Fanatec Announcements: CSW V2 Reviews Out

[Carson79]

Fanatec on next gen consoles



Submitted by Thomas on Fri, 08/23/2013 - 09:52.

A few people are wondering why we are so quiet.
We will not make the mistake again to mention new things too early. We
will announce something new if production is about to start. We are
working on several products for several platforms and every one of our
new products will set a new benchmark as they did in the past.
We
are also trying hard to protect the investment of our existing customers
by making our current products upwards compatible. But we cannot
confirm that before the final consoles are released.

Thomas

• Thomas's blog

This is all we have to go on at the minute, as far as I know

 

[LogiForce]

Wise decision Thomas. Thumbs up to you.
Keep working on what you are working on until it is done.
Announcing and hyping a new product before production is early enough. As it will from than on take still a month until the first once could be shipped, a month at minimum that is.
Don't forget. Do not take pre-orders unless the first shipment of the new product is in the warehouses. That way you won't have customs delay issues to deal with publicly, etc. plus you could than more easily decide for a simultaneous release world wide. Unlike now with the CSS where first Europe and than N-America got some.

 

[HoiHman]

The orginal post form Thomas was 3 months ago, so i can understand that people are getting anxious about the Fanatec next gen consoles compatibility.

Giving Fanatecs track record on developing new products, i can honestly say that i will not expect a next gen Fanatec steering wheel on my rig before 2015.

I don't think it's ever mentioned in this topic before, but i could be that Fanatec "missed the boat" because they could not garantee that they could make and produce a wheel which is enough available at launch date.

We still have to wait for the Clubsport Handbrake, new CSW rims and perhaps you guys remembered this small teaser from christmas last year:




Perhaps we might get a teaser of somebody playing Forza 5 with a protype wheel this year

 

[Raitziger]

The orginal post form Thomas was 3 months ago, so i can understand that people are getting anxious about the Fanatec next gen consoles compatibility.

Giving Fanatecs track record on developing new products, i can honestly say that i will not expect a next gen Fanatec steering wheel on my rig before 2015.

They have plenty of time get new wheel(s) out for the release of GT7.

 

[Carson79]

Fanatec
XBox 360 Wheels on XBox One
So far there is no adapter solution to make an Xbox360 wheels compatible with Xbox One and it is unsure if this will be possible.
But there is a high chance that you can use your pedals, rims and shifters with a potential new Fanatec wheel for Xbox One although we cannot confirm a launch date yet. This will save you a lot of money and you can keep using the equipment you prefer.
Like · · Share · 22271 · 28 minutes ago ·

From Facebook

 

[Wardez]

Hmm, so they're gonna try to release a base hub to make a work around, interesting.

 

[LogiForce]

Hmm, so they're gonna try to release a base hub to make a work around, interesting.

Yup, so be ready to put down another 500 bucks for a new base.

Maybe with different motors now though? Seeing as the competition went brushless 💡

 

[Raitziger]

Yup, so be ready to put down another 500 bucks for a new base.

Maybe with different motors now though? Seeing as the competition went brushless 💡

Yes, from insidesimracing forum :"Forgot to told you that there will be a new T500 Model rebrander for Gt6 available in day one with the game with some minor internal upgrade (i think to correct some past issue of the wheel)"
Nice to hear that both manufacturers are still in the game for top quality sim gear.

 

[Carson79]

What I find interesting is a day after the question was raised here about what's happening, Fanatec post an announcement on Facebook.
I suppose they get asked the question a lot in different places, but there definitely seems to be a lack of forum activity (here anyway).
New strategy by the look of it, no info on new products until they are about to ship them.

 

[LogiForce]

Yes, from insidesimracing forum :"Forgot to told you that there will be a new T500 Model rebrander for Gt6 available in day one with the game with some minor internal upgrade (i think to correct some past issue of the wheel)"
Nice to hear that both manufacturers are still in the game for top quality sim gear.

I doubt existing user will have the ability to 'upgrade their gear' by swapping the old internals out for the new updated ones.

 

[Carson79]

 

[eKretz]

That is an interesting approach to add a little damping. Should have kicked the dampers a bit so they damped a little bit sideways too. The amount of side to side damping could be controlled by the angle.

