I’m sure you’ve heard at least a small bit of rumbling about this lately, but this article seems to be the one to best capture the current state of the rumors that Microsoft is in fact creating a Wii-like wand controller for the Xbox 360.  I’m praying to whatever Gods will listen to me that this isn’t going to happen, but it would seem the source hasn’t been wrong yet…

I’ve actually been trying to scour the Intertubes for a picture that I saw posted awhile back (probably last summer?) of a picture that made me think this might be happening.  All I remember is that it was last year, it was a snapshot of a portion of a pre-presentation slide (those screensaver types that run before a show on the presentation screens), and it said something like “360 Motion” printed on a device that was somewhat akin to a USB thumb drive with a hole in it, somewhat off-center (1,000,000 points to the person who can find it for me!).  Speculation ran wild that there would be an announcement at that show (I don’t believe it was E3, but I don’t remember the show) regarding Microsoft’s entrance into the motion controller gaming business with some new peripheral, but alas.  Nothing.

Unfortunately, it would appear that the device isn’t nearly as diminutive and innovative as this missing picture would’ve suggested, but instead a complete and total rip-off of the Wii design, replete with a Wii-like sensor bar and a controller with a speaker embedded in it.  To say I’m disgusted is a complete understatement.  Why not carve out a completely new entry into the motion controller business?  How about combining the suggested smaller device with the completely underutilized Vision Camera for a unique experience?  Of course it will have similarities, but why completely copy the design? 

I absolutely understand that the folks in Redmond are seeing dollar signs (my favorite web pic about Nintendo) but this shows a complete lack of creativity and imagination from a company that has innovated for years in the online component of console gaming (so much so people still pay for it!!!)  Where are the ad wizards that came up with Xbox Live?

It is possible that Microsoft is concerned with the grossly mismanaged implementation of motion controls that has been seen up until now with the PS3 (if they can break the will of the Lair developers…), and they don’t want to pump money into a similar oversight, instead wishing to capitalize on the Wii’s runaway success.  It’s truly unfortunate for this hardcore gamer that two of the three major consoles would migrate to this direction.  What’s left for us HD junkies if this is the future of gaming?