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SIXAXIS Rumble Version Strongly Suggested

Posted by Zonk on from the swing-and-rumble dept.

Next Generation is reporting that a rumble-enabled version of the PlayStation 3 SIXAXIS controller may be on the way. At the moment its existence is still theory, but there are some facts to back it up. Immersion has entered into a partnership with a 3rd party company to make accessories for the PS3. Additionally: "Sony reportedly informed Kotaku that rumble is definitely coming to PS3, it's just a matter of when, and this latest press release from Immersion certainly raises the possibility that it could be in September. 'Under the terms of the license, these products will now bear Immersion's Feel The Game TouchSense Technology logo,' reads the press release from which the news emanated."

86 comments

  1. Honestly... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I still don't care about rumble. I don't have it on my PC, I don't have it on my PSP, I turn it off on my Xbox/GCN/PS2... fuck rumble.

    1. Re:Honestly... by raventh1 · · Score: 1

      Rumble can be useful. It's nice to have tactile feedback when you are shot or bump into another car when racing.

      Some games tend to use it when anything is going on in the environment which I think is overdoing it. Sadly it's overused in too many games. When it's used right it can add just the right amount of influence to make you feel more immersed into the experience of what you are doing - This is quite rare, but when it happens it's still impressive.

    2. Re:Honestly... by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 1

      I would actually like a small amount of rumble on my mouse.
      A little quiver when I hit a boundary or bump when I am over an active area would be great.

      The wiimote shows this effect quite nicely, just put it in the mouse.

      --
      liqbase :: faster than paper
    3. Re:Honestly... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not to mention it is quite the soothing massage after a bout of button mashing (as used in Metal Gear)

    4. Re:Honestly... by svendsen · · Score: 1

      "A little quiver when I hit a boundary or bump when I am over an active area would be great."

      Hmmm ya I want my mouse to quiver too when I go over certain bumps. Hmm and those active areas, maybe I could get some audio and visual feedback too. Porn at a new level...lol

    5. Re:Honestly... by anotherone · · Score: 1

      A friend of mine used to have a mouse that worked just like you describe... any time you rolled over a button or link (configurable through the control panel) it would give just a little snap of the vibrating motor, and it literally felt like you had gone over a little bump on the mouse pad. Absolutely useless gimmick, but cool nonetheless.

      --
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    6. Re:Honestly... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, thank good we had rumble back in the 80's, How could I ever have beaten SMB without it!

    7. Re:Honestly... by Osty · · Score: 3, Informative

      I would actually like a small amount of rumble on my mouse

      Welcome to 2001, where Logitech is about to release its new line of iFeel mice based on Immersion's TouchSense technology.

      As it turns out, rumble in a mouse wasn't all that great. Sure, it was a neat little trick initially, but ultimately there was no support for it but for a very few games. Logitech killed the iFeel line of mice relatively quickly.

      That said, I do agree with you that the Wii's pointer feedback is helpful. Part of that is because the Wiimote simply doesn't have the accuracy of a mouse. I'm not sure how useful it would really be on a mouse, though I still hope somebody will eventually re-visit the concept (preferably with an open standard that anybody can use, and with great drivers and support in major libraries like DirectX). I'm not going to hold my breath on that one.

    8. Re:Honestly... by KDR_11k · · Score: 1

      SMB was 2d, you could see the whole playing field at all times. In 3d it's rare to see everything that's going on around you so you need additional feedback.

      --
      Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
  2. Wow...this really is news for nerds... by tha_mink · · Score: 0

    Wow, a rumble controller. Does *anybody* really care about this? Really? I know this is news for nerds but seriously, I can't imagine why anyone would care about a rumble controller. Isn't that like SO 1998?

    --
    You'll have that sometimes...
    1. Re:Wow...this really is news for nerds... by CRiMSON · · Score: 1

      I think that's the point. Xbox/wii got rumble and have had it for awhile. PS3 is getting it... in 2007 or maybe 2008.. How can you call yourself the hottest most advanced console.. and not have something like rumble.

      --
      oogly boogly!
    2. Re:Wow...this really is news for nerds... by c0mmanderb0nd · · Score: 1

      I thought women were more a fan of the vibrating controllers.