 

[Raitziger]

I doubt existing user will have the ability to 'upgrade their gear' by swapping the old internals out for the new updated ones.

They won't be able to as brushless motors need also different type controller compared to regular DC motors.(with T500 I mean)

 

[swiftwilly]

Yup, so be ready to put down another 500 bucks for a new base.

Maybe with different motors now though? Seeing as the competition went brushless 💡

I feel for those who bought the clubsport base when the next gen consoles was yet not yet announced. I really do being a fellow sim driver - these equipment ain't cheap.

But I do not feel for those who ordered when next gen consoles was announced. The smart thing to do, like what I did, was to wait and see official announcements on compatibility before buying it.

I am happy I waited, despite not having a new racing wheel since the Fanatec GTR wheel, I am saving myself money in the long run.

Bring on the new wheel bases I say!

 

[Carson79]

Fanatec
Why is it so difficult to make your current Xbox 360 wheels compatible to the new console?

Several people have raised their concerns and we understand your disappointment but we also hope you see that there is nothing Fanatec could have done to make your wheels compatible to the new console. Technically it is probably possible to make an adapter but any device connecting to the Xbox 360 or Xbox One (incl. this adapter) needs to have a security chip module which can only be purchased from MS. So without the permission of MS we could only "crack" the security chip and this is not only illegal but would certainly ruin our relationship to MS and other platform owners.
And we were not able to "warn" anybody about this as up to this moment it is still possible that MS changes its mind like they did on other specs of the XB1 as well. It still can happen but we want to be fair and tell you that it is not likely to happen.
We never claimed that the wheels were compatible to Xbox one and please remember that all peripherals of the first Xbox did not work on Xbox 360 either.
But even if we were able to make such an adapter, the development costs would be significant as the XB1 uses a different force feedback protocol and in our wheels the Xbox protocols and PC protocols are separated and use different communication (wireless vs. USB). Given the limited market for such a device, such an adapter would be quite expensive.
Microsoft has good reasons to skip the backwards compatibility as this allowed to implement a completely new and more powerful communication protocol. Of course they are happy to sell new controllers to you and earn money on licenses but keep in mind that a console is about plug and play. MS is very strong to provide a clear standard for controllers and make sure that all controllers work with all games of a certain genre. On other consoles it can happen that your brand new and official controller works only with one game because the communication protocols are not clearly defined from the beginning.

The only thing we can offer is to develop a wheel where you can at least use your peripherals so you don’t have to buy a complete new setup. And when this wheel is ready, we will make an attractive upgrade offer for all existing customers for sure.

This was a pretty long post with a lot of inside information but I hope you can understand the situation a bit better now.
I really appreciate your support and patience.

Best regards
Thomas
Unlike · · Share · 7 minutes ago ·

 

[eKretz]

I'm glad I switched to the CSW and started doing more PC racing. This crap is about enough to seriously put me off consoles for racing for good. The idiots running these companies (console makers) need to sit down with each other and work out some standards and be done with it.

 

[Carson79]

Microsoft's business model is "SHOW ME THE MONEY"

 

[paskowitz]

Thomas/Fanatec,

Thank you for offering to be so transparent through this whole kerfuffle. It is a shame MS/Sony can't just lay things out themselves.

Personally, if MS or even better, T10 since they were the ones the probably requested it because they are the only Xbox game that actually uses FFB, explained "this mysterious new FFB protocol" and all of its "advantages" I would be able to swallow this bitter pill a bit better.

On Sony's side all they have to do is release a "official statement" that FFB wheel compatibility is handled on a game by game basis and that if there are certain requirements or incompatibilities, what those are.

 

[Flying_Kefran]

Fanatec
Why is it so difficult to make your current Xbox 360 wheels compatible to the new console?

