DailyTech - Report: Sony Working on PS3 Controller With Rumble

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Gadgets Report: Sony Working on PS3 Controller With Rumble
Marcus Yam (Blog) - June 15, 2007 7:36 AM

26 comment(s) - last by JimFear.. on Jun 18 at 7:37 AM

Current SIXAXIS sans rumble

Good vibrations may soon be returning to the PlayStation 3

Rumbling controllers, a feature Sony introduced in its original PlayStation – later standard issue with all PlayStation 2s – suddenly disappeared on the PlayStation 3. The reason for that was Sony’s legal battle with Immersion over the patent rights to force feedback controllers. Immersion eventually won over the courts, forcing Sony to ditch vibration from its SIXAXIS PS3 controllers.

Understandably, Sony’s public stance was to downplay the importance of rumble in its controllers. Phil Harrison, president of SCE Worldwide, referred to rumble as not a next-generation feature, while Kaz Hirai, then-president and CEO of SCEA, said that it would have been difficult to incorporate both vibration and motion sensing technologies into the SIXAXIS.

Then everything changed when Sony and Immersion settled their legal differences and entered into a licensing agreement that would allow the use of force feedback technology in Sony controller products. Following the announcement between the two companies, SCEA’s Jack Tretton said in an interview that the company was open to changing the SIXAXIS controller.

According to a report on Innerbits, Sony sources are saying that the company has been working on new controller prototypes for several months. One challenge currently facing a possibly new controller is the issue of battery life. The current lithium-ion cell inside the SIXAXIS was never designed to have to power both the Bluetooth wireless as well as a set of rumble motors.

Technical issues aside, Sony may also be trying to solve the matter of how to present a revised controller to consumers, especially to those who have already purchased a PlayStation 3 and additional controllers.

Several game developers have expressed their longing for the rumble feature, even if that means giving up motion sensing. When asked about the motion sensing on the SIXAXIS, Pete Hines of Bethesda Softworks said, “I think that its value depends upon the game. It didn't make sense on Oblivion but I'm sure there are some games it does make sense on. To be honest I would rather have the rumble instead of the SIXAXIS motion stuff.”

Guy Wilday, head of Sega Racing Studio, said, “Tilt control's not difficult to do… Fundamentally, though, the whole tilt control thing is rubbish. It's no compensation for [the lack of] rumble.”

It’s still currently unknown when or how Sony plans to roll out its new controllers, though it might be before the release of God of War 3. SCEA Santa Monica studios game director Cory Barlog said to a crowd at the 2007 Games Developer Conference that the next-generation God of War on PS3 will be in 1080p with motion and vibration support.

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Pricing

By mdogs444 on 6/15/2007 8:39:37 AM , Rating: 2

Perhaps Sony should work on the price drop of the PS3 console before they plan on selling controllers for $50-$60 just because they vibrate. If people cannot afford the console, they will not be willing to shell out extra cash for a vibrating controller.

RE: Pricing

By FITCamaro on 6/15/2007 8:46:17 AM , Rating: 2

Actually thats one major annoyance to this console generation. $50 controllers. They've always typically been $30-35. Now they're $50 and if you want a rechargeable battery pack, thats another $20.

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RE: Pricing

By Fire404 on 6/15/2007 9:30:17 AM , Rating: 2

While I agree that controllers are overpriced, PS3 controllers have the battery built in so u dont have to buy one. Afaik its just the 360 that that applies to.

But yeah, if they introduce rumble, am i gonna have to pay for 2 new controllers that have been updated with a feature they should have had from the beginning?

:( but :) if rumble does come back.

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RE: Pricing

By Fire404 on 6/15/2007 9:31:57 AM , Rating: 2

Oooops, sorry for the double post, but the Wii needs either batteries or a battery pack too I think. So its just the PS3 that doesnt need a battery pack (Sony got ONE thing right lol)

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RE: Pricing

By sprockkets on 6/15/2007 10:14:22 AM , Rating: 2

Just buy some rechargeable AA batteries

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RE: Pricing

By marcoo624 on 6/15/2007 11:30:10 AM , Rating: 2

Wii controllers are even more; 20 for the nunchuk and 40 for the remote. However the batteries are a smarter choice. Integrated batteries loose their ability to hold a charge over time (as do all rechargables) and can be difficult/costly to replace and knowing Sony they will surely take advantage of you with a proprietary battery format.

Is the PS3 contoller battery intergrated to the point you can not replace it? Does sony sell a PS3 controller battery? If so Sony didn't get anything right from the consumers point than find a way to make you buy a new remote after a few years.

I say make it take standard batteries and ill put my own rechargeable batteries in it.

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RE: Pricing

By corduroygt on 6/15/2007 5:58:41 PM , Rating: 2

You just take out one screw and replace the battery, not much more difficult than replacing a SIM card in a cell phone.
Sony is evil, but thankfully not as bad as Apple.

