The Control Center- 1999 Award Winners!

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1999 Has been an exciting year with many great- and not so great products and moments. The PC game controller world is no exception. The Control Center would like to recognize some of the best things to come out of the year (and mention some of the worst too!). The categories range in scope- this is not a typical best of list...

Most innovative controller design of 1999-

The winner is the ACT Labs GS Gun System. The GS is the first light gun system available for the PC. Its a total blast to use, accurate and has future potential. Add tactical recoil in 2000 and lock up the "2000 best add-on" category!

Runner up-
The MID. The Motorcycle Input Device is a full size motorcycle controller for games such as Motocross Madness and AMA Superbikes.

Best use of a controller in a unique manner-

The winner is the chair used in the summer blockbuster movie Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. Both Dr. Evil and Mini-Me had chairs outfitted with joysticks on the arm. "Groovy baby, yea!"

Runner up-
The use of joysticks by two guys in the head of the snowboarder in the 1-800-Collect TV commercial.

Most surprising controller story of 1999-

The winner has to be the purchase of Thrustmaster by Guillemot for 15 million dollars. Each was well established in their respective corners of the industry but I don't think anyone foresaw Thrustmaster selling off its game controller operation to concentrate on the communication industry.

Runner up-
Announcement that Microsoft and Immersion opened up each others force feedback API to each other for the purpose of learning.

Best controller add-on-

The ACT Labs RS Shifter keeps the RS line of PC racing wheels new and exciting. I always wanted to drive a 6 speed sports car that I couldn't pronounce the name of. With the RS shifter I can fulfill my fantasy without first robbing a bank.

Hottest controller of 1999-

The InterAct HammerHead FX had the biggest buzz of 1999. Although it was suppose to also hit the shelves bundled with 3Dfx cards this year and didn't, the HammerHead Fx was the clear winner when it came to most anticipated controller.

The Control Center visitor tracker shows 100's of visitors seeking information specific to the HammerHead. Its also the one I received the most E-mail about.

Runner up-
The GM2 from Saitek. This yet to be released gaming mouse and control panel runs a close second on The CC inquiry list.

Best non-controller controller-

Hands down (and hands free!) the Game Commander wins this category. Voice control that actually works is a welcomed addition to any gamers system. I'm still finding uses the Game Commander in addition to its excellent game support.

Biggest controller letdown of 1999-

DirectX 7! The new release was suppose to add new controller enhancements and easily allow use of multiple USB devices as one controller. Instead the initial release of DX7 rendered most USB and some gameport controllers completely inoperable or severely crippled.

A large part of the problem was Microsoft's delay in getting the final version off to the manufactures so they can anticipate problems and deal with them accordingly.

Runner up-
The pushback of the release dates for many of the advanced USB controllers from the big manufacturers. I want my USB HOTAS! (again, the MS delay of a working DX7 had profound effect here).

Not yet ready for Primetime-

Wireless control. I can deal with wires as long as I don't have to hang anything off my monitor (which is connected to a wire incidentally!). The speed, accuracy and control demanded by gamers outpaces the technology of wireless devices.