Xbox 360 Motion Sensing Controller Coming This Fall
No, that's not a Wii Remote modded with Xbox 360 buttons, that is an actual Xbox 360 motion sensing controller. Developed by company PDP, the Gametrak Freedom controller is designed to look, feel, and function like a Wii Remote, providing Xbox 360 games with a new style of control. There's even a trigger button on the bottom of the controller. Like the Wii Remote, the Gametrak Freedom controller uses sensor bars to maintain motion accuracy. But unlike the Wii Remote, the Gametrak Freedom uses two sensor bars, one on each side of the TV.
The only catch is that since this is being made by a third party company there aren't any games currently that would take advantage of this new controller. Well PDP is looking to solve that too by bundling the controller with their own WarioWare-style minigame collection Squeeballs. PDP is expecting to release the Gametrak Freedom controller and Squeeballs for the Xbox 360 this Fall for between $70 and $75. Squeeballs is also scheduled to come out for the Wii, but since the Wii already has a controller to play it the news isn't quite as exciting.
Can I just say one thing about the controller design: what were they thinking? Anyone that's held a Wii Remote knows that the D-pad is not necessarily the most convenient to use when holding the controller as a remote. So why would PDP put the face buttons in that position? Sure it's annoying to stretch my thumbs to reach the D-pad, but that's better than having to stretch to reach the main buttons. I guess I'll reserve final judgement until it's actually released and I can get my hands on one, but my first reaction is that this could be a pain to play.
Check out the Squeeballs trailer after the jump.
PDP unveils the motion sensing Gametrak Freedom controller for the Xbox 360 [GameSpot]
Um...that's really...um...
Huh...
^Agreed.
The black controller in the demo video doesn't seem to have a d-pad though... Hmmm.
Wow how innovative there's nothing like this on the market...uggg
My first thought was April Fools. >_
I sense an MS vs Nintendo lawsuit coming....
DO NOT WANT.
I'm rubbish with motion controls. I was glad to see that Microsoft didn't jump on the motion-control bandwagon, but alas! I should have known it wouldn't last.
-_- Why don't they pay royalties for a decent D-pad ? The X360 D-pad is pure shit.
I wonder...
Originally the Wii was suppose to have 2 sensor bars. There must have been a reason why they decided not to do that. I wonder if Microsoft can get developers to use it properly - but playing FPS would be sweet.
that's gonna fail like, so hard, I can taste the failure already
the hell with everyone trying to get me up off the couch these days? A video game is for sitting, dammit.