XBox 360 controllers for the PC

Steve Dunn

Hi, I had a question about controllers that plug into the PC. I understand that only XBox 360 controllers are supported by XNA. I also understand (I think) that wired only controllers work as they need to be plugged into the USB port on the PC. Actually the last point is now not valid since I discovered the wireless controller for Windows and 360. But this isn't available until 2007. Does anyone know if this wireless controller is an actual controller or just a receiver for an existing wireless controller

Cheers,

Steve

Steve Dunn

... another quick question for the those that have tried... are the PC drivers for the wired controller compatible with Vista   I just checked the 'for windows Vista' page on the MS hardware site, and there's no mention of gaming devices, just keyboard, mice, and fingerprint readers.

Cheers

Steve

Derek Nedelman

It's just a receiver for an existing controller.

Considering these controllers are the "next generation" input devices for Windows games I'd imagine that Vista will support them fully, it not now, then when Vista is officially released (I obviously haven't tried it myself on prerelease versions)

andyfraser

Hi,

Vista seems to recognise my wired XBox 360 controller, I did not even have to install the driver for it.

Andy

SysErr

Anyone know if I can use my Wireless XBOX 360 controller with the Play & Charge kit plugged into my PC USB slot Or do I really need to go buy a wired Xbox 360 controller

-SysErr

waruwaru

SysErr wrote:

Anyone know if I can use my Wireless XBOX 360 controller with the Play & Charge kit plugged into my PC USB slot Or do I really need to go buy a wired Xbox 360 controller -SysErr

I just bought another wireless controller thinking that I could use the P&C kit to use it on Windows, but I think the answer is that it won't work:

http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam/archive/2006/02/05/525337.aspx

Looks like we have to shell out $20 in Feb to connect our wireless controller to Windows:

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360wirelessgamingreceiver

I wonder how you can switch between using the controller for Windows and Xbox. Might be easier to just get another used 360 controller...

Billr17

You just need the USB wireless receiver. Its only $20 and will allow up to 4 controls to connect to a windows PC. I thought it was out, but apparently not yet...

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360wirelessgamingreceiver/

For the wired 360 controllers, you just need to download the driver. Select Controllers, 360 Controller for Windows, Your Verison of Windows, and then your Language. They only have the XP drivers listed right now. Someone mentione above it seemed to work on Vista without the driver needing to be installed. So this tells me one of two things, either the driver is included with Vista, or the driver wont be available until after Vista is publicly released (at the end of this month).

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/gaming/download.mspx 

Original press release with info on XBox 360 controller for Windows:

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/oct05/10-19360ControllerForWindowsPR.mspx

 

Have fun guys,

Bill

 

Ben Vanik

Yeah I was hoping the receiver would be out for the holidays. Instead I picked up a Play 'n Charge kit and later smacked myself for not reading the FAQ (it doesn't work). I still have one wired control, but it's difficult to test two player stuff with only one controller (and not deploying)!

Maybe the MSFT guys can do some recon on the hardware division and see what their release date is Maybe get Creator Club members a discount :)

Epsicode

I've bought my wired controller 2 days ago, it's really great to debug 360 controls without using the 360 itself.

waruwaru

Ben Vanik wrote:

Maybe the MSFT guys can do some recon on the hardware division and see what their release date is Maybe get Creator Club members a discount :)

I ordered the receiver from Amazon last night because they said "This item will be released on December 30, 2006". Just noticed that my shipping date changed to "January 31, 2007 - February 15, 2007 ". Doh! I am still wondering how easy it is to switch between using the controller on PC and 360 because my laptop and xbox are in the same area...