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British Army Picks 360 Over PS3
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Posted on Tuesday, July 22 @ 18:13:34 Eastern by Duke_Ferris
As you can see from their recruitment video, the UK Army is using the Xbox 360 controller to fly their robot assassin planes. Do want!
In ten years, there will be no reason to have a pilot in a combat plane at all, and not only are we witnessing the beginning of that shift, gaming is a driving force behind it.
It makes perfect sense, after all. Game controllers have been evolving for over 20 years, becoming more ergonomic and sophisticated every generation. The 360 controller is also USB-based and has both Windows and Linux drivers.
Plug and play, baby.
Now who out there knows how i can get my hands on one of those UAV's? And no, not by joining the Army. I prefer virtual bullets and plentiful health packs, thankyouverymuch.
back to all posts post a comment
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BelgianROFLs
Joined: Jun 12, 2008
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| Posted: Jul 22nd, 2008 at 6:31 pm |
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| I've seen some US Army videos of them controlling various robotic devices with a 360 controller as well. Just goes to show that the Playstation method of never making their controller better is stupid. They've have the same awful controller for 3 generations. |
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Gabyea
Joined: Nov 16, 2005
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| Posted: Jul 22nd, 2008 at 6:47 pm |
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| yea i never liked the ps controller, after a few play hours it makes my hands hurt. |
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Mobius_Sean
Joined: Sep 18, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 22nd, 2008 at 7:01 pm |
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| Actually, I don't think we'll see fighter pilots go away. Bitching that your ship got lag-killed in EVE won't fly, so i don't think superior officers will accept it as a suitable explnation when your 36 million dollar combat jet augers in due to a poor connection :-P I can see Sony pitchin the Sixaxis or Nintendo pushing the Wiimote to the Army: "Now the HMMWV can be turned by just rotating the controller like a real steering wheel! Innovation!". or you could just turn a real steering wheel. |
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Longo_2_guns
Joined: Jun 30, 2003
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| Posted: Jul 22nd, 2008 at 8:51 pm |
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| Seeing as how it is a recruitment video, I'm fairly certain that they use an Xbox controller in the commercial because more than likely the people who would have played videogames beforehand would have more experience with a 360 than a PS3, and I'm fairly certain more 360 owners would sign up for the army than PS3 owners. |
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Tyler
Joined: Jun 11, 2007
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| Posted: Jul 22nd, 2008 at 8:52 pm |
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how much rumble would a nuke be?
sony needs to move the bottom two shoulder buttons back about 3/4 of an inch so I can use those with my middle fingers. Then switch the normal function of R1 with R2 and L1 with L2. That way I can put my normally dangling middle fingers to use. |
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Lien
Joined: Feb 1, 2008
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| Posted: Jul 22nd, 2008 at 9:06 pm |
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| No way there could be wiimotes? |
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De-Ting
Joined: Nov 11, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 22nd, 2008 at 10:21 pm |
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| The only problem with the PS controllers is that the analog sticks after using it so much. So, of course, it's more logical to be piloting a multi million dollar aircraft with an Xbox controller than a PS controller, because if you get stuck in perma-nosedive, it's gonna cost ya. |
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madster111
Joined: Jun 4, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 22nd, 2008 at 11:11 pm |
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See, the Xbox 360 controller is better than PS3.
I mean, who needs some stupid motion sensing when you can have Linux drivers, ergonomic fit, AND full rumble for LESS than the price of a new game?
360 = another win, |
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PsychoSavager
Joined: Mar 24, 2007
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| Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008 at 1:10 am |
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| I've actually seen this advert on TV and I noticed the controller as well.(it came out at least a year ago). But apparently British tanks are modified so that the steering wheel resemble a PlayStation controller more than they used to. |
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mooseodeath
Joined: Jul 26, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008 at 1:30 am |
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| modified to resemble isn't the same as played halo at the barracks and used the same gamepad to fly a bombing run a few hours later |
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Yokiro
Joined: Aug 28, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:15 am |
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| Yeah, that ad's been around here forever and I had to ask all my friends if they saw the same thing I had seen. I took it as a sign of Microsoft ruling the world and secretly owning the military by now, but they supposed that it was just to get kids even more interested in joining the military since interest in it and current conflicts has been waning. I'd join if my sole job was ensuring that the controller still worked by "calibrating" it all day by playing government funded vidja games. That would never fly, so I'll continue on life as a civilian. |
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Trippysmurf
Joined: May 19, 2008
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| Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:48 am |
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When I read this, all I could think of was that quote from the Simpsons when Homer joins the Navy: "The wars of the future will not be fought on the battlefield or at sea.
