Ina Fried at CNET reports on Digging profits out of Xbox:
Microsoft is looking to squeeze a profit out of the gaming market with a new royalty program tied to the release of its next Xbox console.
Only accessory makers that get Microsoft’s blessing and fork over a slice of their sales to the software maker will be able to produce Xbox 360 game pads, steering wheels, joysticks and other controllers.
In addition, in order to ensure that only authorized products connect to the new console, Microsoft is adding a security mechanism that will be available exclusively to those who sign a deal with the company, according to documents from a peripheral company filed with the SEC.
The new Xbox 360 is supposed to be in stores for the holidays.