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SteelSeries Stratus iOS 7 gamepad launches for $20 less than its pre-order price
SteelSeries' Stratus controller, the first wireless iOS 7 game pad, is now available at Apple stores and on Apple's online store. Since the Stratus went up for pre-order earlier this month, SteelSeries opted to change its price from $99.99 to $79.99 (79.99 euro). The peripheral manufacturer said it will honor the Stratus' new launch price for all pre-orders its taken. The Stratus has two analog sticks, four pressure-sensitive "A, B, X and Y" buttons, four shoulder buttons and a d-pad. SteelSeries claims the controller can withstand 10 hours of play on a single charge via USB. It is supported by games like GTA: San Andreas, Limbo, Call of Duty: Strike Team and Bastion.
Evil Controllers now offering custom PS4, Xbox One peripherals
Third-party peripheral manufacturer Evil Controllers is now offering customized PS4 and Xbox One controllers through its online store. The store currently holds 18 PS4 controllers, ranging in price from $84.99 to $109.99. Evil Controllers also has seven Xbox One game pads, priced from $89.99 to $109.99. The peripherals are official Xbox One and DualShock 4 controllers, so the buttons, analog sticks and other components won't differ from the game pads Microsoft and Sony pack in with their consoles. There are a few versions of Evil Controllers' modified peripherals that include the custom controller brand's trademark bullet-style buttons, though.
Valve showcases a handful of prototype Steam Controllers
Valve recently showed off a few of its Steam Machines and Steam Controller hardware precursors to our friends at Engadget. Among the group of hacked-together gadgets was a motion controller that used pieces from the Razer Hydra controller described by designer Greg Coomer as "a Frankenstein" game pad. That particular prototype controller broke apart with "gyroscopes or magnetic sensors in either path, to sense orientation and position." As seen in Engadget's photos, other prototype controllers featured touch pads similar to the official Steam Controller unveiled in late September, and others still even had large trackballs. We'd like to think that Valve was developing its own Golden Tee machine at one point with those controllers at the forefront. Coomer also discussed a prototype device that acted as a "communication and input core," which hasn't been completely shelved by the company just yet. Resembling a phone, the gadget wound up being "more abstract and farther removed from anything people were familiar with," and ultimately introduced "noise to the experience of playing your games."
Mobile controller Drone has full set of buttons, lacks iOS 7 support
Mobile gaming controller Drone recently hit its Kickstarter goal of $30,000 with three weeks left in its funding campaign. Developed by Redmond, Washington-based Evolution Controllers, the small game pad features two offset joysticks that click down, ten face buttons, two shoulder buttons and two triggers on its back side. The Drone comes in six colors: gloss and matte black, yellow, blue, red and a limited "Kickstarter green." It is compatible with all PC and Mac games that use a mouse and keyboard, Android, Ouya, Microsoft's Surface tablet and iCade games on iOS. Evolution Controllers notes that while the open-source controller supports all kinds of devices, it doesn't connect with iOS 7. In the comments section of its Kickstarter page, the developer says that "anyone who knows Apple knows that they love control over the products that they work with, and Open Source has NEVER been their game" and that "Apple has very rigid design guidelines that the current layout does not meet." The crowdfunding campaign's reward tiers indicate that one controller can be purchased for $59 with an estimated delivery date between December 2013 and January 2014. The Kickstarter project ends on November 23.
UK retailer GAME invites Londoners to stay at its gamified hotel suite
Hotels and video games aren't a natural fit, so now that UK retailer GAME is inviting people to stay in a hotel suite specially designed to suit a gamer's needs, our eyebrows are raised. The inevitable title of this gamified accommodation? The GAME Pad, of course.GAME is only trying out the one Pad at the moment, located at a Stalybridge Suites hotel in London. On top of an en-suite kitchen and king-size bed, the Pad is decked out like a gamer's den, with GAME describing it as the "ultimate gaming experience."There's a Wii U and a PS3 in the lounge area, and an Xbox 360 in the bedroom. Each console is attached to its own 40-inch TV, and comes with the top 10 charting games for that system. With so much gaming to hand, the idea is clearly to make guests feel like they don't have to move from their butt-sized indentations for the entire night. The room is also pre-loaded with snacks, drinks (including booze), and four pizzas, as well as breakfast in the morning. It doesn't come cheap, though, with one night's stay priced at £199 ($320), with multiple nights bookable. %Gallery-172798%
ZombiU launch trailer doesn't double tap
This ZombiU launch trailer draws inspiration from the film Zombieland by listing the rules to survival in the game's universe. The game will release with the Wii U tomorrow, and we have a nifty guide for the system launch to accompany it.
