Xbox 360 to get wireless sport-themed controllers

By Tim Conneally | Published May 2, 2008, 6:07 PM

Qmotions, the peripheral manufacturing subsidiary of the Actiga Corp. and a maker of controllers unique to individual sports games, will soon be releasing fully Microsoft-endorsed Xbox 360 wireless controllers.

One of these is called the Big Air, a wireless full-sized skateboard deck controller for skate- and snowboarding games. The Big Air will be an updated version of its X-board, which was a PS2 and Xbox peripheral that retailed for $99.99. Its availability is currently only listed as "Spring 2008," but updates are pending.

The market for skateboarding and snowboarding games is not what it was during the turn of the century, with the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater and SSX series still early in their life cycles, so the major impetus for pushing such a peripheral may be the popularity of Wii Fit and its balance board, which is more like a scale than a skateboard.

QMotion actually had a fitness-related controller in the last console generation called FunFitness, which was an exercise bike attachment that was compatible with a dozen race games for the Xbox and PS2, but such peripherals have usually proven to be more of a novelty than a phenomenon.

Comments

View comments by with a score of at least

More useless junk.

Score: 0

|

I've actually used the XBoard at a friend's house. It is a very cool device. Being able to stand on a board and be able to change directions by leaning was a lot more realistic than using a standard controller. I could also feel a pretty good workout in my legs after being on it for a while.

I am assuming that you've tried it and didn't like it. If not, I wouldn't make comments like that about something you haven't tried. That would be like me calling you a moron without having to get to know you.

Score: 0

|

They better get out a keyboard, so people don't need 4 hands and both feet to control a simple character.

Score: 0

|

hell yeah son now im gonna get my Madden NFL controller

Score: 0

|

Google rolls out real-time search, Near Me Now, extended personalization

Over time, searches from PCs and mobile phones will grow even "more personalized." But what about user privacy and search results that give you "the truth"?

Intel's marriage of CPU and GPU not ready for prime time

Although there will be an Intel component this month that can compute and plot in parallel, Betanews was told today, it won't be based on Project "Larrabee."

An alternative to Research in Motion's enterprise e-mail? There's an app for that

Good Technology today released an iPhone app compatible with its enterprise e-mail solution.

Playing catch-up in 2010: Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, and Symbian

Microsoft, RIM, and Nokia are each working on improved mobile operating systems. But could these efforts add up to too little, too late?

Windows fix for TLS security bug still forthcoming, won't be Tuesday

Anyone looking for a fix for last month's discovery of a potentially serious security hole in TLS and SSL may have to wait until everyone is ready to act together.

Not the first, not the last, technology predictions for 2010

Carmi Levy | Wide Angle Zoom: The real truth is probably that what went around in 2009, will come around to haunt us next year.

Google Goggles: Hands on with the Shazam of the Real World

Google today unveiled Goggles, its visual search lab for Android devices that identifies objects by sight.

Microsoft: Windows 7 Family Pack wasn't 'pulled,' it just sold out

If you hurry, you may still be able to find the last Family Pack upgrade editions hanging around retail store shelves, but probably not so much online.

Clever iPhone game returns after being bumped over a name dispute

The game's simple concept and multitude of platforms and puzzles manage to pull off a retro, 8-bit style that's reminiscent of an old Atari game given a modern makeover.

Report: Microsoft to randomize Europe's browser screen choices

The fact that "A" is for "Apple" was apparently at the heart of browser vendor objections to Microsoft's alternative to listing IE first.

Will Nokia's plans further alienate American consumers?

A look at Nokia's plans for the coming years does little to shine up the company's increasingly dull image.