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Gadgets New Sony PS3 Controller Hits FCC
Wolfgang Hansson (Blog) - November 19, 2007 12:51 PM
Print E-mail del.icio.us 49 comment(s) - last by BansheeX.. on Nov 21 at 12:00 AM

DualShock 3 Controller  (Source: FCC)

DualShock 3 FCC Label  (Source: FCC)
New Sony PS3 controller hits FCC, DualShock 3 finally here

The original Playstation 2 rumble controller was hailed as one of the most innovative advances to console technology at the time.  Yet this feature was surprisingly absent from the Playstation 3 when it was announced about this time last year.

Sony never admitted why it opted to ditch the rumble technology, though a pending lawsuit between Sony and Immersion seemed the likely culprit.  Not only did gamers miss the rumble technology on their PS3 systems, but also game developers were also disappointed at the lack of rumble feedback on the PS3.

In March of 2007, DailyTech reported that Sony and Immersion ended legal battles paving the way for rumble technology to make its way into future PS3 controllers. In February, Sony said it was open to changing the PS3 SIXAXES controller, reinforcing the hopes of gamers and developers that rumble technology would come back to Sony console systems.

Just this past June DailyTech reported that rumors of a Sony PS3 controller using rumble technology had surfaced, which Sony denied. The same week rumors of the PS3 rumble controller surfaced, Microsoft sued Immersion for breach of contract over allowing Sony to use Immersion rumble technology in its controllers.

Yet in September journalists at an EA press event first felt a PS3 controller with rumble technology in action while sampling EA’s Burnout Paradise game. Finally, Sony went official on September 20 with the announcement that the DualShock 3 controller using Immersion rumble technology was coming.

The latest PS3 firmware update added support for the rumble controller to the system, and recent updates to some games, such as Motorstorm, have added rumble support to individual game titles. Today documents surfaced showing the new DualShock 3 controller received approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Comission, a requirement for all wireless technology in North America.

The bulk of the meaty DualShock 3 details are swathed in a confidentiality request.

The model number for the new controller is CECHZC2U and it operates at a clock frequency of 26MHz and 4MHz. The power supply is DC 5V via the USB port on the PS3 and the battery is a DC 3.7V unit.

The controller measures in at 93.7 x 157 x 62.3 mm and weighs 193 grams. The Bluetooth radio operates on frequencies between 2402 and 2480 MHz.

Sony has not indicated when the new controller will hit store shelves.  However, the report does indicate that Sony requested a 45-day embargo on specifications inside the report starting November 6, 2007.  

Previous Sony filings coincided with immediate availability of FCC approval, though vendors commonly breach and move embargoes to obfuscate official release dates.

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Sony and Immersion...
By SirLucius on 11/19/2007 2:35:30 PM , Rating: 2
Can someone clue me in on exactly what happened between the two? Was Immersion behind the rumble in the DualShock 2 and if so, how did Microsoft end up with an exclusive contract to use the tech? Seems like Sony would have had first dibs on rumble exclusivity seeing as they made use of the tech before Microsoft.

As for the DualShock 3, it'll be interesting to see how Sony handles dumping the SIXAXIS since there are a good handful of PS3 games that make use of it, some more than others. I guess it may be on the developers to write patches for games to use the joystick in events where you'd normally use the motion controls. Although I don't know how feasible that would be, especially for games like Lair that rely almost entirely on motion controls. I also wonder if they'll do something like a $5-10 trade in for people that already have the SIXAXIS to get a Dualshock 3. While it's nice that people that want rumble controllers can finally get them (I don't care either way), it seems like transitioning and supporting SIXAXIS games may be a bit of a headache for Sony.




RE: Sony and Immersion...
By scrillator on 11/19/2007 2:39:17 PM , Rating: 2
My understanding is that they are adding the rumble capability into the SIXAXIS controller. I don't think they're dumping the motion control ability. So, the new DualShock 3 controller will have the motion sensing capability of the current SIXAXIS controllers.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By SirLucius on 11/19/2007 2:43:36 PM , Rating: 2
OK that makes more sense. I had heard somewhere that they wouldn't be able to fit the rumble pack and whatever is being used for motion sensing into the controller, so they were ditching the motion sensing altogether. It really seemed weird since a game like R&C makes use of the SIXAXIS controls and will support rumbling when the Dualshocks are released. But if it has both than that's a non-issue.