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed trailer gets a grip on the Wii U GamePad
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed may have dropped the "Sega" from the title and added Wreck-It Ralph to the racing roster, but the game's Wii U features are the all-stars of this trailer.The video above shows off the game's different functions on the Wii U GamePad, with the inclusion of a mini-map, motion control and game pad-only play being the noteworthy additions. One thing the Wii U version will not support is voice chat, however. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed will launch with the Wii U system on November 18, also hitting PS3 and Xbox 360 at that time. A 3DS and Vita version will land on December 11.
Open source mobile game controller iControlPad 2 has QWERTY keyboard
Product 3 LLC is in the midst of a Kickstarter campaign for its mobile gaming device, theiControlPad 2. With just under two weeks to go, the project has met over half of its $150k funding goal.Improving on the original iControlPad, the device includes a QWERTY keypad as well as a swivel-mount that clamps to your smartphone of choice. As demonstrated in the video above, the controller is expected to work with any app due to its open-source nature. The Kickstarter page for the iControlPad 2 lists Ouya and Raspberry Pi support in addition to a 12-14 hour battery life.[Thanks, Ashley!]
N-Control Avenger Controller Elite reaches GameStop, sells like gangbusters
We got a look at N-Control's Avenger Controller Elite just last month, and the company is rounding out the hardware's May release with a full-court press on GameStop. The retailer's online store is now selling both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 variants of the controller assist as straightforward, bundle-free $50 units. Company creator David Kotkin also tells us that the add-ons have had an extremely warm reception so far: although the Elite lineup had an unsung launch at GameStop on May 29th, it sold out on day one and is still in tight supply, with Xbox 360 examples currently on backorder as we write this. N-Control may have had a tough road in the past several months, but it looks as though that perseverance has paid off.
iControlPad heads into production, support for other phones promised
It's been promised for years and was said to have gone into production before, but it looks like this time it's for real -- that's the very first iControlPad fresh off the production line pictured above. No orders are being taken just yet, but that's promised to be announced soon on Craig Rothwell's Twitter feed (linked below), and the first run is said to be limited to 3,000 units, which are expected to sell out fast. It looks like that's just the beginning for the peripheral, though -- Rothwell is also promising to support additional phones in the future, which can be accommodated simply by swapping out the two side pieces. Need to get up to speed on the whole saga? Head on past the break for a brief history in video form.
Fable III's special edition Xbox 360 controller, morally ambiguous and gold
Because standard hues and anachronistic science fiction designs simply won't mesh, Microsoft will be releasing this kingly limited edition Fable III Xbox 360 controller designed after the in-game Crown of Albion. Street date is October 5th, three weeks before the game itself decides to rear its royal head, and comes with a token for downloading an exclusive in-game tattoo. Look for it priced at $59.99, or about 15 boxes of Lucky Charms depending on your grocery store preferences. Video showcase after the break.
CP Design's iPhone Game Pad prototype does Donkey Kong Country right (video)
With the iControlPad seemingly slipping further and further from reality, iPhone gamers with an affinity for buttons have fewer reasons to get out of bed in the morning and face the world. If that's you then it's time to wake up, Sunshine, because the iPhone Game Pad is here to bring a little light to your life. It's a somewhat chubby slip-on case that, as of now, works only with the original model iPhone. (There's a 3G/3GS model to come.) On the face it offers four primary control buttons plus a D-pad, what appears to be Select and Start buttons, plus a pair of shoulder buttons atop. This combination should make it perfect for emulation hounds or any 'ol heathen who values tactility over design purity. As of now it's just a prototype, but if you have the resources to bring this thing to production the folks at CP Design who crafted it would surely love to hear from you.
Ask Engadget: Best Bluetooth gamepad for the PC?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Herbert, who would "blow up the [PC accessory] market if he had millions of dollars." Right. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "Look, where are all the amazing Bluetooth gamepads at? There are plenty of great options when it comes to Bluetooth mice, Bluetooth keyboards and Bluetooth headsets, but so few gamepads are out there for PC gamers. I don't want some other form of wireless, and I don't want a gamepad for the PS3 or Xbox 360 -- I want PC! Help!" PC gamers are a tight-knit bunch, and we've heard that they never, ever let each other down. We suppose we'll see just how true that is based on the replies down in comments below.
