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The Joypad is a place to find all the latest Joypad and Controller News. Part of the
DCEmu Homebrew & Gaming Network.
THE LATEST NEWS BELOW
18:44
July 3rd, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Activision has told our sister site Eurogamer.net that DJ Hero, which costs over GBP 100 in the UK, represents "tremendous value".
"We don't comment on our product pricing strategies," said the publisher. "However, we believe that DJ Hero will provide tremendous value for our consumers by delivering an all-new interactive music experience with over 100 individual songs that are highlighted in over 80 unique mixes, a wide variety of music from some of the biggest artists including Jay-Z, Eminem, Benny Benassi, Gwen Stefani and Black Eyed Peas among others."
Retailers outed the suggested GBP 107.99 retail price for DJ Hero earlier this week. The price is a significant mark-up for the Hero series, which has traditionally asked for around GBP 70 for each Guitar Hero game and peripheral.
Online retailer ShopTo claims DJ Hero will be released on November 13 for PS3, Wii and Xbox 360.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...emendous-value
18:53
July 1st, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
UK retailer ShopTo has told our sister site Eurogamer.net that Activision has tagged DJ Hero with a suggested retail price of GBP 107.99.
The retailer will actually be pricing the game and peripheral for GBP 94.85, although that's still a significant mark-up on Activision's Guitar Hero title in the UK, which launched for GBP 70 with peripheral.
DJ Hero will only cost US consumers USD 120, according to GameStop - which translates to around GBP 73.
HMV, which offers DJ Hero for GBP 99.99, told Eurogamer it is "going with its own price on this". Other local retailers are yet to set a firm price.
Last week, Activision CEO Mike Griffiths told GamesIndustry.biz that he considers DJ Hero to be a key title in expanding the business in European regions.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ith-GBP108-rrp
22:44
June 24th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Want to make your game system or computer less convenient, but infinitely more awesome? X-Arcade has announced that "in celebration of its hometown Pittsburgh Penguins recent Stanley Cup Victory," it is offering a version of its X-Arcade Mame Cabinet for $799, down from its usual $999. That's a great deal (relative to the normal cost)!
The cabinet includes a 2-player X-Arcade stick, though if you're crazy enough to buy this kind of stuff, you'll probably want to swap out your own Sanwa sticks and buttons. You'll need to provide your own game system or PC, your own monitor (or add one for $425), and your own speakers, unless you use a TV with speakers. Of course, with your all-Rush mixtape, you won't even need arcade audio.
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/24/yo...-slightly-les/
17:31
June 23rd, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
The Gamebone is an external gamepad for the iPhone platform that hopes to add buttons (and therefore gaming cred) to the buttonless devices, but we're just not confident it's been fully thought through.
http://gizmodo.com/5300394/gamebone-...-iphone-gaming
17:17
June 23rd, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
We've already seen both the black (or kuro) Wii and blue Wii remote and nunchuck in the form of promotional photos, but it looks like both braved the trip to this past weekend's World Hobby Fair, where they were on display for all to see, but not touch. As you might expect, there aren't a ton of surprises but, as Joystiq notes, the contrast between the glossy and matte portions on the Wiimote and nunchuck is much more noticeable on the black version (pictured after the break), and the black Classic Controller Pro also looks like it has an extra coat of gloss compared to the white version. Unfortunately, it looks like Nintendo is still saving word of a release date 'round these parts for another day.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/22/b...-behind-glass/
17:12
June 23rd, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Got a knack for fighting titles? Have a particular fondness for Tekken? If so, you definitely shouldn't be playing with a stock controller, and that's exactly why Hori has crafted the beauty you're inevitably peering at above. The stick, which will ship as part of a Tekken 6 Wireless Fight Stick Bundle bundle, will be made available soon for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 (shown after the break), and according to our pals over at Joystiq, it'll be on sale at a variety of respected retailers for $150. Said MSRP also includes a collectible art book and a pinch of pride, which totally justifies the somewhat steep asking price. Right? Right.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/23/h...d-way-to-burn/
17:41
June 22nd, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
18:08
June 21st, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Homebuilt motion controllers may be a fairly common occurrence these days -- especially with the Wiimote simplifying things considerably -- but this so-called "PC VR Game Gun" takes a slightly different approach than most, and has the added benefit of a pitchman firmly committed to selling it as the greatest thing since ShamWow. As you can see above, the rig consists of a toy gun with an LCD screen attached to it, but the real secret is a Gyration Air Mouse mounted on top, which allows for some full, seemingly responsive motion-tracking in any PC game. To really finish things off, our fearless modder also ripped apart a gamepad and wired it up to the trigger in the gun, which turns out to be just the thing for playing F.E.A.R.... on the highest difficulty setting. Must-see video after the break.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/21/d...tional-mullet/
21:41
June 19th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Undeniably, Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch have become major players in the mobile gaming market. It seems like every developer under the sun is working on iPhone / iPod game of some kind. There are lots of games out there, and a rising number of them are pretty good, but the iPhone / iPod has thus far been devoid of another major aspect of the game industry: Third-party peripherals. Until now, that is. With the release of iPhone 3.0 firmware, Apple now mentions "Third-party Game Accessories" on the iPod Touch software update page.
