Splitfish announces SensorFX force-feedback system for PS3

Not content with simply bringing some motion-sensing action to the PS2 controller, Canadian peripheral-maker Splitfish now looks set to try to make up for one of the PlayStation 3's more noticeable shortcomings, promising a force-feedback add-on for the PS3's decidedly rumble-less SIXAXIS controller. The device, dubbed the SensorFX, simply plugs into the USB port on the SIXAXIS controller, providing "meaningful sensory feedback" while supposedly not interfering with the controller's motion-sensing mojo. That's apparently accomplished by not using any moving parts in the device, although exactly what Splitfish is using to give the SensorFX the shakes seems to to be a closely held secret for the time being, with the company only saying that it's a "low power" device. In addition to the add-on, Splitfish says the SensorFX technology could eventually be directly incorporated into a controller, adding that it's hoping to work with video game publishers and hardware manufacturers to establish standards for force feedback technology. That would seem to still be a little ways off, however, as there's still no word yet on how much the add-on itself will cost or when it'll actually be available.

[jordan @ Jan 30th 2007 4:53PM]

This makes me think that we're going to run into the N64's Rumble Pack scenario, where only certain games use this vibration technology, as it's not a "standard" as the motion sensor feature is.

What *should've* happened (IMO) is that Splitfish should've contacted Sony RIGHT AWAY when it was found out that there would be no vibration feature in the controller so that Sony could license THEIRS if their claim of it not affecting the motion sensor is true. At least then it could've been available as a standard feature so games would more-easily be able to be programmed with such a feature. Oh, that and the obvious "I don't want to have to plug in stuff to get PS2-age features out of my PS3 controller."

[Jon @ Jan 30th 2007 4:43PM]

ehhh, what good is force feedback if the games aren't made to support it?

[Liqwid @ Jan 30th 2007 4:52PM]

Well, you never know. Some games that are made for the 360/PS3 or 360/PS3/Wii/PS2/Gamecube/Xbox may have some of the original code that holds the force feedback information. So, it could be possible to use it, you'd just have to find what games, if any, have any force feedback coding in it. Say, Sonic for example. It's coming out after the 360, so the information may still be there.

[Jico @ Jan 30th 2007 8:00PM]

I think it'll be a clip-on tazer.

[Jon @ Jan 30th 2007 5:56PM]

..even so, the code would have to be altered i would think. Im sure theres not some universal ;start//RUMBLE script that every console would accept, and there not gonna switch the script for a system that dosent have rumble. u know?

[Parker @ Jan 30th 2007 5:31PM]

I call vaporware. I'm no engineer, but I'm pretty sure moving parts are *essential* to a force-feedback system. I would like to be proven wrong. I would also like "impossible" tactile feedback in a touchscreen. But I suppose smart people are working hard to make both a reality.

[mroach @ Jan 30th 2007 5:11PM]

Maybe the add-on gives you an electrical shock; that kind of feels like vibration.

[Jon @ Jan 30th 2007 5:03PM]

the whole "rumble feature would interfere with motion sensing" is BS and teh wii proves it. I dont see why anyone would buy that.

[KnightmareCS @ Jan 30th 2007 9:43PM]

wii uses IR to track its motion, not gyros like the ps3 controller. if u rumble a wii, its not moving anything else in the controller, if you rumble a ps3 controller, ur moving the gyros and throwing them out of position

[Dave Bergschneider @ Jan 30th 2007 5:15PM]

Woohoo a sense of hope at the end of the tunnel.

[Yankees368 @ Jan 30th 2007 5:49PM]

So, PS3 users will again have to pay for something that should have been standard:

1) PS2 memory card adapter (should have been built in)
2) PS2 controller ports (again, should have been built in)
3) Component Cables (should have been included in the box, ala 360)

[DEEZNUTZ @ Jan 30th 2007 8:39PM]

Don't forget lack of IR receiver...
360>PS3

[mean2u @ Jan 31st 2007 3:47PM]

If you hold your PS3 controller up to the light, you can see where the handles are, it's completely empty. It wouldn't take much effort to find space inside the controller.

[matt @ Jan 30th 2007 5:53PM]

vibration is basically oscillating motion.
so if they say the device doesn't use moving parts, then aren't they contradicting themselves?

[myscrnnm @ Jan 30th 2007 7:43PM]

Seriously, this no force feedback thing is overrated. People are just looking to player-hate on SCEI. I've been using the PlayStation 3 for weeks, and I don't even notice that there's no force feedback. It's just not that important. I mean, obviously it would have been nice if SCEI had implemented it, but the SIXAXIS has exceeded my expectations.

[Agathos @ Jan 30th 2007 6:11PM]

Yankee,

That's a another stupid comment from a broke geek.

