness melee...or Call of Duty 5 complete with your choice of bayonet, buttstroke, or a variety of knifey options (slashy, overhandish, stabby)...Rainbow 6 with hand signalling... Manhunt 2 [Ed.- Do you really want to go there?] Special Edition with piano wire decapitation action (Hell yeah I do)
Stuff innovation, I want me some of that what them wogs already done implemented, instanter, post haste, STASAP.
This also serves MS in another way, it puts Sony on the outside of the club, even though they paid their membership already.
Stuff innovation, I want me some of that what them wogs already done implemented, instanter, post haste, STASAP.
This also serves MS in another way, it puts Sony on the outside of the club, even though they paid their membership already.
PreciousRoi 9 Apr 2008 12:40
6/10
It'll be just like gaming in general (with a few caveats I'll get to in a minnit), there will be a bunch of crap, a nice hunk of mediocrity, and a few triple-A titles that are actually worth the money that went into making them. Theres also going to be a few dark horse gems coming out of left field, and some colossal triple-A flops.
Caveat the first, if MS decides to support these, and setting Rare as the lead dog on this would tend to suggest that they are serious about developing for these, then there will certainly be some quality software out there taking advatage of their capabilities.
Caveat the second, XBLA might be a conveyance for cheap, innovative, casual-style games that will take advantage of the 'mote(s), how good they will be is another question which cannot be asked meaningfully yet.
You freaking read my mind tyr, even while I was writing the post below yours (which I started before you posted so it was the same time), I was thinking to myself...SPOnG seems to be thinking that this is all some attempt to check a box on a feature chart...which I didn't agree with...upon further reflection though, I can concede that it is essentially factually correct, if a vast oversimplification. In addition, while introducing a feature then failing to support it properly might be a trick out of Sony's playbook, MS doesn't have that trait, I think, assuming this is all real, they'll make sure its supported, if they have to buy another studio to do it, thats how MS rolls, yo.
Caveat the first, if MS decides to support these, and setting Rare as the lead dog on this would tend to suggest that they are serious about developing for these, then there will certainly be some quality software out there taking advatage of their capabilities.
Caveat the second, XBLA might be a conveyance for cheap, innovative, casual-style games that will take advantage of the 'mote(s), how good they will be is another question which cannot be asked meaningfully yet.
You freaking read my mind tyr, even while I was writing the post below yours (which I started before you posted so it was the same time), I was thinking to myself...SPOnG seems to be thinking that this is all some attempt to check a box on a feature chart...which I didn't agree with...upon further reflection though, I can concede that it is essentially factually correct, if a vast oversimplification. In addition, while introducing a feature then failing to support it properly might be a trick out of Sony's playbook, MS doesn't have that trait, I think, assuming this is all real, they'll make sure its supported, if they have to buy another studio to do it, thats how MS rolls, yo.
deleted 9 Apr 2008 14:08
7/10
Viva Pinata 2 anyone?
PreciousRoi 9 Apr 2008 18:39
8/10
Possible further suggestions that this is really going to happen...
Rumors that MS has liscenced the same patents from Gyration that Nintendo used to create the WiiMote, and references to an MS "for hire" ad. Coupled with ststements from MTV stating unequivocally that this story is something they've been researching for a while and denying it is a late April Fools hoax. Added speculation that the new MS 'mote will come with a download code for a new Conker game from Rare via XBLA.
Rumors that MS has liscenced the same patents from Gyration that Nintendo used to create the WiiMote, and references to an MS "for hire" ad. Coupled with ststements from MTV stating unequivocally that this story is something they've been researching for a while and denying it is a late April Fools hoax. Added speculation that the new MS 'mote will come with a download code for a new Conker game from Rare via XBLA.
p 9 Apr 2008 19:20
9/10
If this is a real pointer rather than the PS3s motion only sensor, then what's to stop MS saying makers of existing successful FPSs “We’ve got something new to sell, so here’s a bit of money to go make a patch so it’ll work with your games.” This would take a lot of challenge the out of the single player side (which some might like, because they can complete games or are just losers) but online, it would be a must have (unless you like getting shot).
That is unless it’s all just a spiteful wind up to try and take some wind out Nintendo’s sails.
PS I think MS will stay away from anything that sounds Nintendo like. So maybe the “360 Pess controller”
That is unless it’s all just a spiteful wind up to try and take some wind out Nintendo’s sails.
PS I think MS will stay away from anything that sounds Nintendo like. So maybe the “360 Pess controller”
SuperSaiyan4 10 Apr 2008 09:15
10/10
How many PS3 owners wave their sixaxis about? I know I got bored with doing that on motorstorm the first few mins.
With the Wii its completely different experience, and Microsoft dont need to offer something similar, the 360 needs to just keep their controller the way it is, unless they want to offer a Wii like controller then perhaps they might get Wii gamers onboard the 360.
As I know many gamers are saying 'If only the Wii had HD graphics'...
With the Wii its completely different experience, and Microsoft dont need to offer something similar, the 360 needs to just keep their controller the way it is, unless they want to offer a Wii like controller then perhaps they might get Wii gamers onboard the 360.
As I know many gamers are saying 'If only the Wii had HD graphics'...