Actiga rides Xbox 360 skateboard controller

  • By TomM_GScom, GameSpot
  • Posted May 1, 2008 4:15 pm PT

Spiking revenues in the game industry aren't limited to console makers and software developers. The accessories business has been booming from increased market penetration of current-generation hardware, as well. For the month of March, accessory sales jumped 58 percent over the same period last...

Spiking revenues in the game industry aren't limited to console makers and software developers. The accessories business has been booming from increased market penetration of current-generation hardware, as well. For the month of March, accessory sales jumped 58 percent over the same period last year to $220 million, according to the NPD Group.

It's no wonder, then, that new ancillary products continue to flood the market. Today, peripheral manufacturer Actiga Corporation announced it had signed a North American licensing deal with Microsoft to produce wireless controllers for the Xbox 360. The first product of this union will be a full-sized skateboard that will be compatible with the "popular skateboarding games" that will launch during the second half of 2008. Skateboarding games thus far available for Microsoft's console include Tony Hawk's Proving Ground, American Wasteland, and Project 8 from Activision as well EA's newest entrant, Skate.

Details on how the controller will interact with the game have not yet been made available, but Actiga has previously ventured into the replica boarding input device with the QMotions Xboard (pictured), which controls the speed and direction of the player's in-game persona by leaning in a particular direction. On its site, Actiga lists that peripheral as being compatible with such games as Tony Hawk's Underground and Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer.

Also of note is the fact Actiga's announcement comes just over two weeks before Nintendo releases its Wii Fit Balance Board and after rumors that Microsoft was working on a Wii Remote-like controller surfaced.

58 Comments

  • Jusik

    Posted May 10, 2009 6:19 pm PT

    go skate in real life, you've proabably never seen a real skateboard in your life, sure skate is fin but no where near as fun as skating in real life.

  • steamboatidk

    Posted Jan 11, 2009 12:08 pm PT

    itz a stupid idea but it looks pretty kool

  • LikwidX3

    Posted Jun 25, 2008 5:56 pm PT

    "zey2k

    errrrr buy a real one? at least u ride with your friends and not with your console -.-"

    yea but then id have to deal with losing my breath every 5 minutes. IM AM NOT defending this board, is a stupid idea lol.

  • lamprey263

    Posted May 5, 2008 6:58 pm PT

    meh, I'm sure my downstairs neighbors aren't going to like that

  • V-Nine

    Posted May 5, 2008 4:57 pm PT

    ....can't wait to hear about all the faceplants into the coffee table.....

  • Michael324

    Posted May 5, 2008 1:05 pm PT

    That's real nice and stupid.
    Now, when are we getting a gun for shooters?

  • Michael324

    Posted May 5, 2008 1:03 pm PT

    That's real nice and stupid.
    Now, when are we getting a gun for shooters?

  • Michael324

    Posted May 5, 2008 12:59 pm PT

    That real nice and stupid.
    Now, when are we getting a gun for shooters?

  • Baruch_S

    Posted May 5, 2008 12:23 pm PT

    I'm with Rhubarb9, how the heck are you going to pull off any sort of trick that requires getting off the ground or flipping the board? This thing could probably simulate balancing a grind fairly well, but otherwise it's not going to be anywhere near realistic. And even if you could flip it, like most of the people who play skating games have the skill to actually pull off those tricks on a board. If you have that type of skill, you probably aren't sitting around your living room playing skating games with a fake skateboard.

  • DreFullCircle

    Posted May 5, 2008 11:52 am PT

    all popular skating games? there are only like 4 on the 360, so why not just say all the games?

  • godzillavskong

    Posted May 5, 2008 10:53 am PT

    I can see the injuries and law suits coming!

  • Rhubarb9

    Posted May 4, 2008 10:38 pm PT

    so.... how do I kickflip it? :l

  • XxCiNCYSK8eRxX

    Posted May 4, 2008 10:32 pm PT

    why? is this a reason for the nerds who play THPG all day to say there real skaters now? i love skating games but there GAMES. most of the time people who play skateboarding games are actual skaters like myself. and the only time they play is one when theres bad weather out, or two their hurt... i know this MAY be an option but still if neversoft goes in that direction to make it mandatory the devs. are just digging a deeper hole that the TH franchise has to get out of.

