Microsoft continues to screw Logitech; Wii peripherals coming

[sangreal]

From today's CED:

Despite a 5% decline in console gaming peripheral unit sales, revenue in that category increased 9% in Q4. PC gaming peripheral sales soared 46% in dollars and 9% in units. Wheel sales nearly tripled due to strong demand for Logitech's G25 Racing Wheel, it said. The company was happy to see it "turned the corner in the gaming category" as the category experienced a return to growth, De Luca said. The company expects double-digit growth for that category in fiscal 2008, he told analysts. The Q4 uptick in console gaming peripheral dollar sales was the largest quarterly growth Logitech saw in any category during the past 2 years, Hawkins said. Logitech's initial PS3 offerings were "well-received" and there are more peripherals for Sony's console "in the pipeline," De Luca said but offered no specifics. The company also plans to introduce peripherals for Nintendo's Wii "later this year" after observing "the success" of that console, De Luca said but offered no specifics. Logitech had offered no peripherals for a Nintendo platform in "3 to 4 years," De Luca noted. But he also told analysts the company doesn't expect to introduce much of any significance for Xbox 360 due to Microsoft's tough licensing strategy for that platform. ... Console gaming peripherals still finished the fiscal year down for Logitech, with dollar sales tumbling 38% and unit sales down 36%. PC gaming peripheral sales soared 63% in dollars and 24% in units for the year, helping the company record an overall 6% increase in total gaming peripheral sales for the year. But the strong PC gaming results weren't enough to prevent total gaming peripheral sales from falling 11% in units.

Not the first time Logitech has complained about the 360's peripheral licensing

This was last year (July 2006):

Logitech expects the coming launch of Sony's PS3 console to turn around sagging console game accessory sales. But a focus on Sony platforms could backfire if PS3 sales turn out to trail those of Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii, as some analysts now believe is possible - thanks especially to strong buzz around Wii, the 360's head start and the PS3's high price tag of $499 and $599, depending on SKU. "By far the largest driver of our console gaming business is the PlayStation," De Luca said: "We are very close to Sony [and] have a long-standing relationship with them as there are a lot of things that we were working on with them, some of which will appear at the launch of PlayStation 3, some of which will lag a little bit." He said the PS3 introduction will be "the great catalyst of our growth" and, therefore, "it is hard to expect the return to growth before the end of fiscal '07" in console gaming. "At that point, we will become very bullish on our console gaming business again," he told analysts. Of other videogame platforms, he said "we have been doing very well with PSP but it is a much smaller platform." Logitech expects PSP to "continue to be a driver" but "we have never and don't expect we will have a substantial business on Xbox," De Luca told analysts. Although Xbox "is not... on the radar screen, we have a unique product there: Harmony remotes specifically for Xbox," he said, adding "we will have a couple of other retail products that work with Xbox but Microsoft policies are such that doesn't make it either possible or attractive to do a lot around that platform." Microsoft has not as yet licensed any 3rd-party peripheral maker to make a wireless Xbox 360 controller; for now, it is supplying those. De Luca said nothing about Nintendo platforms. "Historically, we are talking a 10:1 ratio for us in terms of the importance of the PlayStation" vs. other game systems, he said, "so, we are all eagerly anticipating [the PS3] introduction and that should lift our gaming business, particularly console gaming." He later said that if Sony launches PS3 on time, in Nov., "I believe that [Logitech's] Q4 might be a good time" to see positive growth in the gaming segment.

at least those harmony remotes are doing well:

There is "plenty of upside" for Logitech's Harmony remote business in the U.S. and that business is merely in its "early stages" in Europe and Asia, De Luca said. Sales in that category grew 60% in fiscal 2007 and "nearly reached $100 million in sales," he said.

[ToxicAdam]

Well deserved success in the PC field. I love Logitech products.

[pj325is]

If MS won't let them make wireless controllers, how about they make a wired one?

Mad catz seems to be fine with it

[Barnolde]

MS are restrictive assholes, what else is new?

[shuri]

I really dont understand Microsoft's obsession with blocking 3rd party stuff.

[USD]

I really dont understand Microsoft's obsession with blocking 3rd party stuff.

Money, plain and simple.

[Lo-Volt]

I really dont understand Microsoft's obsession with blocking 3rd party stuff.

$

[smurfx]

I really dont understand Microsoft's obsession with blocking 3rd party stuff.

what's not to understand? if microsoft blocks them from selling stuff on the console then all the people have to buy microsoft branded controls, hardrives..etc. it's all about money and nothing else.

[White Man]

Logitech's got my CC number:



Ahhhh, once you've gone to the Edge, there's no going back.