Several people have raised their concerns and we understand your disappointment but we also hope you see that there is nothing Fanatec could have done to make your wheels compatible to the new console. Technically it is probably possible to make an adapter but any device connecting to the Xbox 360 or Xbox One (incl. this adapter) needs to have a security chip module which can only be purchased from MS. So without the permission of MS we could only "crack" the security chip and this is not only illegal but would certainly ruin our relationship to MS and other platform owners.
And we were not able to "warn" anybody about this as up to this moment it is still possible that MS changes its mind like they did on other specs of the XB1 as well. It still can happen but we want to be fair and tell you that it is not likely to happen.
We never claimed that the wheels were compatible to Xbox one and please remember that all peripherals of the first Xbox did not work on Xbox 360 either.
But even if we were able to make such an adapter, the development costs would be significant as the XB1 uses a different force feedback protocol and in our wheels the Xbox protocols and PC protocols are separated and use different communication (wireless vs. USB). Given the limited market for such a device, such an adapter would be quite expensive.
Microsoft has good reasons to skip the backwards compatibility as this allowed to implement a completely new and more powerful communication protocol. Of course they are happy to sell new controllers to you and earn money on licenses but keep in mind that a console is about plug and play. MS is very strong to provide a clear standard for controllers and make sure that all controllers work with all games of a certain genre. On other consoles it can happen that your brand new and official controller works only with one game because the communication protocols are not clearly defined from the beginning.

The only thing we can offer is to develop a wheel where you can at least use your peripherals so you don’t have to buy a complete new setup. And when this wheel is ready, we will make an attractive upgrade offer for all existing customers for sure.

This was a pretty long post with a lot of inside information but I hope you can understand the situation a bit better now.
I really appreciate your support and patience.

Best regards
Thomas
Unlike · · Share · 7 minutes ago ·

Thomas,

It is great to know that Fanatec is working on something for next gen consoles.
But it means that we get back to the usual issue: the number of years between the first time you mention a product and its real availibility (4 years for the Clubsport shifter, more than two for the 911 turbo s, the one year delay for the csr elite formula rim, etc...).

Again, it is great to hear that Fanatec works on next gen compatible wheels but if it is for a 2016 release, gamers will have to migrate to other brands (especially Xbox One users) until then.

 

[AGP5000]

I take everything Thomas says with a grain of salt. Until there is any from of consistency shown & proven, who can blame me? Talk is cheap, and talk is all we have heard for over a year from Fanatec in regards to next gen merchandise.

I am very content with my CSW to be frankly honest, and am considering purchasing a new BMW rim for a fresh feel. On that note, Thomas did say(and I could go back) approximately a year ago that more rims for the CSW was in line with the CSS & Handbrake in terms of importance. Primarily a Nascar/Momo, 330-350mm Round style rim...... Seeing the result of barely any of the intial orders of the CSS being delivered is quite concerning. So, until the walk matches the talk, I will wait to see results, not words anymore.

The above by Thomas, to me, is legal mumbo jumbo to keep the masses content, and current customers loyal. Quit bringing the issues to the table, bring solutions.

 

[Raitziger]

Fanatec has to decide whether MS BS is less of a burden compared to what they can get from xbox platform. That platform now has now more competition in wheels. I would not judge Fanatec for leaving xbox if development cost is too high.

 

[fatkrakr]

I have always wondered if the MS license was a one time fee or a per item fee. With the launch of X1 Im pretty sure its a per item deal. If it was a one time fee MS could care less about new hardware sales, but if its per item, well we can all see why they don't want old hardware working. I really do dislike MS business practices. Its why I never played Forza. If Sony follow suit Im done there also. Its all really kind of infuriating when you think about it.

If anyone thinks Turn 10 was just an innocent victim in this your sadly mistaking. Forza is a big enough sales engine for MS that they could of went to bat for simracers and had the wheels compatiable, but instead decided to tow the corporate line and leave there fans high and dry.

 

[Simmpa]

I´m about to order the CSW base, just one question though, is it worth buying the base with the Premium Service Pack? It costs 50€ more.

 

[LogiForce]

Now this is just xbox talk, but what about the PS4 compatibility? Especially since I still remember Thomas saying they wanted to support the CSW for a long time to come, but if PS4 compatibility is out as well... ALL the existing wheels are royally screwed and can only stick to PC when playing the latest and greatest games.

Of course GT6 on PS3 will keep some people busy for 6 months, but what happens when pCARS is released on the next-gen consoles in Fall 2014?

 

[novadave]

Now this is just xbox talk, but what about the PS4 compatibility? Especially since I still remember Thomas saying they wanted to support the CSW for a long time to come, but if PS4 compatibility is out as well... ALL the existing wheels are royally screwed and can only stick to PC when playing the latest and greatest games.

