Sony's SIXAXIS controllers are wigging out

It looks like screwed up resolution support isn't the only kink Sony needs to iron out of its fancy new PS3 system. Reports are rampant of SIXAXIS controllers having quite a bit of trouble staying synced via Bluetooth. Pretty much the only way to rectify the problem is to plug the controller into the PS3 via USB and manually re-sync it, but that's little consolation when your controller locks up in the middle of a Resistance deathmatch or mid-drift in Ridge Racer 7. There are similar reports of a Wii-controller mishaps, but it seems the SIXAXIS has it particularly bad. No official response from Sony yet, but we'll be keeping an ear out.

[Via Digg]

Read - Aeropause: SIXAXIS Freaking Out!
Read - Joystiq: Unexplained SIXAXIS phenomena, mostly explained

[Mike @ Nov 30th 2006 2:27PM]

I have not had a single problem with mine.

[PJ @ Nov 30th 2006 2:29PM]

remember kids, "don't buy 1st gen hardware" =)

[nick @ Nov 30th 2006 2:36PM]

This kind of stuff was to be expected. This is why I've always reasoned to never join in the Hype with game consoles and wait it out for a little while until all the feedback is in... I'll probably consider buying my nephew a PS3 by this summer. No earlier.

(nicholas)
http://www.tingog.com

[Hel @ Nov 30th 2006 2:46PM]

I've no problems with my system.
Too many signals in the house maybe?

[Simon P @ Nov 30th 2006 2:51PM]

I'm with PJ and Nick on this one. This is the price you have to pay for 1st-gen next-gen. I'm sure most people going into it knew that though. The rest of us can just kick back and wait for them to iron out the kinks (and release SOCOM 4) before we take the plunge

[LJKelley @ Nov 30th 2006 2:53PM]

Looks like the "Bluetooth Advantage" of the PS3 is fading away... I've had no problems with the 360 controller. Honestly, Bluetooth is not that great, I have used it on several phones/headests with mixed results.

I understand Sony wan't ease of 3rd party solutions (which makes no sense, less profit for a loss making console), but sometimes you have more control and can make the tech work for you if its closed (as in the 360 wireless standard). I don't think its interference as that would just cause the controller to go momentarily out of sync and would sporadically reconnect. Its more a hardware/firmware and bluetooth design issue that makes you have to resync.

[Rohit Kapur @ Nov 30th 2006 2:57PM]

Sshhhhh...

You hear that??


That's the sound of Sony's coffin being buried.

[LJKelley @ Nov 30th 2006 2:58PM]

I wanted to clarify/add:

Bluetooth (as I have seen) when dropping a connection seems to forget the relationship and cause a resync. Though the profile is still there (on a phone), you must hit reconnect. Again the Bluetooth advantage has some interfernce and has been dropped...

WiFi and other closed standards (such the 360, 2.4GHz Phones) remember the settings and try to keep the connection alive and reconnect if its lost. This is from my own personal experience as my last three phones had Bluetooth (SonyEricsson x 2 and Nokia). I've even been transfering a big file from my computer and had to totally restart...

[Njoli @ Nov 30th 2006 3:02PM]

i'm sorry i don't subscribe to the "don't buy first gen hardware" argument if sony would have taken the proper time for QA testing instead of rushing the system for Christmas they wouldn't have anywhere neer the amount of problems they have had. The PSP was not rushed had they have had no problems aside from the dead pixel issue witch is just inherent to LCD screens. Nintendo didn't rush the Wii and M$ didn't rush the Zune and they both have had no major issues, if you trust that a company has done proper QA test first gen hardware is fine.

[PreGHz @ Nov 30th 2006 3:58PM]

Njoli:

I'm sorry, I must be the only one who thinks that Sony isn't the only company to push a product to arrive in time for Christmas.

[Njoli @ Nov 30th 2006 4:30PM]

no sony isn't the only company M$ did it with the 360 the difference is that M$ got away with it because there where no other Next Gen consoles out yet. it took them 3-6 months to get there sh*t together and there problems didn't seem as big as Sony's are now. Bottom line is I think Sony got a little cocky because of there huge market share and underestimated there competition, they still have a time to pull out of this debacle of a launch and i'm routing for them but if it takes them as long as it did M$ to fix these QA problems the PS3 is dead in the water not because the 360 is a superior system but because Sony beat them self's.

[David @ Nov 30th 2006 5:46PM]

"M$ didn't rush the Zune and they both have had no major issues, if you trust that a company has done proper QA test first gen hardware is fine."

Wow harsh one! Maybe Microsoft should learn there's QA for software too, 'cause I wouldn't ever consider the Zune to be "a successful launch".

[Bjcoolguy @ Nov 30th 2006 3:06PM]

I have had no problems. Here goes another blown up story. PS3 SUX!!! XBOX IS BETTER AND Wii rocks blah blah, ha oh i love blogs .

[Sean Benton @ Nov 30th 2006 3:09PM]

Yet another reason to get a 360 this Christmas.