It would still be nice to see some sort of $5-10 trade in deal though. Sony has been pretty good about supporting PS3 owners, so hopefully they'll continue to when they introduce the new controllers.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By Master Kenobi (blog) on 11/19/2007 3:22:34 PM , Rating: 5
Yes, Sony lied to everyone several times about this. Everyone seems to have long term memory loss because this was over a year ago now.

Sony originally took this stance.
quote:
Sony's official policy is that rumble was removed from the PS3 controller because it interferes with the motion sensors. This statement doesn't stand up for a number of reasons. For one, Nintendo has demonstrated their motion-sensitive controllers that include rumble technology. Even if Sony couldn't manage to make both work simultaneously, it would be easy enough (from an engineering standpoint, that is) to automatically turn the motion sensors off while the controller is rumbling. A more likely answer is that Sony was hoping to include rumble right up until the last minute, pending a successful appeal.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060705-7191...

They then did a 180 once everyone caught on that the Wii could do it and changed their story to it being "Too Expensive".

Kaz Hirai Himself.
quote:
He continued, “But the other problem, or the balancing act that you need to do, is to be able to present the controller to the consumer at an affordable price. We have one controller in the box, but many consumers will want to go out and get an extra controller. And if we have to come up with technology - which you can technically do - to isolate the vibration from the sensing, if that means that the controllers are going to be so expensive, then we're doing the consumer a huge disservice by coming up with a controller that is not very affordable.

http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_conte...

Then Phil Harrison goes on to state.
quote:
Harrison was then asked why Sony didn't simply include both features - as Immersion, which makes rumble and force feedback technology, has claimed this would be perfectly feasible.
"I think the caveat to that statement always has to be based on the fact that when we make a pad, we're making maybe 150, 200 million of them," Harrison explained.
"So it has to be done at a price, and it has to be done at a volume that fits our production requirements. I think the decision that we’ve made to build in the sixaxis functionality, and Bluetooth wireless, and great battery life, and all the other functionality that comes with it, far outweighs the chatter that we’re getting on vibration. And, it's incredibly light! Just pick it up!"


The reality is that They were in a patent spat with Immersion, the maker of the force feedback in the Playstation Controllers. This was resolved not too long ago, as reported here.
http://www.dailytech.com/Sony+Immersion+End+Legal+...

Now all of a sudden, not only is it technically feasible, but its also cost effective to include rumble in the SIXAXIS? No, it's that Sony cut a new agreement with Immersion and can legally include it without getting sued.

Sony has lied to you guys several times about this and now were seeing the truth of the matter.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By deeznuts on 11/19/2007 3:47:25 PM , Rating: 5
quote:
Sony has lied to you guys several times about this and now were seeing the truth of the matter.
They all lie to us, get over it. It's called corporate spin.

Remember, MS said we don't need 1080p or HDMI this gen. A week before HDMI was confirmed, they denied it. MS stated their failure rate was within industry standards.

Nintendo - Nothing wrong with their wrist-strap when they fixed it the first time. Ok. Then they fix it again. Ok.

They all lie, again, get over it.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By BansheeX on 11/19/2007 8:28:43 PM , Rating: 2
Good reply. I think it's also important to draw distinctions between hurtful lies and ones that may not really matter that much, insomuch that they could even have an upside. Before something hurtful can even result from this, you have to care about rumble. Many don't. I prefer the lighter weight and better battery life. So for those people, the lie didn't even matter. Strangely enough, we benefited. But if you did care, you've essentially got to buy a new controller and relegate the old one for a friend who comes over to play. Not really a big deal if you were going to buy an extra anyway, but still $30 that you might be hesitant to spend otherwise.

Now look at the examples deeznuts gave. Actual defects that have the inconvenienced millions, disabled gaming altogether, or posed an injury or damage risk. Lying about that is far worse, don't you think?