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RE: Pricing

By JimFear on 6/18/2007 7:37:18 AM , Rating: 2

I'd be right in assuming you've not taken a sixaxis apart then...its 5 screws and a squeeze between the analoge sticks to get it apart. The battery is easy to hoist out and put a new one in but getting the back of the case back on is a little harder than taking it off, you have to line up the case with two plastic inserts that sit between the shoulder buttons which sounds easier than it is before you're able to clip both halfs together, heaven forbid if one of the triggers pops out too! I feel sorry for the people that have to put these things together but god damn I love the controllers :)

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RE: Pricing

By zombiexl on 6/15/2007 1:58:12 PM , Rating: 2

I think i'd rather have the choice of normal, recharge or recharge pack. Built in means when the batteries will no longer charge the control is junk.

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RE: Pricing

By Christopher1 on 6/15/2007 11:51:19 AM , Rating: 2

That's only if you buy a REAL manufacturer controller for something. If you bought a generic one for a PS1 or PS2, even for a Gamecube..... it was about $20 or a little less.

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RE: Pricing

By FITCamaro on 6/17/2007 4:11:15 PM , Rating: 2

The aftermarket ones though were always pieces of crap. I never bought a controller that didn't come from the manufacturer themself.

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RE: Pricing

By Googer on 6/16/2007 2:34:51 AM , Rating: 2

In the past, Nintendo Game Cube and Nintendo 64 Controllers retailed for (about) $20.

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wow its pretty hard

By TimberJon on 6/15/2007 11:21:09 AM , Rating: 2

Pretty hard to reinvent something that was already a good product. Upgrade the motors and weights, or use the new type of magnetically-actuated weights for rumble, and add sensors.

They COULD make it just a little more ergonomic, but they better not change the shape too much.

RE: wow its pretty hard

By inflames99 on 6/15/2007 5:46:27 PM , Rating: 1

they need to completely change the shape. its made for little asian hands and my gargantuan hands are simply incompatible with it. i bought a ps1 and ended up smashing my controller, selling the system and never buying another sony system becuz of the controller shape.

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RE: wow its pretty hard

By corduroygt on 6/15/2007 6:00:31 PM , Rating: 3

Go play your xbox with your gigantic hands then...
I have the 1st gen xbox and the ps2, and i have big thick caucasian hands, and the ps2 still feels better.

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RE: wow its pretty hard

By MonkeyPaw on 6/15/2007 6:47:06 PM , Rating: 2

I guess it depends on the person, as PS2 controllers typically left my hands hurting after 30 minutes. They just don't fit into my hands comfortably (I think it's the hard edges). My hands are pretty average--I can't palm a basketball or anything.

The 360's controller is very comfortable in my hands, and is the most comfortable controller I've used to this day. I also liked the Gamecube and Type S Xbox controller, too. I've never used the original Xbox pad--I hear it was a beast.

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RE: wow its pretty hard

By tigz1218 on 6/16/2007 9:42:20 AM , Rating: 2

I agree they need to change the controller design completely. it is also alot more confortable how the 360 has the analogs spaced out on an angle not right next to each other. I was a big fan of the "boomarang" controller sony designed but everyone had to cry about it and now we will never know.

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RE: wow its pretty hard

By akugami on 6/16/2007 12:06:46 AM , Rating: 2

It will never be more than an adequate product to me for one reason and that's the horrid cross controller implementation. For myself, I find that I press hard on the cross controller and the inside edges of the Sony implementation just cuts into my left thumb and leaves it sore in half an hour of gaming. I always need 3rd party versions for any heavy action games or something that requires lightning fast reflexes. The other issue is that I feel the wings on the controller (the protrusions that sit inside your hand resting on your palms) can be changed and molded for better ergonomics.

I know Sony gets a lot of praise for it's controller but I personally am not a huge fan of it.

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This is funny

By bkm32 on 6/15/2007 11:24:34 AM , Rating: 2

Sony must think that we're all stupid or something.

First, Sony says that rumble isn't next-gen. Granted, it was introduced in the last-gen, but so was the Emotion Engine. I thought Sony wanted to garuantee that PS1 and PS2 fans would enjoy the exact same experience playing their last-gen games on the PS3. This was a "feature bullet for the PS3.

Next, they say that rumble was difficult to incorporate with the new motion-sensing controller. Yet, millions of people witnesed Nintendo do it with the Wii-mote and Nunchuku controllers.

I really want to see Sony succeed in the marketplace, it fuels competition, which means better products for consumers. However, it would be nice if they did so without insulting our intelligence.

I'm with guy above. Sony, ask Nintendo nicely. Oh wait, they can't because Sony dismissed Nintendo as a gimmick.

As far as prices go, these controllers are expensive. $50!!! I was cool with the games going up a bit because game prices have pretty much remained constant since the Atari 2600, but these controller prices are kinda high. Although the Wii-mote is reasonable (relatively) at $30, you'll still need the Nunchuk to play any of the good Wii games (both of them--Zelda TW and MP8). This brings the cost back up to $50. For this controller, its actually worth it. The others, not so much; $35-$40 tops (with a headset).

Soapbox descended; carry on.

