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XBox (Games)

Xbox 2Peripherals to Work on PCs 47

Posted by Zonk from the giant-handed-people-rejoice! dept.
BlueMoon writes "Gamespot has an interview with Dean Lester (Microsoft Windows Graphics and Gaming general manager) where he explains that the Xbox 2 peripherals will all work on PC too. So it looks like the Xbox 2 will probably use the 'normal' USB standard."
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Xbox 2Peripherals to Work on PCs More

Xbox 2Peripherals to Work on PCs

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  • Xbox peripherals already work on PCs (Score:5, Informative)

    by RzUpAnmsCwrds ( 262647 ) on Friday September 24, 2004 @05:04PM (#10344283)
    With the proper drivers [hostrocket.com] and a little rewiring, you can already use XBox controllers on your PC. They are standard USB, so all you need to do is change the connector.

  • Older controllers... (Score:5, Insightful)

    by IronMagnus ( 777535 ) on Friday September 24, 2004 @05:07PM (#10344303)
    So, will existing PC usb controllers be useable with the Xbox2?
    • Only if microsoft decides to include drivers for them on the xbox2. Honestly, can you really see them doing that? They'll make up some marketing bullshit about needing a specific controller configuration to play these games and pc controllers don't meet the standards, but why would they let you use pc controllers instead of forcing you to buy a 40$ xbox controller?

      Don't get me wrong, I'd absolutely love to be able to plug in my nice ff steering wheel to play project gotham 3 or whatever, but I can't real
      • They'll make up some marketing bullshit about needing a specific controller configuration to play these games and pc controllers don't meet the standards

        Well, to some extent, that's already correct. I mean, if the X-Box had regular USB jacks in place of it's controller ports, I bet you'd get all kinds of morons calling tech support complaining that their controller doesn't work, only to find out that they're using some wacky PC USB controller that doesn't have enough buttons/axes. I mean heck, I would nev
    • I doubt it as this would prevent M$ from being able to sell normal XBox controllers at a ripoff price and remove its monopoly.

  • It would be a small miracle if I could plug in a PS2 or USB keyboard up to the damn thing.

    More than 2 minutes of inputting song titles and profile info drives me absolutley bonkers with a controller, but somehow it is not worth the investment in an Xbox-only keyboard. I can't explain this.

    Now if we can just get them to promise a hard drive...

  • Xbox controllers already is USB HID compliant (Score:5, Informative)

    by LookSharp ( 3864 ) on Friday September 24, 2004 @05:12PM (#10344344)
    I can already take an Xbox controller, cut off the tip, solder on a USB connector, load a generic HID-compliant driver in Windows' "Game Controllers" control panel, and use them for MAME or console emulators. Xbox uses standard USB (plus an unknown yellow wire, maybe force feedback?) with a custom connector.

    Anyway, there are even little converters available on eBay for a couple bucks each to avoid the soldering part, but I had a lot of fun modifying a $19 Xbox joystick from Pelican for running MAME games better than a $40 PC joystick. YMMV.

  • will probably __ the USB standard (Score:5, Funny)

    by mnmn ( 145599 ) on Friday September 24, 2004 @05:28PM (#10344469) Homepage
    will probably support the USB standard
    will probably use the USB standard
    will probably replace the USB standard
    will probably destroy the USB standard
    will probably add to the USB standard
    will probably complement the USB standard
    will probably advance the USB standard

    Its like that thriller movie where you missed the critial scene.
  • is a standard connector and support for USB mice/keyboards. Something that seriously inhibits console players in RTS and FPS games is the input method. A mouse/keyboard would mean a much more competitive online experience.

    I should note that I have Halo2 pre-ordered anyways and bought a XBL subscription just for it.

  • And maybe I just shot my mouth off :O
    • Why would they be Windows only? Obviously, Microsoft won't be giving out any source code or anything like that, but I'm sure some Linux hackers would have these things working perfectly in Linux less than a week after they're out. Heck, if they're nice, HID-compliant devices, they'd probably work right out of the box.

      --Zero

  • XBOX 2 Domination (Score:4, Insightful)

    by darthtrevino ( 812116 ) on Friday September 24, 2004 @05:42PM (#10344592) Homepage
    The XBOX 2 will probably also be the home media center that Microsoft wanted the XB1 to be.

  • That gag's got whiskers on it! (Score:4, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 24, 2004 @06:12PM (#10344818)
    from the giant-handed-people-rejoice! dept.

    2001 called. It wants its standard-issue Xbox insult back.

  • Finish Him (Score:3, Insightful)

    by radimvice ( 762083 ) on Saturday September 25, 2004 @03:40AM (#10347045) Homepage
    Hmm...Ethernet, DVD, mass storage, now full USB peripheral compatibility...why doesn't Microsoft pack its XBox2 with a VGA connector and a stripped-down version of Longhorn for web, chat, etc?

    In the article, Lester mentions Microsoft's push to produce standardized 'levels' of preconfigured computer setups that would guarantee compatibility with specific games. How is this much different from what the XBox2 will try to achieve? Really, the whole console/pc distinction is pointless now that they're using the same exact technologies and components...the only thing consoles have going for them is a stricter standardization and millions of dollars in heavy marketing.

    I certainly commend Microsoft's effort in 'opening up' the console architectures. We've come a long way from Nintendo and its draconian licensing policies of the 80s and early 90s. But remember, the closer we come to achieving the ideal open-architecture pc-like console, the closer Microsoft comes to being able to use the full power of its Windows leverage to dominate the backbone of the console gaming industry (and crushing Sony's hardware stronghold in the process). Of course, as a gamer, I'd gladly give them the world if it gives me more control over the games I play and more design freedom for the games that are developed.
    • Along with every other PC vender. Besides, why sell one copy of Longhorn when you can sell two (XBox + PC).

      And I don't recommend you get too chummy with Microsoft. Right now they're coddling their developers to compete with Sony. After all, the real money's in license fees. Ignoring that's what killed the Saturn.

  • how is this news? (Score:3, Informative)

    by atlasheavy ( 169115 ) on Sunday September 26, 2004 @02:33AM (#10353465) Homepage
    This was part of the whole announcement back when XNA [microsoft.com] was first unveiled. Jeez.
  • If the new controller is anything like the Controller S, this is fantastic news. Now no more dicking around with adapters or sodering.

    Say what you want about the games (I happen to like them) but the Controller S is the best first party controller of this generation...and dare I say ever. (Probably not ever, the D-pad makes my thumb heart after a while, and the weird location of the black and white buttons is all right for most games which assign it a non-essential function, but it blows for Capcom styl

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