They will be fought in space, or possibly on top of a very tall
mountain. In either case, most of the actual fighting will be done by
small robots. And as you go forth today remember always your duty is
clear: To build and maintain those robots. Thank you. " |
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Sjvan0
Joined: Jun 16, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008 at 7:00 am |
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Trippy: that's actually from the one where Bart and Lisa are at military school.
Anyway, to get back on the topic, I wouldn't be surprised if they genuinely did use 360 controllers. I've seen videos of US soldiers using the 360 pad, remote controlling robots used to scout out hallways, rooms, etc. |
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LetheanDreams
Joined: Jan 27, 2001
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| Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008 at 8:09 am |
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Belgian, I'm pretty sure Sony doesn't care too much. I don't think they're too butt hurt their older model controller they designed specifically for gaming isn't being used for flying spy planes. I don't think MS really cares either. Now, if it was in Japan maybe. It would mean their Japan sales would be better.
Oh wait. Japan relies on the USMC. (Kidding, I hear the Japanese defense is pretty top notch.) |
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Odbarc
Joined: Apr 3, 2007
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| Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008 at 10:19 am |
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| They may have been British, but they acted French when they saw a dead goat. |
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PsychoSavager
Joined: Mar 24, 2007
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| Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008 at 11:17 am |
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| ^ Hahaha, very true. But at least they retreated, not surrender! |
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Trippysmurf
Joined: May 19, 2008
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| Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008 at 11:20 am |
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| Sjvan0 - damnit, you're right. I apologize for getting confused, but in my own defense, there have been 20 seasons now. |
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UglykitteN
Joined: Mar 30, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008 at 1:36 pm |
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| Lethean, I think Belgian was talking about how the Playstation has been around forever, and Sony has changed everything about it except for the controllers. I'm sure he wasn't implying that Sony will be upset, or "butt hurt", that their controllers aren't being used by the military. But it is kind of odd that the other major consoles have all modified their controllers. Even the first X-Box had that absurdly cumbersome controller when it first came out and eventually was redesigned. |
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BelgianROFLs
Joined: Jun 12, 2008
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| Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:01 pm |
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| Well, I'm glad someone could decipher Lethean's nonsensical jabberings. And if you think Sony and MS don't like free publicity, you're even stupider than your post makes you look, Lethean. (By the way, "butt hurt", seriously? what the ****?) |
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jllassman
Joined: Jul 23, 2008
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| Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:41 pm |
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ffs! just coz dey use the xbox contoller dnt mean its better - they cant use the ps3 controller as they done have the drivers for it - it make much more sense to use a microsoft controller with a thing that was made with microsoft os probs
geeeees
dnt mean its better in anyway - its completly on opinion |
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UglykitteN
Joined: Mar 30, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:48 pm |
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| Someone hug Belgian before he goes on a rampage at the nearest Game Stop. |
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acdibble
Joined: Jul 11, 2007
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| Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:28 pm |
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| Those should come standard with every Xbox. |
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Ivory_Soul
Joined: Nov 15, 2005
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| Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:56 pm |
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| I PlayStation controller WAS the best controller ever made until the 360 controller came out. I love that thing it's so comfortable and easy to use. I've never used the PS3 controller, but I now like the 360 controller the most. |
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sandineyes
Joined: May 14, 2008
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| Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008 at 9:10 pm |
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| I don't mind PS controllers that much, though i like the analog stick locations on the xbox ones better. But for better or worse, the buttons on the 360 controllers are harder to button-mash on. |
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LetheanDreams
Joined: Jan 27, 2001
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| Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008 at 9:12 pm |
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Just to clear some things up. I know what Belgium meant. I was saying what I did sort of in the sense that it doesn't matter to Sony as they still have a console at least a few million people out there want. And no Belgium, I do not think either company dislikes free publicity.