    3. Re:Wow...this really is news for nerds... by Fallingcow · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Well, MGS4 is coming out on the PS3.

      The previous installments were the only games I've played where rumble actually contributed to gameplay.

    4. Re:Wow...this really is news for nerds... by SighKoPath · · Score: 1

      The first game I played where rumble made a significant contribution to gameplay was Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, on N64. There is an item called the Stone of Agony. Once obtained, it would let you know when you got near a secret area by rumbling the controller. Release date in North America: November 1998.

    5. Re:Wow...this really is news for nerds... by _xeno_ · · Score: 1

      First, Metal Gear Solid's release date in North America was October 1998, a month prior to Ocarina of Time.

      Although I would argue that in both cases the rumble really did nothing for the gameplay. MGS used it as a gimmick. The controller shook when you were discovered, which definitely added something to the experience, but really did nothing gameplay wise. It also shook when using the sniper rifle unless you took the Diazapan. I think it also shook when you were hit. In every other case, it was used for various cutscene gimmicks (like Psycho Mantis "moving" the controller). So overall it added additional cues about certain events, but it was never essential to gameplay.

      In Ocarina of Time, as you mention, it was used to locate "secret areas" but as I recall those were all essentially bombable holes that contained Rupees and nothing truly useful. In any case, it could easily have been done by a hot/cold gauge on the screen or by a pulsing light or something. It was essentially an excuse to make you buy the controller accessory, nothing really useful.

      In any case, it was most useful in Ocarina of Time with the fishing minigame since it added another cue that a fish was hooked. But in any case, it wasn't necessary for gameplay.

      In both games, it added something to the experience, but in both cases, it wasn't necessary.

      --
      You are in a maze of twisty little relative jumps, all alike.
    6. Re:Wow...this really is news for nerds... by krakelohm · · Score: 1

      I thought women were more a fan of the vibrating controllers. And thats why that virginity thing still haunts you.
      --
      You are all a bunch of idots.
    7. Re:Wow...this really is news for nerds... by UbuntuDupe · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      Let me guess -- you're not married. And no girlfriend either.

      --
      Apology to Ubuntu forum.
    8. Re:Wow...this really is news for nerds... by Fallingcow · · Score: 1

      MGS2 had a "heartbeat sensor". Very useful. Strength of the beat varied with distance.

      It was also one of the few games where one was made acutely aware that the R and L buttons on the PS2 had more than two states...

    9. Re:Wow...this really is news for nerds... by LordVader717 · · Score: 1

      Feel my Psychic powers. MOVE Controller, MOVE.

    10. Re:Wow...this really is news for nerds... by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      You mean this story is really about the "game controllers that shake"? They're still doing that? Whoa, they need to get some people with fresh ideas in the gaming industry.

      I still remember the first time I tried the "controllers that shake". When you shot a weapon, it shook. When you crashed your car, it shook. When you blew up an enemy, it shook. No matter what was happening on the screen in the game, all you had was the thing shaking. It quickly became something of a joke, as if exactly the same sound was used for every event in every game. The joke wore off quickly and then irritation set in.

      I really though this was one idea that had been sent to the trashheap of history. Apparently, when you're trying to sell game consoles, you'll try anything to sell a few more, including the "controllers that shake". Again.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    11. Re:Wow...this really is news for nerds... by _xeno_ · · Score: 1

      MGS2 had a "heartbeat sensor". Very useful. Strength of the beat varied with distance.

      Another example of something that, while enhanced by rumble, doesn't actually need it. It could have been done by a beating light on the screen. (As I recall, the PC version of Rainbow Six did something like that with their heartbeat sensor.)

      It was also one of the few games where one was made acutely aware that the R and L buttons on the PS2 had more than two states...

      Not to mention the Square button. Press lightly to aim, hard to fire...

      "Freeze!"

      RAT-AT-AT-AT-AT! Alert!

      "DAMNIT!"

      --
      You are in a maze of twisty little relative jumps, all alike.
    12. Re:Wow...this really is news for nerds... by cbreaker · · Score: 1

      Holy fanboy alert!