Dude I've got all the consoles and a nice 60" 1080p TV to enjoy them on, man I feel for people like you with nothing better to do than add stupid attacks to any PS3 news... y'know if you worked a few hours extra at that 8$ an hour job of yours...

To rebuttle your idiotic comments:

PS3 users don't have to pay for online service, don't have to pay for HD DVD player, and so on and so on.

Enjoy your single console little shit.

[Yankees368 @ Jan 30th 2007 7:22PM]

Agathos,

In reply to your harsh comment, I did not buy a PS3, I had won it. And since it was already open and used a few times, it really had no re-sale value on ebay.

Just to play my PS2 games on this thing, you have to buy a $16 adapter for the memory card that has no reason not to be included or imbedded in the machine. If the wii can have 4 game cube controller ports, as well as memory card slots, why cant the PS3?

[Nick @ Jan 30th 2007 10:48PM]

#1 your response to a persons point completely discredits you. All you do is sound like some spoiled little sh!t head.

#2 other people have lives and dont spend all their income on video game consoles and so they would like to get their moneys worth and not get bent over by the console they choose to support.

#3 PS3 users dont have to pay for online services, yet! I personally would rather pay for a solid online service that has proven it will stand the test of time.. Remember how PS2 once upon a time had online gaming and it failed miserably.

#4 PS3 owners do have to purchase an HD DVD player, if they choose they want to support that format. However, they wont have to purchase a Blu-ray player... but just like the PS2.. SONY no doubt put a cheap Blu-ray player that will be having issues in a year or two. Then you'll need to purchase a standalone Blu-ray player.

#5 I feel sorry for people like who you have no life and nothing better to do with their time than make claims at what they own. Even if the claims are true.. then i feel even more sorry for you because you need to get out and enjoy life and not live it on a couch behind a tv screen.

PS ~ dont call me a M$ fan boy. Ive never had an Xbox.

[Dp462090 @ Jan 30th 2007 11:44PM]

"Just to play my PS2 games on this thing, you have to buy a $16 adapter for the card"

No, you need the adapter to use you're old PS2 saves; you can play, and I pretty sure save PS2 games without it, via the "internal memory card."

I think, if you don't have the adapter, you have to download something "data" (I can't remember the name of the file) off of the PSN, in order to use the internal ` card, which is annoying. Still, I see how it is frustrating for people who don't want buy anything extra, though.

Also, I'm gonna say, sorry, in case I'm about wrong (don't think I am, but I could be), or if this post sounds fanboy-ish.

For the record, I have both a 360, and PS3, I also want a Wii.

[myscrnnm @ Jan 31st 2007 4:24PM]

"Just to play my PS2 games on this thing, you have to buy a $16 adapter for the memory card that has no reason not to be included or imbedded in the machine. If the wii can have 4 game cube controller ports, as well as memory card slots, why cant the PS3?"

That's bad logic. At least SCEI gives you the option to transfer your gamesaves from the PlayStation 2. With the Xbox family, "All your game save are belong to Xbox". Since the Xbox 360's Memory Units use a different type of interface, and Microsoft offers no adapter to transfer data to the XBox 360.

The PlayStation 3 doesn't use the ports used for the DualShock 2 because they would simply be too large, plus, they have lower bandwith. The point of the PlayStation 3 is not to play PlayStation 2 games anyway. And besides, Pelican or some other company is coming out with an adapter for the controllers anyway.

[robby1051 @ Feb 1st 2007 4:46PM]

Yankees368:
360 saves are easy to move?
and
I have a ddr mat from my xbox thats useless for next gen!
and the last thing i have to say is
Sony didnt want to be bullied by a patent "rebuyer" and "squatter"
who first bought the company that had the original patent then proceeded to make money by suing MS and Sony,
MS bought part of the company right away and paid for a users license, sony wanted to fight,
said company proceeded to make fun of sony in the media and try to shame them into paying them.
Sonys defense was they licensed a patent usage from logitech.
myscrnnm, I agree, i havent mised it yet....as a matter of fac if the game is really engrossing I didnt notice it much before anyway.
I aint no fanboy,
loving my 360 AND my ps3 (just wishing for more games)

[m g @ Jan 31st 2007 1:49AM]

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[Tasslehoff @ Jan 31st 2007 10:46PM]

Please shred some light on me regarding this vibrating thing; but as far as I know, to get vibration (1) you get a vibration to transfer the motion to you; (2) you need an electric current flow in your muscles to stimulate them so they twitch (like some electronic massager does) (or dead frog legs). There is still one more way I can think of; that is to make you hallucinate that your hands just shaked.

Are there other possible ways to give you a sense of vibration?

By the way, I still wonder that if officially the game doesn't support rumbling, when does the rumble controller when to rumble? I can't imagine a game developer would develop for Splitfish's propriety products. They won't even know what to do unless Splitfish provides the library and blah blah blah, right?