Belgium.Wow man. Seriously. Wow. I'm stupid now all because of a post I made? What's with the hostilities? Have a waffle and relax. |
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LetheanDreams
Joined: Jan 27, 2001
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| Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008 at 9:13 pm |
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| *I see your name isn't Belgium but Belgian. My mistake. I didn't care enough to really notice. Apologies. |
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madster111
Joined: Jun 4, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008 at 11:12 pm |
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jllassman;
You can use the PS3 controller on windows too.
infact, you can use the ****ing wiimote on a PCbut that doesn't mean they're using them does it?
it obviously stems from the 360 controller being more ergonomic, faster (no matter what you say, 2.4ghz is still SHITLOADS faster than bluetooth, which is what you want when your spy plane is trying to dodge a SAM.), all the while having better triggers, better battery life AND to top it all off, i've noticed as the rubber on the sticks wears down, it becomes easier and quicker to move them due to you not having to use as much energy to get your fingers to slide over them to change direction.
The military use the 360 controller because it's better.
End of story. |
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mooseodeath
Joined: Jul 26, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 24th, 2008 at 1:15 am |
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| the x360 wired pad is the best controller i've ever used. weighs less, wires are even faster than 2.4GHz radio and don't interfere with anything (except walkways) and the battery life is unbeatable. my only complaint is the aweful d-pad |
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madster111
Joined: Jun 4, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 24th, 2008 at 1:39 am |
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| ^yeah, but how often do you use the D-pad? |
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mooseodeath
Joined: Jul 26, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 24th, 2008 at 5:05 am |
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| all the time in oblivion, thankfully they added a hold hotkey to make really sure it's the right one |
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madster111
Joined: Jun 4, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 24th, 2008 at 7:27 am |
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| why not just use the sticks? |
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De-Ting
Joined: Nov 11, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 24th, 2008 at 1:20 pm |
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| ^doesn't play Oblivion |
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madster111
Joined: Jun 4, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 24th, 2008 at 2:37 pm |
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De-Ting,
Actually, 500 gamerscore points says otherwise. |
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UglykitteN
Joined: Mar 30, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 24th, 2008 at 2:48 pm |
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| Oh snap. |
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De-Ting
Joined: Nov 11, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 24th, 2008 at 3:49 pm |
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| Not knowing that the D-pad hotkeys items and spells says otherwise. |
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UglykitteN
Joined: Mar 30, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 24th, 2008 at 8:17 pm |
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| Oh snap. |
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madster111
Joined: Jun 4, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 24th, 2008 at 11:24 pm |
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| Yet you don't need the hotkeys once you've been playing for awhile and know some of them more advanced things, such as going into the menu to grab a potion on purpose so you can grap a break while you're there, or repair a few items. |
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UglykitteN
Joined: Mar 30, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 25th, 2008 at 4:56 am |
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| Oh snap. |
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De-Ting
Joined: Nov 11, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 25th, 2008 at 12:39 pm |
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| Ah, but how much quicker it is to be able to simply hotkey your potions and repair hammers. Plus, you probably don't know that using the analog to scroll makes it go faster, or that you can drop items with the left trigger and still hang onto them, allowing you to carry something extra without becoming over encumbered. |
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UglykitteN
Joined: Mar 30, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 25th, 2008 at 1:39 pm |
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| Oh snap. |
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Beer_is_Life
Joined: Jul 25, 2008
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| Posted: Jul 25th, 2008 at 6:08 pm |
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| Yay XBox 360 controlers being used to mark targets for death, well atleast it's the "british army" using then so slightly reduced risk of friendly fire incidents. (Beer has been awakened by moronic coments an it's not gonna get more friendly) But Duke this is an old, old, old recruitment vid atleast a year if not more. I thought it was cool when it came out and actually thought at the time That it might be interesting to have a coment about here (long time reader 1st time drunk enough and irritated enough to post) but come one grasping at straws people in the XBOX360 / PS£ flame war when you have to resort to the "woo our contoler is better cause the "British" army uses it" argument The "British" army also use the SA80 and we all know how well that went till the refurbs. Beer has spoken well typed drunkenly but itroughly the same |
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UglykitteN
Joined: Mar 30, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 25th, 2008 at 7:23 pm |
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| Oh snap. |
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Jacksonman06
Joined: May 13, 2006
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| Posted: Jul 26th, 2008 at 1:23 pm |
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| Glad to see Microsoft supporting the War on terror, and subsequently the people killed by their toys. |
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DKR1138
Joined: Nov 10, 2005
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| Posted: Jul 27th, 2008 at 4:31 am |
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| Can I put "Own a Xbox 360" on my resume if I ever try to join the reserves? heh |
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