Ben Heck realigns Xbox 360 pad for improved awesomeness
If you've spent any time on Engadget before, you'll be aware that we're big fans of Ben Heck and his tireless modding, tweaking and hacking (or is it Hecking?) of console hardware. The latest feather to his cap comes in the form of a customized Xbox 360 controller, which sees its D-pad and action buttons swapping places in an effort to help a handicapped gamer get his proverbial groove on. The trigger buttons are also flipped, but the pièce de résistance is the inclusion of four extra action buttons along the bottom of the controller that make one-handed gaming totally feasible. Check 'em out after the break.
LG Versa Gamepad hands-on
We've spent a week now fiddling with the LG Versa game pad module. How does the phone's first premium attachment fare? Does it amp up the gaming cred or join the ranks of ultimately forgettable peripherals? Unfortunately, we're inclined to think it falls in the latter category. Read on for full impressions.
LG Versa game pad module now available
If you've been getting bored of your Versa's QWERTY module, boy, have we got some splendid news for you: as promised, the snap-on game pad is now available. It slides along the back of the phone's body for storage (unlike the QWERTY, which requires that polarizingly-designed brown pleather wallet) and features an 8-way directional pad, four dedicated SNES-style gaming buttons, and the envy of absolutely everyone you've ever known. Grab it now for $29.99 -- you wouldn't want to be that one chump Versa owner who doesn't buy it, would you?[Thanks, Daniel]
Ben Heck's Xbox 360 Controller Monitor lights up your latency
Ben Heck's latest device isn't gonna help you take your next-gen gaming on the go, nor will it let you play with one hand. Instead, the Xbox 360 Controller Monitor is designed to test gamepad latency using a data cable hooked up directly to each button and fed into a 8 x 8 inch display board. Each action lights up the corresponding indicator, and it includes three levels of sensitivity for each cardinal direction of the joysticks and shoulder triggers. At $600 (controller and AA batteries included), it's not exactly something for the hobbyists out there, but already this thing's got some major gaming street cred: it's currently being used for playtesting on Mass Effect 2, the new Wolfenstein, and the just announced Modern Warfare 2.
Don't worry, it's not just QWERTY: Versa's game pad on track for next month
At this point, the Versa is little more than a glorified Glyde when it's in its QWERTY wallet (okay, that was harsh) -- but it looks like at least one other module is still on track for release. phoneArena has documentation suggesting that the game pad will go on sale for the rumored $29, which should help make the phone a formidable little entertainment device. Interestingly, rumor has it the pad isn't made by LG -- which leads us to wonder whether the company has made the Versa's interface specification available to third parties, which further leads us to wonder whether we'll see other devices using the same connector. Anyhow, unlike the keyboard, the game pad conveniently slides away when not in use, which is kinda nice, and it should be available around the first of April.
Dream Cheeky's metal joypad makes the best of projectiles
Today's generations of gee-whiz graphics and analog controls have brought with them one unfortunate addition: beefy, expensive wireless controllers that we're loathe to dash against the floor or to bash against an adjacent sibling. The creatively-termed "USB Metal Game Pad" from Dream Cheeky is just what it says on the box, doing your basic assortment of SNES-era joypad work with some USB pluggability and Mac / PC compatibility, but being conveniently built out of metal. Sure, it looks shoddy and uninspired, but we wouldn't have it any other way. No word on price or where to nab one.[Via technabob]
Tweaked Xbox 360 controller inexplicably deemed an overseas "promotional item"
Wait, let's get this straight. We understood that the newfangled Xbox 360 controller would be limited in nature (though we never understood why), but now you're telling us that North Americans will have to get lucky on the international second-hand market to obtain one? According to information spilled to Eurogamer, that's the deal. Microsoft is reportedly loosing the pad in Europe, Asia and Latin America as a "promotional item" that ties in with Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer. Also, it's very green, and only green. We're still waiting to hear if Microsoft has plans to bring this stateside or use it to replace the existing controller entirely, but who knows, maybe the US edition will boast four analog sticks and a built-in LCD with real-time LIVE! status checking.[Via Joystiq]