    Skate. is amazing and TH games CAN be that way again...

  • FallingToEarth

    Posted May 4, 2008 1:59 pm PT

    i agree with zey2k. go buy a real board with that money and skate with your friends. the only thing wrong about that statement is that you can't go to the xgames (unless you're crazy) and other spots like that in real life..so this would be a good simulator.

  • thenephariouson

    Posted May 4, 2008 1:41 pm PT

    The main reason i think MS should give this a miss is simply that they are trying to please everyone (which is impossible). They should innovate & develop something completely original.

  • bcrenton

    Posted May 4, 2008 9:22 am PT

    while I agree with almost everyone here regarding the "leave that stuff to the Wii" audience.

    No offense, but if M$ is going to bury Nintendo, they are going to have to take a bite out of their marketshare first, as we 360 gamers are NOT casual gamers - MOST Wii people are. And that is why, compared to #'s of systems sold, many of the Wii big titles have small sales (compared to installed base)

  • speedjunkie4

    Posted May 3, 2008 8:20 pm PT

    I rather use my analog stick to pop tricks in skate. then with this piece of crap gimmick.

  • DrKill09

    Posted May 3, 2008 2:28 pm PT

    When I first read this, I thought "Cool, maybe a controller made specifically for Skate", cause doing precise moves in skate was tricky, if they made a controller with a bigger right thumb stick or something it would be easier to do certain tricks.

    But no, they give us the NES Power Pad instead, lol! No thank you. If I were to use this gimmick, I might as well buy a skateboard. What is the freakin point?

    I can see it now...

    Some guy: "Hey guys, look what I got! (shows skateboard controller)"

    All the guys friends in unison: "POSER!!"

  • ps3thabest

    Posted May 3, 2008 2:28 pm PT

    microsoft and the copy cat thing is getting old first blue ray then wii like controller now this disgrace

  • thenephariouson

    Posted May 3, 2008 12:49 pm PT

    09231991,

    I Agree.

  • 09231991

    Posted May 3, 2008 12:42 am PT

    thebeast, your ignorant. As thenephariousson said, leave this stupid gimmicky crap to Nintendo and leave the hardcore gamers alone. Nintendo needs every little kiddie gimmick just to sell. lol

  • bardkieran

    Posted May 2, 2008 8:24 pm PT

    I foresee a lot of broken ankles....

    Shadystyxxx - Just fyi, since you like Wii Sports, play baseball and move the controller around while at bat. Notice that it actually is 1:1 motion. The hardware's there. The developers just need to stop being lazy.

  • thenephariouson

    Posted May 2, 2008 12:56 pm PT

    They should leave the 'Kiddie' gimmicks to the Wii etc, leave the 360 alone.

  • Vazzucious

    Posted May 2, 2008 9:28 am PT

    GundamBlue

    and this is why i hate microsoft...lets take a wii fit board and turn it into a skateboard and then take a wii like motion sensing and put it into the crappiest controller ever...

    Or take Xbox Live an matchmaking and turn it into an online service that is no different than playing bots.
    I wish MS would use the camera for motion. That way you could use the controller and motion. Think of a Star Wars game were the controller was all combat and you could hold up your hand for force powers. YOu could grab someone and move your hand real quick and you throw them in that direction.

  • ocdog45

    Posted May 2, 2008 9:25 am PT

    SB games are not that serious.

  • Serious06

    Posted May 2, 2008 9:24 am PT

    looks pretty lame to me.

  • Zazalon

    Posted May 2, 2008 8:46 am PT

    Only for American Wasteland, the last GOOD Tony Hawk's game and of course Underground. Skate would be near perfect for this. Maybe a first person mode, to make you feel "in the game"...

  • NinjaMunkey01

    Posted May 2, 2008 8:35 am PT

    I had a skateboard thing for the ps2, it was ok but it was so much easier with the controller I could not be bpthered with the skateboard.

  • cooldude03

    Posted May 2, 2008 7:54 am PT

    With skateboarding games like Skate and Tony Hawk the controls are completely different. This mean that this controls could be cool on one and not the other. If this is going to work well it probably needs it's own game. Sounds like a Wii gimmick.

  • nobdow

    Posted May 2, 2008 7:29 am PT

    I agree with Jasonic3221

  • jasonlc3221

    Posted May 2, 2008 6:19 am PT

    I wonder who will be the first to crack their head open on this thing and sue the company.