      On your same reasoning, I'll say:

      It's 2007! How come the hottest Microsoft console doesn't have motion sensing controllers? Or Bluetooth? Or flash memory support? Or USB ports? Or hard drives standard? Or Gigabit Ethernet? Or HD-Disc standard? Or HDMI? Or free online play?

      The list goes on, and yes, it's stupid.

      --
      - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
  3. That's so last gen... by binaryspiral · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Rumble controllers are like cruise control on new cars. It should be standard, it isn't expensive, but some manufactures still want to milk the end users for every friggen dime.

    But I digress, I don't need it anymore now that I have motion sensitive bluetooth IR tracking Wiimotes.

    1. Re:That's so last gen... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But I digress, I don't need it anymore now that I have motion sensitive bluetooth IR tracking Wiimotes.

      Except maybe a new TV when the Wiimote gets lodged into yours during a gripping game of table tennis...
    2. Re:That's so last gen... by Osty · · Score: 1

      Rumble controllers are like cruise control on new cars. It should be standard, it isn't expensive, but some manufactures still want to milk the end users for every friggen dime.

      s/manufacturers/Immersion/. All of Sony's talk about rumble screwing up the motion sensitive SIXAXIS was just a bunch of crap intended to cover up the fact that they refused to settle Immersion's patent lawsuit like Microsoft and Nintendo did. They finally settled, which is why they're talking about bringing back rumble, but like most things Sony lately, they've done too little too late. Either they should've settled with Immersion before the PS3 shipped, or they should've stuck to their guns and fought the patent sharks to the bitter end. By settling now, we get the worst of both worlds -- Immersion's patent is now bolstered by all three console manufacturers, and current PS3 owners get to spend another $50 to purchase a new controller if they want rumble.

      But I digress, I don't need it anymore now that I have motion sensitive bluetooth IR tracking Wiimotes.

      You know your Wiimote rumbles, right?

    3. Re:That's so last gen... by Chosen+Reject · · Score: 1

      Nintendo wasn't involved in that case. They used a different technology. So Immersion's patent is right now bolstered by one console manufacturer, and one might be supported through third parties in the future.

      --
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      Just say no to irreversible processes!
    4. Re:That's so last gen... by Eivind · · Score: 1

      Rumble also eats batteries, which matter atleast somewhat for wireless controllers. I've got a Logitech one for my PS2, and with rumble on and lots-of-rumbling games the batteries are dead in aprox 20 hours of playtime. Without rumble they last literally 10 times that, or practically forever. (granted, that controller has ridicolously powerful rumble, I'm sure it's possible to do it a lot more energy-conserving, still it *does* mean moving parts, which will always cost some energy)

  4. Another one bites the dust! by Xjuan · · Score: 1

    Hehe this hole rumble patent thing is hilarious and something to worry about! :S
    How come sony lawyers where not able to find some "prior art" you know... a motor with an unbalanced axis! heh
    I think for women and... a vibrator could be considerated a "Joy Stick"!!!!

    1. Re:Another one bites the dust! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think for women and... a vibrator could be considerated a "Joy Stick"!!!!

      OMG tats so clever LOLOL!!!11!1
    2. Re:Another one bites the dust! by BlackSmithNZ · · Score: 1
      We went through a few thousand vibrator jokes already when this was news in 2006.

      A motor with an unbalanced weight to create a vibrator goes a long way back - think steam power vibrators (I'm at work otherwise would provide a link). Pagers and other more non-erotic controllers have had them long before immersion ever thought of a patent.

      So a 100 years of prior art for the lawyers. But we are talking about the Dual-shock controller here; as in two vibrating motors in a controller. Immersion patented the amazing technological leap of having two vibrating motors in a controller. You should probably go ahead & make a fortune by rushing out & patenting 3 motors in a controller & 3, 4 and 5 blade razors right now. Apparently n+1 of anything is a totally novel application of technology.

      Now if you know of any vibes that have two motors & pre-date the Immersion patent and can show prior-art to a company full of patent lawyers, then good luck.

