In an effort to expand the input means in its games, Microsoft has approved Qmotions for the design and manufacture of officially endorsed Xbox 360 controllers. The agreement also grants Qmotions with the rights to Microsoft’s wireless technology, allowing for non-tethered peripherals.

“This is a milestone event for our company that now enables us to design, develop and market a unique range of wireless products, bringing the excitement of action gaming to a whole new level on the Xbox 360 system,” said Amro Albanna, chairman and CEO of Actiga, parent company of Qmotions. “We are excited to have been chosen as a Microsoft partner, particularly at this early stage of technology development where the award of Microsoft's wireless accessory agreement continues to position us at the cutting edge of technology.”

Rather than focus on just another alternative shape of controller, it will produce a full-sized skateboard called the Qmotions-Big Air. The company said that the controller will be compatible with popular boarding franchises such as SSX and Tony Hawk.

Qmotions currently has what appears to be a similar product for PlayStation 2 at $99.99, and comes bundled with SSX3.

Microsoft may have opened up to the idea of an expanded peripheral lineup in light of the pending release of the Wii Fit Balance Board, which will release in North America later this month. Analysts are expecting Wii Fit to further spur demand for Nintendo’s console.

Last month, a report surfaced that Microsoft was internally working on its own version of the Wii Remote – perhaps as an acknowledgement of the appeal to Wii’s control schemes.