I'll never understand DT's crusade against Sony. Never.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By Circle T on 11/19/2007 9:46:25 PM , Rating: 2
Just playing Devil's Advocate here....
quote:
I'll never understand DT's crusade against Sony.

I'll never understand the people who TAKE it from Sony and DON'T complain. What used to be the TOP GUN in gaming has been relegated to Sony's trojan horse for their last ditch effort to get one of their media formats to stick before everything moves online. They couldn't dominate with Beta, Mini-Disc, SACD, Memory Stick, or UMD. So now we get to absorb the cost of their final attempt.

Just for context, I do own a PS3.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By BansheeX on 11/19/07, Rating: 0
RE: Sony and Immersion...
By Circle T on 11/20/2007 1:56:10 AM , Rating: 1
quote:
That's right, asshole.

First off, WOW!! Just, WOW!!

And second....
quote:
Maybe if you say Blu-ray is proprietary enough times it will come true....pushing that "stupid proprietary" format....Seems like the more "proprietary" format to me.

Could you point me to the post where I said anything about proprietary anything?? Can you?

Take a step back, and just reread what you just said to me. You make a defensive, whine about people here on DT always bashing Sony. I come back with one possible reason for that. And, right on cue, you come back with a tirade about me...
quote:
spouting your white-hooded Sony-hate

REALLY?? You are so entrenched in your love of a brand, that the minute someone brings up a possible point of contention to said brand, that you accuse them of "WHITE-HOODED HATE" for it? REALLY??

Unlike you, I don't hate things like this. Or anyone else for having a differing opinion. I own all 3 current consoles, and like and dislike things with all of them. But, unlike you, I won't go and call someone an "asshole" because they choose something that I don't like.

But one last thing...
quote:
...fireselling their players to idiots like you who make bad analogies to past formats

Ok, let me get this straight. You get all over MS for using a proprietary HDD with the Xbox, but then you say its OK for Sony to create whole entire media formats, as long as it gets them around some licensing fees?? Well, which is it?? Is it bad, or good?? Oh, thats right. Its bad when it goes against your argument, and OK when it helps. Got it.

You can whine all you want, as you do so well, about not being able to use your own HDD with the Xbox, but the minute I would try to tell you that I dislike the fact that I had to buy a Memory Stick for my digital camera because it doesn't use SD or CF, I would be accused of "WHITE-HOODED HATE" toward your beloved brand. Right?

Yes, I hate the brand SOOOO much, that I buy a lot of it. From where I type this, I can see no less than 6 Sony products on my desk and in my living room. That surely sounds like something a person who hates a brand would do, right?? GRRRRR, they make me mad, I'M BUYING STOCK!!!

While you sit there, wasting an entire paragraph telling me things I already know about Blu-ray, you completely miss the point. You sit here basically every day and bicker back and forth about which format will/should win the format war, completely oblivious to the fact that in 5 years we will just be downloading all of our media content.

Just like the war with DVD-A and SACD. Both sides THOUGHT they could convince people that they were the best format for their musical needs of the future. But, why by a new player, OR TWO, if I can have all my music on my computer and portable player.

Why would I worry about buying into one of the HD disc formats for movies, when they will be obsolete in a very short time. I already do this now on Live. I get HD movies right there on my Xbox. No disc needed. And I watch TV shows there as well, or from iTunes. Same with most of my music. I don't own many discs of any kind anymore. If you can't see it yet, that the future of entertainment media does not need a disc, then I don't know what will change that.
quote:
...and love to put their money where the mouth isn't, so long as it's cheaper.

Weren't you the one that was complaining about how Live charges a fee, while PSN was free?? Yep, you were. How can that be?? I mean, you say I'm the tight wad. Yet, I'm the one who gladly pays the fee for service. And you know what, I would pay for PSN as well, if it didn't suck so bad. OOPS, was that another hate crime??


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By mars777 on 11/20/2007 4:56:28 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
but then you say its OK for Sony to create whole entire media formats, as long as it gets them around some licensing fees?