    3. Re:Another one bites the dust! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      >Hehe this hole rumble patent thing is hilarious and something to worry about! :S
      >How come sony lawyers where not able to find some "prior art" you know... a motor with an unbalanced axis! heh
      >I think for women and... a vibrator could be considerated a "Joy Stick"!!!!

      Are you here all week? and can I now enjoy my breakfast?

  5. Now they listen by Rolgar · · Score: 1

    Sony delivers the most expensive console, but they chose to cut costs by not licensing a highly desirable technology for their controller over the strong protests of their gamers long before launch. Now many of their best customers gamers are going to be severely disappointed at having to buy new hardware unless Sony included the hardware at launch and can activate it with a firmware upgrade, although it sounds like they didn't.

    Will they upgrade already released games to include support through a patch?

    Not that it affects me, I'm a Wii owner myself.

    1. Re:Now they listen by _xeno_ · · Score: 1

      Presumably the PS3 was always capable of sending rumble commands to the controllers (after all, the original PlayStation didn't ship with rumble-capable controllers and the DualShock was added to it later). So people who already own a PS3 will just have to buy new controllers. If I owned a PS3 I'd be ticked off, but it's not like I'd have to run out and buy a new PS3.

      Then again, I always suspected that Sony would do something like this and was planning on waiting until after rumble support was readded before buying a PS3. Oh, and waiting until HDTVs came down to reasonable prices. And the PS3 was $300 or less. And it had games worth buying. And an online service worth using.

      Will they upgrade already released games to include support through a patch?

      That's not really a Sony thing as much as an individual game developer thing. My guess is no, but who knows. Maybe some of the games already supported it?

      Not that it affects me, I'm a Wii owner myself.

      Me too! :) Although that's one more thing done on the check list of things that Sony needs to do before I'm willing to buy a PS3 - although the $300 price tag was probably the more important one.

      --
      You are in a maze of twisty little relative jumps, all alike.
    2. Re:Now they listen by Pluvius · · Score: 1

      Sony delivers the most expensive console, but they chose to cut costs by not licensing a highly desirable technology for their controller over the strong protests of their gamers long before launch.

      FSVO "highly desirable," "strong protests," and especially "their gamers." Most of the complaints came from people who were looking for any excuse to bash Sony; everyone who was honest with himself could admit that while losing rumble wasn't a good thing, it was hardly something that should be hyped up to the extremes that the fanboys reached either.

      And it wasn't to cut costs anyway; it was because there was ongoing litigation between Sony and the patent trolls^W^Wguys who licensed out the rumble technology. They very well couldn't design new controllers with rumble in them until that was settled.

      I'm a Wii owner myself.

      What a surprise.

      Rob

    3. Re:Now they listen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This probably explains why the new Euro bundle includes an extra controller- they have to dump their old stock somewhere. Plus, the more old Sixaxis controllers they get into people homes, the more likely they will sell the new rumble controllers to replace them at $50-a-pop. The cynic in me thinks that was Sony's plan all along in order to get an extra $50-$400 out of every PS3 owner to try to make up for their hardware losses. Of course, that would require Sony being capable of planning and forward thinking which the rational mind simply can't accept.

    4. Re:Now they listen by cbreaker · · Score: 1

      I'm actually not ticked off at all. Rumble is cool, and the original Xbox controllers (the big ones) had a pretty strong rumble which was used well in many titles. But, my PS3 doesn't have it, and I honestly don't really miss it. It will be nice to get some controllers with rumble when they are released, but it's really not that big a deal. The games are still just as fun without it.

      Apparently some games already support rumble and will use it when rumble controllers are released. The API's and everything else except the controllers themselves are already in place for developers to use. And, although some games won't get patches, a bunch of other games already have downloadable updates and it doesn't seem like a stretch to think they'll just do it again if they don't have support for rumble.

      --
      - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
    5. Re:Now they listen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So you bought a Wii for $250, but for $300 you expect Sony to provide an online service worth using while the Wii chugs along with no online service whatsoever? Why is it OK that the Wii doesn't have online but that when you consider buying the PS3 it'll have to be around the same price and provide "an online service worth using"? (as if it isn't worth using right now)

      Nothing pisses me off more than a fucking Nintendo fanboy with double standards.

