The supposedly in-development Xbox 360 Wii Remote has a codename; 'Newton'.
That's according to the blokes at 8bitjoystick, who is joining MTV on the rumour wagon and claiming that Microsoft is developing its own 360 motion controller.
"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," says the site.
Earlier this week MTV reported that the '360 Wii Remote' project has been in active development at since last August.
"Rare, the Microsoft-owned studio behind Xbox 360's launch first-person shooter Perfect Dark Zero and the upcoming instalment of the Banjo-Kazooie franchise, has been tasked with creating a unified interface and look for the controller," it said. "Rare has had trouble hitting its deadlines, according to the source."
The report adds that Rare is currently working on a version of Miis for Xbox 360 too. Just rename the bloody thing Wii60.
Im all for this on the 360, but they have to have the games to back it up, Nintendo seem to always be able to make the most of the technology they incorporate (touch screens/remote sensing) i can imagine it will come with a game Pack (like Wii sports) & then not be used for much after that, but!, fingers crossed.
Noooo, why jump on this infernal band wagon. Yes the Wii is popular and the games that implement the motion sensing effectively are good. But I do not want to have to be waving my arm around in front of all of my consoles.
Newton is pretty apt because this makes me feel 'physically' sick. Ho. ho.
Does anybody else feel like Ninty have cornered the market already with the Wii? The fact that the Wii has already sold trillions means that there can't be much of a market left for this type of motion shenanigans.
Nothing wrong with pinching ideas, seeing as all companies 'borrow' from each other, but changing your whole target audience at the drop of a hat smacks of desperation to me.
I could be wrong. The 'Newton' could set the world on fire.
I'm on the fence with this one. Time to see how it all pans out.
I'm sorry I just think this is going to be another expensive waste of time. How can either Microsoft or indeed Sony even remotely catch up with Nintendo's head start and vast range of software?
Well if its supported well it may well work, plus they should add it to every console pack from now on but if its like the eye thingy & scene it where we havnt seen no further support then i think this will go t**s up.
Plus is anyone going to change their development plans on multi-format games to add major support for it....doubt it.
to be honest it matters not who doesnt want it as this is something to possibly attract new people to the 360 that want a wii experience or similar.
if you can buy a 360 with the new remote at a cheaper price than the wii then i think it is a good thing for MS. they will need to make sure they have the games and developer support to go with it.
As with anything else you don't have to buy it. It's hardly going to dictate the new direction all games are going to go on the platform. File under big button cortroller and LIVE Vision cam
I'm not sure if i'm liking the sound of any of this. Fair enough, i can see where MS are coming from (what with the success of the Wii), but to try and appeal to the "casual" market at this stage of the 360's life may be a risky venture. Alienating their current "hardcore" demographic may also be a great risk on their behalf. I just hope they know what they are doing. Going on past experience though, i'm not so sure that they do.
At least wait until the next generation before you rip off Nintendo's ideas. I hope this whole initiative dies on its bottom & costs Microsoft an absolute fortune.
the problem in my opinion as an avid games player is that the wii and it's remote are fine for a quick bash, and it has to be quick as you have to stand in front of your tv. i don't enjoy playing games like this and find myself half sitting on the end of the sofa arm trying to get comfortable when playing a long game ie zelda/mario. this is why my wii gathers dust and i play on my PS3. if they bring a control out for the 360 like this, i for one would not be interested as it does not make for comfortable game play.
If 360 owners wanted to play wii-style games, they'd of bought a wii. 360 owners bought a 360 because they want to play games in the traditional sense.
I think this will sell, but i don't like it. We only need one wii out there.
I'm not sure if i'm liking the sound of any of this. Fair enough, i can see where MS are coming from (what with the success of the Wii), but to try and appeal to the "casual" market at this stage of the 360's life may be a risky venture. Alienating their current "hardcore" demographic may also be a great risk on their behalf. I just hope they know what they are doing. Going on past experience though, i'm not so sure that they do.
Hang on a minute, didn't the PS2 do this very successfuly at this stage in their cycle with Buzz, Singstar etc. Did any of us 'hardcore' ps2 owners feel alienated? - of course not, it just meant that our girlfriends started using our consoles too.
At least it saves me £180 by not having to go out & get a wii (as my girlfriend keeps nagging me to do so)
is Msoft admitting they've lost the console war " If you can't beat them, join them ". or will we find out they had this remote shape idea during the late 90's and only now it made sense to release it.