Add WMV DRM to this and you have defined Microsoft :)


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By Circle T on 11/20/2007 8:57:06 AM , Rating: 2
Oh, I won't argue that. But, my point was, he was berating MS for using a proprietary HDD for the Xbox, forcing you to buy their model, while ignoring the fact that Sony does this as well. Like I said, I HAD to buy a Memory Stick for my camera. There is no option for SD, of which I have plenty.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By BansheeX on 11/20/2007 10:38:06 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Could you point me to the post where I said anything about proprietary anything?? Can you?

Take a step back, and just reread what you just said to me. You make a defensive, whine about people here on DT always bashing Sony. I come back with one possible reason for that. And, right on cue, you come back with a tirade about me...


Media format = implied proprietary
Final attempt = reference to blu-ray

Satisfied?

quote:
Ok, let me get this straight. You get all over MS for using a proprietary HDD with the Xbox, but then you say its OK for Sony to create whole entire media formats, as long as it gets them around some licensing fees?? Well, which is it??


Why are you comparing the two? The 360 drive wasn't made to avoid licensing fees. It was locked out so you had to buy a specifically priced one from microsoft.

quote:
completely oblivious to the fact that in 5 years we will just be downloading all of our media content.


Do you have any how large an HD movie is, especially one with lossless audio? Do you know how long it takes to download a 20GB file? If you did, you'd make your prediction about forty years longer. We are going to need some serious infrastructure changes to make that happen. And I don't know about you, but it's a little less climactic getting and giving download credits instead of gifts. There will always be physical media to buy.

quote:
From where I type this, I can see no less than 6 Sony products on my desk and in my living room. That surely sounds like something a person who hates a brand would do, right?


That makes absolutely no sense. All you do on these forums is criticize Sony. Nobody else. And you turn around and buy a PS3 and even stock in the company? You are so full of crap. You make up false ownership experiences so that people are more likely to believe your criticism. Total scum.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By DFranch on 11/20/2007 11:33:48 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
That makes absolutely no sense. All you do on these forums is criticize Sony. Nobody else. And you turn around and buy a PS3 and even stock in the company? You are so full of crap. You make up false ownership experiences so that people are more likely to believe your criticism. Total scum.


Actually, I think he was kidding about buying stock. So your assumption is that he is lying about owning any sony products because he does not agree with their decision to include blue ray with the PS3. So using your assumption if I agree with him will my sony dvd player dissappear out of my living room? Or perhaps a giant ball of total scum will eat me like the blob.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By Circle T on 11/20/2007 12:01:55 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Media format = implied proprietary

No, I implied nothing. But you assumed that I did.

Who was the main driving force behind Beta, Mini-Disc, DAT, UMD, Memory Stick and SACD?? I never said proprietary. But, these are all formats that Sony tried to establish as the next thing in their respective field, and all failed. With that kind of track record, assuming Blu-ray will be different might be asking a bit much.
quote:
It was locked out so you had to buy a specifically priced one from microsoft.

Why would someone need the bigger drive for their 360?? Maybe to put more movies, music, pictures, games, and saves on?? Is that what it would be for?? And, in order to do that, you need to buy the HDD that MS provides, not one of your own of some other brand, right??

How is that any different than the PSP?? If I want more storage space for movies, pictures, music, games and saves on my PSP, I need to buy a Memory Stick from Sony. No choice there. Its Memory Stick or nothing. So, if MS does it, its ass rape. When Sony does it, its love and affection. Is that it?
quote:
Do you know how long it takes to download a 20GB file? If you did, you'd make your prediction about forty years longer.

Really?? 40 Years?? If I start downloading a HD movie from Live, within 5 minutes or so it has enough buffer to start playing. Now sure, this is not with Lossless audio. But really, 40 years?? Come on. Don't you see?? Its all just 1s and 0s. Physically putting them on a disc is a wasted step. And it won't take 40 years to get to the point when it isn't needed.
quote:
All you do on these forums is criticize Sony.

And all you do is whine and blindly defend them. But why? No company is without faults. Not Sony, not Microsoft, not even Nintendo. But, it just so happens that Sony's actions and choices the last handful of years have set themselves up for more criticism than others, in my opinion. But, you don't see that other criticism toward the other brands. You only see the "White-Hooded Hate" toward your beloved Sony.
quote:
And you turn around and buy a PS3 and even stock in the company?