RE: This is funny

By michal1980 on 6/15/2007 12:05:03 PM , Rating: 2

the wii mote is 40 bucks.

with nunchuck 60.

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RE: This is funny

By encryptkeeper on 6/15/2007 3:53:05 PM , Rating: 2

Too bad the SIXAXIS doesn't have pointing capabilities like the Wiimote does. And it doesn't have the ability to sense two different motions at the same time. AND if rumble comes out for it, the controllers will probably cost $70.

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No Point

By GhandiInstinct on 6/15/2007 3:16:37 PM , Rating: 2

Games being made now don't have rumble features, itll take 2 years after this controller comes out to put it to use.

GG Sony.

RE: No Point

By encryptkeeper on 6/15/2007 3:58:08 PM , Rating: 2

I thought about mentioning that this would be a problem, but I restrained myself, but I actually had something constructive to say about Sony. Encryptkeeper? With something POSITIVE to say about Sony??? It's incredible, ain't it? Anyway, couldn't developers release patches for this issue for games already out there?

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RE: No Point

By Hawkido on 6/15/2007 6:38:05 PM , Rating: 2

Maybe someone here knows for sure...
It sounds like Sony had originally planned for rumble in the controllers. They may have incorporated in the DEV tools the rumble feature set libraries. Most of the current games have been in development for years, and have most of the code in place.

If i were Sony (speaks poorly for one of us *HEH*) I would have told developers to include as much of the feature as possible but expect that it may not be a launch feature till the court case settles. Once it does Sony then whips out a new controller and gains profit by then reselling you the rumble PS3 controller and then all the publishers need are the patches dished out over the net (or Mag Demo Discs's for those with no net) to activate or add it in the existing games.

As to the PS3 selling poorly I agree with the earlier posts that many factors are contributing to the lackluster sales. Namely price and lack of quality titles. Fortunatly both can be solved with time. PS2 didn't have many if any good titles for more than 6 months. Price drops will happen. I don't expect any till thanksgiving (end of November for the non-US). FFXIII has been in development for gee half a decade I think. The FF series has always been a massive console selling point. I would expect console sales to jump more than ever around the FF launch date.

The three Consoles are all for 3 very different markets. There is some overlapping at the edges. I feel that alot of consumers would but a Wii plus another console. It is not as much of a threat as it is a complementary device. It really grabs the non-traditional gamer as well as some die hard gamers.

The Xbox crowd is a group I can't really understand. They typically are Sports and FPS gamers. They are all action oriented, very tactical in nature, and that appeals to a large % of the population, however that is also the % of the population that is less inclined to play a game about something they could actually do (e.g. play football, baskettball, hunting, racing, join the military, etc...) and the develpoers know this and make games that cater to this, and are scared to make games that cater to the PS3 crowd because they know the demographic that buys the Xbox doesn't like those games. With out those games they can never draw those consumers away from their PS titles and if Nintendo really gets ahold of the market Nintendo will return as the RPG/Fantasy console it used to be (SNES era).

Where the PS3 comes in is it has and does and will continue to target the demographic that has/does/will always hold the highest percentage of gamers in it. The introvert-strategy-fantasy crowd. The people who read for pleasure, story is more important than graphics/action. (My nephew skipps the cut scenes so he can get back to playing the game, he says it's boring and pointless [future Xbox owner])

Nintendo used to have that crowd. That's why they won in the 80's and early 90's. They lost that crowd because they betrayed the developers of those types of games and didn't give them what they wanted (more media space) and they ran to Sony. Now the Wii has disc based media with alittle elbow room and Square/Enix is talking to them again in ernest. However S/E hasn't seen the PS crowd abandon hopes of the PS3 yet. Their flagship (FF13)is still set to sail on the PS3 next year. If FF13 sinks it will take the whole platform with it. If it blows the Fantasy/RPG'ers mind, people will shell out the cash for a PS3 and it will all be history. Time will make the console cheaper. Rumble will be incorporated just as it was in the PSone with little or no trouble. Games will play the biggest part in making or breaking the PS3. I look at the PS3 as more of a Final Fantasy system than a anything else. What other game company has made a movie out of their game? None! I am not talking about selling the rights to make a movie from the franchise. Actually making a movie. (granted it sucked in America and elsewhere) but they did it again with Advent Children and it didn't suck (went straight to DVD I believe in the US)

Enough, I gotta get off this soapbox and go home.

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Ask Nintendo for help

By GreenEnvt on 6/15/2007 8:28:13 AM , Rating: 2

They seem to have them both working well together, maybe if you ask real nice, with some puppy-dog eyes....

They need to move the analogs first

By shaw on 6/15/2007 6:53:36 PM , Rating: 2

The positioning of the analogs is such a pain to play FPS games on it. In fact any game that requires use of both analogs is a huge pain. Sony needs a better analog layout like what Microsoft and Nintendo (GameCube) have. I really noticed it playing Resistance on PS3 how uncomfortable my hands felt playing the game.

I also preferred the tips of the analogs on the Xbox hamburger as well.