XIM3 round the corner (mouse and keyboard support)

Zensuji

Zensuji

Zensuji

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Not something I'll be getting but thought a few of you may be interested. This is the 3rd version of this adapter and is aiming to be more mainstream.

I'm excited to share the first videos of XIM3 in action!

The project is going very well. In fact, beyond my expectations. The quality of gaming experience XIM3 produces continues to, frankly, shock me! I'm always trying to push XIM's aiming precision as far as I can. I've always felt that XIM2's dependence on OS timing limitations has had some sort of negative impact to precision, but, it's something I couldn't really quantify. This is why, for XIM3, I wanted no OS on the device. All drivers must be written from scratch -- perfect timing exactly synchronized with the console. This choice meant it would be harder and take longer to finish XIM3, but, wow was it worth it. Combine this with delivery of perfect stick values (USB-level digital communication rather than an analog interface) and Smart Translators, XIM3 is incredible.

I can't really express the thrill it was when all the pieces of XIM3 came together and I got to experience it, in game, for the first time. The code was new and untested, it was late, and I had a old 400dpi Intellimouse plugged in. Needless to say, I wasn't expecting all that much. I fired up Modern Warfare 2 and the new Smart Translator for it, and gave it a spin. Within a second (probably less :) I was completely blown away by how good aiming felt. But, what about Halo? We all know Halo is much harder game to adapt a mouse. So, I fired up Halo and my new Halo 3 Smart Translator. Within a second (probably less :) I knew that XIM3 was an absolute phenomenal device. As I kept playing, for once (in my entire history of XIM), I actually forgot that I was gaming through an adaptor. It felt that good.

Now for the videos...

This first video is something I've been wanting to put together for awhile. It's a XIM history and technology overview for those new to the project. It describes how we got here and where we are going.
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This next video is showing off XIM3's capabilities around precision aiming. It's using the new Halo 3 Smart translator. Since XIM2, I've made significant improvements to the XIM Smart Trainer and the Halo 3 Translator has gone through an upgrade. The goal of the test is to track the speed and movement of the small birds flying around The Pit without moving, only aiming. I can tell you that XIM3 is incredibly smooth. I was unable to accomplish this level of precision aiming against such small and unpredictable moving targets with XIM2. For this test, I used an original MX518 1600dpi mouse.
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Some Halo 3 SWAT gameplay footage using my new Logitech G500 5700dpi mouse.
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Finally, a video showing XIM3's onboard User Interface (UI). XIM3's features are not complete, so, you won't see everything you'd expect in the UI. This is why I mention that it's preliminary. Visuals will change too. But, it gives you a good idea of the direction I'm going with it. I love this little screen and have been having a lot of fun building the UI platform for it.
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Finally, I wanted to talk about dates. Of course, Q1 2010 was my goal, but, obviously that didn't happen. XIM3 is not date driven, but, a feature driven product. Rest assured that I'm working as fast as possible to get this done -- but, not at the expense of quality. For this reason I’m not going to commit to a date at this time.

Thanks,

OBsIV
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Ksanti said:
Looks nice but given how expensive the current XIM's are, adding a screen seems like it will only end up being ridiculously expensive.
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How much does it cost? *Updated

Official price is yet to be released, all guesses are that it will be priced to be competitive. with the XFPS. XIM3 will be cheaper than XIM2. When we know the official price, we will update this post.
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I think by mainstream the maker means available through his website on mass and a few select small vendors. Certainly not walking in to a highstreet store though.

If you go to there forums there's quite a few XIM2 users with BC2 sigs with stats that are average to say the least. Adapters however good are never the same as native PC mouse. Plus you'll loss analog movement and have inferior vehicle control in FPS games...IMO

personally I'd rather get owned by the less than 1% of live population that gets these, then have no satisfaction at all about the 99% of pad users I kill with it if I were to get one.

Its nice that you can use any PC peripheral though. Say if you wanted to buy a top end flight stick or driving wheel....even track IR

Wonder if Razer would try for something like this?....probably not given their relationship with MS.
 