The stock comment was a joke, and one that you obviously missed because you were so embroiled in your fanboy tirade. But yes, I do own a PS3. And a PS2, a PS1, a PSP, an older LCD rear projection TV, and nice camera from them. But no, someone with this much criticism toward the brand must HATE them and everything from them, right?? Wrong.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By deeznuts on 11/20/2007 12:42:36 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Who was the main driving force behind Beta, Mini-Disc, DAT, UMD, Memory Stick and SACD??
While those are not runaway successes, some of them enjoyed decent success. Isn't SACD and Memory Stick still around? Memory stick, while a PITA, has been on the market since 1998? shoot you bought one. I see you left out Compact Disc, probably the most successful format ever created? Over 25 years on the market? And how about another quite successful format, the 3.5" Floppy Disk? Been around since 1984 and people still freaking use them. Sony is an innovator and sometimes things flop, but they have hit grand slams as well.

quote:
How is that any different than the PSP?? If I want more storage space for movies, pictures, music, games and saves on my PSP, I need to buy a Memory Stick from Sony. No choice there. Its Memory Stick or nothing. So, if MS does it, its ass rape. When Sony does it, its love and affection. Is that it?
No when MS does it, it's rape, because you must buy from MS. When Sony does it, I'm sure you can buy other brands of Memory Sticks am I correct(don't own or follow the PSP)? I see Sandisk, Smartdisk, etc, these work right? Not a well thought out analogy.

quote:
Really?? 40 Years?? If I start downloading a HD movie from Live, within 5 minutes or so it has enough buffer to start playing. Now sure, this is not with Lossless audio. But really, 40 years?? Come on. Don't you see?? Its all just 1s and 0s. Physically putting them on a disc is a wasted step. And it won't take 40 years to get to the point when it isn't needed.
Enjoy your online video content, while everyone else enjoys theirs on the road, in the plane. Oh, but that's different, and you'll definitely enjoy the online video content when a rogue cable company starts throttling your bandwidth. They have a history of doing this y'know!

I think all three gaming companies deserve derision, sony included, and I respect that you have your opinion. But you gotta get your facts and arguments straight.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By Circle T on 11/20/2007 1:12:49 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Enjoy your online video content, while everyone else enjoys theirs on the road, in the plane.

So, I don't have video on my iPod?? What is that I watched on my way to work today?? Imaginary?

I never said anything about the video STAYING online, just that they will be distributed that way. Do I stream my music from iTunes?? No. Do I stream my movies and TV shows on iTunes?? No. The bits can either get delivered to me on a disc, or over a pipe to a storage device. They don't have to stay online.

Look how long it took for music on disc to quickly start to fade. Yes, you can still get them. But, getting music online, legal or otherwise, didn't take long to become a VERY viable option. And now, with connection speeds getting faster, it won't take long for movies and TV to do the same. Certainly not 40 years.
quote:
I see Sandisk, Smartdisk, etc, these work right? Not a well thought out analogy.

I was a little off, but not much. My point was, why not use SD or CF for storage. Those are two much more available, and cheaper formats that people would more likely already have.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By BansheeX on 11/21/2007 12:00:04 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
But no, someone with this much criticism toward the brand must HATE them and everything from them, right?? Wrong.

quote:
I'll never understand the people who TAKE it from Sony and DON'T complain. What used to be the TOP GUN in gaming has been relegated to Sony's trojan horse for their last ditch effort to get one of their media formats to stick before everything moves online. They couldn't dominate with Beta, Mini-Disc, SACD, Memory Stick, or UMD. So now we get to absorb the cost of their final attempt.


