Last week, MTV's Multiplayer Blog published a rather lengthy article (and atrociously ridiculous concept drawing) detailing the rumored motion-sensitive controller coming for the Xbox 360. Rumored to have been in development for nearly a year or more, MTV's source said that it was likely that the product will see release sometime in Q4 of this year, with Rare possibly releasing a tie-in Arcade game. Interesting. Today though, today has brought some more information on the new input device, and it's looking like it might be a litle more familiar than it seemed. Jake Metcalf from 8Bit Joystick (the same guy that broke news of Bungie's departure from MS, the rather popular "RRoD truth " story) says that his "internal source" at the company says it is confirmed, and should be released during Holiday 2008. Codenamed "Newton", the new controller is essentially an exact copy of the Wiimote, in both form factor and function.

The Newton is also going to use an LED sensor bar that can be powered by the USB ports on the 360, it is going to have an LED sensor on the front accelerometer and gyroscope sensor that can detect tilt and motion, rumble motors, wireless two way data communication with the 360, a built in Microphone for Xbox Live and voice-activated games.

"OMGMicrosoftstealingNintendoideaz!" you say? Well, yes, but as 8Bit Joystick says, it's exactly the same situation that Harmonix and Red Octane are in with their guitar technology. Gyration, the company that Nintendo has licensed the Wii technology from, issued the patents to Nintendo in 2001. However, the caveat here, apparently, is that Nintendo does not fully own the patent, creating the loophole for Microsoft and their hardware design team who are rumored to have licensed the same technology (no royalties for the win!). The rumor also states that the XBLA title from Rare that was detailed earlier this year, definitely is utilizing this new device, and may possibly be included as a pack-in when it hits stores, much like WiiSports with the Wii, or Uno with the Vision camera.

Metcalf goes on to talk about possible color schemes, pricing (likely the same price as a standard 360 controller), and more, so head over and read his interpretations on what may we may be seeing debuted at E3. I have to agree though, if true, Nintendo is in extremely dangerous territory. Being the company with a focus on the casual genre, and the unique, easy to use controller is their only real advantage right now. It's likely that by this Holiday, Microsoft will drop the price of the 360 (probably the Arcade) in the States to below that of the Wii, and if you can then get essentially the same experience, for the same or lower price, with exponentially better technology and games on 360- why wouldn't you? This will be interesting indeed. Remember though, this is a completely unsubstantiated rumor for now. This may be nothing more than some internal design testing for something that will not see the light of day until Xbox 720...or whatever that will be called.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (3)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

SaL said:

if this is true.. WOW !!

April 09, 2008

Narkjoe36 said:

I think that this internet rumor is actually true.

April 09, 2008

Duffman X18 said:

I am appalled by the comments I have seen on this site. "Melissa you are a woman. It is impossible for you to know anything about real videogames or what people want. When people see our Remote they’ll see what they want in a wii" Writes one poster. WTF is that? And everybody center their arguments on her post, and not the article. RIDICULOUS!

April 10, 2008