Topic: Wireless Controllers as Standard Next-Gen

[BlackNMild2k1]

according to GamesIndustry.biz the Xbox 2 is gonna make wireless controllers (like the Wavebird) standard on Xbox 2.

Quote
Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz this morning, developers working with prototype Xbox 2 hardware confirmed that while they have not seen final designs for the controller, Microsoft representatives have indicated that the pads will indeed be wireless.

Quote
Microsoft will be the first console manufacturer to ship wireless pads as standard with its hardware, but not the first to ship an official wireless controller; Nintendo has already enjoyed significant success with the WaveBird, its wireless pad for the GameCube.

I have been hoping that since the wavebird works so well that maybe Nintendo would also make that a standard for their next console too.  

The next question is do they do away with cords all together?
-all peripherals would then have to be wireless

Will the batteries be rechargable? (it better be)
-wavebird runs on 2 AAA

What about the rumble feature?
- 3rd party controllers for PS2 have wireless rumble with decent battery life

What about the usb connection and convergence between consoles and computers?
- Microsoft did mention that they want to make the xbox controller a standard PC controller also
-If the wireless controller can still hook up to the system through usb it could also be used to charge the battery while playing

Quote
Dean Lester, general manager for Windows graphics and gaming technologies, said future controllers will connect to the Xbox through a USB port, so that they also can be used on Windows PCs.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/173101_e3side13.html

[Pale]

I still think Nintendo may use wireless controllers for backwards compatibility.  It wouldn't be nintendo if they didn't come up with a new controller  People think that would wreck backwards compatibility, but if they make wireless the standard, we could use our wavebirds for the gamecube games.  All the would have to do is continute manufacturing a version of the gamecube controller, and new nintendo owners would only need to purchase a 25 dollar controller for backwards compatibility, which I don't think is a big deal.

[Ian Sane]

The problem with wireless as a standard is that a battery is less reliable than power from an outlet.  You either have to constantly replace batteries or remember to recharge each controller.  That's going to cause some problems.  What would be ideal is that each controller is wireless but also has a detachable cord.  The cord connects to the console like normal controllers do today.  So you can pick to play in wireless mode or if you're running low on juice you can play "old school" with wires.  And if they could make it so that the controller charges by hooking it up to the console like normal then we would really have something ideal.

[SgtShiversBen]

Well the same could be said when loading times first came onto console games.  It was, and still is, a hassle but we gamers have come to accept it.  

[BlackNMild2k1]

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
What would be ideal is that each controller is wireless but also has a detachable cord.  The cord connects to the console like normal controllers do today.  So you can pick to play in wireless mode or if you're running low on juice you can play "old school" with wires.  And if they could make it so that the controller charges by hooking it up to the console like normal then we would really have something ideal.

I also mentioned that in my post up above.
I am going to label it the "wire/less" controller

That has been my idea for a wire/less controller since I first seen how good a wavebird works.

P.s. I also heard that Pelican made a wireless controller for Xbox that last for about 300 hrs.  

[Ian Sane]

"Well the same could be said when loading times first came onto console games. It was, and still is, a hassle but we gamers have come to accept it."

No only idiots accept it.  Nintendo for example has virtually no load times in their first party games.  In fact the only Cube games where I've noticed really irritating load times are sh!tty multiplatform ports.  Load times exist because of lazy developers and lazy console makers.

So realistically Sony could release some crappy wireless controller that needs to be recharged every hour and odds are most people would accept it.  But I wouldn't and I would be very disappointed if a Nintendo wireless controller had such a flaw in it.

[SgtShiversBen]

Yeah I've noticed that about loading times.  The games that I love like FZero and all that goodness don't have any loading times.  Yet when they do, people complain about it.  And we can thankfully say that Nintendo hasn't released a wireless controller with a horrible flaw (although it is missing rumble, who cares).

[nickmitch]

Rumble really feels funny after you haven't used it in a while.
I like the detachable wire idea but I'd make it retractable so that you won't loose track of it.
All you'd have to do is pull it out, plug it in, and push a little button it winds back up in to the controller.

[BlackNMild2k1]

That sound like a good idea in theory but it might make the controller a little off balance and heavy.

And what if you hit the retractor button on accident and pull your console off your shelf or  your controller out of your hands?

[Ian Sane]

"And what if you hit the retractor button on accident and pull your console off your shelf or your controller out of your hands?"

Yeah that would suck.  I was thinking it would add to the cost of the controller itself and due to the mechanics of it would be susceptible to breaking down over time.  But accidently damaging your console is an even better reason.

Though I do like the idea in theory.  I just don't think it would work out all that well.

[Savior]

I wont mind Wireless controlers.. Once you try Wavebird, you never go back

[diiskrej]

Something makes me think that a retracable cord could not pull 5 pounds or more of console weight.... Unless dev's are thinking of doubling it as some sort of rock climbing equipment or grapling hook! Maybe thats the revolution!

[Grant10k]

Quote
...doubling it as some sort of rock climbing equipment or [grappling] hook! Maybe thats the revolution!

If every revo controller came with a grappling hook with a winch or whatever, I would renounce my religion in favor of Nintendism. That would be SO cool. I live on a 3rd floor apartment so I'd use my revo-grapple at least twice a day, however I think batman games would sell worse if everyone already had a grappling hook in real life.

[vudu]

Have you guys thought the retractable cord thing though the whole way?

That's going to make for some Xbox-sized controllers.  Unless you're thinking it detaches at the controller and retracts into the console; in that case, it's going to make for an Xbox-sized console.  It's a lose-lose situation.

Plus, what happens if the cord is attached to the console permanently and your dog chews through it?  How much of a pain is it going to be to replace?  Not to mention the extra cost of having 4 cords a part of the console.  Those people who don't play multiplayer are going to have to pay for something they won't even use.

The only way it could be retractable is to have it as part of the controller, in which case only this man will be able to wield one.

If you want to go with the wire/less controller, the only way it could feasibly be done correctly would be to have the cord detach from both the console and the controller.

[ThePerm]

also the extra cord is only a backup.....you should be expected to recharge your controller....and also...wouldnt it make sense that the controller would also charge if plugged into the sytem?

[Spak-Spang]

I like this idea with the controller cords for recharge and backup.  Too often you just don't have enough cord to surround 4 people comfortablly around a room.  Everyone deserves to sit on the sofa and play, not just one or two people.

[RickPowers]

For the record, the current Xbox's controllers are, in fact, USB ... they're just wired backwards with funky connectors.

As for wireless controllers being standard, I think this is very likely.  Unless Nintendo wants to milk the fanboys for wired controllers first.