The iPod and iPhone already have a huge accessories market, and we're sure that there are plenty of companies looking to carve a new niche with gaming accessories. There are no details regarding what sorts of accessories are on the way, but we'd say some more traditional input devices are a pretty safe bet.
We'll tell you one thing, we can't wait to see what Nyko has cooking.
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/19/ga...-with-buttons/
20:22
June 19th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
While far from being a confirmation, major online retailers Gamestop and Amazon have independently of one another put up listings for the DJ Hero / turntable bundle with the same October 27th ship date and $119.99 price tag for Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 owners -- the PS2 version is either the same price or $20 cheaper, depending on which site you trust. That's a good $70 less than the two-instrument Guitar Hero World Tour package, but of course you're paying for a more single-player setup. Again, we haven't heard word one from Activision, and with over four months until this supposed date, things are likely subject to change (assuming these even came from the publisher in the first place, and weren't just magically pulled out of a large, black cap with frilly edges). We wouldn't be surprised to see this being the final price, though, and either way, it serves as a nagging reminder that the life of a fake plastic musician doesn't come cheap.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/18/d...7th-ship-date/
21:48
June 18th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Third-party wireless guitar controllers for the Xbox 360 have been disappointingly hard to come by to date, but Logitech has now come to the rescue with a new Guitar Hero-licensed controller that's similar to its PS3 and PS2 offerings, with the exception of being orange, and Xbox 360-compatible. Otherwise, you can expect the same wood neck, rosewood fingerboard, and metal frets as before, along with a touch-sensitive slider on the neck, strum bar and fret buttons that are "virtually silent," and a promised range of 30 feet. Unfortunately, the guitar also packs the same hefty $199 price tag as its PS3 counterpart, but if that's not too big a deterrent, you can look forward to picking up one of these up in August. Head on past the break for a quick video overview.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/18/l...-for-xbox-360/
02:00
June 18th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Looking for something a little more in your HTPC keyboard than just a multitouch trackpad? Then how about a built-in 3D mouse that'll have you waving the keyboard around at some potential peril to your couch-mates? That's just one feature of Cideko's new Air Keyboard, which also packs a pair of gamepad-style shoulder buttons in place of more standard mouse buttons, all the usua; dedicated media control buttons, and a promised range of 50 meters -- not to mention a purported battery life of 50 hours. Still no word on a price or release date just yet, unfortunately but it looks like a fully-functional version was on display at Computex earlier this month, so we're guessing that shouldn't be too far off now.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/17/c...emote-control/
20:10
June 15th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
As we previously reported, Sega and Hori are teaming up for the Virtual On player's dream peripheral. In Japan, the two firms will make available a specially designed Twin Sticks device for the Xbox Live Arcade version of Virtual On Oratorio Tangram. Over the weekend, they provided a first look at the device.
For those who are unfamiliar, Twin Sticks is the name given to the controller configuration that's used with the Virtual On series. In the arcade version, players control their mechs with two levers. As anyone who's actually piloted a mech will tell you, this is the most realistic control method, as it allows you to easily keep an eye on your opponent while freely moving about in all directions.