Going back to what you said to start this mess. You see where you get into trouble? My problem is not fair, reasoned criticism. My problem is that you are parroting lies from other forums and criticizing Sony wrongly with bad analogies and popular anti-sony assertions (like equating blu-ray with Sony alone and not a consortium of companies), all while never criticizing anyone else for more blatant activities.

deeznuts gave you examples of successful formats with major Sony influence. Yet all you chose to do is selectively list failed ones. Then you make the incorrect assertion that they were trying to dominate the market when most of them were their own market. UMD works great for games and UMD movies were never meant to encroach on DVD sales (look it up). It's a niche item that serves its purpose for PSP owners who want it. Nintendo serendipitously avoids criticism entirely since their small, lower-res, cartridge-based hardware is incapable of doubling as a portable movie player in the first place. It's stupid to correlate being hardware-limited to games as evidence of priority in games, especially when a DS with PSP-level hardware would have done nothing but improved the look and play of many its 3d games.

Then you grieve at how they're taking it to us for their "final attempt" with blu-ray, despite the DVD forum initially wanting to sell us a lameduck upgrade using standard DVD discs. You can see how you do not come off as an educated individual, but a fanboy parroting viral anti-Sony hate that you heard on another forum.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By Alpha4 on 11/19/2007 4:02:06 PM , Rating: 3
You should publish that as a blog and provide a link to it in this article. ;)
Great summary.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By Master Kenobi (blog) on 11/19/2007 4:08:32 PM , Rating: 2
Tempting..... I will consider it.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By Omega215D on 11/19/2007 2:44:08 PM , Rating: 2
I remember when Gran Turismo came out for the Playstation. I immediately bought the new Dual Shock which made the experience pretty cool and then came Metal Gear Solid. Good for Sony at least now giving us the rumble feature for games that make decent use of it. Of course Nintendo had the Rumble pack that also served a good purpose in Star Fox 64.

I'm curious if Immersion was behind all rumble features of any console that had it.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By Master Kenobi (blog) on 11/19/2007 3:39:46 PM , Rating: 2
I think Immersion got Microsoft and Sony, but to my knowledge Nintendo seems to be using a different method because they somehow evaded patent litigation.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By dagamer34 on 11/19/2007 4:59:43 PM , Rating: 3
Nintendo had created rumble for the N64 before Immersion filed for the patent in question.

As far as I know, Nintendo's rumble only uses 1 motor instead of 2.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By Circle T on 11/19/2007 2:46:11 PM , Rating: 2
The DS3 has both Rumble and Motion. Its not one or the other. This is just a Sixaxis controller with rumble added in.

At one point Sony did TRY saying that it was just too hard to get motion control to work properly when the controller rumbles, that was quickly refuted. The Wii-mote is a perfect example.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By Goty on 11/19/2007 2:52:31 PM , Rating: 2
The whole Immersion scandal went down as follows:

1) Immersion sues both Sony and MS for patent infringement.
2) Sony decides to go to court while MS decides to settle with Immersion on the condition that they aren't allowed to re-license the technology to any of MS's competitors (not the exact agreement, but that's what it boils down to). In the case that Immersion does settle with Sony in some way, Immersion is supposed to pay back a large amount of the MS settlement (not revealed until later).
3) Sony is found guilty of patent infringement and ordered to pay immersion an exorbitant amount of money.
4) Immersion licenses its rumble technology to Sony, MS reveals the terms of its settlement and demands money back from Immersion.

I'm not entirely sure where it went from there.

Feel free to correct me on any of the details, I'm just going off of what I remember.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By Vanilla Thunder on 11/19/2007 3:14:03 PM , Rating: 2
RE: Sony and Immersion...
By TimTheEnchanter25 on 11/19/2007 3:25:08 PM , Rating: 3
Sony invented the rumble on their own, but Immersion already had a broadly worded patent for something similar. I'm pretty sure that Immersion has never made an actual product based on the patent (at least they didn't when Sony made the Dual Shock). 5+ years later, Immersion decided that Sony should pay them for violating their patent.

Just another example of how the stupid our patent system is.


RE: Sony and Immersion...
By afkrotch on 11/19/2007 4:08:55 PM , Rating: 2
Immersion doesn't create hardware. It develops technology that other companies license to use in their products. To date, Immersion hasn't created an actual physical product for any of their patents.


