March 26, 2007 - In late 2006 IGN Gear had the opportunity to go hands on with an interesting controller add-on prototype, the KontrolFreek (story). The relatively simple bit of plastic allows for a good deal more leverage for making small and precise inputs in racing games where applying heavy steering in one direction requires counter steering in the opposite and lost speed. Other users have reported good results in other game genres like G.R.A.W. and the like.

From our previous hands-on: "We put the KontrolFreek prototype to use in PGR 3 and NFS: Carbon. After reacquainting ourselves with the games with an unmodified controller we started doing laps with the KontrolFreek. In a rather short amount of time we found ourselves quite pleased with it. The curving side rails aren't at all about preventing your thumb from sliding off the stick, rather, they function to provide extra leverage on the stick that makes it easy to tilt the stick just a little bit when just a little is all that's required. Transitioning from the analog stick's neutral point to 10 and 20% input was much easier than without the KontrolFreek, and we found that weaving through traffic in both games was much easier due to the lack of heavy counter-correction after each swerve."

Today we're pleased to report that KontrolFreek has launched tooling to being full scale manufacturing of the controller add-on, newly dubbed the SpeedFreek. A shopping cart will soon be added to the company's website (link) that will allow for purchase of the device, which is expected to ship around May 1st.



KontrolFreek is out to prove their product can provide a competitive advantage for players and is promoting a soon-to-launch online racing team that will host tournaments and sponsor SpeedFreek giveaways. Stay tuned for more as the product gets closer and closer to market.