Home versions of the Virtual On games have offered control schemes adapted to standard controllers, but in the past Sega has usually also released a special Twin Sticks device to mimic the arcade version's controls. This was unlikely for the XLA version of the game, as a special peripheral for a download-only title is pretty much unheard of.
Sure enough, the announcement of the Xbox 360 peripheral, formally known as Twin Sticks EX, came with a catch. The device will be sold for 30,000 yen, or around $300 US. That's about the same price as a fully equipped Xbox 360 console over there. Furthermore, the device is pre-order only, and if Hori does not get enough pre-orders, it will cancel production.
So what will your $300 get you?
Sega and Hori note that the device uses lever parts from arcade parts maker Sanwa Denshi along with technology that Hori has used for its Real Arcade series of arcade sticks.
The device is wired, and probably can't be used for most other Xbox 360 games, but at the very least it has a headset jack so players can chat with friends while they play.
Assuming the device goes into production (those in Japan can support the cause by place a pre-order through the Hori Store site), buyers will get their sticks on November 12.
Would you pay $300 for a special Twin Sticks peripheral? Not that anything like this has a chance of coming out in America, but let us know what you think in the comments section.
http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/994/994726p1.html
16:54
June 15th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Hillcrest Labs has taken a few moments away from its bitter patent dispute with Nintendo to finally release its $99 Loop controller, a Freespace mouse intended primarily for use by those with some sort of HTPC setup. It's the latest in bangle-inspired design, sporting four buttons and a scroll wheel, compatibility with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems, and lacking any sort of chunky sensor bars or the like, detecting hand movements to glide the cursor across the screen. We hear it also makes a great accessory for geek-chic parties.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/15/h...and-ouroboros/
20:42
June 12th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
With guitar support already confirmed for DJ Hero, the newest addition to Activision's gaming setlist could now return the favour, with Guitar Hero developer Neversoft revealing its desire to build the turntable controller into the GH experience.
"We've worked with [DJ Hero creator FreeStyleGames], talked to them about the game for a couple of years now, looked at different builds and played it," GH director Brian Bright told Eurogamer TV. "We would love to integrate in the future."
Bright admitted, however, that release dates did not allow the team to include the option in the latest major Guitar Hero update. "Unfortunately for Guitar Hero 5, we ship a few months before they do. [But] we'd love to explore instrument compatibility in the future; we'll see where it goes."
Asked whether turntable control would be introduced to Guitar Hero, FreeStyleGames studio boss Kevin McSherry teased: "That sounds like a great idea!"
McSherry also explained how guitar play came to be included in DJ Hero. "When we started putting guitar and rock tracks into the mix, they sounded good but it felt that there was something natural missing," he explained.
"The piece came when we worked out a way to keep a guitar track in its entirety and mix in a DJ set to it. So you get a truly authentic Guitar Hero experience and a truly authentic DJ Hero experience within the same mix."
As to whether future instalments of DJ Hero will add in support for drums, McSherry wasn't ruling anything out: "We're open to what the future might bring."
Guitar Hero 5's out on PS2, PS3, Wii and Xbox 360 this September, with DJ Hero following on the same formats in October.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ne...control-for-gh
17:30
June 11th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
[Alan] isn’t very good at guitar. He says so himself. He’s not that great at guitar hero either. Was that medium difficulty? Let’s put aside his skill to talk about his controller. He has fused the guitar hero controller with a real guitar. The original guitar has retained its functionality, though the controller bits may get in the way if he jams really hard. With a flip of the switch, it turns into a guitar hero controller. You simply press the strings down at the frets where the buttons should be, while strumming the controller part.
http://hackaday.com/2009/06/10/real-guitar-guitar-hero/
17:23
June 11th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
There's something vaguely reminiscent of vintage sci fi in this new remote from Monster, but there's not nearly enough of that something to make the design palatable in any way.
http://gizmodo.com/5286931/monster-m...denberry-blind
17:35
June 9th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
With the only console hardware announcement of the week, PSP Go, thoroughly leaked well ahead of the show, this year's E3 has had one obvious focus - peripherals. Each company had plenty of impressive software to show - there's little to choose between Sony and Microsoft on this front, and it would take a particularly churlish gamer to find too much fault even with Nintendo's line-up, which was far more crowd-pleasing than in previous years. But it wasn't software that was the real battleground in this year's briefings - it was accessories.