  • sykalob

    Posted May 2, 2008 5:56 am PT

    i guess in the future gaming EVERY game type will have it's own controller pad .think with me first the driving wheel then Flywheel *ace combat 6*. Guitars for rhyme and lyrics games.now Skateboard for skating games And dancing pad for Dance revolution .this is something called revolution . just think if you are in love with Tony Hawk's Proving Ground .you would play it with a skateboard better than the sixaxis or X360 controller .because it will put you in the right place in the game

  • Mush_Mouth

    Posted May 2, 2008 5:45 am PT

    I don't care about the skating games...now if they used this for SSX, I'm sold. I bust my a** a little too often on the real slope and some practice balancing where people wouldn't see me make an idiot of myself would be nice.

  • imautobot

    Posted May 2, 2008 4:22 am PT

    Empty swimming pool, and health insurence NOT included.

  • Avenger1324

    Posted May 2, 2008 3:56 am PT

    maybe you should wear the Xbox 360 helmet controller for protection while riding the board. lol

  • neovalkyr

    Posted May 1, 2008 11:38 pm PT

    I used to ride skateboard but i stopped because its pretty dangerous. I mean theres a pretty good chance in your skating career you will get hurt really badly. Not to mention the time and dedication it takes to learn to do even one trick. So i dont think this is stupid, if it works properly

  • Adam_the_Nerd

    Posted May 1, 2008 9:49 pm PT

    this is just stupid.

  • squirlnuts2005

    Posted May 1, 2008 9:37 pm PT

    the thing is that some ppl dont want to bust there ass at skateboarding....or there into skateboarding games so muchthey might pic it up....not me tho...looks stupid.lol

  • Baruch_S

    Posted May 1, 2008 8:57 pm PT

    Wow, what happened to the good ol' days of the simple controller? Forget all this new simulation stuff, give me a virtual sword and a plastic button to swing it with.

  • GundamBlue

    Posted May 1, 2008 8:21 pm PT

    and this is why i hate microsoft...lets take a wii fit board and turn it into a skateboard and then take a wii like motion sensing and put it into the crappiest controller ever...

  • Hunawearl

    Posted May 1, 2008 7:43 pm PT

    Looks neat and I'm sure will go over well with skate game fans. I'm sure it'll also be implemented on any snow board games MS might have coming ala SSX. Of course my fat ass will never be on one - lol.

  • dannyodwyer

    Posted May 1, 2008 7:39 pm PT

    i want this for .skate!!!

  • Mr_duong

    Posted May 1, 2008 7:38 pm PT

    just go skate for real
    its probably better for u than trying to lose weight indoors

  • flazzle

    Posted May 1, 2008 7:16 pm PT

    "Teh gimmick!"
    "It'll ruin gaming forever if succussful!"
    "Catering to the casuals!"
    "Just buy a skateboard and go skating for real!"

  • thebeast619 posted May 1, 2008 7:04 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    thebeast619

    Posted May 1, 2008 7:04 pm PT (hide)

    y is the 360 copying the wii when the can only make fps games

  • Pete5506

    Posted May 1, 2008 6:42 pm PT

    Sounds cool, but its not a must have and plus I dont even play skateboard game

  • Taegre

    Posted May 1, 2008 6:34 pm PT

    NICE! Reminds me of one of my most beloved arcade games (which is fitting because the arcade that had it shut down last month). This kind of peripheral is great for people who are incapable of doing the real thing, myself included.

  • carljohnson3456

    Posted May 1, 2008 6:11 pm PT

    Microsoft competing with the Wii. Rumor of motion control, this... board reminiscent of the Wii Balance Board.

    I hope MS doesnt go casual. Let the Wii have that, keep the 360/PS3 the same.

  • endocrine

    Posted May 1, 2008 6:03 pm PT

    "zey2k errrrr buy a real one? at least u ride with your friends and not with your console -.-"

    But I have no friends , so now because of you I can't even play with my console. *cry*

  • Vagrantsoul117

    Posted May 1, 2008 5:59 pm PT

    Ummmm...this is definitely up there on my "too stupid to even try" list. Odds are it's not even going to work properly like most other gimmick peripherals.

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