[soul creator]

I really dont understand Microsoft's obsession with blocking 3rd party stuff.

+

-4 billion times

[Mr. Spinnington]

: 0

What is that?!

[sangreal]

: 0 What is that?!

Logitech DiNovo Edge bluetooth keyboard

no numpad :(

[RubxQub]

Logitech's got my CC number: Ahhhh, once you've gone to the Edge, there's no going back.

What the F is that?!

It looks awesome, but what's the point of the stand? Chargeable docking station?

[sangreal]

There is already a thread on the keyboard -_-

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149014

[CurlySaysX]

[quote=RubxQub]What the F is that?!

/QUOTE]

$199

[Linkzg]

There is already a thread on the keyboard -_- http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149014

this could be the 4th thread for the keyboard

there was also the Too Human thread and I think the Luke Smith thread

[Zep]

It's quite sad. M$ is gonna be the reason I dont buy Forza 2.

[pooteeweet]

It's quite sad. M$ is gonna be the reason I dont buy Forza 2.

That is sad.

[sangreal]

It's quite sad. M$ is gonna be the reason I dont buy Forza 2.

Thats actually why I made this thread since lately there have been rumblings that Microsoft's policies have been loosened. People have hinted at G25 support in Forza 2 (obviously impossible though due to the security chip) and possible wireless guitar hero controllers but these recent comments make it sound like nothing has changed

[santouras]

Logitech DiNovo Edge bluetooth keyboard no numpad :(

I've got the older di novo with the detachable numpad and mouse. I love it to death, but would like to upgrade, but yes, the lack of number pad on this unit is holding me back from getting it.

[Cold-Steel]

Things I'm still waiting on:

-Logitech Bluetooth Harmony Remote for PS3 / 360
-Logitech Cordless Precision instead using Bluetooth and Lithium Ion Battery Pack charged via USB (**** AA batteries and IR!)
-Logitech Bluetooth Headset

I'm looking between the Cordless MediaBoard and the DiNovo Edge Keyboard and trying to decide which I like better. :)

[jjasper]

I wouldn't really care except MS's wheel sucks

[Agent Icebeezy]

Logitech has made a wheel for the 360, right?

[jjasper]

Logitech has made a wheel for the 360, right?

Yeah I think so...

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/pr...11859#Features

[sangreal]

Logitech has made a wheel for the 360, right?

Yes, without true FFB (forbidden by the licensing policy)

the policy (probably outdated by now -- this is from pre-launch):
http://sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1...80/dex1026.htm

No Light Guns either if anyone was hoping for Time Crisis 4 on 360

[ElNino]

Things I'm still waiting on: -Logitech Bluetooth Harmony Remote for PS3 / 360

Well, all the Harmony remotes already work with the 360... unless you are saying that you want a Bluetooth/IR combo remote that would work on both the PS3 and 360. If that is the case than I can understand, but I think that you would have a better shot at the PS3 getting an IR port before a Harmony goes Bluetooth.

I wouldn't really care except MS's wheel sucks

That's relative. Compared to the G25 I guess you can say that it suck, but it's also half the price. Against the other wheels on the market it's comparable or better.

[VALIS]

I wouldn't really care except MS's wheel sucks

It doesn't suck. At all. People seem to forget it's a mid-priced wheel. Of course the $300 Logitech wheel beats the crap outta the $130 MS wheel. No kiddin'! It damn well better. And the $130 MS wheel beats the crap out of the $50 Mad Catz wheel. Why this obvious pricing/quality structure is ignored when comparing the wheels is beyond me hi Gek! ;)

[BudokaiMR2]

Man is it just me or does Microsoft seem determined to walk the same road that Nintendo did long ago. They just seem to enjoy making horrible policies that piss off companies that have to deal with them.

And on the other hand Nintendo seems to be friendlier than ever....

o.O

[jjasper]

I am actually not comparing it to the g25 (i have never used it, I would never spend that much on a wheel) I was comparing it to the DFP which is in the same price range.

[jj984jj]

I hope they make a peripheral, or better yet a controller, that will allow me to play Wii games requiring you to hold the Wiimote sideways better.

[Zep]

Thats a lame excuse. M$ could've spent the extra $70 to make a better wheel. People have no problems laying down big money for quality products, which the 360 wheel isnt.

[skybaby]

If MS won't let them make wireless controllers, how about they make a wired one? Mad catz seems to be fine with it

Anyone can make wired wheels. Force feedback is exclusive to MS though. So there is no point for Logitech to make any wheels.

[neojubei]

Logitech's got my CC number: Ahhhh, once you've gone to the Edge, there's no going back.

I want.