I'm not sure if i'm liking the sound of any of this. Fair enough, i can see where MS are coming from (what with the success of the Wii), but to try and appeal to the "casual" market at this stage of the 360's life may be a risky venture. Alienating their current "hardcore" demographic may also be a great risk on their behalf. I just hope they know what they are doing. Going on past experience though, i'm not so sure that they do.
Hang on a minute, didn't the PS2 do this very successfuly at this stage in their cycle with Buzz, Singstar etc. Did any of us 'hardcore' ps2 owners feel alienated? - of course not, it just meant that our girlfriends started using our consoles too.
At least it saves me £180 by not having to go out & get a wii (as my girlfriend keeps nagging me to do so)
I don't want my girlfriend to play bloody games. She'll be too busy cooking and cleaning!
I'm joking.
She'll be too bust watching corrie and eastenders!
Does anybody else feel like Ninty have cornered the market already with the Wii? The fact that the Wii has already sold trillions means that there can't be much of a market left for this type of motion shenanigans.
Nothing wrong with pinching ideas, seeing as all companies 'borrow' from each other, but changing your whole target audience at the drop of a hat smacks of desperation to me.
Personally, I'm all in favour of 'The Big Three' developing as many different ways for you to enjoy your console as possible - this doesn't have to be about sales figures surely? (although every discussion on this forum seems to head down that road these days...)
Nintendo certainly weren't the first company to develop motion-sensing controls for games, they've just been the most successful at it. Sony have wavey shakey controllers too if you want them, so someone at MS has obviously decided that the 360 should offer this feature as well.
The 360 is the last of the current gen to join the 'look like a tw@ in front of your telly' party. I reckon this is probably a move by MS to make sure that the 360 isn't the only console without a 'wavey shakey remote available!' feature listed on the box for Xmas 08.
It doesn't mean a change of target audience - just an extra feature if you want it. MS are sitting pretty alongside Sony and Ninty at the mo, and to abandon their share of the 'hardcore' user base in favour of an entirely new market would be commercial suicide. I doubt MS are stupid enough to make that move - Bill Gates is rich for a reason!
Does anybody else feel like Ninty have cornered the market already with the Wii? The fact that the Wii has already sold trillions means that there can't be much of a market left for this type of motion shenanigans.
Nothing wrong with pinching ideas, seeing as all companies 'borrow' from each other, but changing your whole target audience at the drop of a hat smacks of desperation to me.
Personally, I'm all in favour of 'The Big Three' developing as many different ways for you to enjoy your console as possible - this doesn't have to be about sales figures surely? (although every discussion on this forum seems to head down that road these days...)
Nintendo certainly weren't the first company to develop motion-sensing controls for games, they've just been the most successful at it. Sony have wavey shakey controllers too if you want them, so someone at MS has obviously decided that the 360 should offer this feature as well.
The 360 is the last of the current gen to join the 'look like a tw@ in front of your telly' party. I reckon this is probably a move by MS to make sure that the 360 isn't the only console without a 'wavey shakey remote available!' feature listed on the box for Xmas 08.
It doesn't mean a change of target audience - just an extra feature if you want it. MS are sitting pretty alongside Sony and Ninty at the mo, and to abandon their share of the 'hardcore' user base in favour of an entirely new market would be commercial suicide. I doubt MS are stupid enough to make that move - Bill Gates is rich for a reason!
Bill Gates is rich because of Windows and other 'serious' software. The xbox brand would have crippled any other company by now.
The 360 is the last of the current gen to join the 'look like a tw@ in front of your telly' party. I reckon this is probably a move by MS to make sure that the 360 isn't the only console without a 'wavey shakey remote available!' feature listed on the box for Xmas 08.
The fact it is the only one not to feature a 'wavey shakey remote' is a major selling point of the console for me. I hate the sixaxis controls. Wiimote is ok I guess, although I do still much prefer normal pads.
Bill Gates is rich because of Windows and other 'serious' software. The xbox brand would have crippled any other company by now.
Good luck to him though.
Fair enough, but my point wasn't really about money. What I was trying to express was that NO-ONE would be stupid enough to abandon a strong hold in their market for an entirely new demographic. Both Sony and MS would love a slice of Nintendo's market but only in addition to, not at the expense of, their own user base. I don't think there'll be quite so many mums and dads buying the Wii 2, if Nintendo even go down that route...
Besides, the same goes for Sony as it does for MS; the electronics arm props up the Playstation division in the short-term to ensure that blu-ray wins the next-gen movie format war, just like with the PS2 and DVD. Consoles only turn a profit in the long term based on games sold and the success of supporting hardware.
