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[Xbox-Scene]

Arcade-In-A-Box Xbox360 Controller - Licensing Issues Ahead? Posted by XanTium | October 25 22:52 EST | News Category: Xbox360

From an interview with Arcade-In-A-Box on gamingnexus.com about their Xbox360 Arcade Controller: : * Did you work closely with Microsoft on the product and if so how was that relationship? * I've never spoken to anyone at Microsoft, so I guess our relationship is the same as most people. I'm a gamer, and they make a good console, and good games. * If you have no current relationship with Microsoft, will there be any licensing issues by creating a controller that's going to be used for the Xbox 360? * That I have no idea. If there is a problem I guess it would come from MadCatz since I'm using their pcbs. Maybe I didn't think through that aspect of it. Maybe MS will step up and provide me a means . I wish MS would make it easier for small companies like me to create products for their systems. * What are the chances that we'll see a wireless versions of the two 360 controllers? * Probably not until after the holidays, if at all. The first problem is making the batteries easy to get to so you swap them out, where at the same time, making the unit still pretty to look at. The second problem is by removing the usb, you remove direct compatibility with windows PCs. Sure the wireless will work with windows, but you need to buy additional hardware to make that happen. Full Interview: gamingnexus.com

[Acer1985]

wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, thats the dumbest smart guy ever (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Software2]

QUOTE(Acer1985 @ Oct 25 2007, 10:06 PM)

thats the dumbest smart guy ever (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I was going to break apart everything he said bit by bit... but that sums it all up nicely.

[Nailed]

Ya... not the brightest answers.  Conversely, that controller appears pretty large.  Will users really benefit that much by having it wireless? Personally, I'd rather have it mounted in an arcade cabinet (but with an original XBox... so many good emulators for it).

[Archalien]

I told you so.....errrr


http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?sho...26763&st=15

[proger]

"I guess it would come from MadCatz since I'm using their pcbs."

So basically this is just one of those home brew type of arcade controllers, that anyone slightly above average Joe could make fror under $90? And damn, If I am going to spend that much on an Arcade controller, they should at least use an official controller's PCB.  (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grr.gif)

This post has been edited by proger: Oct 26 2007, 01:10 PM

[twistedsymphony]

QUOTE(proger @ Oct 26 2007, 08:05 AM)

"I guess it would come from MadCatz since I'm using their pcbs."

So basically this is just one of those home brew type of arcade controllers, that anyone slightly above average Joe could make fror under $90? And damn, If I am going to spend that much on an Arcade controller, they should at least use an official controller's PCB.  (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grr.gif)

Lets connect the dots here:

Using someone elses PCB to build/sell what is essentially a homebrew controller

+ showing your true ignorance and lack of intelligence in an an interview

= too stupid to actually build your own PCB to get the job done.

----------------
He flat out CANNOT build his own controller without MS licensing due to the security system implemented. Anyone who can wield a soldering iron could build one of these controllers using any number of guides online.

Building a controller from scratch would even be beyond my ability, and I'd like to think I know quite a bit about how controllers work.

This guy's "product" is a total sham and he's basically just thrown someone else's controller in a box and put some bigger buttons on it.

This post has been edited by twistedsymphony: Oct 26 2007, 01:23 PM

[DoTsTeR]

Granted his answers are not he brightest, but saying it's a total sham is a bit much.

The licensing and security system have essentially been purchased when he bought the madcats controllers... It's not like he found a way to bypass that and is cheating Microsoft out of a license.

I really dont think there is anything wrong with what he is doing... however he probably should have marketed this as a service more than a stand alone actual product... he also probably should not be showing pictures of the product with Capcom 3rd Strike Graphics... and lastly he probably should have just started selling the controllers on his site or ebay  as a custom service and not bought all this potentially negative attention to himself and the product through this web site.

Now, I've built a few arcade controllers myself from exisiting controllers.. I know what sort of time and parts are involved. I sure as hell wouldn't waste my time making anything to sell because people are cheap complaining whine asses... as demonstrated by the people that keep saying this costs too much or this is a sham. etc etc etc... Jebus when I think about what a poor guy like this makes on something he spent many many hours on it's make me glad I get 60.00+/hour to do programming work.

This post has been edited by DoTsTeR: Oct 26 2007, 03:00 PM

[AcidPenguiN]

I don't see what your problem with him is. . . All he's really doing is making custom arcade sticks for those of us who don't want to do it ourselves. It's not like he's trying to fleece you with some superior product.

If you're in the "zomg he's just doing what I could do myself for under $90" group then go and make your own, you're not his target market. He's doing pretty much the exact same thing anyone who builds their own is doing, except he's doing it for people who can't or won't do it themselves and are willing to pay the final price. I'm sure you all know how much time these things can potentially take, to some that $60 to $100 premium is probably a worthy investment.

Based on his thread at SRK I'd say he's a pretty damn good guy as well as 'custom builder' and if I myself didn't have to know how to create my own sub $90 stick I'd strongly consider going through him.

I'm not denying that he sounds like a fool in the interview. Keep in mind that he's probably a one or two guy operation and I'm sure he's a little flustered what with having a ton of business coming through due to the press release. They probably caught him 'ass open' juggling a couple of different jobs at once where he couldn't really stop and think about his answers.

This post has been edited by AcidPenguiN: Oct 26 2007, 03:04 PM

[bucko]

no comment

[steveju]

QUOTE(AcidPenguiN @ Oct 26 2007, 02:00 PM)

I don't see what your problem with him is

Taking someone elses product, modifying it and slapping your name on it... That's basically what the problem is. I think everyone can imagine what would have happened by now if it were an official Microsoft controller's PCB inside his controllers (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[MrFish]

QUOTE(steveju @ Oct 26 2007, 08:22 PM)

Taking someone elses product, modifying it and slapping your name on it... That's basically what the problem is. I think everyone can imagine what would have happened by now if it were an official Microsoft controller's PCB inside his controllers

Yeah. And I can't wait to see RUF and BRABUS's day in court.

Read up on the Doctrine of First Sale. The only difference would be that the product cost $20 more.