A user would have different transceivers (sold separately) hooked up to their different game consoles and the xiSpike would have the ability to switch between them at the single press of a button on the controller. This is an impressive feature even now. The design was overall pretty similar to what the Aiplay 2 was supposed to be, but judging from the concept image on a GamesFirst article it seems to be missing the reLOAD of the original Airplay. As a heavy collector of the 6th generation of gaming console, I would love to be able to have a single reliable wireless controller for all three of those consoles. And if the Airplay was any indication, the wireless functionality of the xiSpike would have been superb. Unfortunately though, other than press releases about and reactions to the xiSpike’s showcase at E3 2002, the promising controller would never reach the market. Interestingly enough, all of the press releases about the xiSpike are still on Eleven Engineering’s website. If you are interested in some firsthand reactions to the xiSpike, here is one from IGN.

The Refocusing of Eleven Engineering

After the cancelled production of the Airplay 2 and then the xiSpike, Eleven Engineering would go on to license out their SPIKE technology in many different industries. So, in theory, it is possible that we have already used the same tech that was supposed to be used in Eleven Engineering’s own controller, but just don’t know it. The main tech that Eleven Engineering is currently involved in is audio technology like speakers and headphones due to the SPIKE technology being specifically meant for shorter distances and it’s cost-effectiveness when compared to Bluetooth. The failed push to get the xiSpike to market would be the last interaction with the game industry for Eleven Engineering until…

The Lawsuit

Source: PatentArcade.com