Microsoft Prepares Advanced Mouse for Gamers

[Dashken]

Microsoft's hardware group this week formally announced its upcoming gamer-friendly mouse, with a slew of features purported to improve users' skills.

According to the company, the features add up to a device that "transcends the mouse category to become a customized gaming system."

Such claims aside, it's clear that the SideWinder Mouse offers a wealth of enhancements designed with the 3D "twitch" gamer in mind.

For instance, a number of features are designed to incorporate frequent game actions into the mouse. For instance, a dedicated button can be set to activate "Quick Turn" -- a pre-installed movement macro that, while playing a 3D first-person shooter-type-game -- quickly rotates the users' field of view 180 degrees for a scan of the nearby area. The upshot of the Quick Turn is that it's potentially faster than manually moving the field of view.

Another feature sure to be popular with gamers (at least, popular with SideWinder users -- their opponents may beg to differ) is the ability to record and play back macros, which can enable users to re-create complex movement with a button press.

On the ergonomic front, the mouse's design includes two vertical side buttons that are aimed at making it easier to press the correct button. The mouse's scroll wheel is both wide and textured, to provide better grip and responsiveness.

The mouse supports resolution control, up to 2,000 DPI. The mouse also supports a broad amount of personalization, with features like adjustable weight (which can be changed by adding or removing small weights, up to 30 grams) and a selection of different mouse feet with varying levels of friction.

“We found that gamers are a lot like performance car enthusiasts," said Bill Jukes, product marketing manager for Microsoft Hardware. "They like to tweak and tune their mouse to get it just right, and today we are giving them the tools to create a personalized experience that lets them focus on what’s important: being at the top of their game.”

Some may remember that Microsoft had used the SideWinder brand for an earlier, related product line, beginning in 1995. However, the company abandoned the product line -- which consisted of gaming peripherals like joysticks, game pads, and steering wheels -- shortly thereafter.

Now, the new Microsoft SideWinder Mouse resurrects the brand name, although the launch is the first time that it will be applied to a mouse.

Jukes added that unit's design -- which was created entirely in-house rather than being based on an existing design from partner Razer, with which Microsoft released is due in large part to feedback from gamers.

That design also includes an LCD display, which can be configured to show DPI and macro-recording state, among other features. The SideWinder also includes a cable "anchor" that serves to keep the mouse's cord out of the way. The anchor also serves as a storage box for the mouse's accessories.

Finally, the mouse also includes a dedicated button that launches the Games Explorer in Windows Vista.

Despite the slick feature set, the Microsoft SideWinder faces some entrenched competition. Logitech, one of the major players in the space, offers gaming mice with customizable weight and macro buttons. In September, Logitech is expected to launch its next-generation mouse, which offers a 3,200 DPI resolution, changeable hand grips, and customization profiles savable in the mouse itself (handy for playing on multiple systems.) At the same time, Logitech is also launching a keyboard that includes a built-in LCD screen.

At any rate, the SideWinder mouse is expected to be available in October, with a suggested retail price of $79.95.

Source: http://www.sysopt.com/news/article.php/3696076

[PsYkHoTiK]

Mice are starting to get pretty ugly...

Logitech too... :\

[Chai]

80 bucks for a freaking mouse? You think gamers will buy that kind of mouse???

[belikethat]

Originally Posted by Chai

80 bucks for a freaking mouse? You think gamers will buy that kind of mouse???

sadly yes

[PsYkHoTiK]

Originally Posted by Chai

80 bucks for a freaking mouse? You think gamers will buy that kind of mouse???

I paid near that for my G7...

[Chai]

I bought an MX518, and frankly, I'm more happy with that mouse than G5. What a rip off.

[Dashken]

This new MS mouse looks cool what.

[PsYkHoTiK]

Originally Posted by Chai

I bought an MX518, and frankly, I'm more happy with that mouse than G5. What a rip off.

I wanted wireless that wouldn't lag... Those weights to me are gimmicky...

[peaz]

I know which mouse I'll buy next and it aint this one. LOL.

[Adrian Wong]

Hehe.. In the next mouse, they are probably going to go VERY retro and put series of LED lights that pulse and flash randomly. For that science fiction movie look.