Upcoming Accessories

[Glockstar]

First up...

Xbox Live Vision Camera
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/images/2006/features/hardware/msaccessory06/vision.jpg

Ships 09/19/06 - in two flavors:
1) $39.99...includes a headset; a 1-month Xbox Live Gold subscription; and two Xbox Live Arcade games: Uno and TotemBall.

2) $79.99...includes a headset; a full-year Xbox Live Gold subscription; 200 Microsoft Points; Uno, TotemBall, and Robotron: 2084.

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Then, on 10/24/06...

New Faceplates (Halo 3; Forza 2; and Viva Pinata)
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/images/2006/features/hardware/msaccessory06/faceplates.jpg

... $19.99 each

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Then, the must-have accessory for all-time!...

Microsoft Xbox 360 Live Wireless Headset
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/images/2006/features/hardware/msaccessory06/headset.jpg

"The wireless headset has a built-in transmitter that allows it to communicate directly with the Xbox 360 console without going through the controller. Microsoft has also outfitted the wireless headset with improved microphone and speaker components to improve audio fidelity." --James Yu; GameSpot (http://www.gamespot.com/features/6156370/index.html?tag=features;title;2)

Ships 10/31/06 ... $59.99

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More to follow

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The camera thingie is a strange deal... I don't need, nor want, another corded headset, and I don't need any free XL subscriptions... can't I just get the camera and download Totemball off the Marketplace? Actually, the only reason I'm even thinking about getting the camera is because of that game - I fear my fellow Xbox Livers.

Re: the wireless headset: Gotta have it! In fact, I'm looking forward to that more than any game coming out this year. :eek:

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Xbox Live Vision Camera aka, the creepiest accessory ever created.


Overall, I've never been a big accessory person. I still haven't bought a 2nd controller....shows how much I've been gaming with my friends.

At least these are 1st party, which (to me) have always had the highest quality compared with the stuff 3rd party companies make.

[Glockstar]

The camera could be a neat idea for close (real-life) friends & family, but for everybody else...? No.


Yeah, you'll notice that I'm only mentioning the 1st-party accessories. Logitech stuff can be pretty nifty tho'.

[Glockstar]

Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver
http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/lbox/802337b.jpg

"Gamers can get the most out of current and future Xbox 360 wireless accessories with the new Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows. By plugging the compact receiver into a USB 2.0 port on the PC, the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, Xbox 360 Wireless Headset and Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel can be used on a second platform." --GameStop (http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=802337)

I listed this one next - even tho' it's technically more of a PC accessory than a 360 one - because it's the only one left that has a (semi) concrete release date - the next two do not.

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Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/images/2006/features/hardware/msaccessory06/wheel.jpg

GameSpot says that this is supposed to come out in November, be bundled with "a limited edition force feedback version of Project Gotham Racing 3", and retail for $149.99... but I don't see the item listed on GameStop at all, so who knows when exactly this will come out.

Plus, I thought it was MS's original intention to release this accessory simultaneously with Forza 2 - but I believe Forza 2 got delayed to 2007... so does that change anything? Who knows.

Like the Wireless Headset this is a must-have(!) accessory for me - so I'll be following the news updates closely.

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Finally...

Microsoft Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/images/2006/features/hardware/msaccessory06/hddvd.jpg

Still no word on price or release date.

[Glockstar]

Okay, Thursday IGN did a write-up on this accessory and said that it's due November 1.

They also got their hands on it - tho' they didn't exactly get to "play" with it. Here's some of what they had to say:

The wheel has 270 degrees of motion and feels comfortable and solid.

[The Pedal System] has a cutaway frame at along the base of the pedals that comfortably accommodates a player's heel where you naturally would rest your feet. It helps to keep the pedals from doing much sliding around.

http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/732/732894/first-look-xbox-360-wireless-racing-wheel-20060914063933816-000.jpg

The wheel uses the same batteries as the X360 controllers and can be quickly switched out. Microsoft said they expect the batteries to last about 20 hours on average.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/732/732894p1.html

[Glockstar]

X06: Microsoft sounds off on 360 wireless headset
Hands-free headset for Xbox 360 will have eight hours of battery life, support Microsoft Voice Command for select games
By Tim Surette, GameSpot
Posted Sep 27, 2006 5:11 pm PT

The big news for Xbox 360 acessories today may have been the $200 price tag for Microsoft's external HD-DVD player, but the company also laid out some details of its Xbox 360 Wireless Headset.

The headset will use the same 2.4GHz radio technology used by the Xbox 360 wireless controller, and will have a range of up to 30 feet from the console. An Xbox 360 can handle up to four headsets and four wireless controllers simultaneously. The battery life on the unit clocks in at eight hours, and each headset will come with an AC adapter for recharging.

Microsoft also says the voice quality on the wireless headset is a dramatic improvement over the wired headset that's currently available. The company also points out that the headset supports "Microsoft Voice Command for selected games," but did not specify which games will include the feature.

As previously noted, the headset will retail for $59.99 when it is launched this November.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6158899.html

[Fivespot]

Picked up the camera last week in the gold box (also came with another headset, 2 arcade titles - UNO & Robotron, 200 points, and a year subscription to XBOX live) and it was all for only $79.99. This is cheap in my opinion considering the camera alone costs $39.99. I was in need of an annual subscription renewal so the timing was perfect for me to buy everything packaged together.

Anyone else buy the 360 camera?

[Glockstar]

No, need to know more about it. *hint hint* :wink5:

I'll probably get it for Totem Ball regardless, however. Whenever that game comes out.

And the "gold box" is a good deal... it's just that I don't need any of that stuff. Maybe if they're still offering it, or something like it, in February...

[Glockstar]

That means you Five. :wink5:

Does your camera get hot? Like, to the touch? Mine gets smoking hot. It's ridiculous. I'm half expecting to see the shelf it sits on to start smoking.

[Fivespot]

I'll give it a touch and see. I haven't used the camera much yet and the only time it seems to stay on is when I'm in the dashboard (I'm using it as my theme). So it only stays on for short stints of time and probably nothing significant enough to raise the heat past normal levels.

Why is yours getting so hot? Playing a lot of Totem Ball lately? I still need a better lit room before having a chance to properly give the game a go.

[Glockstar]

No; TotemBall is a bee-otch. They should have called it "ExerciseBall. You've heard the expression 'no pain, no gain', right? But in TotemBall I have hard time finding out exactly what it is I'm gaining; the game just isn't that fun. I suffer thru awful, frustrating controls, and get physically tired... for what?!