[KaosDG @ Nov 30th 2006 3:11PM]

Honestly, how rampant can the problems be if a majority of the PS3's are on e-bay? :)

[Dave @ Nov 30th 2006 3:14PM]

Bashing PS3? When it will end?
Its nothing wrong with it sony haters!!!

[knobjockey @ Dec 1st 2006 3:41AM]

Aye??????????????

[johnnyg0 @ Nov 30th 2006 3:17PM]

That's what happens when something as cool as the Wiimote is revealed, and another huge corporation wants to copy it in such short time..

[par @ Nov 30th 2006 3:29PM]

I'm getting a PSthree in 2009.

[The1 @ Nov 30th 2006 3:30PM]

Well, this happened to me and I was wondering what it was.

[Handle IT @ Nov 30th 2006 3:31PM]

That's what happens when you use janky Bluetooth connections. Did they even test this stuff? They should of used RF with channel changing capability.

[Will @ Nov 30th 2006 3:34PM]

No problems here. I've played RR7 quite a bit online and have never experienced any of the issues mentioned. So far so good, I couldn't be happier.

[Vidikron @ Nov 30th 2006 3:35PM]

Whether the problem is being blown out of proportion or not, the fact still remains that bluetooth obviously offers no advantage at all for the controllers. I've never heard of 360 controllers dropping their connections mid-game and you also never have plug the controllers in to sync them up.

[Ken @ Nov 30th 2006 3:45PM]

I thought it was just me. I've had 2-7 "wig outs" per day using the wireless controllers. I was wondering if maybe it was interference in my house or with other neighboring bluetooth devices?

I've never used bluetooth mice for gaming after discovering how poorly my Logitech BT mouse behaved in UT2K3. I'm starting to wonder if BT was a poor decision for Sony?

[LJKelley @ Nov 30th 2006 3:50PM]

Yes, I own the 360. Yes I will not be getting a PS3 because I prefer the 360, don't like the design of the PS3 (did like the design of the PS2) nor being forced to choose Blu-ray.

However, DO NOT call me a Sony Basher. What is my favourite mobile phone company? SonyEricsson. What brand computer am I typing this on? Sony Vaio VGN-T350P, Which set me back about $2000...

Just because people criticise the PS3 doesn't mean they think Sony Sucks, I just think Sony could have done better and the 360 really is the best console.

[MthdDirector @ Nov 30th 2006 3:50PM]

I haven't experienced a single problem with my system. The controller is awsome...so is the wireless headset. And I bought it at launch... a year ago ;)

[Silverfrog @ Nov 30th 2006 4:06PM]

I've had my PS3 since launch day and never had a problem during a game where it drops, but sometimes when you go from main menu (XMB) to a game or vice-versa, you must hit the "PS" button one time to re-sync it again. Not a biggie. With wireless, it's going to have issues. Wireless mice have issues as well, so it's no suprise. The sixaxis is still one helluva good wireless controller. It's lag-free play is worth all the problems alone.

[Joel Heflin @ Nov 30th 2006 4:19PM]

I have 4 controllers and have not had one single problem. I think you are deliberately blowing this out of purportion. Stop trying to bash Sony.

[Paul @ Nov 30th 2006 4:36PM]

"The PSP was not rushed had they have had no problems aside from the dead pixel issue witch is just inherent to LCD screens."

You are widely misinformed, friend. The PSP has had a plethora of issues, more notably the square key on a lot of models has a weak response due to them cramming the innards so close to the LCD and has actually caused cracking of the LCD itself if the button is pressed too hard.

Sony's response to the square key issue when asked why they haphazardly stuck the key innards so close to the display? They said it wasn't a problem or a fault of design and that is how they wanted it. To fix the problem they would have had to make the screen smaller or the unit wider.

There is a pretty famous quote from our favorite Sony PR clown but I can't be bothered to find it.

[Loc @ Nov 30th 2006 4:37PM]

No problem with my sixaxis controller so far. Why people make a big fuzz over isolated incidents?

[Jordan @ Nov 30th 2006 4:42PM]

I also have not had a single problem with mine and I have been using them a lot.

[mmagic @ Nov 30th 2006 5:41PM]

no prob here with both of my controllers
not sure if it is isolated

[sidedraft @ Nov 30th 2006 4:58PM]

I have no problems with my controllers. I've heard some people complaining that they have to plug their controllers into the system via usb to synch up, but again I haven't experienced this. I just power up the system, press the PS button and im good to go.

[Mark @ Nov 30th 2006 4:59PM]

So far nothing has gone wrong with my controller. I have no idea where Engadget is getting their information...

[squishdogg @ Nov 30th 2006 5:06PM]

Unless you own a PS3, STFU. I have four sixaxis controllers, and a house FULL of wireless + bluetooth crap. Never had a single problem, since launch day. The controllers have worked flawlessly. The firware update went on without a hitch. Both of them.

You make it sound like everyone who buys a PS3 is going to have problems, when in reality, most of the systems have worked perfectly since day one.