    6. Re:Now they listen by _xeno_ · · Score: 1

      As the PS3/Xbox 360 fanboys love to point out, the Wii and PS3/Xbox 360 "aren't competing with each other" (I disagree, but anyway). I already have a Wii, which means that when looking at the other two consoles I'm only comparing them with each other.

      So in order for me to choose a PS3 over an Xbox 360, it'd have to be worth getting. Having a worthwhile online service would be one reason to get it. Having it cost less than the Xbox 360 would also work.

      Of course, then there's the whole "games" factor, which really limits my desire for either console. But in any case, the PS3 needs online more than the Wii does, which gets points for new and interesting methods of gameplay.

      --
      You are in a maze of twisty little relative jumps, all alike.
  6. Wait.... by svendsen · · Score: 1

    Didn't Sony state at a press conference long time ago that rumble was "old technology" and who would want it?

    1. Re:Wait.... by Thansal · · Score: 1

      yes, and this is them eating crow.

      Again.

      I am honestly curious how this will hit. How are current owners going to react to their controllers now being 'obsolete'. Will we see the rumble controllers packed with new systems? Patches for old games that don't have rumble?

      --
      Do Or Do Not, There Is No Spoon, There Is Only Zuul. Everything in the above post is probably opinion.
    2. Re:Wait.... by seebs · · Score: 1

      Yes, and all the fanboys said so with them. "I'm so glad we don't have rumble anymore, it was just annoying."

      --
      My blog: http://www.seebs.net/log/ --- My iPhone/iPad app: http://www.seebs.net/seebsfrac/
    3. Re:Wait.... by Pluvius · · Score: 1

      Yes, much like the anti-Sony fanboys who didn't really care about rumble until they heard that the PS3 wouldn't have it. No such thing as a side with no stupid people on it.

      Rob

    4. Re:Wait.... by seebs · · Score: 1

      I've been consistent; I hate it, and I wish people would stop using it. Except that, grudgingly, I admit that the very slight vibration of the Wiimote is good tactile feedback. I just hate the thing where controllers physically hurt me while I'm trying to play a game.

      --
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    5. Re:Wait.... by Jeff+DeMaagd · · Score: 1

      Wasn't "rumble" almost always a feature that can be disabled? I don't miss it. I guess doing decent rumble in a compact controller is too hard to do well on a reasonable budget, so they just do a half-assed cop-out and pretend it's a desirable feature.

    6. Re:Wait.... by SuperMonkeyCube · · Score: 1

      Tactile feedback is the reason to use it. I wouldn't miss it if it were gone - except in Gran Turismo. They don't call those red & white things on the sides of the tracks rumble strips for nothing. :)

    7. Re:Wait.... by seebs · · Score: 1

      It can often be specially disabled, although I think a few games offered no way to do so. The thing is, I hated it, but the Wii's very subtle vibrate doesn't actually bug me; it's just a sort of tactile response for "you just moused over a button" or the like.

      --
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    8. Re:Wait.... by cbreaker · · Score: 1

      Get a grip. It's going to be an accessory. I don't see Wii users bitching because their Wii's don't come with the upcoming WiiGun attachment.

      Patches on the PS3 are easy because every single one has a hard disk, but besides that, the API's have been there since day one, so a lot of titles actually already support it.

      --
      - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
  7. This is the killer feature! by Xtravar · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    OMG this is the moment I've been waiting for!!! I can now go out and blow over half a grand on a PS3 and games.

    --
    Buckle your ROFL belt, we're in for some LOLs.
    1. Re:This is the killer feature! by zx75 · · Score: 1

      OMG this is the moment I've been waiting for!!! I can now go out and blow over half a grand on a PS3 There, fixed that for you.
      --
      This is not a sig.
    2. Re:This is the killer feature! by mabinogi · · Score: 1

      OMG this is the moment I've been waiting for!!! I can now go out and blow over a grand on a PS3 There fixed that for you (in Australia)
      --
      Advanced users are users too!
    3. Re:This is the killer feature! by LKM · · Score: 1

      OMG this is the moment I've been waiting for!!! I can now go out and blow over a grand on a PS3 and one game

      (Switzerland :-)

  8. Tagged as... duh by the_skywise · · Score: 1

    While I'm not THAT concerned about rumble in PS/3 games I am concerned about it in my old PS/2 games.

