Actually Killing with X-Box 360

i really thought this was about people killing others with the controller by bashing in some skulls with them.

Now...how many copyrights and patents does this violate?

I heard about this from a friend, but I was like um not a good idea the joystick sensativity on the 360 controller is sooo bad and if that controller gets knock around a bit the plane will be flying way to far to the right or left or even better yet it'll move in any direction without being controlled. Not a good idea, I like how the government likes to spend my tax dollars and not even spend them in horrible ways, and they mess it up and go cheap on one part so they have to re-do it and spend more money.

Honestly, what does microsoft think of this 1st people could create laser guns with the disc drive laser and now this?!

An Xbox controller is perfectly designed for serious gaming (MLG shit). So it's only proper the greatest controller also be used in serious situations.

Well as long as I can fly a helicopter into that bucket of horse semen's house who stole 2 presidencies, then there is one justified purpose for this.

what about playstation controllers

What about the Wii?

I will be waiting for the day we train using Nintendo controllers. Then...sign me up Uncle Sam!!

it's like something outta MGS4...

The 360 controller is so well balanced! why not?
we should be steering our hover rounds with them in the future.

Why the hell is that fucked up to you?

I beat up people with the actual controllers everytime I lose.

This would so make my xbox live membership worth it if I knew that I could pilot an unmanned helicopter over some country and play god.

holy fuck, the ps3 wouldn't even stand a chance in sales.

You should be thankful for the freedoms you have and the Soldiers who sacrificed so you could bitch about them training with 360 controllers. Oh, and if your not an American then go play with your Wii and have a nice evening.

would be interesting to see if Microsoft thinks about this. Why not have the government make their own controllers, make jobs for people. I don't agree that they should be used for killing, but at least even it out by helping people out.

it's insane that it's the same tech

Warfare would be much different if we still fought with blades...I'd support that.

just goes to show you that anything can be used for everything

actually , the kind of guys who'd already be familiar with a 360 controller ( or any other ) , be in the military , and be in a position to kill anyone would , i'd say , tend to be very conservative with how / what / when they kill . most gamers are .

i am utterly at a loss for words. the moral and ethical implications are staggering. is diplomacy dead? show no compassion for the enemy that would be considered a sign of weakness. to the contrary merely demonstrating the fact that you have the potential to deal death and destruction and yet restrain yourself is the ultimate show of power; mercy.

Well, NASA spent millions coming up with a pen that can write in zero gravity. The Russians used a pencil. Point being that if civilian companies put so much time and energy developing a controller that does what it was meant to do far better than the military can, why not use it?

This is awesome, Because it's the culmination of all true gamers dream. The dream to be able to pick up the Chain Saw or Desert Eagle .50 and work the room. If you think all these first person heads up games have been popular because of perspective you got things to learn. Down in side we all want to kill with impunity and future American soldiers are going to kill with out ever picking up a weapon, they'll have a JOY stick in there hand.

To: Kaps and Micaleth

I think you guys are making the assumption that combat is going to be trivialized and that the military will not be using the same rules of engagement and the same level of training that they do now.

Just because they are removed from the dangers of combat, doesn't mean that the remote pilots will be any less responsible. If anything I would imagine the reverse would be true and that this would lead to more professionalism since:

a) Everything the pilot sees, the CO will also be able to see since it's being videotaped . . . and that would mean more review and accountability.

b) The remote pilot would be less likely to recklessly shoot at something in hairy situations because the pilot doesn't have to fear for his/her life.

I don't see a reason to think that these missions would be any less regulated or any less professional . . . they aren't just going to turn over a bunch of controllers to kids and say, "Go have fun!". No, I'm pretty sure that the military will continue to conduct itself in a professional manner.

KAPS145

DING DING SING DING....

You won the prize.

You are the first on the board to nail it.

You are dead on.

This is why so many people object to this.

They even use the term FRAG as a military word now.

This is just another attempt for them to be able to recruit teens who are not mentally developed enough to make smart decisions.

They used to just offer you college money.
Now they have to include the safety of hiding behind a video game while you kill.

Teens today are easily duped but they are not stupid.

They know there are NO RESPAWN POINTS IN IRAQ.

The idea (or engineering rather) itself isn't that objectionable. Taking soldiers off the front lines and out of harms way is obviously a good thing. It's the fact that it is an X-Box controller. Linking an actual weapon to a common entertainment system may in some people's minds make combat less personable. If a kid fresh out of high school who feels he has nowhere to go is approached by an army recruiter who says his job would be just like playing video games, the kid may figure "Shit, I could do that," with out realizing the real world ramifications of his actions.

Maybe the Pentagon should develop a million dollar controller instead of using any available comercial controller...
I'm sure if they try really hard they can do it...

well all you need to do is quit looking at it as a video game controller and start looking at it as a tool that can interface with most computer systems. Then all you see is the tool

yeah thats a pretty dumb objection

We're gonna kill em either way right?

The only valid reason to object to this would be if you object to war in general. Soldiers are professionals in the realm of combat and will kill because that is their job. Using a $50 XBox controller or a $1200 joystick is not going to change that fact. Today's soldiers grew up on video games and so many are already very familiar and adept at using XBox-like controllers and so little training needs to be committed to getting used to the controller. I think this is a great idea.

I don't get the point of the article. What is so offensive?

I'll gladly light ppl up if it puts a stop to idiotic conflict in the name of oil. sign me up. i'll do it from the comfort of home if they let me.

I'm not sure what the objection is? Is it over unmanned kill vehicles that take the pilot out of mortal danger? Is it the utilizing of a civilian piece of technology as a cost effective way to reduce the cost of a part of that technology?

I particularly don't find anything really disturbing about this at all. If a modified video game controller is an effective and cost efficient means of piloting an unmanned combat vehicle . . . then I say that's some pretty good engineering.

But maybe I'm missing the ethical concern here that you seem to see.

Btw, I clicked on this article thinking I would find a story about someone being bludgeoned to death with an X-Box, lol . . . but this story was good too. =)

all i know is i could handle a helicopter with a ps3 controller liek a champ.

... :x.

i agree they should definitely be using wii controllers.(much more interactive)