With spiritual cousin site The Inquirer rapidly stealing our crown of most tabloid-style, sensationalist games website on earth, it is with interest that we read some new gossip this morning.
The UK-based site claims to have the scoop that sees wireless controllers as standard for the next Xbox console from Microsoft. And according to The Inquirer, they’ll retain battery-killing rumble functionality too.
Of course, it's hardly a stunning announcement, as it's a regurgitation of a story that did the rounds a year ago. While the news still seems like base-level guesswork, we expect this time it's backed with some substance, most likely coming from a developer currently beavering away to get something together in time for launch.
For the record, SPOnG expects all new-generation consoles to have integral wireless support for their controllers. Further to this, and certainly more interesting are the murmurings that the new consoles will be wireless network-enabled straight out of the box. More on this when we get more concrete info.
As ever, keep it locked for all the more discussion-worthy gossip, right here, as it breaks.
The UK-based site claims to have the scoop that sees wireless controllers as standard for the next Xbox console from Microsoft. And according to The Inquirer, they’ll retain battery-killing rumble functionality too.
Of course, it's hardly a stunning announcement, as it's a regurgitation of a story that did the rounds a year ago. While the news still seems like base-level guesswork, we expect this time it's backed with some substance, most likely coming from a developer currently beavering away to get something together in time for launch.
For the record, SPOnG expects all new-generation consoles to have integral wireless support for their controllers. Further to this, and certainly more interesting are the murmurings that the new consoles will be wireless network-enabled straight out of the box. More on this when we get more concrete info.
As ever, keep it locked for all the more discussion-worthy gossip, right here, as it breaks.
Companies:
Microsoft
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Comments
SPInGSPOnG 17 Feb 2005 14:32
1/15
Sony calls its "rumble" controllers "dual shock" presumably because, the very first time you ever use them, the vibration gives you a shock - a little (if you are very imaginitave, of have never been electrocuted) like an electric shock. It is only a little, if you doubt this, turn on the light, and take out the bulb (UK style BC bulbs here folks, not those trendy Ikea style ES ones). Now stick your finger in the hole where the bulb came out, making sure totouch both terminals. There.... nothing like a Dual Shock - is it?
But if they are after an electrifying experience, why don't they just administer a small electric shock through the controller's hand-grips? Like this toy.
I'm sure that would be no more battery zapping than hurtling a weight around in side the joypad.
But if they are after an electrifying experience, why don't they just administer a small electric shock through the controller's hand-grips? Like this toy.
I'm sure that would be no more battery zapping than hurtling a weight around in side the joypad.
config 17 Feb 2005 15:35
2/15
For a more effective shock, please one digit from each hand on each terminal. This way you won't just give a fingertip a shock, but the leccy will have to travel down your arms and across your chest, prolly stopping your heart in the process.
Which reminds me of an episode of the ancient and cheesy Man From Uncle...
This website and I can in now way be found responsible for any harm, direct or indirect, which may come from following my above statement. You're a f**kwit if you do this, and the species applaudes you for your efforts to cleanse the gene pool
Which reminds me of an episode of the ancient and cheesy Man From Uncle...
This website and I can in now way be found responsible for any harm, direct or indirect, which may come from following my above statement. You're a f**kwit if you do this, and the species applaudes you for your efforts to cleanse the gene pool
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GeoffHoonMP 17 Feb 2005 17:06
3/15
it's about time that wireless controller support came as standard.
Ideally Bluetooth (so that they can work with other devices) - but alas, I think the massive streak of proprietary-ness running through the console makers would prevent the uptake of Bluetooth on the console.
Whatever the protocol - they should use rechargeable batteries, and should allow charging and wired-use concurrently (rather like This Mouse )
Ideally Bluetooth (so that they can work with other devices) - but alas, I think the massive streak of proprietary-ness running through the console makers would prevent the uptake of Bluetooth on the console.
Whatever the protocol - they should use rechargeable batteries, and should allow charging and wired-use concurrently (rather like This Mouse )
LUPOS 17 Feb 2005 17:11
4/15
Rod Todd wrote:
But if they are after an electrifying experience, why don't they just administer a small electric shock through the controller's hand-grips? Like this toy.
a friend of mine got that for christmas... i played with it way to much... not a terible shock but stronger than i was expecting... its go a low setting on it which is just noticable... i dont know why im admitting to such an act... but yea.. it was fun for about 15 min... then i think it started agricating my arthritic hands... stupid RMS (reperitive motion synsdrome... i think? i dunno)
Mostly just fun cause there was a large group of people taking turns and watching... everyone sitting around assumed it wasnt bad and then jumped like a muther f**ker when they got zapped... fun trick... if you ever play with one... i like hitting my oponents hands so they accidentaly hit the button early and got zapped : )
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Joji 17 Feb 2005 18:21
5/15
Dude have you never heard of Nintendo Wavebird controller for GC. This is another area where Nintendo led and others are now following.