Of course GT6 on PS3 will keep some people busy for 6 months, but what happens when pCARS is released on the next-gen consoles in Fall 2014?

I`m sure that you are already aware that Sony has stated that the last gen wheels will not be compatible in general.
At the moment the T500 does not work properly with the PS4 and I have tested this to be sure.
The only way for these wheels to work will be for a company such as Fanatec to create a firmware that works for a specific game and this would need to be done in collaboration with the game developer.
this would be complicated as a deal would need to be done with each developer.
#1 - Fanatec needs to create the firmware.
#2 - each game developer needs to create the software drivers for the console operating system.

 

[Simmpa]

I`m sure that you are already aware that Sony has stated that the last gen wheels will not be compatible in general.
At the moment the T500 does not work properly with the PS4 and I have tested this to be sure.
The only way for these wheels to work will be for a company such as Fanatec to create a firmware that works for a specific game and this would need to be done in collaboration with the game developer.
this would be complicated as a deal would need to be done with each developer.
#1 - Fanatec needs to create the firmware.
#2 - each game developer needs to create the software drivers for the console operating system.

If the T500 is not gonna work properly with PS4 when I have a strong feeling TM will release a new wheel as a replacement to the T500.

 

[LogiForce]

I`m sure that you are already aware that Sony has stated that the last gen wheels will not be compatible in general.
At the moment the T500 does not work properly with the PS4 and I have tested this to be sure.
The only way for these wheels to work will be for a company such as Fanatec to create a firmware that works for a specific game and this would need to be done in collaboration with the game developer.
this would be complicated as a deal would need to be done with each developer.
#1 - Fanatec needs to create the firmware.
#2 - each game developer needs to create the software drivers for the console operating system.

No I am not aware of that, as I am not personally interested (atm) in the PS4 or the xbox one for that matter. Hence I don't follow the entire debate that closely. I only read what seems to be conflicting reports of compatibility.

Seems to me like Fanatec is pretty screwed at the moment though, for their console support. They have been riding on the back of Logitech on the PS3, a company that has said they would stop anything in relation to game controllers for consoles. So they can't rely on the SDK from Logitech for the PS4 as that won't be made.
So indeed the only solution is to come up with the software to make the wheels communicate with the consoles. Than ask kindly if developers would support their wheels.

Personally I think this could be a bigger blow for the company than we can foresee at this point in time, depending on how fast and how well (no buggy drivers/firmware/SDKs) Fanatec can respond to this changing market and the demands coming with it.

 

[novadave]

Fanatec and it`s customers would not be in this situation if they had started to develop a new wheel to be ready for the launch of the new consoles as did Thrustmaster and Madcatz.
as the console generation lifespan seems to be about seven years it is important for third party company`s to get there products out at the beginning of production.
Now that Fanatec has waited too long one has to wonder how long do we need to wait for them to catch up so that we as a customer can get to enjoy our products for there full lifespan

 

[eKretz]

Fanatec and it`s customers would not be in this situation if they had started to develop a new wheel to be ready for the launch of the new consoles as did Thrustmaster and Madcatz.
as the console generation lifespan seems to be about seven years it is important for third party company`s to get there products out at the beginning of production.
Now that Fanatec has waited too long one has to wonder how long do we need to wait for them to catch up so that we as a customer can get to enjoy our products for there full lifespan

Agreed. It's a shame it took so long into the product lifecycle of the 360 and PS3 to get the CSW and Elite out. It might have been better had they held the product until the next generation.

 

[LogiForce]

Agreed. It's a shame it took so long into the product lifecycle of the 360 and PS3 to get the CSW and Elite out. It might have been better had they held the product until the next generation.

They might have to redesign the entire base now as to support the Kinect recognition features and so on. Add to that development time of the hard and software.
I believe the CSR-E and CSW were in development for around 2 or 3 years at least, and if Fanatec starts now. OUCH!

Let's hope they are able to release something before Christmas 2014, else I see a lot of people going to the competition.
Either that, or they simply buy a new gaming PC. At which point MS and Sony will feel it in their wallets.