If you’ve ever wished you could lean into the action a little bit more with your Tony Hawk titles—or just have dreams of hanging ten in a high-concept sci-fi surfing game—then a new announcement from Actiga should offer some excitment. The company has announced that its subsidiary QMotion has signed an agreement with Microsoft to produce next-generation wireless controllers for the Xbox 360. The controllers will be fully endorsed by Microsoft, and span a full range of controller options.
The first wireless game controller to be produced by QMotions under the deal will be the Big Air, a full-size skateboard controller that works with “popular skateboarding games.” It should reach consumers in the second half of 2008. QMotion already makes a wired skateboard-style controller called the QMotions Xboard.
“This is a milestone event for our company that now enables us to design, develop and market a unique range of wireless products, bringing the excitement of action gaming to a whole new level on the Xbox 360 system,” said Actiga CEO and chairman Amro Albanna, in a statement. “We are excited to have been chosen as a Microsoft partner, particularly at this early stage of technology development where the award of Microsoft’s wireless accessory agreement continues to position us at the cutting edge of technology.”
Actiga hasn’t commented on other wireless controllers it may manufacturer for the Xbox 360, but the company already produces wired golf and baseball-style controllers, as well as a “fun fitness” controller compatible with most stationary and recumbent bikes.
The move towards special purpose wireless controllers no doubt seeks to capitalize on the success of the Nintendo Wii, which has had good results with simple, specialized add-ons for its Wii Remote and Nunchuck controllers (including the Wii Zapper, Racing Wheel, and the Balance Board that ships with Wii Fit). Popular games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band also ship with specialized controllers.
