New GamePad Coming in December

Posted By: Aaron Ardiri Tuesday, November 21, 2000 10:16:37 AM

World Wide Widget Works is producing a hardware clip on for the Palm III series and VII series that allows users to use the familar gamepad controls (4 way joy, 2 control and 2 extra buttons). They will release the unit in December for around $40. Existing games can use it with the installation of a Hackmaster hack - or the developer may directly interface with the software by obtaining a copy of the developer package, which they are selling for $89.

They are in the preliminary stages of creating GamePad versions for other handheld devices but won't commit to which handhelds they plan to target or what dates those products might be offered for sale.

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Like I said...

GregGaub @ 11/21/2000 11:59:54 AM #

on PalmStation, if they want to sell the Palm Game Pad units, they need to get as many games as they can to directly inteface with the game pad. That means giving the dev kit away. It's ignorant of them to charge for the dev kit. That's NO way to encourage game authors to support their device.

RE: Like I said...

silfreed @ 11/21/2000 1:19:58 PM #

That's exactly what I was going to say. How can they expect developers to support it, when they have to pay for a development package?

RE: Like I said...

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/22/2000 8:52:32 PM #

The development API will be free. The $89 price for dev kits was for pre-production pre-release development. The cost covers a prototype unit, which actually costs Worldwide Widget Works around $100 a GamePad to make. When the API and driver is finalized, it will be available for free download from www.palmgamepad.com

JHL

$89 - may be for the following...

ardiri @ 11/21/2000 4:18:45 PM #

you need to keep in mind that you get a Gamepad device in this purchase, so that leaves around $50 for the support libraries, documentation (which may be free) - but also the ablity to get support from them? i doubt the API is that complex that it needs to be paid for :) heck, it is just a serial connection. unless i am not permitted, i may provide some sample code for everyone :) i dont know the licensing terms of this device :((

// az
aaron@ardiri.com
http://www.ardiri.com/

Gamepad

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/21/2000 6:09:42 PM #

I envision a gamepad that looks similar to an aircraft yoke--the steering wheel with the top cut off, and a place to mount the palm device in the center. Hat buttons and triggers along with the other sort. While we're at it, how about a laser tag sort of adaptor--use the ir to beam shots, and a sensor to register hits, all with an ergonomic pistol grip. I am serious.

Better than the Visor's Game Pad

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/21/2000 10:56:20 PM #

Well..... At least this is better than what Visor released... I mean with this you have the same set up as the gameboy does... I wish Visor would try this as well.. I mean I am glad they have the spingboard module in them.. but I think for some apps... they ould cennect a device to the bottom of the vIsor like Palm does..

Response from GamePad maker...

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/22/2000 9:30:13 AM #

...on Palmstation in which he said that the dev kit will be free.

Allan

i dont know....

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/22/2000 3:14:21 PM #

its not like the palmpilot is really a "gaming machine". no offense to ardiri and the work he has done, which i think is some really great stuff. id prefer a gameboy all the way. any games that are on the palm are like a secondary function, something to do while bored. i dont see a market for this item, maybe if the palm's screen resolution improved and it had some sound...

What the heck is that?

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/22/2000 4:12:50 PM #

What is that? If people want to play games, they'll get a gameboy. I don't think there's a market for game devices on Palms. I don't want to carry another attachment. Where's the business logic in this? There's many things that need to change with the Palms before becoming a real gamers device. Why does Palm believe they can do everything with their little OS and small resolution? First it's simple, now it wants to be a PocketPC. You can't keep adding cards to the deck, eventually the whole concept of building a tower crumbles... it needs to be built from the foundation up. Create a good OS and better devices will be born.

its... a game pad

ardiri @ 11/22/2000 7:01:02 PM #

maybe you dont like this piece of hardware, but many other people out there may want this? are you speaking for everyone? no. ok.. this is an add-on, thats means existing users can purchase it and use it without upgrading their Palm devices. sure, someone could build a device with a gamepad instead of the hardware keys - maybe its already in the works? in either case, i look forward to receiving my gamepad.. my thumbs dont like the current layout so much :P - even if i dont carry it around, its a pretty cool concept. as a developer, all my games will support this device.

// az
aaron@ardiri.com
http://www.ardiri.com/

What a waste

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/22/2000 11:15:08 PM #

If you really want a gamepad get an ipaq or a real gameboy. Who the hell is gonna pay $40 and strap that stuiped thing to the bottom of a palm? To me is loses any benefit when its a hardware add on vs a palm unit with a dpad (like the ipaq)

GamePad + Liberty = working

ardiri @ 11/27/2000 1:29:40 PM #

the developer kit is now available for the GamePad which you can get from the following website:

http://www.palmgamepad.com/">http://www.palmgamepad.com

it takes around 5 minutes for developers to update their applications to support this hardware, and Liberty has been sucessfully updated :)) kudo's :)

// az
aaron@ardiri.com
http://www.ardiri.com/

Weeeeelll.....

Gourry @ 11/30/2000 10:07:13 AM #

Well...... for $98 you can make nearly unlimited game. Solo guys like Kyle Pool probabally won't get into it.. but I think corperations could care less about the price. I give it about 3 weeks before some guy figures out how to make it compatable without the dev kit