If only they actually changed it...
By Canai on 11/19/2007 2:37:56 PM , Rating: 2
I'm starting to get sick of the same old PlayStation controller. It's basically the exact same (except for the analog sticks and a few other minor adjustments) as the original PS controller from the 90's, which I hated back then, and still hate now.




By KristopherKubicki (blog) on 11/19/2007 2:41:11 PM , Rating: 2
I have to say that the Xbox 360 controller is by far the best controller I've ever used for any system. I even like it better than the Wii, though obviously that's sort of like comparing apples to oranges.

Even still, the 360 controller is very sturdy, weighted well and easy to use.


By scrillator on 11/19/2007 2:45:58 PM , Rating: 2
I have to say that while you're not alone in liking the Xbox 360 controller, there are many like me who feel the exact opposite. I can't get myself to like the feel of the Xbox controllers. I'm so used to the old Playstation style controllers, they are the only ones that feel right. It's all just a matter of preference though.

How about we do away with the controllers all together and get neural interfaces? heh


RE: If only they actually changed it...
By acer905 on 11/19/2007 2:58:17 PM , Rating: 2
I'd vote the gamecube as the best, but the 360 does have a nice controller as well. And as for what sony offers, i say that if games are going to focus on using the analog stick (i have played alot that have) then for the love of god put the analog stick where the dpad is.


By deeznuts on 11/19/2007 3:52:41 PM , Rating: 3
No way, atari 2600. Joystick, button. How much more comfortable can you get?


By vitul on 11/20/2007 2:17:41 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
I have to say that the Xbox 360 controller is by far the best controller I've ever used for any system. I even like it better than the Wii, though obviously that's sort of like comparing apples to oranges.


i think the xbox 360 controller is good souly for FPS games. and im pretty sure thats what MS had in mind when they designed the controller.

Racing games, adventure, action etc etc i think the controller is the most crippled of any controller ive ever played.

i however think the ps3/ps2 controller is the best controller there is. However it does feel a bit ackward when it comes to fps games. but i would rather have 1 controller not feel as natural for one genre of games then for every genre but what.

guess it is all user dependant though. I know people who like most of nintendos controllers and i thought they all kinda sucked minus the snes one.


RE: If only they actually changed it...
By KingstonU on 11/19/2007 2:41:36 PM , Rating: 2
Remember the controller that was originally advertised with the PS3 around this time last year? What ever happened to that? Did they ditch it to help keep the costs down?


By SanLC504 on 11/19/2007 2:47:38 PM , Rating: 4
You mean the Batarang? I think Batman needed it for dispatching the thugs.


RE: If only they actually changed it...
By yost007 on 11/19/2007 3:15:04 PM , Rating: 2
I prefer the 360 controller also. The PS controller always makes my wrists hurt whe I play for any amount of time.


By zerocool84 on 11/19/2007 3:57:28 PM , Rating: 2
The only thing that I don't like about the 360 controller is that left and right buttons on the top. a little awkward for me to reach but I do have small hands. other than that it's a good controller.


RE: If only they actually changed it...
By BansheeX on 11/19/2007 8:37:57 PM , Rating: 2
Thank god no one listened to you. How do you get "bored" of a controller? Changing it will only screw it up. It does what it's supposed to and as far as I know, has the least complaints of any controller ever released in the history of gaming. The PS design was pretty much on the money from day 1 and has undergone only subtle changes since. It's beautiful to look at and has a supremely comfortable grip.

With the 360, it's still so thick that I'm not so much gripping it as I am holding it. The D-Pad is universally accepted as useless, and the start/select buttons are nearly invisible. It's a good controller, but not a perfect design by any means.


By Circle T on 11/19/2007 9:27:01 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
How do you get "bored" of a controller?

It hasn't really changed in 13 years. Do you still listen to Pearl Jam?
quote:
Changing it will only screw it up.

Exhibit A : Original Xbox Controller --> Version S
quote:
as far as I know, has the least complaints of any controller ever released in the history of gaming.

Exhibit B : SNES Controller
quote:
It's beautiful to look at...

Really?? When describing the look of the Sixaxis, you would go for "Beautiful"?? Really???
quote:
It's a good controller, but not a perfect design by any means.

