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Play Warhammer Online with an Xbox 360 controller
We're not entirely certain you'll actually want to control Warhammer Online with an Xbox 360 controller, but if you'd like to, Blue Orb has a free piece of software called SwitchBlade you'll want to check out. This doesn't really seem like the kind of game that would work well to a console controller, because by rank 9 in Warhammer Online you've got around ten abilities to map to your keyboard. Just try mapping all of that to a controller, let alone the myriad of others abilities you'll gain by the time you hit 40, the max rank. Call us skeptical, but we don't think there will be too many people interested in this thing, which is probably why it's free. Maybe Blue Orb should consider adding support for the keyboard attachment. If they did that, we'd seriously consider trying WAR with a controller.
Funcom announces Leipzig Games Convention details
This year's Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany should be a big event for Funcom, who will be showcasing new Age of Conan content. Funcom's latest press release states they will be showing attendees new locations, content, and features that will make it into Age of Conan in the coming months. The event will also showcase demos of Blue Orb Inc.'s software which enables gamepad play as well as a look at Matrox's TripleHead2Go, for widescreen gameplay across three screens. Funcom adds that they will reveal the title's forthcoming DirectX 10 features to the press at the Games Convention, so expect more details about the long-awaited features to be announced later this month.
Switchblade adding support for Hellgate: London and Half-Life 2
Some of you may have already been playing your World of Warcraft on a game controller with the aid of Switchblade. For the uninitiated, Switchblade is a highly configurable piece of software that will have you playing WoW with your Xbox 360 gamepad, or other controller, in no time. The company behind this nifty little application, Blue Orb, have announced that they will be adding support for two more games, Hellgate: London and Half-Life 2.The updated client will be released on January 29th. Once it is added, users should be able to switch between "Blades" on the software to go between the supported games. Along with the main upgrade, there will also be some new class-specific templates added for WoW to make setup even easier. The best part about Switchblade is that it's free, so if you want to try it out with WoW (and the other games after the 29th) then visit the official site.[Via GamesIndustry.biz]
WoW Insider's SwitchBlade impressions and Q&A
A while back, we posted this video of SwitchBlade, an application designed to let you use your Xbox 360 wired controller (or wireless controller with an extra adapter for PC) with World of Warcraft. I said that I'd give the software a test run, and even though all the holidays (and our other little enterprise) has delayed things quite a bit, here are my impressions on installation and after using the program to play WoW for a few hours.We also got a chance to chat with the VP of Business Development for Blue Orb (the company that makes SwitchBlade), Aaron Levin, about how their software works, how they're making money from this free download, and what their plans are for the future. My impressions and the Q&A start right after the jump.
Playing WoW with an Xbox 360 controller via Switchblade
We've seen WoW played with a Wii controller before, but this looks like a really serious effort to get the Xbox 360 controller compatible with our favorite MMO. A company called Blue Orb Software has released an app called Switchblade, a free download that lets you use your PC-enabled Xbox 360 controller specifically to play World of Warcraft.Why would you want to do this? Their press release cites gamers "hooked on the console experience," and so their controller will let you play WoW console style. You can see the basic settings on their site-- it looks like the left and right triggers are used as toggles, turning the four action buttons into 12, and allowing you to use any icon on one of the action bars in WoW. Probably not quite versatile enough for running PvP, but for running daily quests and grinding, it looks just crazy enough to work.The download is available through Xfire (and it looks like you need to download Xfire to get Switchblade), and the program should work with any wired Xbox 360 controller (if you have a wireless only, you'll have to buy an extra receiver from Microsoft). I think I've got a wired controller sitting around here somewhere, so I'll give it a try and get back to you on how it works. In the meantime, someone download it, and let us know in the comments-- is it worth installing this thing to play WoW with buttons and joysticks?
New texting device for Phantasy Star. Why?
Chatpad be damned! You may have seen shots of the Blue Orb Texter device on Joystiq last year. Essentially, you plug your wired control into the Texter, plug the Texter into your Xbox 360, and your controller becomes a text input device ... of sorts. Applying colored labels to your controller, you input combinations of stick presses to produce different letters. If the charts above are any indication, it is exactly as difficult as it sounds. SEGA has taken it upon themselves to create a Phantasy Star Universe branded version of the device. It's the same device, although it has a spiffier label and comes with lots of PSU-related stickers and a code to redeem a free T-shirt. Though it is intended for use in PSU, it will work in any 360 interface that accepts USB keyboard inputs. Given that the 360 Chatpad will give players the same functionality with a simpler interface, we have to ask: why?If this question does not vex you as it does us, you may purchase the Texter for $39.95. Hit the "read" link to see a video of the Texter in action.
Texter enables button combinations for typing on PS2, Xbox 360
If you've ever wished there was a faster way to type out messages within a console video game system other than the painfully arduous process of manually selecting each letter on-screen -- or plugging in an external keyboard -- thank your lucky stars that a company has heeded your prayers. Blue Orb has just released what it calls the "Texter", a small dongle that attaches to your PS2 ($25) or Xbox 360 ($30) and allows you to type by using certain two-fingered button and joystick combinations for each letter. Of course, like any new input system, it'll take time before you've mastered the new combinations and can type whole sentences without having to bust out that Character Guide cheat sheet. First person using the Texter to type out "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" quickly, accurately, and without looking should get a prize, but we're betting that it'll take awhile to get to that point.[Via Textually]
Texter turns Xbox 360 controller into keyboard, sorta
Blue Orb's Texter transforms the Xbox 360's thumbsticks into a makeshift keyboard -- and comes with decals. The device plugs in between the console and gamepad, and registers as a USB keyboard. A simple double-click of the left thumbstick activates Texter, allowing users to bypass Xbox 360's clunky on-screen keyboard. But is Texter any more efficient?Unless you take the time to memorize the character inputs (see diagram above), we're not convinced Texter warrants a purchase. But given the limits of a controller, we should give Blue Orb points for being clever. (up-right, left) (right, up) (up-right, up) (right, up-right) (RB) (left, right) (RB) (left, left) (up-left, up-left) (up, up-right) (right, left) (right, left)?