Blame Rock Band, Wii Fit and perhaps even SingStar. The runaway success of such heavily accessory-dependent games in recent years has overturned decades of standard industry logic which places strict limits on the success of almost any peripheral that's not bundled with the console itself. Suddenly, it seems that every living room is bristling with plastic instruments - and over 15 million households, it transpires, have hopped onto a Wii Fit board to try and shed a few pounds. At this rate, the Wii Fit balance board will surpass the peak installed base of the original Xbox or the GameCube by early next year.
Is it any wonder, then, that E3 teems with peripherals? Plastic gadgets and gizmos are everywhere. At Microsoft's conference alone, the first few presentations introduced us to new Rock Band Beatles instruments and a new skating controller, pimped onstage by Tony Hawk, which looks set to absolutely destroy carpets, polished floors and damage deposits up and down the country when it launches.
The award for the most ridiculous gadget of the show, of course, has to go to Nintendo's Wii Vitality Sensor, a peculiar thimble which, when placed on your finger, relays your pulse back to the console. I could see a more robust version of the hardware working as part of a future, more intensive product in the Wii Fit line; Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata, however, talked at some length about its potential as a relaxation device, hypothesising about games which measure your pulse to help you unwind or even fall asleep. Industry pundits have learned in recent years that betting against Nintendo's crazy ideas isn't a profitable business, but this one feels a little too absurd to work. On past form, it'll probably sell millions anyway.
Stars of the week, however, were a different class of peripheral - motion controllers. Here, Nintendo's game-changing influence on the entire industry has never been more clear, with both Microsoft and Sony devoting huge chunks of their presentations to showing off the technology which, they hope, will leapfrog Nintendo's Wiimote and beat the Kyoto-based firm at its own (hugely profitable) game.
Hundreds of thousands of words have already been expended on attempting to work out the relative advantages and disadvantages of Sony's motion sensor and Microsoft's Project Natal. Although both are squarely aimed at Nintendo's market share, these efforts have many significant differences. Sony has opted for a method which uses controllers; Microsoft's Natal eschews the controller entirely, favouring gestures and voice commands.
Leaving aside arguments over which technology is "better" - arguments largely prosecuted by people who haven't actually used either, and thus utterly pointless - there are a number of important commercial points which need to be made about the two different systems.
Firstly, Sony's copies something more than Nintendo's focus on motion control - it also copies a big chunk of Nintendo's design ethos and business strategy. The Sony approach is distinctly low-tech, relying on repurposing tried and tested technology for its ends. Its visual sensor is an EyeToy camera, which picks up the movements of glowing orbs on the controller - a technology which has been used for motion capture for years; its motion sensor seems likely to be a modified version of the Sixaxis technology which populates every PS3 joypad.
The ultimate effect of the system belies this technical simplicity - it is, by all accounts, accurate, flexible and robust. However, the advantage for Sony is one which companies like Apple and Nintendo have long understood - the technology is old, therefore it is reliable, readily available, well understood and, crucially, cheap.
By contrast, Microsoft's Project Natal is unquestionably cutting edge. Incorporating a camera with a bespoke sensor designed to map the 3D position of people and objects in the room, it's undeniably impressive. Its applications will differ from those of the Sony peripheral - Natal doesn't seem suited to tracking small, precise movements, but its ability to follow the motions of an entire body are unrivalled. In fact, Natal seems likely to live up to the initial description of Wii games - "jumping around your living room" - to an extent greater than any Wii or PS3 game will.
Natal certainly feels more futuristic than Sony's technology. It's got a brand new 3D sensor, and its software needs to calculate what all the complex human bodies in front of it are doing from that sensor. At E3, Natal has been demonstrated in clear, uncluttered areas - in homes, it will have to contend with multiple bodies, furniture, pets and so on. The computational heavy lifting required is significant, especially compared to Sony's task - plotting the precise position of a couple of conveniently glowing orbs. The fact that it works even to the extent that it already does is a testament to the skill of the engineers involved, and it will be fascinating to watch the technology evolve in the coming months and years.
