Xbox 360 Controller to be Longhorn Compatible

**coltde420** · 04-27-2005

At the Microsoft Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2005, Microsoft has revealed that the Xbox 360 controller will be compatible with the next version of the Windows operating system, code-named "Longhorn".

Senior Vice President and head of the Windows Client Business unit Will Poole revealed at the event that Longhorn will support natively the next generation game controller. Back at 2004's GDC, Microsoft announced it will develop a common controller reference design and unify input APIs and button standards across multiple platforms.

XNA will also allow other hardware manufacturers to develop cross-platform game peripherals and input devices.

I wonder why they would do that.
http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/8134/X...rn-Compatible/

**siren** · 04-27-2005

PC Game development and sales have started to go down recently in comparision to the console side of business.

Microsoft has recognized the advantages of both platforms.

PC is a lot more powerful and flexible than a console
Console is easier to develop for and simplier for users

Microsoft view is that they have a game console which is currently #2 in the world for games. They also have a OS that is #1 in the world for games.

They have leveraged the OS side of things to bring tools and technologies to the console that were never there before. This has benefited them greatly in the console market. It is probably the only real reason they managed to sell what systems they did. (without the easier development they probably would not have gotten nearly as many 3rd parties on board).

Now they are bringing the console's concept of a default controller over to the PC. Yea the PC has a keyboard and mouse, but these are not the best control systems for Fighting games, RPGs, and Racing games. By creating a default controller and having it be the identical controller that will be in Millions of gamers houses already with Xbox2, they will once again open up the PC market to these types of games.

Thus one could argue that MS will have 2 platforms in the gaming race.

**Makaveli_786** · 04-27-2005

A few reasons really, PC and Xbox 360 gamers should be able to play with each other and its going to increase the amount of game peripherals being developed for the PC which will ensure PC gaming doesn't die.

**Epsilon-Zero** · 04-27-2005

because all the controlers can use wires and are USB. the current xbox controelrs use USB also. I even made a xbox to USB adaptor for it pretty easily.

Basicly this gives more fuctionality to controlers. MS saw that people were making adaptors for game console controlers so they thought why not make them work on PC natively with no adaptors. People that dont have an xbox360 but want a nice controler for their PC could now just go pickup one from the store and play. Also friends of people that have a xbox360 would have reason to go buy their own controler because it will at least give them functionality on their pc and then play with their friends on the xbox when they can.

**coltde420** · 04-27-2005

Arent the Xbox 360 supposed to be wireless though? How is that going to factor in with working with a desktop.

**siren** · 04-27-2005

PC's already have ton of wireless options available. Everything from IR to WiFi.

**Makaveli_786** · 04-27-2005

And you could easily take a wireless controller and make it USB, I hope Xbox 360 controls are RF rather than IR.

**MiThRaZoR** · 04-28-2005

Well, that Longhorn OS is pretty tite. My cousin has it although it's still in beta. It looks tite I just haven't tried it.

Would the Windows 98 and Windows programs itself work on Longhorn?

But yeah, it's a good thing they did it, because they are taking care of the future right now instead of later.

**Cedric** · 04-28-2005

Ive been seeing on websites that Longhorn isnt all that its cracked up to be.

**Makaveli_786** · 04-28-2005

There's a lot more to come but from what I've heard MS have totally ripped off Apple's new OS, the folder and search features are the only ones that have been announced and theyr exactly the same as the features in Mac OS X Tiger

**siren** · 04-28-2005

And exactly the same features MS announced and showed off back in 2001.

The UI features in OSX also strangely resemble several 3d UI design concepts from back in 1999 up on research.microsoft.com

So, when is apple going support all of those cool new things across over 200,000 different pieces of hardware (some of which haven't even been invented yet). In any possible combination?

http://news.com.com/Developer+calls+...3-5250692.html

**Epsilon-Zero** · 05-02-2005

everybody seen Pirates of Silicon valley? great movie and shows there isnt any rules to copying other peoples ideas

**Makaveli_786** · 05-02-2005

Originally Posted by siren

And exactly the same features MS announced and showed off back in 2001.