So, that would NOT be beautiful, right??

I'm just messing with you, I hope you get that. I'm not starting crap.


Innovation?
By sweetsauce on 11/19/07, Rating: 0
RE: Innovation?
By Master Kenobi (blog) on 11/19/07, Rating: -1
RE: Innovation?
By deeznuts on 11/19/2007 3:57:30 PM , Rating: 4
Why do you have a blog with DT? You're horrible. Almost makes me want to not visit DT, and I probably wouldn't if it wasn't attached at the hip to the excellent Anandtech.

Sony innovates too much or doesn't innovate enough? Because I hear both sides when it comes to Sony.

And to the OP, sony develops a controller to use with Nintendo, doesn't use it with Nintendo but introduces it themselves, yet this isn't innovating. Great logic.


RE: Innovation?
By sweetsauce on 11/19/2007 6:50:37 PM , Rating: 2
The controller that is used to this day on the ps was designed by nintendo. They got shafted on the deal with sony and pulled out before it was too late, even though you can easily argue that it wasn't early enough since sony ended up dominating the market.


RE: Innovation?
By BansheeX on 11/19/2007 9:00:27 PM , Rating: 2
Wrong, Sony and Nintendo used to be business partners in the SNES days. Nintendo contracted with Sony to build an SNESCD add-on and was also allowed to created a home entertainment version that could play both SNES-CDs and SNES cartridges. The design for that system would evolve into the design for the PlayStation when Nintendo backed out. Thus, the controller is designed by Sony, but has a similar button layout to the SNES due to its original intent.

Also, I think it's official that Kenobi is the 360 mouthpiece for DT. One of the major reasons the SNES was so successful was a sound processor called the SPC700 designed by Sony and sold to Nintendo by none of than the Father of the Playstation himself, Ken Kutaragi. It was a technological marvel for its time and made the Genesis sound chip look like an absolute joke. Even the GBA, ten years after the SNES' release, had a vastly inferior sound solution to the legendary SPC700. How's that for an innovation?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spc700


RE: Innovation?
By damncrackmonkey on 11/20/2007 3:32:05 PM , Rating: 1
Steps to innovation:
1)Develop a product with another company
2)Pull out of deal
3)Sell product yourself

Bill G, is that you?


RE: Innovation?
By afkrotch on 11/19/2007 4:49:55 PM , Rating: 2
Maybe you need to do some research before talking. Rumble and analog came from Sony.

The first official analog controller was the Playstation Analog Joystick. The Dual Analog was showcased in Nov 96 and released in Apr 97. Same time that Nintendo released their rumblepak. Nintendo's rumblepak felt more like a rushed product to match Sony's dual analog. I mean a stupid cartdrige that required two AAA batteries. WTF is that?

Also, Nintendo is well known for having an expansion port on their consoles. Whether they are used or not, is a different matter. Many times has Nintendo created a product (usually Japan only) to try and keep up with competitor's offering.

The N64DD was a great example of this. It was Nintendo's answer to the Playstation's CDs. An N64 cartridge could only hold up to 64 megs of data, while the CD was up to 650 megs. Either way, the stupid thing was an utter failure and never left Japan.

Nintendo has done this sort of thing a multitude of times.


RE: Innovation?
By Circle T on 11/19/2007 5:53:55 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
The first official analog controller was the Playstation Analog Joystick.

Unless you are trying to talk about that janky flight stick that Sony released, in the more modern era of consoles and their controllers, Nintendo and Sega both beat Sony to this. The N64 was released with its analog-equipped controller in late-summer/fall of 1996. Followed shortly behind by Sega with their analog-equipped controller that was released with NiGHTS. Sony wasn't far behind, but they certainly were not first.


RE: Innovation?
By BansheeX on 11/20/2007 11:09:16 AM , Rating: 1
Sony released the first dual analog controller and gamepad, but not the first analog controller (70s) and gamepad (n64). Since the dualshock, X-box, Gamecube, and the 360 have all adopted the dual analog format.


RE: Innovation?
By BansheeX on 11/20/2007 6:44:45 PM , Rating: 2
*Since then the...* /correction


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