The Xbox Wiimote

[Aladuf]

http://kotaku.com/376987/microsoft-to-rip-off-wii-remote-by-end-of-year-says-source

This just sounds stupid. I don't want this for the 360 :(


And here's a little BS mockup the article has just to make me cringe:

http://kotaku.com/assets/resources/2008/04/xmote.jpg

[Dyne]

Wii60 a reality?

[BreakABone]

What would it be called? The Halomote? The RRoDite?

Anyhow

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1584945/20080404/id_0.jhtml

If everything goes according to plan, Microsoft's response to Nintendo's Wii will appear before the end of the year, a developer who has been briefed on the project told MTV News. The Xbox 360 manufacturer has been working on its own version of the motion-controlled Wii remote since last summer, the developer said.

The controller itself isn't much different in functionality or design from Nintendo's Wii remote, but comes with four face buttons, an analog stick and microphone. There are also plans for the controller to interact with the Xbox Live Vision Camera, the source said.

The whole thing is a colossal clusterf---," the source said. "[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."


More at the link.
I can't see ths being a good thing at all.

[manasecret]

Y'know, Maddox didn't do his April Fool's until today. Maybe this a new trend of late AFs.

[Yoda9864]

IMO, terrible idea for Microsoft to offer a motion control controller. Game developers will still have to cater to regular controllers, which means that it will never get full support and thus probably receive crappy support.

[Typhoid]

So...Nintendo - Motion controller = Great idea omg so fantastic.
Microsoft - Motion controller = Terrible idea. Nobody wants it.

[BreakABone]

So...Nintendo - Motion controller = Great idea omg so fantastic.
Microsoft - Motion controller = Terrible idea. Nobody wants it.

Well, I don't think Microsoft having a motion controller is a bad idea, I think releasing it 3 years into the system's life cycle isn't the brightest.

Nintendo bet the farm on the motion controller. MS at best will get half assed support on the thing.


http%3A//aboutheroes.com/meta/podcasts/About_Heroes_Episode_99.mp3

[Typhoid]

Well, I don't think Microsoft having a motion controller is a bad idea, I think releasing it 3 years into the system's life cycle isn't the brightest.

Nintendo bet the farm on the motion controller. MS at best will get half assed support on the thing.

I don't think it matters how far into a systems life that it is introduced, but how far away from the new system it is released.

But in that case, they could be releasing it now to see if it's a justifiable option to also release it for Microsoft's next system on launch.

[Angrist]

If that thing gets all the third party Wii titles ported over, Nintendo doesn't have to fear a thing. :D

[Bube]

The Wii is a motion-controlled console, it's games use motion control, and everybody knows this.

The 360 will be a console which has you buying a new controller to be able to play motion-controlled games. And the very casual "gamers", who buy a Wii to have bowling tournaments (aka moms and retirement homes) will have no idea that there's such an option. That's why I don't think it'll work.

And (I think) the Wii's still cheaper. If not, there's a Wii price drop coming. Or they'll finally release the Wiis in storage to meet demand.

[Angrist]

Oh another thing.

The Wii has become such a big brand. People want the real deal, not some copycat that 'doesn't even have Wii Sports'.

[Perfect Stu]

I don't think it matters how far into a systems life that it is introduced.

It does matter, because the 360 has an established userbase...gamers who want to use a motion sensing control scheme will be Wii gamers for the next few years. That ship has sailed. Now, if Microsoft wanted to introduce a new motion controlled system that comes out before Nintendo's next one that offers consumers a lot more than the Wii does, that may not be the worst idea. Making a Wiimote for the 360 would do nothing more than make a quick buck or lose them money...nothing worthwhile.