Xi3's Piston controller being made by Scuf Gaming, looks awfully familiar
Xi3's Piston gaming PC / "console" won't arrive this November with a controller packed in, but the company is offering a separately sold gamepad that looks an awful lot like Microsoft's Xbox 360 equivalent. The origin of the Xi3's gamepad was unknown until this morning, when the company announced a partnership with Scuf Gaming to develop, "new designs and options for gaming controllers optimized for Xi3's PISTON Console."
The controller we spotted last week (seen above) is the first of such "new designs and options" for control being offered on the Piston -- after all, what we saw looks an awful lot like Scuf Gaming's "Hybrid" controller. Xi3 tells Engadget what we saw last week was an "early working prototype" of the upcoming gamepad. Sadly, if Xi3's version is anything like the Hybrid, it'll cost a surprisingly large amount of money: just shy of $90. Xi3 isn't offering any specifics on the gamepad just yet, telling us, "final specs/capabilities, pricing and the ship date for a PISTON Console controller are not being released at this time."
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Xi3 Corporation Exploring New Controller Designs and Options with Scuf Gaming
SALT LAKE CITY and ATLANTA, Ga. - October 8, 2013 - Xi3 Corporation today announced that it is co-developing with Scuf Gaming new designs and options for gaming controllers optimized for Xi3's PISTON™ Console.
Scuf Gaming is one of the leading independent manufacturers of gaming controllers. Its SCUF Hybrid controllers have become the default controllers for Pro and Elite Gamers in First-Person Shooter and Sports Games and are one of the only controllers certified for use in the majority of the world's competitive gaming leagues, including MLG, EGL, ESL, Reflex, WGL, and Gfinity.
"We're experts in building the world's smallest and most powerful gaming systems, and when it came time to develop controllers customized for PISTON, there was never any question about where we should look," said Jason A. Sullivan, Founder, President and CEO of Xi3 Corporation. "In their short history, Scuf Gaming has developed a very well deserved reputation as one of the elite controller designers/manufacturers on the planet, and we're very pleased to be working with them."
"Innovative design coupled with customizability-these are two of the core principles applied at Scuf Gaming, qualities that are also very apparent with Xi3 and its PISTON Console," said Duncan Ironmonger, CEO and Co-founder of Scuf Gaming. "The PISTON Console has built incredible excitement in a very short time frame, and we're very excited to team with Xi3 on this co-development effort."
Additional details about the relationship between the two parties and/or Xi3's controller plans were not released at this time.
About Scuf Gaming
Until the SCUF was invented in 2010, gamers could only use compromising techniques like CLAW to play with more of their hand. Using back paddles, which mimic the front buttons, Scuf Gaming has made it possible to display more dexterity in a safe, ergonomic way. Scuf Gaming also offers features such as adjustable hair triggers, trigger stops, military grade SCUF Grip and optional domed or concave sticks. When we designed the SCUF, our focus was to reduce unnecessary latency in hand movement and allow experienced gamers to game for longer while using more of their hand in a safe and ergonomic way. We believe the paddles and adjustable hair triggers are a great advancement for Console Gaming and are ideal for gamers to display their skill and dexterity and pull off more exciting gameplays which in turn will increase audience interest!" For more information please visit www.scufgaming.com
About Xi3 Corporation
Formed in 2010 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Xi3 Corporation utilizes "The Power of X" to bring its building block approach to the world of computing and computer gaming, an approach Xi3 applies internally and externally to hardware solutions and software applications
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The shape of the three-sided single piece casing, the end plate, and the overall shape of the PISTON Console, as well as Xi3, PISTON, and "The Power of X" are trademarks and unique trade dress of Xi3 Corporation. Scuf Gaming is a trademark of Scuf Gaming.
