Next Gen Controllers Should they be wireless?

[kai123]

Do you think that the next generation of controllers should be completely wireless? I think they should. Also do you think they should have wireless networking? Also I want to keep this fanboy free. So please don't post if you only want to bash systems we know nothing about. :P

[PhoeniX]

Yes, there is now excuse for them not to be. The wavebird for instance demonstrates the wonder of what a first party wireless controller can be. I don't know however how console will deal with the loss of reverse compatability to old controllers though. I would also be a little worried about a standard like Bluetooth, I just saw a feature on Bluetoothe snarfing on The Screen Savers. As any next gen console will liekly be more fully integrated onto the net, what would happen if such a controller port allowed access to something like an xbox live account? Wireless is no doubt the future but it has to be done securely, I'm not worried about people interfering with my game, but there are other considerations. A crucial part of an Xbox chipless mod for instance in done through the use of a solid state device plugged into the controller, it would stand to reason that if the microsoft xbox controller in its current form were wireless (completely so, current ones don't utilize the expansion slots) could someone remotely crash your console through the intentional botching of savegame hack?

[ddockery]

Yes, but they absolutely need to do it right. The wavebird rocks, but we shouldn't have to be chnaging battereis. Wireless controllers with a base to charge them, and as an add-on option, a spare battery (unless they use standard batteries). A rechargable base just make life a lot easier, and a spare would ensure never finding your controller dead. They could even implement an option that would always pause the game when the battery got to a certain point, before it totally ran out.

[K3V]

Yes, I am totally spoiled by wireless controllers now. I love the Wavebird and just got a Logitech Cordless Action Controller for the PS2 and love it too. Just need to get a Logitech for the Xbox and I'll be all set ;)

If the next generation of consoles doesn't come wireless out of the box I will be very disappointed. I like the idea of a rechargable base, but with the lifespan of the batteries in these controllers (Logitech claims 300 hours without rumble), I'm not sure how necessary that will be. Either way, I want wireless!

[Kim Possible]

would I like them to be? Hell yes. My wavebird is sweet sweet sweet.

should they be? No. If companies want to stick with corded controllers for whatever reason, then they have that right. I won't be pissed if they don't want to make a complete conversion to wireless.

[youruglyclone]

rechargable bases are awkward...I rather pay for batteries than take up yet another outlet.

besides the battery life is so long I sometimes forget that it has batteries

but yeah there is no excuse for a lack of 1st party wireless controllers for the next gen systems

[Nature Boy]

I'm on board with the wireless controller revolution. I have one for my Gamecube and two for my PS2. It's *awsome*.

I'd like to see the technology embedded into the console but I still want the choice. I like buying multiple controllers for when my friends come over, but I'm not sure I'd bother buying four wireless controllers if I could get 2 & 2 and have it come out a bit cheaper.

[Kamino]

I for one am COMPLETELY against wireless controllers, unless they are an option - cord available.
I don't care how infrequent the battery change is. I DON'T WANT TO BUY BATTERIES. A proprietary rechargable battery is even WORSE. What happens years down the road when the company no longer supports it? then, if we are LUCKY, we can pay batteries plus or radio shack an exorbitant fee to get our controllers working again.
No thanks, Vladimir.
Give me a corded controller 'kthx.

[MarioAllStar2600]

Yes, but they absolutely need to do it right. The wavebird rocks, but we shouldn't have to be chnaging battereis. Wireless controllers with a base to charge them, and as an add-on option, a spare battery (unless they use standard batteries). A rechargable base just make life a lot easier, and a spare would ensure never finding your controller dead. They could even implement an option that would always pause the game when the battery got to a certain point, before it totally ran out.

The charging dock is a GREAT idea. This guy summed up my thoughts on this. Although the WaveBird doesn't die much on me at all... so it isn't a big hassle at all.

[Sylentwulf]

Pretty much agree with the above. What would be IDEAL would be a corded/cordless controller. Plug the cord in if you want, or if you're out of batteries, or if your charge dies.

There's just no reason they can't put a cord jack on the back of the controller so you can plug it in and play corded as well.

Recharging base would be very nice as well...