Bare in mind that people have been using the XIM2 on xbox live for well over a year now. And actually loads of UK people on their forums as well. I very much doubt its had an impact on anyone's enjoyment. A lot of the really hardcore players usually aspire to be playing tournaments and clan matches where such a device wouldn't be allowed, and chances are most of the people that truly dominate on live will be the latter.

And looking at a lot of their stats on BC2 sigs they are certainly not dominating pad users. This product will not be available in the shops and will most likely only be available though the makers site....maybe a few small vendors like Lime in the UK.
 
amcculley said:
From now on, if you want to play Call of Duty or Halo and you want to compete, you'll need to get one of these.
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Judging by the majority of BC2 and Halo stats of people on their forums I beg to differ. Average at best. Or maybe that's just the sort of person these attract :p
 
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Kreeeee said:
Makes the biggest difference in CoD2, and mice users are obvious as they spin ~100 degrees at max speed, then take .5 of a second to line up a slower movement to your neck area and you're dead.
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Yeah COD is one of the best performing game according to users as it lacks acceleration.
 
Warbie said:
If there's no way to combat the acceleration pretty much all console shooters employ it'll be awful to use.

//Oops, just read above post. So for every game that uses acceleration it's not going to be a patch on the m&k action we're used to on the PC. Sounds poo to me.
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Correct. You are at the mercy of whatever the devs choose for the stick handling. Meaning every game will feel different and none will feel 100% pc mouse and keyboard.
 
This just went into its beta.

The XIM3 beta program has begun!

Over the next few days, the beta testers will start receiving their XIM3 beta devices. I've attached a picture of what these devices look like. The board and LCD have been mounted in a temporary enclosure for the purpose of the beta. I'd like to emphasize that these are temporary enclosures. :) The real professionally designed enclosures are just about done. The industrial design firm I've contracted has done an amazing job. I'll definitely be sharing pictures of the real enclosure the closer we get to launch.

I've also included a demonstration video of the beta device. This time it's Modern Warfare 2 on Sniper Fi (Special Ops). Like the Halo 3 "Bird Snipe" video I posted before, it's all aiming (no player movement) to show off XIM3's precision and micro-aiming capability. The MW2 Smart Translator is used which produces responsive and tight aim with zero configuration requirements.

The individuals chosen for the beta range from seasoned XIM2 gamers to those who have never even considered playing on the Xbox with something other than the standard controller. I'm not going to announce the names of those in the beta group. Nor can they talk about the device -- they have all signed strict confidentiality contracts.

The duration of the beta program is unknown at this time. The hardware and firmware the beta testers are receiving are very close to what I'd consider production quality. But, the point of the program is for the testers to put the device through its paces to uncover (hopefully) some compatibility or other serious issues I haven't seen. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what they come up with. :)
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Looking a lot more impressive then the XIM2. All my ex-PC friends are getting these now..bit annoying but hopefully it will bring them up to my level :p
 
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Alpherah said:
I suggest you actually use one, and then you'l know why everyone is raging about it.

The good news is, i got a reply from MajorNelsen about it, said MS are aware and want to do something to keep the playing field level and to watch this space.

So hopefully something will be done.

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XIM3 removes deadzone points too? great, its basically impossible to compete with even an average XIM2 user.
Then add in being able to boost sensitivity past the 360's max, snap-aiming and you have monster.
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Do you have a link to that?
 
GeneralD said:
MS cant really do anything about it other than releasing there own M+kb peripheral set. As far as I understand the Xbox reads the Xim3 as an xbox controller, it can't tell the difference.
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Can't they go directly after the company for bypassing the security chip? Someone mentioned that in another thread.
 
Nexus said:
The XIM 3 also appears to support macros, so you can for example map one button to do a load of things at the sametime. Such gamepads that have already been designed to do such things aren't granted licences.
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There's no macros at all for XIM3. I think you could use them for XIM2 but they weren't officially supported by the maker. XIM3 wont be able to use them at all.
 
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