Based on the simple fact of their relative complexity, it's probably fair to say that Sony's system could - in theory - be on the market sooner and at a lower price point than Natal. It's also likely to suffer less early teething problems, which seem inevitable when Natal is confronted with the vast variety of complexity in normal consumers' living rooms.
However, this may be entirely an academic consideration. E3's demos of Sony's motion controller and Natal were only product announcements in the most broad of senses. These systems are far over the horizon - their announcements designed to placate industry watchers and shareholders, to prove that these giants aren't about to let Nintendo run away with all of the family silver. In the short term, they amount to little more than FUD - something for fanboys to argue over, and perhaps to disrupt a little of the Wii's retail dominance, but not an important factor in console sales up to this Christmas and beyond.
Nintendo itself would retort that Wii MotionPlus offers solid performance compared to either system, and will be on the market this month - a point which holds a lot of water. However, it's not MotionPlus which should really worry Microsoft and Sony. It's Wii Sports Resort, and whatever else the firm may have in development for MotionPlus at the moment.
If Microsoft or Sony believes that Nintendo has sold 50 million Wiis off the back of motion controls, they are only partially right. The reality is that those consoles have been sold off the back of Wii Sports and Wii Fit - not to mention Mario Galaxy and Mario Kart for the more traditional audience. MotionPlus will sell not because of its technical capabilities, but because it'll be shoved in a box with Wii Sports Resort - which in turn will probably sell many more Wii consoles, especially in under-exploited territories like Europe.
Sony and Microsoft's motion control efforts are only one part of the puzzle. Each one is pointless without a killer application. People don't buy peripherals for their own sake - they buy games, and pick up the peripherals to play them. Nobody would buy a guitar controller if Guitar Hero didn't appeal to them, or drums if they didn't have a burning desire to play Rock Band. The criticism of Wii Vitality Monitor focuses on the fact that Nintendo didn't show any appealing way for it to work with software - criticism which could just as easily shift focus to Sony's motion controller or Project Natal if compelling software isn't forthcoming. Peripherals may be the story of E3, but without games, they're all just unappealing plastic.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/peripheral-vision
21:29
June 5th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Natal may be the latest gaming breakthrough, but it's just one of many evolutions and revisions in controller designs over the years. Whether it was the gamepad, analog controls, or a fishing rod, there have been plenty of neat innovations.
http://gizmodo.com/5279080/from-joys...roller/gallery
17:13
June 3rd, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Not so eager to burn thousands of dollars and years of your life at flight school, only to get stuck with pitiful route options and no three day layovers in Barbados? Have a look at your next best option, Logitech's Flight System G940. Hailed as the company's first force-feedback flight simulation controller, this thing goes far beyond the simple call of duty. Instead of just tossing a joystick in a box and calling it a day, Logitech has also included dual throttle and rudder pedals, giving you 250 programmable button options and bragging rights galore. Sadly, you'll have to coast through the summer 'til this hits Europe and America in September, but that should give you plenty of time to save up the three Benjamins it'll require to bring one home in legal fashion.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/03/l...ces-flight-sc/
21:02
June 2nd, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Fret Nice, the indie platformer that you play with a Guitar Hero a controller—or possibly with a Rock Band guitar controller—is coming to a console near you, thanks to Tecmo.
The surprising addition to Tecmo's E3 2009 lineup—which also includes Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, Quantum and Undead Knights—is coming to PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade in 2010. In Fret Nice, you'll need to play "riff combos" to defeat enemies, sometimes playing specific riffs based on enemy attributes, and can do so cooperatively.
Fret Nice will let you play two-player co-op locally or online, but with a catch—both players will be attached by a guitar cord, preventing them from moving too far from each other.
The games looks to have updated its visual style on the way to XBLA and PSN, as you can see in our Fret Nice gallery below
http://kotaku.com/5274952/tecmo-surp...ler-platformer
17:29
June 1st, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Want to see a real skateboarder on a fake skateboard? Check out Microsoft's E3 keynote tomorrow. Skateboard legend and video game mascot Tony Hawk just tweeted about his involvement in MS's conference. He'll show off Tony Hawk Ride -- wearing makeup, even!
