Stu: I think I remember you saying you went to Korea during the development period of theSideWinder. How much and to where did you travel in order to make sure you had the perfect gaming mouse?

KFlick: The trip to Korea was less about the mouse in particular, and more about understanding how the culture of PC gaming has developed into such a big thing there. That’s a whole story in itself! Specifically for this mouse, we conducted formal usability studies in the US, Europe and Asia with over 400 gamers of all skill levels and genres of play.


Stu: Many are upset over the choice of Laser vs. optical. Why did you go the laser route and what has MS done to ensure its performance is at the level gamers require?

KFlick: We have tested this tracking system exhaustively. We have human testers and mechanical testing equipment (think huge industrial plotter-like devices that move mice very accurately at all speeds) that we used in the development of this mouse. It has clearly come to the point where a well built and well tuned laser tracking system offers advantages over optical. We’ve spent the time and energy required to make sure that this tracking system performs extremely well.

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We realize that all of your questions may not have been addressed in this interview. That is why we would like to offer an open invitation to ask your very own pointed questions to Kevin. Simply gather your thoughts and send them to Stu through the FPSLabs messaging system. We will sort through the questions and if there are enough, shoot them over to Mr. Flick and subsequently post his response. So unless everything you wanted to know about the SideWinder has already been answered, get thinking!

FPSLabs Exclusive SideWinder Review: Part 1
GotFrag SideWinder Announcement
Site of Champions
Sidewinder Product page
Kevin Flick's Blog