    If the Sixaxis isn't backwards compatible with the PS/2 emulation (both hardware and software) that would be BAD.

    And while we're on the subject, Sony, take a cue from Microsoft and make external battery packs for the Sixaxis. You're SONY for cryin' out loud. You already manufacture battery packs for your various cameras and walkmen! Think of the extra sales of charges and batteries (hard core gamers will buy TWO batteries so they can immediately swap out in the middle of a gaming session when a battery dies instead of trying to find the USB cable to tether their WIRELESS joystick to the base unit...)

    And backlit buttons would be kinda cool...

    And a million dollars...

    1. Re:Tagged as... duh by DrXym · · Score: 1

      The SIXAXIS is compatible with your old games. Rumble or not it works just fine, which is not surprising as the controllers have a virtually identical layout. The PS3 does have a annoying habit asking you to push the Home button on the controller after you start a PS2 game but otherwise it just works. There are also adapters if you really want to use an old controller. I assume that if a rumble controller appears it will also support rumble in PS2 titles as well.

    2. Re:Tagged as... duh by LokiSnake · · Score: 1

      It'll be great to have Sony battery packs right in your hands so you can play for hours on ends.

      Well, until they burst into flames, that is.

    3. Re:Tagged as... duh by the_skywise · · Score: 1

      I wasn't going to go there but the joke did cross my mind... :)

    4. Re:Tagged as... duh by cbreaker · · Score: 1

      The batteries in the SIXAXIS controllers lasts a long time. Yea, I like external batteries because you can replace them when they eventually stop taking a charge, but because there's no rumble pack, the batteries last a long time. I can use my controllers for weeks (granted, I'm not a hard core player) without charging them.

      You did mention that you'd have to find the USB cable - which is a good point. Any USB cable with a mini end (same as digital cameras, etc) will work. You can buy a super long cable for peanuts. You can use USB hubs, too.

      --
      - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
  9. Great News!! by Dr+Kool,+PhD · · Score: 1

    Sixaxis with rumble will be the world's first Bluetooth rumble controller. I just hope Sony offers some kind of upgrade program for people with old controllers. Maybe old controller + $5 shipping = new controller?

    1. Re:Great News!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sixaxis with rumble will be the world's first Bluetooth rumble controller. There seems to be a slight disconnect between the title ("great news!!") and the post there.

      How exactly is that aspect great news? I agree that Sony finally adding a feature that - let's be honest, they've had for the past 10 years or so - is good news, in that it's not bad news. Lord knows Sony doesn't need yet more bad news, they've already lost enough exclusives.

      However the Bluetooth part seems to be completely irrelevant. Can you use these controllers with a (Bluetooth compatible) Windows PC? If not, what difference does it make? It's just a wireless rumble-capable controller, and that's not new. In fact, it's a wireless rumble-capable controller with motion sensing, which is also not new. The Bluetooth aspect is meaningless unless other Bluetooth capable devices support it.

      Otherwise, it's just a PS3 wireless controller with rumble. Slightly interesting, but not great news.
    2. Re:Great News!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Correction Worlds Second. WTG Sony only a year late to the party.

    3. Re:Great News!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sixaxis with rumble will be the world's first Bluetooth rumble controller. I just hope Sony offers some kind of upgrade program for people with old controllers. Maybe old controller + $5 shipping = new controller?

      Actually, the Nintendo Wiimote was the first Bluetooth rumble-enabled controller. Then again, there have been wireless rumble-enabled controllers in the past so I guess neither really matters in the scheme of things.
    4. Re:Great News!! by Reapman · · Score: 1

      Oddly enough you CAN use the Bluetooth component, however ONLY in Linux with some kernel tinkering from what I remember... in Windows for some reason you have to go through the USB port.

      I never understood Sony not selling the SIXAXIS as a PC controller too, if anything 2-3 ppl would buy em for that and that's a few extra bucks. How hard can a driver be to make for it?

