XIM3 round the corner (mouse and keyboard support)

Zensuji · 17 Apr 2010 at 11:27

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.

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.

Some Halo 3 SWAT gameplay footage using my new Logitech G500 5700dpi mouse.

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.

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

Streeteh · 17 Apr 2010 at 12:27

Obligatory 'zomg cheating, learn to use a pad, go back to PCs noob' post

I really do hope these things get banned somehow.

Shamikebab · 17 Apr 2010 at 12:29

Streeteh said:
I really do hope these things get banned somehow.

me too

Ksanti · 17 Apr 2010 at 12:31

Looks nice but given how expensive the current XIM's are, adding a screen seems like it will only end up being ridiculously expensive.

Zensuji · 17 Apr 2010 at 12:41

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.

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.

Zensuji · 17 Apr 2010 at 12:42

Streeteh said:
Obligatory 'zomg cheating, learn to use a pad, go back to PCs noob' post

I really do hope these things get banned somehow.

Me too but I cant see how given that they run through a standard wired pad.

Streeteh · 17 Apr 2010 at 13:03

Zensuji said:
Me too but I cant see how given that they run through a standard wired pad.

We can only hope.

dannyjo22 · 17 Apr 2010 at 13:24

Well if they come out are are not bannable I will be using one. No choice really if you want to compete. I hoped it wouldn't happen but if it does I will use one.

Streeteh · 17 Apr 2010 at 13:58

dannyjo22 said:
No choice really if you want to compete.

And therein lies the problem.

I don't want to play at a table, i want to play slouched on my sofa. If these become affordable and mainstream i just won't bother playing online on consoles any more tbh, at least it would finally give me a decent excuse to not renew my gold sub. It will ruin the experience for me to adopt it and will ruin the experience if i don't.

Macky · 17 Apr 2010 at 14:17

Terrible news.

Chandler_90 · 17 Apr 2010 at 15:21

For a while I was gonna get one of these... infact I remember posting a thre\ad about it and got 4 pages of abuse or something lol...

However.... I never did get one... and tbh I feel better for it.

Over time I have got used to the delays the controller creates and even though I'm not as quick as others I still feel I am pretty good.

Not sure what to do about these tho... might get one if I feel the need..

RichieM · 17 Apr 2010 at 15:32

Streeteh said:
I don't want to play at a table, i want to play slouched on my sofa. If these become affordable and mainstream i just won't bother playing online on consoles any more tbh, at least it would finally give me a decent excuse to not renew my gold sub. It will ruin the experience for me to adopt it and will ruin the experience if i don't.

Agreed

rp2000 · 17 Apr 2010 at 15:39

Definitely getting one of these when it is released, much better investment than a pathetic Arcade Stick or Steering Wheel imo.

Hopefully it will increase my BF BC2 stats

rp2000

Nymins · 17 Apr 2010 at 16:05

Macky said:
Terrible news.

This tbh.

Really really awful if this becomes mainstream.

Margaret · 17 Apr 2010 at 20:26

rp2000 said:
Definitely getting one of these when it is released, much better investment than a pathetic Arcade Stick or Steering Wheel imo.

Hopefully it will increase my BF BC2 stats

rp2000

Why do you label an arcade stick or steering wheel as pathetic? :confused:

Yes both of those are limited to certain types of games but so will this mouse and keyboard, mostly used for FPS games no doubt.

Anyway, I don't really care if this thing comes out and isn't bannable, it's not like the 360 has any particularly gripping FPS Games that aren't out elsewhere.

I'd feel stupid if I got one of these, if I want to play competitively in an FPS I'll do it on a platform designed for it; the PC. The last time I played competitively on a console was when playing Ghost Recon/Rainbow Six 3 because they had no aim assist, with controllers and aim assist being rampant in console FPS these days I have a hard time calling any of them competitive...especially Modern Warfare 2 where a random air support package can determine the outcome of a game.

Oh yeah and I doubt I'd feel all that great if I was on a killing spree while using the adapter, knowing I've got a technical advantage over a lot of people. How satisfying.

It's all pointless though, this won't catch on and will be forgotten like the other crappy adapters that have came and gone.

rp2000 · 17 Apr 2010 at 23:43

Margaret said:
Why do you label an arcade stick or steering wheel as pathetic?

Yes both of those are limited to certain types of games but so will this mouse and keyboard, mostly used for FPS games no doubt.

Anyway, I don't really care if this thing comes out and isn't bannable, it's not like the 360 has any particularly gripping FPS Games that aren't out elsewhere.

I'd feel stupid if I got one of these, if I want to play competitively in an FPS I'll do it on a platform designed for it; the PC. The last time I played competitively on a console was when playing Ghost Recon/Rainbow Six 3 because they had no aim assist, with controllers and aim assist being rampant in console FPS these days I have a hard time calling any of them competitive...especially Modern Warfare 2 where a random air support package can determine the outcome of a game.

Oh yeah and I doubt I'd feel all that great if I was on a killing spree while using the adapter, knowing I've got a technical advantage over a lot of people. How satisfying.

It's all pointless though, this won't catch on and will be forgotten like the other crappy adapters that have came and gone.

Just kidding around, hence the smiley.

rp2000

icehot · 18 Apr 2010 at 08:40

Streeteh said:
Obligatory 'zomg cheating, learn to use a pad, go back to PCs noob' post

I really do hope these things get banned somehow.

If anything using a pad is a toned down 'noob' way to play :rolleyes:

Though I agree, mouse vs analouge stick is just no contest, would be very annoying to play agianst.

Streeteh · 18 Apr 2010 at 08:53

icehot said:
If anything using a pad is a toned down 'noob' way to play

No, no control method is a 'noob' way, gaining an advantage via the use of your wallet however is quite noobish.

It was also quite obviously a tongue in cheek sentence, i hate the use of the term 'noob'.

Zensuji · 18 Apr 2010 at 09:46

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.

Tr Insanity · 18 Apr 2010 at 10:56

Why hasn't MS jumped on this market already? I'm sure they can come up with their own overpriced mouse & keyboard adapter.

I'm against players using keyboard and mouses with people using pads, so why not have 2 seperate matchmaking lobbies, one for those who want to play with pads only and the other for keyboard & mouse users?