The 360 is the last of the current gen to join the 'look like a tw@ in front of your telly' party. I reckon this is probably a move by MS to make sure that the 360 isn't the only console without a 'wavey shakey remote available!' feature listed on the box for Xmas 08.
The fact it is the only one not to feature a 'wavey shakey remote' is a major selling point of the console for me. I hate the sixaxis controls. Wiimote is ok I guess, although I do still much prefer normal pads.
the six axis adds nothing for me and makes games awkward to play. take that bit in drakes fortune where you hav eto balance on a tree!!! crap
The 360 is the last of the current gen to join the 'look like a tw@ in front of your telly' party. I reckon this is probably a move by MS to make sure that the 360 isn't the only console without a 'wavey shakey remote available!' feature listed on the box for Xmas 08.
The fact it is the only one not to feature a 'wavey shakey remote' is a major selling point of the console for me. I hate the sixaxis controls. Wiimote is ok I guess, although I do still much prefer normal pads.
Sixaxis controls are okay if used sparingly, though I agree that no game should rely on them. Ratchet and Clank used the controls quite well, especially with the cyclone weopon. If Microsoft are taking this same route then fine. Knowing Microsoft though, I'm expecting something along the lines of the wiimote but with added functions. Maybe they bought the company who were going to develop those tennis and golf peripherals? Mmm.
The 360 is the last of the current gen to join the 'look like a tw@ in front of your telly' party. I reckon this is probably a move by MS to make sure that the 360 isn't the only console without a 'wavey shakey remote available!' feature listed on the box for Xmas 08.
The fact it is the only one not to feature a 'wavey shakey remote' is a major selling point of the console for me. I hate the sixaxis controls. Wiimote is ok I guess, although I do still much prefer normal pads.
the six axis adds nothing for me and makes games awkward to play. take that bit in drakes fortune where you hav eto balance on a tree!!! crap
Exactly. When I had my PS3 I used to dread reading that little bit on back of the box - 'sixaxis enabled' *shiver*
Sixaxis controls are okay if used sparingly, though I agree that no game should rely on them.
I think you're right there, and that's why I'm not sure motion-sensing controls are the way forward for the next round of consoles. Will Nintendo make a Wii 2 or will they revert to a more traditional console after this? This 'gimmick' has been done now and hasn't really been followed up with a great catalogue of games, so I doubt there'll be many mums and dads buying the Wii 2 if they already own the Wii.
It's a great idea and has sold like hot cakes, but I'm not sure the Wii has got staying power. For that reason, I don't see MS making waves (he he) with their 'rip-off' version. But hey, it's there if you want it.
I must admit, I saw it more as MS positioning the 360 as a step up from the Wii into more mainstream / hardcore gaming - giving people that are used to the Wii (but not used to traditional controllers) a slightly easier and less traumatic move. We've already heard that MS are trying to position the 360 in this way, so a Wii style controller would surely make sense... Especially if it was bundled with the 360 Arcade. It'll be interesting to see if it requires dedicated support from games or if it will simply behave like a standard controller (as far as the console sees it).
The 360 is the last of the current gen to join the 'look like a tw@ in front of your telly' party. I reckon this is probably a move by MS to make sure that the 360 isn't the only console without a 'wavey shakey remote available!' feature listed on the box for Xmas 08.
The fact it is the only one not to feature a 'wavey shakey remote' is a major selling point of the console for me. I hate the sixaxis controls. Wiimote is ok I guess, although I do still much prefer normal pads.
the six axis adds nothing for me and makes games awkward to play. take that bit in drakes fortune where you hav eto balance on a tree!!! crap
Exactly. When I had my PS3 I used to dread reading that little bit on back of the box - 'sixaxis enabled' *shiver*
I usually tend to agree but the last 1up show makes it pretty clear that Wipeout HD uses it perfectly. Looking forward to trying that out.
i dont know why people are against the idea, it would only be a choice at the end of the day, with the wii you have no choice as to what type of controller to use. if you dont want something you dont have to buy it.
also, why post comments like 'no thanks' that isn't of use to anyone and i didn't think this was a poll!
Personally I think it's a waste of time. One console has already tried to incorporate the best features of each console, failed, and now finds itself in last place (PS3). If people want these motion sensor type party games then they'll buy a Wii to compliment their other console. That's what I've done and I know many of the people I know have done the same. This will just end up being another useless accessory that developers don't take advantage of.
"Rare has been tasked with creating a unified interface and look for the controller," it said. "Rare has had trouble hitting its deadlines, according to the source."