    5. Re:Great News!! by randyest · · Score: 1

      No it won't. The wiimote is the first first Bluetooth rumble controller.

      --
      everything in moderation
  10. Logo required? Blech. by Valdrax · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Under the terms of the license, these products will now bear Immersion's Feel The Game TouchSense Technology logo,' reads the press release from which the news emanated.

    Oh, great. 'Cause we all know that the reason why third party controllers are all so attractive is the delightfully gaudy logos that enhance their aesthetic appeal.

    Seriously, though, this is part of why I really don't like third party controllers. They all look seriously tasteless compared to the standard controllers that most console companies come up with. (That and the shapes are always awkward feeling in comparison. Mad Catz, I'm looking at you.)

    --
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  11. How about force feedback? by PygmySurfer · · Score: 1

    Does this mean the PS3 will finally support force feedback as well, for devices like, say, a racing wheel?

    http://kotaku.com/gaming/sixaxis/no-force-feedback -for-ps3-racing-wheels-either-226250.php

    1. Re:How about force feedback? by cxreg · · Score: 1

      It always has. That report was false.

      --

      God Fucking Damnit
    2. Re:How about force feedback? by pl1ght · · Score: 1

      Gran Turismo HD demo supports force feedback on wheels such as the G25, etc.

  12. But can developers expect rumble? by SparkyFlooner · · Score: 1

    Since the PS3 wasn't shipped with rumble controllers, does this mean developers have to code with the assumption that nobody has the rumble feature?

    If the new Metal Gear makes rumble integral to the gameplay, it will mean possibly millions of early adopters will have to buy new controllers.

    1. Re:But can developers expect rumble? by Pluvius · · Score: 1

      Since the PS3 wasn't shipped with rumble controllers, does this mean developers have to code with the assumption that nobody has the rumble feature?

      Rumble is subtle enough to where it wouldn't really be that hard to emulate it using on-screen features, and turn off those features when vibration is turned on. In MGS4 you might have to buy a new controller to get a slightly more immersive gameplay experience, but that would only really make a difference to the hardcore gamers who are going to buy new controllers anyway.

      I wouldn't worry about the early adopters anyway; early adopters always get the screw due to their inability to wait for technology to stabilize before buying it. That $100 price drop is something that they would be more likely pissed off about, besides.

      Rob

    2. Re:But can developers expect rumble? by SparkyFlooner · · Score: 1

      Yeah, it's not the end of the world to be without rumble (although I really like rumble.)

      But I'm wondering if this will be considered a basic feature of the console, and Sony will require all new games to use the rumble feature.

    3. Re:But can developers expect rumble? by Pluvius · · Score: 1

      But I'm wondering if this will be considered a basic feature of the console, and Sony will require all new games to use the rumble feature.

      They didn't with the PS2, which started with rumble. Plenty of games allowed you to turn it off, and I wouldn't be surprised if there were some that didn't even use it.

      Rob

  13. Mod parent up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I was unaware that the Wii supported Bluetooth, but it's true. The first wireless rumble-capable Bluetooth controller was the Wiimote.

    So not only did Sony rip off Nintendo's motion sensing technology, they actually ripped off the technology to hook the controller to the system. Way to go, Sony.

    1. Re:Mod parent up by Lost+Engineer · · Score: 1

      Yes, because Nintendo invented bluetooth and motion sensing.

  14. Re:Logo required? Blech. by Karganeth · · Score: 1

    It would probably be on the back or somewhere else where you wouldn't even take notice it anyway. When was the last time you read the back of a PS2 controller? Looks shouldnt even matter, it's not as though you look at your controller when playing.

  15. Have we also forgotten the incompatibility? by cowwie · · Score: 1
    Remember back when they were first criticized for it, and they said that due to adding tilt sensors to the controller, it would be impossible to implement rumble?

    a reminder

    another reminder

    yet another reminder

    I used to be a huge Sony fanboy, but between the pricing, the trainwreck release, the lack of decent titles, and their constant lying about things.... I'm fed up with them.

  16. Re:Logo required? Blech. by aliquis · · Score: 1

    Actually I do since I don't know what circle, triangle, cross or box is.