[Njoli @ Nov 30th 2006 5:07PM]

my understanding was these reported problems with the PSP where not wide spread, any electronic device that is mas produced has a percentage that are bad, but considering sony only has shipped about 400,000 units the percentage of bad device and issues seems high. i was one of the suckers who purchase a fist gen psp(i had no issues with the hardward just with the lack of good games) and i realy want the PS3 to work but every time i check out engadet or digg I see another artical about sony screwing something else up i don't rember that happening with the PSP.

[Manny S. @ Nov 30th 2006 5:09PM]

Ahh, I see the PS3 beta testing continues. To all beta testers (aka early adopters), please keep the bug reports rolling in. I want Sony to have all these bugs worked out by next Christmas. As for this Christmas, an Xbox360 is already wrapped and under the Christmas tree. Can't wait to unwrap it Christmas day!

[THEY @ Nov 30th 2006 5:34PM]

I guess that depends on your perspective. http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=sony_bullshit

[Njoli @ Nov 30th 2006 6:05PM]

take a look at the stories from yesterday, Zune is off to a good start, it sold very well in the first week despite serval iffy reviews.

[tekdroid @ Nov 30th 2006 8:11PM]

next:
neighbourhood geeks put an end to fun game-playing of their neighbour's ps3. Here's how you can too, after the break...

[Steve @ Nov 30th 2006 9:31PM]

My friend's PS3 was doing this from day one, several times a session. We figured out that the wifi was interfering with the suxasses. Plugged in ethernet instead of using wifi and voila, problem solved. Not the ideal solution because well, why have wifi or BT if you can't really use it? Glad I scalped the 3 I got at release, now thier someone else's problem.

[Ed @ Nov 30th 2006 9:40PM]

HAHAHA!!!!!

[Dan @ Nov 30th 2006 9:43PM]

Now, I don't own a PS3, sadly, but when I was playing around with a display model I found the controller to be cheaply made. It felt cheap, looked cheap, and turned me away from the controller. Ive always been a fan of PS systems, and remain one, but the controllers Ive played with for the PS3 are a definitely turn off. Just thought id comment and maybe get an opinion from someone who owns one!

[lukii @ Nov 30th 2006 10:41PM]

Why can't people understand that just because their controller hasn't screwed up doesn't mean other people's have?

The "I have one that works great" is a pretty weak argument against people saying that there's really are screwing up.

It's not that hard to understand, really.

[lukee @ Nov 30th 2006 10:43PM]

Um, what I meant was..

"Why can't people understand that just because their controller hasn't screwed up doesn't mean other people's haven't?

The "I have one that works great" is a pretty weak argument against people saying that their controllers really are screwing up.

It's not that hard to understand, really."

sorry for the typos!

[icepop4who @ Nov 30th 2006 10:58PM]

heh. i would get a PS3 in Q1/Q2 2007, when they will push out several firmware updates to fix all these problems. bluetooth is a great technology and out-of-sync problems should be a thing of the past in a few months. (i know, it's not exactly optimistic) from the other comments, i didn't see a lot of problems, but i doubt it's an isolated problem. again, sony will release a patch this year (if we're lucky) or (more likely) spring 2007.

PS3-haters: stop the hate. let's love all the consoles for what it's worth.

[Jamesology @ Dec 1st 2006 12:38AM]

I also noticed that majority of the time its ppl who hate Sony that post. If you add this up, their claims that Sony sucks is probably from their boredom built from the DS, 360, and Wii. If their gaming system is so much better, then why are they constantly posting?

I go on a Nintendo thread and its majority Nintendo fans complimenting; then a Sony site it's majority Nintendo and MS fans bashing. Anyone else notice this?

I'm planning to get a PS3 soon. but not the first gen. I'm not that desperate and I know first gen systems always screw up. It happened with 360, Wii, and PS2 (so far still the best home console).

[Tamyu @ Dec 1st 2006 1:51AM]

"Jamesology"

Really? Wow, because it`s the total and complete opposite of that everywhere I`ve seen. The Wii isn`t even released here in Japan yet, and all the PS3 fans seem to be spending 99% of their time online bashing it. Most of the Nintendo fans I have seen generally keep to themselves. There are no vocal 360 fans in Japan, so I have no frame of reference for them. Me, I will most likely end up buying all three in the end.

The biggest mystery to me is why people cannot simply accept that other people have DIFFERENT TASTES. Some people are going to like a different console than you do. Why on earth is there a "battle" here? Just buy the one you want and enjoy it. I don`t care what pathetic justification you come up with, there is no need to insult people who don`t share your tastes. That goes for all sides of this thing. I could really care less which console someone else buys and enjoys. I wouldn`t start insulting people over their favorite food, clothing style, or other personal preferences - why should it be any different with a gaming console?

Seriously people, you just end up sounding like a little kid when you start insulting people for their tastes. I thought people grew out of that stage... Guess not.

[lukee @ Dec 1st 2006 1:10AM]

"Jamesology"
Do you really think that? Where are the black helicopters?

[TONYATF @ Dec 1st 2006 9:59AM]

Nothing wrong with my sixaxis.

So remember kids do not listen to Joystiq, they are a BLOG site not a real news site. And Joystiq hates Sony and Ps3.