OGDC: Microsoft Details Xbox 360 'Chatpad' Keyboard

Author: by N. Evan

During an OGDC panel on new opportunities in console technology, Microsoft’s GM of Xbox Live JJ Richards further discussed the recently announced Xbox 360 mini-keyboard controller, revealing that the keys can be used for gameplay purposes. During a panel on new opportunities in console technology, Richards showed a slide picturing the recently announced QWERTY thumb-keyboard, which will debut later this summer and is to be used with existing Xbox 360 controllers. As a series of points, Richards stated “I can have chat in my games, now that it’s a proper keyboard.” The moderator, Jeff Pobst of Hidden Path Entertainment interjected, “Are those buttons available for gameplay?” Richards confirmed that they would be. “All of the sudden, I can have a controller with mini-buttons, if I want,” said Pobst. “It’ll be very interesting to see how developers take advantage of that innovation,” commented Microsoft’s Richards. Later in the panel, he spoke about Live as the same service across platforms – the 360, and the PC – adding, “I want to kill the word ‘ports.’ Halo will be the first one to do that. Next month, Shadowrun will be the first one that does cross-platform play.” With Live, Richards hopes that developers will “focus on the story, focus on a great game, everything else will be taken care of.” He concluded with “you build the content, we’ll allow you to ship it on the biggest platform you can.”