Since the Wii launched in November 2006 it has sold bajillions and shows no sign of stopping. Things like that usually lead to other companies looking for a way to cash in on that popularity. Sony’s attempt is the SIXAXIS but Microsoft has yet to counter, until now.
An anonymous tipster told MTV exclusively that Microsoft has been working on "a controller designed to do all the Wii remote does, and more." Tipster McGee also claims that the functionality will be very similar to Wii remote, but will have its analog stick on the device itself, instead of as a separate attachment, ala nunchuk.
The whole thing seems like it’s going to be a tacked on mess. Adding another type of controller will probably confuse people more than help them, because clearly the three Xbox sku’s weren’t doing a good enough job. The tipster seems to agree with me.
"They want the usual assortment of ‘Halo’/ ‘Gears’/ ‘Forza’/ whatever, just in waggle form … The whole thing is a colossal clusterf— … [Microsoft] marketing just want it so they can match the Wii point for point. The biggest parts of their marketing materials outline how easy it would be for third parties to port their Wii games to the 360."
I love that he calls it "waggle form." Tipster McGee informs us that Rare, a Microsoft owned company, has been working on the controller and interface as well as a 360 version of the Mii avatar. Also Mr. McGee claims "Microsoft is trying to decide how to get something out by the end of the year,"
Really? The end of the year? Having read this article twice I don’t believe it. I do not believe that Microsoft would try and reinvent their controller nearly 3 years into the life of their hardware. It doesn’t make any sense.
The Wii has been touted as being for the casual market, and for the non-gamer. Microsoft has been so focused on teh hardc0rez for so long that adding another peripheral now seems like too little too late. Having this piece of technology in the next Xbox would probably be more feasible; thought could also alienate their core market.
Currently I think Microsoft is doing the most for people who like to play games; their online service is unmatched, games are easy to develop because of DirectX, their interface is (mostly) streamlined and Live Arcade is there for casual Fridays. Adding this weird motion sensing controller seems too far removed from what has been their focus since the first Xbox launched in 2001. Obviously only time will tell what will come of this rumor but I stand firmly on the "this is bogus" side of the room.