Strange it's taken them so long like you said.
Strange it's taken them so long like you said.
LUPOS 17 Feb 2005 18:26
6/15
Joji wrote:
Dude have you never heard of Nintendo Wavebird controller for GC. This is another area where Nintendo led and others are now following.
nintendo gets a nod for being the first company to make first party wirelss... which is really cool... but they certainly where not the first to make wireless controllers and if the xbox2 does it then M$ will be the first to have made it a standard.
there was a mic for the DC so i could play seaman, but the DS is still the first conosle with a built in mic... so ninty gets the honors... slightly different.
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vault 13 18 Feb 2005 18:09
7/15
As long as they make charging stations and we can turn the vibration off if we want. I ain't buying batteries every day just to play Halo 2. I'd rather have wires.
Not Me 18 Feb 2005 20:36
8/15
LUPOS wrote:
Joji wrote:
Dude have you never heard of Nintendo Wavebird controller for GC. This is another area where Nintendo led and others are now following.
nintendo gets a nod for being the first company to make first party wirelss... which is really cool... but they certainly where not the first to make wireless controllers and if the xbox2 does it then M$ will be the first to have made it a standard.
there was a mic for the DC so i could play seaman, but the DS is still the first conosle with a built in mic... so ninty gets the honors... slightly different.
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There were official wireless pads out for the Saturn and Megadrive (probably compatible with the Master system too). Wavebird is over a decade late to be earning credit for dropping the wires. And hell, there could be wireless pads older than these.
"OMG Sony invent video games with PS2!?"
"WTF no it was Gamecube!!"
vault 13 18 Feb 2005 20:46
9/15
NES had some actually. I don't remember any for the C64 or the Atari or Colecovision.
LUPOS 18 Feb 2005 20:49
10/15
Not Me wrote:
There were official wireless pads out for the Saturn and Megadrive (probably compatible with the Master system too). Wavebird is over a decade late to be earning credit for dropping the wires. And hell, there could be wireless pads older than these.
He's right!
"OMG Sony invent video games with PS2!?"
"WTF no it was Gamecube!!"
"WTF no it was Gamecube!!"
it was definitley M$!
vault 13 18 Feb 2005 21:16
11/15
Ah the Activator and Mega Mouse. Such failed perpherials.
Oh and I found a problem not with your double diamond button layout for your übercontroller. If you tilt my buttons here to the diamond shape. Say your playing Soul Calibur X, you can't reach A and Z without moving your hand. X and C, Z and B is a little tough, Y and C too. I don't forsee the 11 button combos working so fluidly.
XYZ
ABC
Oh and I found a problem not with your double diamond button layout for your übercontroller. If you tilt my buttons here to the diamond shape. Say your playing Soul Calibur X, you can't reach A and Z without moving your hand. X and C, Z and B is a little tough, Y and C too. I don't forsee the 11 button combos working so fluidly.
XYZ
ABC
LUPOS 18 Feb 2005 21:31
12/15
i never suggested hitting A and Z or X and C.
the point is 2 diamonds.. that why i called it that.. almnost twice the numebr of combos with onyl 50% more buttons. (almost twice because b and x would be used in both diamonds)
I even bothered to type out every single damn combination that would work... you just look for things to bitch about and then go rfireing off without double checking (not liek i never do that but still)
learn to read though things, SCHMUCK! : )
the point is 2 diamonds.. that why i called it that.. almnost twice the numebr of combos with onyl 50% more buttons. (almost twice because b and x would be used in both diamonds)
I even bothered to type out every single damn combination that would work... you just look for things to bitch about and then go rfireing off without double checking (not liek i never do that but still)
learn to read though things, SCHMUCK! : )
vault 13 18 Feb 2005 22:37
13/15
Lookie that getting all testy when I was merely making a point. The beauty of a single diamond, one for baseball games and two for the ability to configure your thumb to hit any of the buttons. Putting six on the face wouldn't work out so well.
Pandaman 18 Feb 2005 22:37
14/15
Nintendo was also the first company to use feed back from their controlers with the Rumble Pack.
Even though there had been rumble controllers for the PC before hand.
Even though there had been rumble controllers for the PC before hand.
LUPOS 21 Feb 2005 12:36
15/15
Alan is my first name wrote:
Even though there had been rumble controllers for the PC before hand.
well if we start talking about pc's also then its an entirely different situation... i had an analog joystick for my pc back in like '86. and cd drives? way before the sega cd... eveything on a console was done on pc's first. But the trick i suppose would be in trying ot figure out witch things would consitently add the most to a gaming expiernece. Pocket pc's have had game scontroled with touch screens for years... but no one else evey really thought it was going to be a particularly worth while idea untill nintendo came out and did it. Of course nintenods set up isnt exactly the same as that of a pda since the input is done on oen screen with the action taking plus on another (usually).
so whats my point... i dunno... i guess... we should just stick to discussing consoles. yea thats its... sweet i made a point!
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