Rumor: X360 motion sensing controller by winter, codenamed Newton

by Xav de Matos { Apr 9th 2008 at 10:00AM }

According to Jake Metcalf, the blogger who first broke the Bungie / Microsoft split, the Xbox 360 will see its rumored motion sensing controller by the end of this year. The controller, codenamed "Newton" as in Newtonian Physics relating to gravity, inertia and acceleration, uses licensed patents from Gyration, makers of the 3D mouse and co-developer of technology used in Nintendo's Wii remote and the Guitar Hero controller (Patents 5898421 and 5440326).

Citing internal sources in Microsoft's hardware division, Metcalf describes the Newton as being powered by an USB LED sensor bar and having, "an LED sensor on the front accelerometer and gyroscope ... that can detect tilt and motion, rumble motors, wireless two way data communication with the 360 [and includes] a built in Microphone for Xbox Live and voice-activated games."

In January we broke the news that Rare was developing an Xbox Live Arcade game, titled The Fast and the Furriest, which purportedly features "a wand type input device for gesture recognition." The rumored Newton seems to fit the bill nicely for the title and may release along side the peripheral with an included download code, according to Metcalf. At the end of his lengthy post, Metcalf reiterates his confidence in his source and promises that if the Microsoft branded Wii remote-like device isn't out by the end of the year he will donate his Nintendo Wii to charity.

If the rumors end up being true, gamers shouldn't be surprised. With the popularity of the Nintendo Wii reaching a large segment of, traditionally, non-gamers, the market has opened-up considerably. With Microsoft's recent work to clear hardware shortage issues and Nintendo's constant sell-out rate, an Xbox 360 style Wii-mote could end up being a smart move and then it will be a matter of time before a new Arcade SKU is released that includes the rumored controller.

Tags: accessories, motion-sensing, peripherals

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

stinger503 @ Apr 9th 2008 10:11AM

The prospects of this for the 360 are good. Imagine an Xbox 360 "Sports" with heavily updated graphics and Xbox Live support.

JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 9th 2008 10:53AM

MS Sports - Dealing with Angry RRODERS in Microsoft Customer Service Department.

adam @ Apr 9th 2008 10:14AM

This isnt gonna make a diffrence sales for two reasons.

1.Nobody associates the 360 as a motion sensing family friendly console.Just like no one associates xbox with jrpgs thats why it sells shit in japan.

2.The majority of games wont even use this.It will be used as much in game development as the eye toy was on the ps2.

Game developers dont push games off of add on periphriels becuase the chances of people purchasing this garbage is slim.

There not gonna release this microsoft isnt that stupid "well i sure hope they arent"

Vcize @ Apr 9th 2008 10:59AM

^^ winner

OrionnoirO @ Apr 9th 2008 10:15AM

Like Stinger said... I know when this news hit, alot of people were ripping on it, but I dont know.. A LARGE part of what makes the Wii as popular as it is, is its decent motion controls. If Microsoft could successfully integrate a motion control system similar to the Wii, into a system that has great online, a vast selection of games, and now motion control as well as standard controls, I think it could potentially shake things up. Imagine if they then patch up the games already on Arcade and disc, to allow this as a control method.. Marble Blast Ultra would be great with this, shmups, Pac-Man CE, I would think even N+ might be interesting with it... Lots of potential applications, not to mention new games designed with it in mind... I just wonder if there will be a way to use it with existing FPS games such as Halo 3, CoD4, and RSV2... Doubtful, I dont know how that would work without at least a nunchuk type attachment, but would be awesome I have to say ;p

Deck @ Apr 9th 2008 11:12AM

The problem is.. I DON'T WANT TO use it. I am not a Wii fan, and do not particularly like the motion controls. I prefer my regular XBOX360 controller.

Most likely games wont even adapt to this technology on the 360 for the most part because it is a 3rd party unit which people don't buy all that much of I don't believe.

Its just my opinion that the 360 should stop trying to get into the "Wii Market" because they obviously are not there, not going to get there and by trying to do so there is potential for screwing things up in the process. (Sure, highly unlikely but its there).

adam @ Apr 9th 2008 10:23AM

Im sure if they do this there not gonna release it without some sort of nun chuck setup.They will want to integrate this into all software otherwise its useless.

Anticrawl @ Apr 9th 2008 10:32AM

The Newton codename has been floating around for a while now.

Richard Mitchell @ Apr 9th 2008 11:17AM

MS idea man: "Let's name it after a crappy PDA!"

Captain Obvious @ Apr 9th 2008 11:45AM

Oh, Richard. If any TUAW readers happen to stumble over to x360f, you're going to get some flack for that comment. You know how much-loved their Newton was. I mean IS.