[anagrama]

Yes they should, but they won't while they can still make people pay out an extra £25 apiece to upgrade their original controller to a wireless one.

[Nez]

I don't mind wires.

The only thing that worriess me is putting them away and wraping the cords around the controller. I've hear that it breaks the wires inside, does anyone now if this is true or not?

Sorry for going slightly off topic.

[hydr0x]

i would LOVE to have them with wireleass controllers, but i guess it won't happen :(

[Nature Boy]

Yes, but they absolutely need to do it right. The wavebird rocks, but we shouldn't have to be chnaging battereis. Wireless controllers with a base to charge them, and as an add-on option, a spare battery (unless they use standard batteries). A rechargable base just make life a lot easier, and a spare would ensure never finding your controller dead. They could even implement an option that would always pause the game when the battery got to a certain point, before it totally ran out.

The charging dock is a GREAT idea. This guy summed up my thoughts on this. Although the WaveBird doesn't die much on me at all... so it isn't a big hassle at all.

Both really good points - and both the reason we won't see wireless controllers packaged with a system anytime soon. Too expensive to make it all work.

[tholly]

cordless would be nice ..............if

A) you could plug in a cord and use it corded (for the future, when it might not be possible to replace the batteries, or in the case that you don't have a spare charged up and still want to play)

B) they had an amazingly long battery time or a charging base

C) i would only want them to have a charging base if the base plugged into a port on the back of the console so the system would not take up 2 power outlets (i already have enough things plugged in, i dont have room for 1 plug, let alone 2)

all in all though, cords don't really bother me, its just nice to not have to worry about them.

[Leo_A]

Completely against the idea.

[spoon]

A corded/cordless option would be the best.

The charger could be built into the controller, and the controllers could come with rechargeable batteries. My Sony Discman does this. If you plug it into the wall, it doubles as a charger.

[Ed Oscuro]

No, because there's enough electronic smog in the world...and it makes my tinfoil hat tingle anyway.

I'd actually like just somewhat lighter cords. I don't mind cords much, really, unless they're attached to mice. However, there's not really room for me to walk around with my current game setup; I might feel differently elsewise.

Maybe give each wired/wireless controller a wireless base station that plugs into a wall for current? Then you would have lighter units (in the case of one with a wire to the base station, otherwise you wouldn't want to put a relay in the base station 'cuz that would be redundant and confusing), and they would be recharged much more easily, plus you wouldn't have battery drain (in the case of units with wires from the controller to the base station, again). It should strike you as being only marginally useful, but I'd imagine it to be the ultimate in cord extension. Surely no crazier than that old Sega Mark III Telecon Pack (which turned the console's video into short-range RF waves)!

[Cryomancer]

Don't forget things like the "don't use a wavebird and gba wireless adapter at the same time" conflicts. I agree that the wireless/wired option is a good idea, but I think that would work best as a non-pack in controller myself. I also support the idea of a GOOD built-in cordspool system, ie the controller holds it own cord.

[Neonsolid]

Gone.

[Ed Oscuro]

I also support the idea of a GOOD built-in cordspool system, ie the controller holds it own cord.
Ala CAT-5 cables General Electric (and pretty much everybody else, it seems) makes these days...I thought of mentioning the possibility, but I feel these cords are always too tight. I'd always be in fear of pulling my console off its perch, or breaking the cord's reel spring mechanism (I'd imagine such a controller would have an especially high rate of failure, and they'd become rare in a hurry). The only way to do that system properly would be by having the spool on the plug into the console itself, so as to make the rest of the controller lighter.

[MarioAllStar2600]

You guys have to keep in mind cordless controllers would still be optional surely. They would be like what Wireless controllers are today.... except the other way around. You would just have the option of buying either one at the store.

[Ed Oscuro]

You guys have to keep in mind cordless controllers would still be optional surely.
I wasn't quite expecting them to limp back the factory, pleading to be melted down so their bones could go towards making glorious wired controllers. Wireless mice for PCs are more popular than wireless controllers in terms of sheer volume sold, I'd imagine, but both markets are growing, there's no doubt about that. Eventually, we'll be saying it would make more sense to say "keep in mind that wired controllers will still be optional, surely!" LOL

[izret101]

I dont want wireless controllers because then you have to get them battery power.
So for me it would be completely useless.

