Microsoft Unveils Three New SideWinder Controllers At Gamestock

Microsoft used Gamestock to pull the sheet off three new SideWinder products: Game Voice, Strategic Commander, and Force Feedback 2. That is a full spread of PC gaming hardware, covering voice chat, strategy controls, and force feedback flight stick action.

SideWinder Game Voice combines a stereo headset with LAN and Internet voice chat, plus voice-controlled game commands. Strategic Commander is a left-hand control unit built for strategy games, with programmable buttons and up to 72 key combinations. Force Feedback 2 upgrades Microsoft’s joystick line with more than 100 force effects, a twist handle, throttle, onboard power, and a smaller base.

All three are planned for October 2000. Force Feedback 2 is expected at $109.95, Strategic Commander at $64.95, and Game Voice at $74.95. Microsoft is clearly not done trying to own the space between keyboard, mouse, and whatever contraption we convince ourselves will make us better at games.