  17. Why is rumble a feature and not a bug? by ashultz · · Score: 1

    Because nothing makes a fight game realistic like a vibrator in your hand.

    Oh well, back to rumble=off being the first thing I do with any new game.

    1. Re:Why is rumble a feature and not a bug? by Guppy06 · · Score: 1

      "Because nothing makes a fight game realistic like a vibrator in your hand."

      You mean on top of the bouncing breasts and areal moves that'd require a wire rig to pull off?

  18. Finally... by Terminal+Saint · · Score: 1

    Rumble? Alright! Time to run right out and buy that PS3!

    --
    It's sad when choosing an installation directory on your own qualifies you as an "advanced user."
  19. Re:Logo required? Blech. by Eivind · · Score: 1

    Nah. Don't agree.

    http://www.logitech.com/repository/367/jpg/2646.1. 0.jpg

    Better than the Sony-one.

    It's wireless. It's rounded, better to hold. There's *one* thumbswitch rather than the braindead 4-buttons-allthough-theyre-one-under-the-shell of the PS2 original controller. I personally also find it prettier than the original controller, but that's a matter of taste I guess.

  20. Huge step back... by GeekDork · · Score: 1

    The whole rumble "debate" is so funny. Just about every mobile phone can rumble, my dishwasher can rumble, the washing machine is just far out, and Lord, does my car ever rumble on a bad road.

    It's old news. And it's also useless. I want real force feedback that's actually telling me something about the environment, like proper racing wheels of the ancient MS Sidewinder sticks have; not some generic on/off crap, but something with actual direction to it.

    Also, PS3 owners should be glad that there are new controllers coming, the original ones suck and feel like a 5 cent (Canadian) molding job from a run-by-night sweatshop in rural China.

    --

    Fight hunger. Filet a politician and send him to a 3rd world country of your choice.

  21. Not Useless! by LKM · · Score: 1

    This is actually not useless. It helps the user target stuff on the screen; it's additional feedback. If you can, check out how the Wii's keyboard works. If you move the cursor over a key, the remote gently vibrates, which gives you the impression of really "entering" the key area. It helps a lot with typing quickly. Some games don't support it, and using the keyboard in these games is extremely annoying.

    1. Re:Not Useless! by anotherone · · Score: 1

      and it's great with the Wii, where you're holding the remote up to click on the button- For its celebrated ease of use, I have seen a lot of people who push the A button so hard that they move the cursor away from the button. The neutral state of the Wii's remotes are "sitting in your lap".

      A mouse has a neutral state of "Staying exactly where it was", so it's not as difficult to click with pixel-perfect accuracy.

      --
      Username taken, please choose another one.
    2. Re:Not Useless! by LKM · · Score: 1

      A mouse has a neutral state of "Staying exactly where it was", so it's not as difficult to click with pixel-perfect accuracy.

      As someone who has accidentally closed a window when I wanted to zoom it - and more than once - I disagree :-)

      The mouse is more precise, but you also think less and work faster when using it.

  22. Yes by LKM · · Score: 1

    People care after playing hours of Motorstorm without the rumble. I'm hoping there will be updates to "old" games adding support for the rumble feature. I intend to buy four rumble controllers; so far, I've only bought one additional controller, and I bought the cheapest I could get because I knew it would be obsolete soon.

  23. Rumble is needed for some games by LKM · · Score: 1

    Except there are games where rumble actually plays an integral part. Racing games such as Gran Turismo, mostly. If you're using cockpit view, you can't really see where your car is - it's hard to get a feel for it, like you would in a real car. Which is why some games rumble when your car touches the sidelines (comparable to how real cars vibrate when driving over uneven ground). It helps a lot, and many games are virtually unplayable without it.

  24. Re:Logo required? Blech. by rtechie · · Score: 1

    Actually, Mad Catz fixed the Dreamcast controller. Mad Catz fixed the awkward shape of the original controller so you were able to hold it properly. That, and the extra buttons, made them about 100X better than the originals.

    And the Logitech controllers for the PS2 are generally regarded as being superior to the originals as well.