Microsoft readies new game pad

Tired of that old game pad or force-feedback joystick? Well, Microsoft hasthe cure for what ails you: its soon-to-be released Sidewinder FreeStyle Pro GamePad, a swoopy-looking high-tech toy that every serious gamer isgoing to want to check out. The Sidewinder FreeStyle Pro looks like a sleekblack boomerang, with numerous buttons, a digital directional pad, and ashift button like the one on the force feedback joystick. But the FreeStylePro takes gaming to the next level with a tilt sensor that uses motionsensing technology. The tilt sensor watches how you move the controller inyour hands and responds accordingly any game that supports a joystick. Movethe game pad forward and down, for example, and your Flight Simulator planewill dive for the ground.

Testers working with the new game pad say the sensation is natural and thatthey were quickly up to speed with it in their favorites games. TheSidewinder FreeStyle Pro will be released this fall