Microsoft Universal Gaming Controller
by Tom Spilman · in General Discussion · 05/12/2005 (11:37 am) · 16 replies
Quote:Microsoft Universal Gaming Controller
For the first time, at this year's E3 Microsoft will reveal a prototype of the universal gaming controller. Designed for use on Windows-based PCs and the next-generation Xbox ® console, the controller will allow gamers to enjoy a consistent playing experience across Microsoft's gaming platforms.
"The universal gaming controller will provide a Windows controller standard that helps game developers bring different genres such as racing, sports and action/adventure to the Windows platform more easily," said Chris Donahue, group manager of Windows Graphics and Gaming Technologies at Microsoft. "Gamers will have more playing options with a familiar, versatile and well-designed gamepad-style controller."
The full press release is over here.
About the author
Tom is a programmer and co-owner of Sickhead Games, LLC.
#2
05/12/2005 (6:36 pm)
This is a good thing. It makes designing games for these types of controllers easier, and you can visually show your users which buttons do what in the game. 
#3
on another note, i saw that MSN games has settlers of catan!! whoot! On it like wool on a sheep :)
-s
05/15/2005 (6:51 pm)
This is such a no-brainer. Not only do you get a consistent interface, but you can bridge the gap between the console and the internet world. Download a new character onto your controller, secret codes, new levels, whatever. Now if they could only merge the controller and a handheld... on another note, i saw that MSN games has settlers of catan!! whoot! On it like wool on a sheep :)
-s
#4
05/15/2005 (6:57 pm)
I was considering the purchase of a controller for my PC, right up until the point where I read that thread. Wonderful news. 
#5
05/15/2005 (7:03 pm)
@Stephen -- Give you a wood for your sheep...
#6
05/15/2005 (8:47 pm)
@George - Buy an XBox 1 controller and get yourself one of these babies! Then download and install this driver. It's freaking sweet setup and is IMO the best controller you can get.
#7
05/16/2005 (10:17 am)
Heh, never was a major fan of the XBox controller. It's not a bad controler, but the start/back and black/white buttons are aquardly placed. The PS2 controler has a better layout, though it lacks the full-analog shoulder buttons and it's sticks don't seem to be as sensitive. 
#8
05/16/2005 (10:28 am)
Hmmm, well Joshua. There is good, and bad news for you about the next controler ;)
#9
It's sad that the pressure sensitivity of the A,B,X and Y buttons were never put to much use in games. Do any of the XBox games out of the Garage use them?
05/16/2005 (10:28 am)
Well i don't know what better layout is... they have different layouts. It is, for me at least, very comfortable and has a more pleasing grip and rumble response when playing most games.It's sad that the pressure sensitivity of the A,B,X and Y buttons were never put to much use in games. Do any of the XBox games out of the Garage use them?
#10
Personally I'm glad that pressure sensitivity on A,B,X,Y was never really used. I am not nimble enough to be able to control that on those buttons. The triggers, which at least have a longer throw on them are easier to control that way.
05/16/2005 (11:06 am)
@TomPersonally I'm glad that pressure sensitivity on A,B,X,Y was never really used. I am not nimble enough to be able to control that on those buttons. The triggers, which at least have a longer throw on them are easier to control that way.
#11
05/16/2005 (11:35 am)
@Todd - They're actually easier to use than i first expected. You really have to try one with some visual feedback on screen and it becomes very apparent how easy they are. It would be interesting to use for a rhythm game.
#12
05/16/2005 (11:36 am)
The Torque input stuff I wrote for Xbox supports it, but we never used it. Nobody else really did either, though.
#13
Personally, I think nintendo's wavebird is the best controller out there right now, but obviously it depends heavily on the games you play on it. I have both a dual analog pad and a joystick for my desktop, and I use both depending on the game I'm playing. I much prefer the joystick for playing Descent and Flight Gear, and the dual analog for Zap. And keyboard/mouse for quake.
It's all a matter of taste, and I really don't believe that one size can ever fit all.
Gary (-;
PS I also hate the small XBox controllers; I thought the original ones, massive though they were, were very comfortable to hold and use.
05/16/2005 (12:04 pm)
My biggest problem with *anyone* claiming that they've invented the magical catch-all input device like this is that I strongly doubt it'll be as great as they claim.Personally, I think nintendo's wavebird is the best controller out there right now, but obviously it depends heavily on the games you play on it. I have both a dual analog pad and a joystick for my desktop, and I use both depending on the game I'm playing. I much prefer the joystick for playing Descent and Flight Gear, and the dual analog for Zap. And keyboard/mouse for quake.
It's all a matter of taste, and I really don't believe that one size can ever fit all.
Gary (-;
PS I also hate the small XBox controllers; I thought the original ones, massive though they were, were very comfortable to hold and use.
#14
I liked the bigger XBox controllers myself, but i have to say i like the new smaller ones just as much if not more.
05/16/2005 (12:17 pm)
Quote:My biggest problem with *anyone* claiming that they've invented the magical catch-all input device like this is that I strongly doubt it'll be as great as they claim."Microsoft Universal Gaming Controller" isn't one device... it's an initiative by the company to support controllers across the PC and console space. The name seems to imply otherwise, but i assure you MS has not claimed to invent one controller to replace all others. =)
I liked the bigger XBox controllers myself, but i have to say i like the new smaller ones just as much if not more.
#15
Put an end to that theory?
Also, what makes this different from, say, USB and an improved linux analog.o driver?
Gary (-;
05/16/2005 (1:33 pm)
Ah, ok. In that case, excellent. But then:Quote:This is a good thing. It makes designing games for these types of controllers easier, and you can visually show your users which buttons do what in the game.
Put an end to that theory?
Also, what makes this different from, say, USB and an improved linux analog.o driver?
Gary (-;
#16
Will it unify things for flight sticks or steering wheels? As far as i know there isn't a standard Microsoft has set for those... maybe it will for the 360 launch.
05/16/2005 (1:39 pm)
@Gary - This is no different than Logitech or MadCatz making XBox or PS2 controllers. They all have the same basic buttons and layout with slight differences. In this manner the "Universal Gaming Controller" initiative makes it easier for developers and users by specifying a standard in gamepads across PC and Xbox.Will it unify things for flight sticks or steering wheels? As far as i know there isn't a standard Microsoft has set for those... maybe it will for the 360 launch.
Torque Owner Kenneth Porter