Anticrawl @ Apr 9th 2008 12:04PM

Haha, I totally forgot about said PDA, good times.. not really.

oomlop @ Apr 9th 2008 10:39AM

I actually like the idea, the Xbox needs more games besides having mainly FPSs. I want to buy a Wii but Xbox Live is the best online service by far even though it doesn't have Microsoft dedicated server support in most of its games.

baby sea tuna @ Apr 9th 2008 10:51AM

"I actually like the idea, the Xbox needs more games besides having mainly FPSs."

Please continue typing like you have any idea what in the hell you're talking about...

JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 9th 2008 10:56AM

Baby, stop being such a Grammar-Nazi, will ya.Everybody makes a mistake or two once in a while.

baby sea tuna @ Apr 9th 2008 11:01AM

Yeah, and his mistake was saying that all the 360 has is first-person shooters.

If I wanted to pick apart some post's grammar, that wouldn't be the one I'd start with.

J @ Apr 9th 2008 11:29AM

Actually I think this could work really well with FPS's... using Metroid as a guide. It was a really good start, anyway.

Knight Marquise @ Apr 9th 2008 2:27PM

@jacobK666

Perhaps you should practice a little reading comprehension. BST wasn't referring to grammar, but the FUD that all the 360 has are FPS.

Back on topic...

I'm sure this is a good move for Microsoft, however, I personally have no intention of purchasing it for myself, nor any desire to have motion sensing in my games. That's just not a feature I care for, although I can see my wife and kids going bananas for it, which, I guess upon reflection, will result in several purchases.

*sigh*

Tony @ Apr 9th 2008 10:40AM

I don't think the nunchuck really matters what MS is aiming for.

But beyond that, I don't think we can think about this in the typical way and it certainly doesn't matter what MS does in the past if they market it properly. That's going to be the real key.

Beyond that, this is potentially a trojan horse. There's millions of 360s out there. Every one of us has a friend, girlfriend, boyfriend or relative that won't play these games but would be far more open to some sort of Wii-esque experience. Suddenly there's millions of people interested in a system they've always had access to and never gave a second look to before.

Word of mouth could certainly build from there, much like it did with the Wii. There was some poll recently that showed only like 5% of people own multiple consoles... if my girlfriend loved the Wii, would I be more likely to plop $250 down or $50 down at this stage? I've already bought a 360. Of course this assumes they make any fun titles for it that really capture the point of motion sensing, something not even many Wii titles do.

The news on this from MTV made a point that the materials talked about how easy it would be to port Wii titles. Put Carnival Games on there and you have a best seller instantly (I can't see why the developer would not want to). Hell, if MS courts Hudson they could port over Deca Sports too and the 360 would suddenly have an answer to Wii Sports too.

There's a lot of possibilities there. While I'd rather they did something entirely new, I can't exactly fault them for trying this either. I just hope the games turn out OK. Maybe it will flop and maybe it'll never release, who knows... but from a marketing perspective it makes a lot of sense.

Gemini Ace @ Apr 9th 2008 10:41AM

The only thing that worries me is the fact that Rare is developing the software. Nintendo develops awesome software for the Wii. That's why you get it.

Raheem @ Apr 9th 2008 10:51AM

adam have you ever worked in the games industry? EyeToys were huge here (UK).

adam @ Apr 9th 2008 11:14AM

The eyetoy was a gimmick at best it was garbage.It was an inacurate piece of shit that should have been dumped into the firey pits of hell.It doesnt take alot to interest people in the uk anyway hell you guys are buying ps3's lol

Not to take a shot at you or anything but i had a eye toy and it was weak it was the fucking powerglove for christ sakes.

Microsoft uses the camera right not trying to push games with motion camera bullshit.They use it for simply video application like in burnout when it takes a reaction shot etc.

As far as asking me if im a game developer.I would take advice from a consumer any day over a game developer.You start taking advice from game developers and you get shovelware.The consumer is who keeps them on there toes.

ceej989 @ Apr 9th 2008 10:54AM

I agree with palindrome man, I'd welcome a new piece of hardware, so long as it'll work with older games and actually come out with new and interesting games for it.
Now where's my dlc for Scene-it damn it! Or at least new games that use the big button controller. I needs more quiz games!!

baby sea tuna @ Apr 9th 2008 10:54AM

PLEEEEEEEASE Microsoft, don't make this!!

Regardless of how well it sells, the Wii is a piece of shit. Please do not aspire to be a similar piece of shit. Be proud of what you are, which is the (current) best console on the market. Don't fuck that up by playing the "me too!" game.

Vcize @ Apr 9th 2008 10:58AM

Completely useless.