[kai123]

I keep hearing everyone say battery power is an issue, but is it really? As some of the others have mentioned battery life is so good on just 2 AA batteries that it doesn't make sense to have the docking station. Besides a docking station would be the ugliest thing to happen to a console. Also if you had four controllers all charging at the same time wouldn't that make the console very large. I know I wouldn't want to charge just 2 controllers at a time.

The whole point of a completely wireless console would be no stupid link cords between the system and future portables. I just cant stand a cord on my consoles anymore. BTW if you can't keep a couple of spare AA batteries around for when your controller does die then god help you. :)

[atomicthumbs]

I kinda like cords. Though I hope that the cords are as long as they are for the Xbox (and are "breakaway" as well).

It seems like the GameCube cords are just too short.

[Ed Oscuro]

Besides a docking station would be the ugliest thing to happen to a console.
The docking station doesn't have to be on the console, since you're just putting the controllers there to recharge when you're done.

[kai123]

Besides a docking station would be the ugliest thing to happen to a console.
The docking station doesn't have to be on the console, since you're just putting the controllers there to recharge when you're done.

That is true but it is something that requires another plug from the outlet. What if you can only put one on a stand at a time?

[SkiDragon]

They should be wireless, but should have a plug on the controller and the console so a cord can also be used, either for gameplay or simply for recharging.

[Ed Oscuro]

Besides a docking station would be the ugliest thing to happen to a console.
The docking station doesn't have to be on the console, since you're just putting the controllers there to recharge when you're done.

That is true but it is something that requires another plug from the outlet. What if you can only put one on a stand at a time?
Then you don't have to buy it! I think the solution would be to make the controller able to take standard batteries or rechargeables + dock. Companies probably wouldn't do that 'cuz people woul try to stick normal batteries in and recharge thjose, but one can dream...

[Hovoc]

Besides a docking station would be the ugliest thing to happen to a console.
The docking station doesn't have to be on the console, since you're just putting the controllers there to recharge when you're done.

That is true but it is something that requires another plug from the outlet. What if you can only put one on a stand at a time?



jesus, have you people NOT heard of power strips?


ive got more outlets than places to plug in my rca cables :roll:

[kai123]

jesus, have you people NOT heard of power strips?

Really? They make something that has more than two sockets on it.
WOW I will have to get me some of those.


ive got more outlets than places to plug in my rca cables:roll:

Jesus, have you not heard of an AV switchbox? :roll:

[kai123]

Then you don't have to buy it! I think the solution would be to make the controller able to take standard batteries or rechargeables + dock. Companies probably wouldn't do that 'cuz people woul try to stick normal batteries in and recharge thjose, but one can dream...

That would be the best solution. What I don't get is why everyone wants a docking station. O_O Just go buy some rechargeable brand batteries and a charger. Then you can keep a spare set always charged while you use your other set. When those die trade them out and start charging the others. My friend does that with his wavebird and his sony rechargeable batteries.

[SkiDragon]

Obviously my idea is the best. No stupid "docking station" required. Very flexible, very simple.

[Nature Boy]

Besides a docking station would be the ugliest thing to happen to a console.
The docking station doesn't have to be on the console, since you're just putting the controllers there to recharge when you're done.

I was thinking of this this weekend. Didn't people like the fact that on your Colecovision or your Intellivision the controllers stacked up nice and neatly on the console? Wouldn't that be something you'd like to see again?

Granted today's controllers are a little more three dimensional than those boxy examples, but it could be done. Take the gamecube and double it's width and you could probably fit two controllers on top right there!


Don't forget things like the "don't use a wavebird and gba wireless adapter at the same time" conflicts

Most wireless devices allow you to switch between many channels to avoid interference. I'm sure this would be a non-issue.

[Ze_ro]

I'm against wireless by default. The cords are plenty long enough and don't bother me much at all (I have 5 consoles within 2 feet of each other and have no problem with the cords). I'd rather save a few bucks on the system (and replacement controller later on) and not have to worry about batteries or crosstalk or anything like that.

--Zero