"Just practiced my part for Microsoft's E3 keynote tomorrow (introducing #thride)," Mr. Pro Skater said. "First time I've ever had to wear make-up for a rehearsal."
We can't promise he'll actually get on the stationary board, but he'll at least be there showing it off. Mr. Hawk's presence at he MS conference suggests that there could be some component of the game that is Xbox-exclusive, like DLC or green skateboard decals or ... something.
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/to...ts-e3-keynote/
16:57
June 1st, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
We get the feeling this isn't the motion sensing surprise that's likely in store for Xbox 360 fans at E3, but it's still great to see this controller moving beyond the hype stage. After being spied late last year and detailed around two months ago, the Gametrak Freedom motion controller is now listed at GameStop with an October 15th ship date. The controller, which will come bundled with Squeeballs: Island Party for the Xbox 360, is already up for pre-order, promising gamers who shell out $69.99 a grand total of 11 motion sensing party games. Unfortunately, there's no word on how much extra Freedom sticks will run, but based on the price of this kit, we'd wager not much.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/31/g...pre-order-wit/
22:47
May 29th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Although we haven't discussed Microsoft's force grip on its proprietary wireless tech in a long time, it appears Mad Catz doesn't have to worry about it for the next few years. The peripheral manufacturer has signed a non-exclusive multi-year licensing agreement with the console maker to "manufacture, market and sell Xbox 360-branded wireless specialty video game controllers."
Mad Catz CEO Darren Richardson believes the Xbox 360 is a "key focus" of its licensed accessories business, as evidenced by its Capcom deal. Now we wait for that well-received SF IV tournament stick to go wireless -- for those who can afford the 0.0000008 millisecond lag.
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/29/ma...wireless-tech/
20:11
May 29th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Just when you'd given up all hope that Mad Catz would ever ship its Fender Precision Bass for Rock Band, in flies this. If you'll recall, said axe was originally introduced to the world in September of last year, and with a certain Beatles-inspired bass set to ship in the ninth month of this year, Mad Catz obviously felt the time was right to cease its dilly-dallying. According to company CEO Darren Richardson, the wireless Fender bass for Rock Band will ship "later this month," which should mean that it'll be hitting store shelves over the weekend. In related news, the company has inked a multi-year licensing agreement with Microsoft that will allow it to "manufacture, market and sell Xbox 360-branded wireless specialty videogame controllers." Fun for them, yeah?
http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/29/m...-to-ship-soon/
16:23
May 28th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
While still one-half away from a good "show and tell" game, Splitfish has announced (with no pics, unfortunately) the Dual SFX Evolution and Dual SFX Frag Pro controllers, part of the Frevolution X series and coming this Fall for the PlayStation 3. For the first person shooter crowd, the Frag Pro is slated to be the successor to the mouse-and-nunchuk combo originally released in 2007 (pictured), with a new dual wireless system to clear up some cord clutter. As for the Evolution, according to the presser it'll swap out the mouse for a right-handed motion / analog joystick. We're a bit lacking in the imagery department right, but we'll be getting some eyes (and hopefully hands) on the peripherals when E3 rolls around early next month.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/s...ollers-announ/
17:18
May 27th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Cooler Master's first gaming mouse prototype looks to be well on the way to epic. The 8-button mouse for right-handers features seven-color lighting effects from the top- and front-sides, an OLED display where you can independently dial-in your preferred X-and Y-axis DPI (5,000 max), a twin-laser sensor, and up to five user-programmable profiles. The CM Storm Sentinel Advanced gaming mouse will be on display at Computex next week before making its way to retail later this year. Check the video overview after the break.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/v...ing-mouse-wit/
17:18
May 27th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
We've already gotten a couple of glimpses of DJ Hero's turntable / mixer controller, and now it's time for Scratch: The Ultimate DJ and its Numark-designed deck to steal the spotlight for a song or two. The setup pretty much mirrors the on-screen interface we saw in the initial screenshot, with the free-spinning, touch-sensitive turntable on your left and five Akai Pro MPC-style drum pad triggers next to the cross-fader to the right. According to the press release, you'll actually be able to upload your own samples using a compatible USB mic if none of the pre-loaded jams get you going -- and not to worry southpaw scratchers, you can rotate the mixer to the left if that's more comfortable. We'll have more of Scratch at next week's E3, but in the meantime, hit up the press release after the break for more deets.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/s...ins-into-life/
15:01
May 26th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
According to Gamespot, Tony Hawk: RIDE will cost $120 when it's released this October. That puts the interesting be it gimmicky skateboard peripheral's price at about $60, unofficially.