...Rare is currently working on a version of Miis for Xbox 360 too.
Oh dear does this mean Banjo Kazooie 3 will be a blatant Mario Galaxy rip-off??? What a surprise Rare isn't meeting it's deadlines for MS...
If done well Microsoft could be onto a winner, they've noted the Wii's success and the virtual redundantness of sixaxis.
The Wii is yet to replicate true movements, direction and speed with accuracy. Microsoft could, if done correctly, make the first tennis & golf games that take into account angle, speed and direction! plus it would be in HD.... which is nice!
With Rare at the helm, I'm not holding a great deal of hope, but we'll wait and see what they come up with.
This is a shrewd move by MS. They can now produce something that has all the possibilities of the Wii but with the processing power & games to move it on further. I guess it will be a dedicated controller rather than the tacked on nature of the s**taxis, I see it appealing maybe to Wii owners tired of waiting for that lightsabre game, or tired of the latest generic minigame collection.
"Rare has been tasked with creating a unified interface and look for the controller," it said. "Rare has had trouble hitting its deadlines, according to the source."
...Rare is currently working on a version of Miis for Xbox 360 too.
Oh dear does this mean Banjo Kazooie 3 will be a blatant Mario Galaxy rip-off??? What a surprise Rare isn't meeting it's deadlines for MS...
If they did, it'd be a great game. And try and find me a developer that ALWAYS meets its deadlines. It happens, live with it. Or is patience not something you're good at?
Releasing the controller this gen wouldn't work. The 360 is relatively 'old' compared to the other consoles on the market, therefore the controller would do well to be used in a 'fresh' start - ie the next xbox.
The name Newton just reminds of that failed Apple thing from 10 years ago or so. However, this whole concept just smacks of desperation and I cannot see how it could be the saviour of the 360.
On the Wii the Wiimote is as much a curse as a blessing. There are far too many games that other than the Motion Control gimmick would never have of seen the light of day.
On the 360 a new additional controller will be largely ignored by most developers unless it gets virtually 100% take up and it will be consigned to whatever range of games it is launched with. As has happened in the past with Buzz, SingStar and Guitar Hero/Rock Star custom controllers.
Microsoft would be better off waiting and looking to see the positives that come of the WiiMote and of the Sixaxis (which is better used by some games than others) and using them to design a new system for the next Xbox.
MS stole Apple OS to make Windows MS now suggested to be stealing the idea of the Wii Remote.
I think the new news is just a clever pun. According to VGchartz (I know, I know), they spoke with someone well aware of XB team projects, and he claimed that its all BS.
all good for the 360 owners who havent invested in a wii, personaly ive got a wii already so wont be buying into this new controller, the games that utilise this type of controller will always be best on the wii as the console has been built from the ground up especially to cater for these games....
Microsoft would be better off waiting and looking to see the positives that come of the WiiMote and of the Sixaxis (which is better used by some games than others) and using them to design a new system for the next Xbox.
or maybe this will be a test for their next system...
The regular controllers are here so I'm just fine. If they release something really good that uses motion sensing controls then I'll get one of those myself. If not I'll pass and carry on as normal.
If they did, it'd be a great game. And try and find me a developer that ALWAYS meets its deadlines. It happens, live with it. Or is patience not something you're good at?
mmmm... I don't think so mate, did you ever play the shallow Zelda rip-off that was "Starfox Adventures."
The reason I laughed at Rare's deadlines is because in 5 years with Microsoft they have produced 5 good games, and in that same time span on the N64 they produced 11 great games.
I worship Rare's past work but they have certainly lost their magic touch, Perfect Dark Zero should have been Amazing but was a massive let down by their own standards. When you look at what the achieved with Perfect Dark on the humble N64 it was technically astounding.
If they did, it'd be a great game. And try and find me a developer that ALWAYS meets its deadlines. It happens, live with it. Or is patience not something you're good at?
I worship Rare's past work but they have certainly lost their magic touch, Perfect Dark Zero should have been Amazing but was a massive let down by their own standards. When you look at what the achieved with Perfect Dark on the humble N64 it was technically astounding.
The main problem is that Perfect Dark Zero and Kameo originally started life on the N64, then moved to Xbox and were the moved to 360. They were also both launch games and we all know they were rushed out just to meet that deadline. So it's unfair to compare to the original Perfect Dark, a game released at the end of the N64's life span... Personally I still think Rare have got it in them to make quality games. The only issue is if they are allowed to use their creativity or if MS are simply the puppet masters.