Paulo Eifel @ Apr 9th 2008 11:05AM

Well actually I like the idea but that thing is absolutely USELESS without a "nunchuck".. Just imgaine the possibilities..FPS`s in HD, Online on XBL AND with motion control! I`m all in for that! Cheers

ChuckD @ Apr 9th 2008 11:13AM

No. No. No no no no no. Make this go away. No one wants this. This will totally muck up the 360. Dammit, no. End this now Microsoft. Kill this thing.

ceej989 @ Apr 9th 2008 11:14AM

if they give us choices to have a different controller, what's the problem with that? Broadening their market and having more developers jump in would only help the 360....unless they make total shit games
Let's see if they can pull it off, I'm down for whatever, just no PS3 Home nonsense

joey @ Apr 9th 2008 11:30AM

I have a feeling there will be truck loads of XBLA games supporting it (Cashing in) very shortly. It's great for casual gaming and MS can really push LIVE. But then again, if this is meant to compete with the Wii, as mentioned in the article, MS will have to push the Arcade SKU. Which means you can't have too many XBLA Games. So what's the deal MS?

Trekster_Gamer @ Apr 9th 2008 11:58AM

I think this is a great idea. I am not a fan of the Wii but I did play a freinds with the sports pack in and it was really fun with the remote. I would pay good money to see next gen graphics applied to the same type of sports pack on the 360, so I will NEVER be forced to look at the dated mediocre sports found on the Wii.

decapit8 @ Apr 9th 2008 12:24PM

umm... id like to play GTAIV with some motion controls.

my girlfriend walks in on me pretending to swing a baseball bat and looks at the tv to see me beating some old womans dead body.

it would be worth it.

Josh @ Apr 9th 2008 12:23PM

wow, if they are making it, its a new low.

skrilla @ Apr 9th 2008 12:44PM

lol new low for microsoft??? i have two words for you...Internet Explorer...

RedSonRising @ Apr 9th 2008 12:33PM

well.. duh... a 36tiimote is the best thing that could happen to the xbox since achievements.. between bluray rumors and wiimote clones the xbox would have no downsides.. more power than the wii, more games than ps3:

its.... perfect.

oomlop @ Apr 9th 2008 1:59PM

Don't get me wrong I love the Xbox just the way it is but if they added a Wii-type-controller it would bring a whole other group of people to the Xbox making it even more successful than it already is.

By the way the Wii is a very good system. Your probably just a person that doesn't like to have fun with games and wants to be serious all the time.

Knight Marquise @ Apr 9th 2008 2:29PM

...or he could be a person that believe when he purchases a "next gen" system, the graphics ought to reflect that and be on par with other "next gen" systems.

But what do I know.

zldaphreek @ Apr 9th 2008 4:22PM

honestly... if this thing hits, I'm selling my 360. if Microsoft has to resort to copyright infringement, I think I'll be better off buying a PS3 and playing games on that. seriously. the Wii rocks, so I guess I can see where some jealousy would arise, but that doesn't mean you have to kick your company's creativity out the window. the xb360 has been a powerhouse up until now. Microsoft doesn't need to steal ideas to keep this going. just maybe grow some balls and come up with their own stuff

Xav de Matos @ Apr 9th 2008 4:24PM

zldaphreek @ Apr 9th 2008 4:27PM

ya. the wii.

Xav de Matos @ Apr 9th 2008 4:28PM

"The controller, codenamed "Newton" as in Newtonian Physics relating to gravity, inertia and acceleration, uses licensed patents from Gyration, makers of the 3D mouse and co-developer of technology used in Nintendo's Wii remote and the Guitar Hero controller (Patents 5898421 and 5440326)."

Meaning no infringement.

zldaphreek @ Apr 9th 2008 4:34PM

point taken. but have you seen the pictures for it? at least come up with something a little more original looking

SharpBlade @ Apr 9th 2008 5:10PM

While I don't see this as being a terrible idea I do not have a lot of faith in it.

Anybody here own a Vision Camera?? You see how that alternate input device has been supported by devs and MS. They released 2 games for it, both incredibly lame in both creativity and function. I will be damned if I drop more money to MS and they make 2 games and then drop it like the Vision camera. At least with the Vision it can serve for video chatting so it's not a total waste, while this Newton would be a garbage toss.

MS has bigger issues to deal with like the DRM complaints, non-standard HDD in each system and of course the RROD. These problems have not gone away despite MS trying to ignore them out of existence. I know MS is a big company and can do both but after 2 years on the market WHAT IS THE HOLD UP?

I also wonder if this will shift MS's first party focus to waggle games. The 360 has a pretty sorry first party lineup compared to their biggest rival Sony. Now are there going to be even less first party resources to make quality HD games that actually match what Sony has coming?

And lastly they mention Wii ports. Why again do I want to play Wii games on my 60" HDtv again? I would hope they would get an HD upgrade but the Wii's strongest titles are first party and most of the rest is shovelware and the 360 doesn't need that.

Go ahead and do this MS but if your "core" hardcore gamers are neglected you will be doing more harm than good.