http://gizmodo.com/5269931/tony-hawk...er-to-cost-120
22:54
May 19th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Scans of the latest issue of Game Informer detail controller options and gameplay for Activision's upcoming mixmaster sim, DJ Hero. According to the scans (via Raging Gamer), gameplay will feel at home for Guitar Hero fans, setting tunes upon a three-note track with the outside tracks (green and blue) crossfading left and right. As a note track shifts in position, players must use the crossfader switch on the controller to correctly play the note (think of it as drawing within the lines).
Similar to drum fill sections in Rock Band, DJ Hero allows players to customize certain sections of gameplay with an effects dial on the controller. Certain note tracks will ask players to scratch the controller's platter to successfully complete the note. Also, a rewind setting allows gamers to replay sections of a tune and, of course, the game includes a Star Power-esque multiplier (dubbed "Eurphoria"), activated by a button.
Left handed gamers can also join in on the fun as the two-piece controller can be separated and swapped. Looks like Activision is pro-mutant. Kidding, lefties! For all the info make sure to check out the latest issue of Game Informer -- which you probably have nine subscriptions to... and don't even know it.
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/19/dj...test-game-inf/
22:11
May 15th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Is the Rock Band strum bar too ... tangible for you? YouTube user adderd019 swapped out all that tiresome plastic in his Rock Band guitar for a beam of infrared light, turning it into an optical theremin of sorts.
The way he explains it, it sounds simple -- merely add an LED emitter and a receiver to the space where the strum bar usually goes, and then wire the controller up so that it registers a strum whenever the light beam is broken. Anyone can do that, right? The result is a guitar that strums when you wave your hand through the strum bar area. See the video after the break and marvel at the less-clicky, vaguely magical guitar!
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/ro...visible-light/
17:02
May 15th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
Got a bit of couch cushion change weighing you down? Need a little something to revitalize that PS3 love affair? You've come to the right place, friend. SNK has just unleashed a new duo of fighting sticks over in Japan, and both are downright drool-worthy. The new controllers are being launched alongside King of Fighters XII this July, with one featuring artwork from the title and the second boasting a Neo Geo throwback vibe (pictured after the jump) that should resonate quite well with gamers of yesteryear. The tandem is priced at ¥6,279 ($65) and ¥5,229 ($54), respectively, though we get the feeling it'll be import or bust for us Yanks.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/15/s...n-3-importers/
17:00
May 15th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
We'd heard rumblings that Tony Hawk was working on something with motion controls -- which seems only natural after EA's Skate hit the scene with its intuitive Flickit control scheme, and Shaun White's game put the Wii's Balance Board to good use, both making the Tony Hawk method of arcade-style button mashing feel a little dated. Well, Tony's new Ride is looking to change all that, with a skateboard peripheral that looks like... a skateboard. It's hard to tell from just looking at it how precisely interactive the controller will be -- it seems basic balancing and leaning would be in, while Christ Air-ing your little sister in the face wouldn't go over so well. According to the man himself, Hawk is quite good at the game, and skateboarders should find the transition easy. A promo video is after the break, and apparently on June 2nd we'll be seeing this thing in action.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/15/t...-skateboard-c/
20:20
May 13th, 2009
Posted By: wraggster
For no particular reason -- let's just blame blatant capitalism in the face of uncertain times -- Dell's online store has a 30 day exclusive on Logitech's new G19 gaming keyboard, and just started selling the thing at $180 a pop, or $260 when bundled with the G9 laser gaming mouse. Sure, that might sound like a lot of money, but just remember the next time you reach a weathered, calloused index finger across your keyboard to toss your last grenade at a grim virtual enemy: you could've paid $180 to do the exact same thing while listening to Korn.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/13/l...d-now-on-sale/
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