Things I'm still waiting on: -Logitech Bluetooth Headset

[Dragona Akehi]

Logitech's got my CC number: Ahhhh, once you've gone to the Edge, there's no going back.

Pfft. No left hand trackpad?


FAIL.

[MightyHedgehog]

MS is simply protecting one of the only bright spots, in terms of keeping their losses lowered. Is it wrong? Nah. It's a console, a closed format. Watch them open up more friendly peripheral licensing once X360 hits a critical mass...after this holiday season, I'm thinking. Unfortunately, the choice of peripherals on the platform will be limited for users.

[Chiggs]

MS are restrictive assholes, what else is new?

Not much, apparently. Disappointing news.

[Bad_Boy]

Logitech's got BB's CC number: Ahhhh, once you've touched the leather, there's no going back.

fixed. ;)

[White Man]

I keep a second keyboard around for gaming. The diNovo Edge is strictly for standard computer usage and (especially) typing. This keyboard is a dream to type on. The keys feel so solid, but they don't have to be pressed down very far to register. Since the keys feel so solid, your fingers don't slip around as they are prone to do on thinner keyboards.

It's a good companion piece to the PS3, too, what with the piano black and the silver. I have never seen a classier looking piece of computer hardware.

Pfft. No left hand trackpad?

Left handed people? Logitech doesn't cater to muties!

[Linkzg]

fixed. ;)

im going to wait until GT5 comes out to buy that wheel, if Forza 2 supported it, I would buy it tomorrow

[Agent Icebeezy]

I think the 360 wheel is very good. BC did a great going back to PGR3 to make it work. All future racing games are supposed to utilize it. I'm very happy with my purchase. I still think that they should let Logitech make one. I'm still going to get the G25 for GT5 though.

[Ryudo]

It cant be money, because no one is going to buy their pos wheel anyway !!

As a fan of the xbox, this totally shits me - its not like i can sit back and say suck shit you xbox fans cause you aint got a decent wheel is it now

I dont see the harm in adding support for these devices, they allow them to be used in windows so why not the 360.

[ElNino]

I am actually not comparing it to the g25 (i have never used it, I would never spend that much on a wheel) I was comparing it to the DFP which is in the same price range.

That's fair, and I still think that the MS wheel is comparable. I've never used the DFP but it appear to be a very solid wheel so I'll give it the edge there. But the MS wheel is wireless (to the console) so it gets the edge there. Considering that in Canada (at Best Buy) the MS wheel is $20 cheaper than the DFP I'd say that it is very much comparable with regards to price, performance and features.

[sangreal]

Don't forget, we aren't talking about opening up the 360 to unlicensed peripherals. Even if Microsoft were to allow competition, they'd receive royalties for the 3rd party peripherals.

[Ryudo]

That's fair, and I still think that the MS wheel is comparable. I've never used the DFP but it appear to be a very solid wheel so I'll give it the edge there. But the MS wheel is wireless (to the console) so it gets the edge there. Considering that in Canada (at Best Buy) the MS wheel is $20 cheaper than the DFP I'd say that it is very much comparable with regards to price, performance and features.

The DFP is at least ten times as good as the MS wheel. One feels like a real wheel and the other feels like a fisher price toy. One has 900 degrees too :)

[ElNino]

The DFP is at least ten times as good as the MS wheel. One feels like a real wheel and the other feels like a fisher price toy. One has 900 degrees too :)

And one is wireless which means there is only one I can use (wires across my living room floor would be death trap in my house).

[Bad_Boy]

im going to wait until GT5 comes out to buy that wheel, if Forza 2 supported it, I would buy it tomorrow

Yeah. It's one expensive mother (just like that keyboard White Man posted), but boy is it worth it (just like that keyboard White Man posted). I'm so glad I saved up and passed on the DFP. I'm in love with the quality of it.

Unfortunately, right now theres nothing on consoles that takes it's full potential with the H-pattern shifting. I'm hoping GT5 will support that. Till then, I'm still having a ball with it.

Kudos to Gek54 on finding me a good price for it (250 shipped). :)

[Ryudo]

And one is wireless which means there is only one I can use (wires across my living room floor would be death trap in my house).

Without FF of course !

[ElNino]

Without FF of course !

Nope, with FF. Wireless between me and the entertainment unit, which is really the only place that matters as I have a electical outlet beside my couch.

[Ryudo]

Nope, with FF. Wireless between me and the entertainment unit, which is really the only place that matters as I have a electical outlet beside my couch.

So its still wired then

[ElNino]

So its still wired then

It's wireless where it matters.... across my living room floor. Exactly like my surround speakers which are wireless front-rear as well.