we all know the best control style is touch screen and stylus

I hated the Dreamcast controller, but some people out there loved it...  Wonder if they can still type like normal.

But yeah, the 360 controller is so full of win, so I don't see how they could mess up this... If it's true.

what is great about this hole thing is this.....

if they put this out there to steal some of the Wii games all they are going to get is cheap ports of Wii games

For those pointing out it's rumour and a mock-up (based on insider information) please note the first paragraph where I point that out.

As for more buttons being more practical, yes, I agree, but you're missing the point. If MS is after the new market Nintendo has reached, they are scaring them away with additional buttons. So instead of being obvious how to play it becomes, 'how do I play this?' Of course the final product may be different.

Re: Conker, that's the rumoured pack-in game for the controller but it needs to be downloaded off xbox live. Sorry I should have linked to some of the reports but I'm at work and had to finish it in a hurry. If this thread is still going by tonight I'll revise it a bit to include them.

Isn't that a bit like going off on a rant about why Whirlpool shouldn't make a video game console?  Yeah we know it'd be silly but it isn't going to happen.

Whirlpool owns Maytag... They also manufacture the Sears and Ikea kitchen/dryer/washer appliances... and they own KitchenAid. They've basically conquered the kitchen and laundry rooms, so its perfectly normal for them to make their entrance into the living room!!

Well played Clerks gebx.  Well played.

I personally love the idea only if MS plans on supporting it's major base, that being the fps titles. if there was downloadable content that would allow for halo to use this idea, I'd go nuts. I love the Wii-mote for fps titles, but the Wii just isn't an fps system. So I hope MS creates one with better technology, and I do hope it has a few more buttons, so it can support more hardcore titles. My problem with this idea is it sounds like the rumors point to this being an entirely seperate lineup of games with support. I was hoping if you going to copy someone elses idea you'd at least use it for different things and bring it to another level, if it's the same, and just works with wii sports rip off titles, then I'll be pissed off.

Here's your first five paragraphs, please point out where you acknowledge it's a mock-up sir. I can't find it:

"The rumour mill is running hot and heavy on the multiple anonymous confirmations that the 360 will have it's own answer to the Wii-mote.  At this point nothing, not even it's existance is official yet so lots could change, but based on currently available information it seems apperant that Microsoft hasn't really understood the allure of Nintendo's Wii and this new controller won't help much, if any.

 The following is my impression on why the Wii's controls have captured the masses attention and why MS copycat controller misses the mark.

1) Appearance - With the Wii-mote Nintendo intentionally made it to be as unassuming as possible.  It harkens back to the Atari 2600 era.  The 2600 controller was a stick and a button and that was it.  It was plainly obvious to anyone how to play any game - use the stick to move, and button to shoot or whatever action was needed - end of story.  Over the years controllers became increasingly complex to the point where now, unless you grew up playing games, you wouldn't want to touch one as it's a mess of sticks and buttons and more buttons and God knows what does what.

So with the Wii-mote Nintendo took it back to basics, a directional pad, and an A button.  And that's it, or at least at first glance that's the appearance.  There's a B trigger button, but that's easy to grasp too.  Yes there's -,+,1,2 buttons too, but they don't look like they'd come in play for games (and mostly they don't), so for the novice player, it's back to the very basics, directional pad, and a button (and a trigger).  Simple.

So what's MS take on it? Add more buttons!!  Instead of one friendly A button, now there's 4 (plus the trigger).  This defeats the elegance of the design and will make the 360-mote look more complicated to use.  New gamers don't want to learn how to play, it should be obvious to them."

Never know, Quater Oaks made video games....   Why not Whirlpool?? 

You are correct, it may be a pointless rant (and aren't most rants pointless) but I did feel the need to get it off my chest and share that with you.  Thanks for indulging me.