Why are there no 3rd Party XBOX 360 memory cards/hard drives?

[Treadstone]

I've wondered this for a while. Used to be able to buy mad catz memory cards cheap for original 360. But currently, the only ones available are first party for $$$

What gives?

[Godstar]

Why share money?

[Indy_aka_Rex]

For the same reason there are no third part wireless controllers: MS will not allow third parties to produce them. It's a closed system.

[Master X]

For the same reason there are no third part wireless controllers: MS will not allow third parties to produce them. It's a closed system.

Doesnt that end in 08?

[Indy_aka_Rex]

Doesnt that end in 08?

I don't know... does it? I haven't read that.

[Master X]

I read in a mag when the 360 first came out that madcatz, intec, and whoever else cant make wireless controllers till 2008
It was in the contract they signed with MS when the signed on to make controllers and etc.

[WallyWest]

I know that MS is being very careful about releasing the info of how the wireless system works - this is why Rockband is being shipped with a wired controller (though Guitar Hero 3 comes wireless). My understanding is that MS is worried about the market being flooded by 3rd party peripherals.

[Ghost of Vincent Price]

I dont know what they are worried about. 99% of the time 3rd party accessories just flat out suck.

[Indy_aka_Rex]

I dont know what they are worried about. 99% of the time 3rd party accessories just flat out suck.

Really? I happen to own logitech and nyko wireless controllers - and they're great.

And who do you think makes the Guitar Hero controllers? It's not a first party.

So this isn't just about Pelican, Mad Catz, Intec and the like. Preventing third parties from making those accessories is what hurt Rockband's 360 bundle from having wireless guitars, or the GH2 controller from being wireless.

[ApBtFusion]

just wondering, if and when the 3rd party xbox controllers come would you ppl get them?

I'm very satisfied with the one right now

I just want a cheaper HD option.
The MS ones are rip offs

[MyopicRaiderfan]

just wondering, if and when the 3rd party xbox controllers come would you ppl get them?

I'm very satisfied with the one right now

I just want a cheaper HD option.
The MS ones are rip offs

I never buy 3rd party controllers if I can help it but yeah this whole HDD thing pisses me off to no end. Sony got that one right, microsoft got it wrong.

With the exception of specialized controllers like the guitars I would love to get a high quality 3rd party wireless headset.

The touch, feel and weight of the 3rd party standard controllers have always seemed half assed compared to the 1st party controllers.

[hippy fascist]

And who do you think makes the Guitar Hero controllers? It's not a first party.

Fisher price?



Guitar hero is retarded

[BBM128]

I've wondered this for a while. Used to be able to buy mad catz memory cards cheap for original 360. But currently, the only ones available are first party for $$$

What gives?

Actually I think it's due to the fact that the Xbox brand is the biggest financial disaster in gaming (6 or 7 billion in the hole and never turning a proift, ever, since the start of the Xbox line is NOT good) and Micro$oft is trying to make the mony back by forcing the consumer to only buy their product. Consumer needs a controller? Well they can only go to Micro$oft. Need a harddrive? Only Micro$oft. Xbox Live? Pay to play online while the bells and whistles are free? Non-sensical but yeah, that's M$ for ya. They're making the consumers pay for how badly handled the Xbox line has been, financially, rather than let the line pay for itself through it's value.

Third party stuff typically costs like $20 cheaper (I see PS3 controllers for like $30 and PS2 controllers for $10 all over the place).... Now if only we could get a third part subscribtion to Xbox Live... I'd be happy. ^_^.

[n5nintendo]

BBM128 why do u care if they release a 3rd part subscription to xbox live or 3rd party controllers if you own an PS3... Do you even own a xbox?? And who cares if there arent any third party controllers. I use to cheap out and buy them for my original xbox and gamecube and 99% of them were complete crap...

[Godstar]

BBM128 why do u care if they release a 3rd part subscription to xbox live or 3rd party controllers if you own an PS3... Do you even own a xbox?? And who cares if there arent any third party controllers. I use to cheap out and buy them for my original xbox and gamecube and 99% of them were complete crap...

Probably because it turns people away from the product knowing they're going to be paying a 300% markup on anything they buy from microsoft related to the console, especilly when much of it like the HDD, wireless, and controllers are necessary to use many of it's features.