Xbox 360 to Only Use Microsoft Joypads?

August 14th, 2005, 11:57 Posted By: wraggster

Xbox 360 has been designed to only work with Microsoft approved and branded pads and peripherals, according to industry sources.

A contract between Microsoft and peripheral makers Mad Catz has revealed that an anti-piracy 'security feature', found inside every 360, will allow the machine to decide which devices it will and won't work with, according to reports circulating the geekier depths of the web.

If this proves to be true then any third-party company planning to make a dance mat, lightgun or steering wheel for the next-gen console would have to pay Microsoft up-front for the technology, or allow Bill to take a certain percentage of royalties on each device sold.

This might sound like just another way for the Seattle giant to make money, but a similar system currently operates with software, where publishers pay Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft to have their game released on their consoles.

And, if these rumours do prove true, then only companies with Microsoft's blessing and its logos slapped on their boxes will be able to sell equipment to plug into Xbox 360. Which has one obvious implication: joypads may become more expensive.

It could also seriously affect anyone currently planning to plug their camera, MP3 player, webcam, PSP or Mac into the next-gen console.

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