The UI features in OSX also strangely resemble several 3d UI design concepts from back in 1999 up on research.microsoft.com

So, when is apple going support all of those cool new things across over 200,000 different pieces of hardware (some of which haven't even been invented yet). In any possible combination?

http://news.com.com/Developer+calls+...3-5250692.html

Did you notice where it said "one develop says", the whole industry agrees MS ripped off Apple and they've been doing it for years and one dude comes along and everything changes?

That dude was probably you too, I'm only kidding but the whole industry has said MS ripped off Apple's OS, back in 2001 the idea's were barely scratched and they were just basic idea's, thats all, now the plans for them have become much more detailed and they resemble exaclty what Apple have done with Tiger, anyway Apple never cease to amaze, they did it with the ipod, with the mac mini, with the 30 inch display with the highest res and best picture you can buy and theyr doing it with Tiger OS X, theyr not like MS, they'll deliver if they said so, nobody believed them when they said Ipod would change the world and you can easily say they stole the idea from Sony who make MP3 players but its about being a winner, while MS are sititng on their backsides Apple are putting out OS's which generate queues starting in one country and ending in the third.

**muchuukuri** · 05-03-2005

Haha... did you ever see the banners Apple had up when they showed off tiger for the first time?? I honestly fell on the floor laughing, honest to God.

So you can laugh to:
http://www.macminute.com/2004/06/27/tigerbanners

Anyway, there actually ARE rules to copying ideas, it's called the "Patent". Though, honestly it isn't really USED that way now-a-days... it's more for strongarming competition, but that's an issue for another board... the situation back then was just one of those things where everything clicked, allowing M$ to seize (sp?) a chance to do what they did... now-a-days it's very different, companies are MUCH smarter about things... for instnance ever seen similar OS to OSX?? Or the docking station? No. They're patented... you need to license the dock image from apple... that's why things like yz dock are illegal.

**JDawg5000** · 01-04-2007

Nyko Technologies unveiled the PlayStation 3 version of their Zero line of Controllers. The controller will also be shown at this years Consumer Electronics show in Las vegas, Nevada. The Zero combines state-of-the-art design and wireless technology to create a wholly unique and innovative controller experience.

“The Zero for the PlayStation 2 was a hit with gamers and we’re extremely excited to bring the line to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360,” said Chris Arbogast, marketing manager at Nyko Technologies, Inc. “Next-generation gaming is all about performance and the Zero line of controllers has been built specifically with that in mind. No matter what platform you use, the Zero line of controllers will have you gaming at a higher level.”

The Zero Controller will be available in the first quarter of 2007 for a suggested retail price of around $49.99.

**Rebon** · 01-04-2007

Good spot Jamie. I added in some extra information and made a few minor edits. Try to look a 1-2 different sources (if available) and include all useful information on a story.

Nyko unveil their line of 'Zero' PS3 controllers
Added on 04/01/2007.

Nyko Technologies unveiled today the PlayStation 3 version of their Zero line of controllers.

The controller will be shown at next week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las vegas, Nevada. The Zero features 2.4 GHz wireless technology, heat-dissipating aluminum panels, backlit buttons, and has a unique ergonomic design. It is powered by a rechargable battery pack and comes with a USB charging cable.

“The Zero for the PlayStation 2 was a hit with gamers and we’re extremely excited to bring the line to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360,” said Chris Arbogast, marketing manager at Nyko Technologies, Inc. “Next-generation gaming is all about performance and the Zero line of controllers has been built specifically with that in mind. No matter what platform you use, the Zero line of controllers will have you gaming at a higher level.”

The Zero Controller will be available in the first quarter of 2007 for a suggested retail price of around $49.99.