Microsoft's Wireless Racing Wheel, a Q&A with Marc Whitten [update 2]
Microsoft's Wireless Racing Wheel's is on display here at the Hotel Roosevelt in Hollywood, California. I'm peppering Marc Whitten, General Manager for Xbox Accessories with questions. If you've got some questions for Marc, post 'em below in the comments. I'll hang out for another 10 minutes and get him to answer reader questions.
Here's the simple overview:
WHEN: The wheel launches this holiday season.
PRICE: TBD.
WINDOWS OPERABILITY: The wheel communicate with a Windows computer via a "wireless receiver" that can be purchased separately or that might come bundled with the wheel itself.
POWER: The wheel uses the standard Xbox 360 battery pack. That means it'll also take two double-A batteries.
FEEDBACK: Inside the wheel, there are two rumble motors (as in the Xbox 360 controller) and a force feedback system that can create tension, "spring" and other effects that either make the wheel more or less difficult to turn, depending on what's happening in game. The wheel can use all three feedback mechanisms at once, but in order to do so must be plugged in to a standard power outlet. If it's not plugged in, the wheel uses just the rumble motors. Battery life is comparable to the Xbox 360 controller.
COMPONENTS: The wheel includes: (1) a pedal base with a gas and a brake pedal -- the pedal base is wired to the wheel; (2) the wheel itself, with shift levers behind the wheel -- this unit is curved underneath for comfortable lap fit; (3) the table mount, for gamers who prefer to mount the wheel to a racing chair or a desk of some sort.
NOT INCLUDED: Dancing hula girl to sit atop the wheel.
[Update 1: added picture; update 2: removed a sentence fragment]