If they did, it'd be a great game. And try and find me a developer that ALWAYS meets its deadlines. It happens, live with it. Or is patience not something you're good at?
mmmm... I don't think so mate, did you ever play the shallow Zelda rip-off that was "Starfox Adventures."
But we weren't talking about that.. we were talking about Mario Galaxy - one of the best platforming games (imo) ever. And Zelda isn't really highly regarded by me.
The reason I laughed at Rare's deadlines is because in 5 years with Microsoft they have produced 5 good games, and in that same time span on the N64 they produced 11 great games.
Again you've got to take into account that I bet it's alot more complicated to program for the 360 than N64.
Personally I still think Rare have got it in them to make quality games. The only issue is if they are allowed to use their creativity or if MS are simply the puppet masters.
Personally I still think Rare have got it in them to make quality games. The only issue is if they are allowed to use their creativity or if MS are simply the puppet masters.
I think that they are still a very capable code house but I think that their glory days are a long, long way behind them. The original talent that made the Ultimate games so special has left and the company founders, the Stamper brothers are amongst those that have left. I'd love to be proved wrong and that they went and produced a game to prove me wrong, especially if that game was Mire Mare.
the problem in my opinion as an avid games player is that the wii and it's remote are fine for a quick bash, and it has to be quick as you have to stand in front of your tv. i don't enjoy playing games like this and find myself half sitting on the end of the sofa arm trying to get comfortable when playing a long game ie zelda/mario. this is why my wii gathers dust and i play on my PS3. if they bring a control out for the 360 like this, i for one would not be interested as it does not make for comfortable game play.
Do you really honestly own a Wii? Because I play every single game besides wii sports, either comfortably sitting in a chair or even laying down. How you couldn't figure out that you do not have to stand in front of the tv to play just baffles me. Especially with the games you listed... unless the only one you play is sports. I actually find the wiimote and nunchuck to be very comfortable because I can relax and don't even have to hold my hands together like you do when holding a traditional pad.
I am not sure if I'd be interested in something like this though. I kind of really doubt that they could manage to make a controller that is as good as Ninty's. And since this will only be an optional thing I can't see it getting a lot of support. Though my friends who have Wii envy may be more interested.
If this thing ever gets to see the light of day, then all 3 current gen systems will have some sort of motion controls. Gimmick? Sony and Microsoft don't seem to think so.
Might have known those perennial Nintendo thieves Rare would be involved. They have built up an entire back-catalogue of shameless Mario and Zelda clones and only produced anything vaguely worthwhile with Nintendo's guiding hands.
Now we find them blatantly pilfering Nintendo's idea. No doubt that Microsoft will say that it has been in production for years and long before the Wii was released. b******s!!
To me, this is just a sorry and red-faced admission that they were completely wrong to go down the online route, when what the greater gaming public want is accessible and social gaming on a personal level, meaning everyone having fun in the same room.
How Microsoft can keep face and respect after this is beyond me.
all good for the 360 owners who havent invested in a wii, personaly ive got a wii already so wont be buying into this new controller, the games that utilise this type of controller will always be best on the wii as the console has been built from the ground up especially to cater for these games....
I read about half way through these comments and couldnt be bottomd with the rest, I think everyone is missing Microsofts angle on it all.
OK, it MIGHT have something to do with stealing some of Wii's thunder or get a "Shakey thing", as you fanboys are calling it, like everyone else has. But don't you think it could be the fact that the Wiimote makes for some great gaming when executed right!? Some devs are lazy, VERY lazy and just wanna make a quick buck on todays most popular console. But the PS2 had its fair share of s**t. Thousands of games you'd wouldn't even look at. Anyhoo, back to the plot...
I see this as a great positive. After playing Prime 3 and Red Steel, I couldn't go back to dual analogue. It feels too.. I don't know the right word, "Artificial"!?
Playing FPS's with the Wiimote, is amazing, its very engaging. It makes you feel like your in the game a hell of a lot more that Dual Analogues.
So I'd love to play Halo with the Wiimote and quite a few of the other next gen FPS's. If the devs take there time, they can get some great controls out of it. And maybe release patches for the current games that are out to support it so you could go back to em and play em again!
Im getting excited the more I talk about it so I best stop!
Although I am slightly peed off that everyone else slags the motion stuff, yet they all want a piece of it.
It's a pointing device... I wonder what the biggest games on the Xbox 360 are... I wonder how a pointer device would help those games...hmmm... And those RTSes... hmmmm... Everyone says WiiMote I think a new enhanced FPS controller how long has that been rumored about?
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