Sony kinda denies rumble coming to the PS3

Man, Sony must really love teasing us: just a couple days after we got word that rumble-enabled SIXAXIS controllers were leaking out to developers, Sony's director of corporate communications Dave Karraker told GamePro that the company has "not added rumble [to PS3], and have no announcements regarding this feature." That's a non-denial denial, if you ask us -- way to be sly, Sony. Karraker also confirmed that updated SIXAXIS controllers with refined motion-sensing features were shipping out, but characterized that as "part of the normal development and evolution of controllers." Here's hoping the SIXAXIS evolves itself a rumble unit sooner rather than later.

[Via PC World]

[Tk @ Aug 3rd 2007 10:31PM]

You think possibly, "the word" you guys got was just wrong?

[Deluxe @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:00PM]

Nothing is wrong on the internets!

[Karl @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:04PM]

Well, there's a large demand for it, so it's probable Sony would add it. The PS3 has enough trouble right now, so adding something like this would be welcomed by current and future owners. Now they've settled with Immersion, they can finally add it.

[Kizul Emeraldfire @ Aug 4th 2007 6:15AM]

Rule #73 of Internet: Believe everything you read on the internet.

Rule #74 of Internet: Disregard rule #73.

END OF LINE.

[Sizer @ Aug 3rd 2007 10:52PM]

Technically, they haven't added rumble to PS3 (yet) and have made no announcements about it. So even if they're working on it he told no lies. That's the only thing that makes me think that maybe it's not true. Now if they come out and flat out deny it, that's how we'll know it's true for sure.

[eckndu @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:10PM]

I like the sixaxis as it is now. I very much enjoy the light weight of this thing, not like anything that requires two AA batteries. and the disign, i just love the ps controller, no wonder why logitech made their PC controllers similar to them.
the rumble doesn't matter that much, (personally) i have had the rumblepad from logi but since none of the games i played support it, i didn't miss it at all on ps3

[JonDarkwood @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:12PM]

Sony execs are control freaks, they can't bear to see anything confirmed until THEY SAY IT IS.

[Mr. B @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:23PM]

I'm still mystified that this wasn't a feature to begin with.

[ssuk @ Aug 4th 2007 5:28AM]

Sony got sued for infringing a patent which put rumble inside of controlers, the patent holder won and Sony had to pay damages and stop using rumble. Sony has now paid the debt and has now been reportedly talking to the patent holders to use the patented rumble features. Microsoft also got hit by the lawsuit, but MS just paid a settlement and went on thier merry way.

Not sure how you didn't know this, it's more or less common knowledge now.

[Jypson @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:31PM]

I honestly don't even notice the lack of rumble personally. The battery lasts a long time with out it. I wouldn't be dissapointed if they just left it out, and probably wouldn't buy one unless I REALLY needed another controller. The buzzing gets annoying on games like "Dirt" anyway.

[Namarrgon @ Aug 5th 2007 8:38PM]

Fair enough, but you realise that you'd be able to turn the rumble off (and save the battery) if you wanted?

Most people would probably like to have the OPTION of rumble. I know I would.

[Aaron @ Aug 4th 2007 3:14PM]

Well of course you don't notice it, you're playing games that never had rumble to begin with! Why would you notice it was gone if it was never there? If you started playing PS2 or 360 games full of rumble and then it switched off, THEN you would notice it. And you might kind of miss it.

Obviously you can't say it takes away from games that never had it, but I do think it adds a little something when it's there. I, for one, hope they put it in for future games, as I happen to like that feature.

[Fruition @ Aug 6th 2007 7:58PM]

I'm mostly a PC gamer, and seeing as my keyboard and mouse have never rumbled and never will, a rumble is unimportant for me. I've become accustomed to playing Half-Life 2 and Counter-Strike: Source and Doom 3 without a rumble, and I feel it's unnecessary. That having been said, if a rumble-enabled sixaxis controller was all that was available to me in the future, I'd probably just go and disable it.

But all in all, I hope that rumble controllers get released so I can buy some non-rumble sixaxis controllers on the cheap from Amazon or eBay. :)

[diverguy @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:32PM]

yes, they will not be adding a rumble feature simmilar to the way they did not have a price drop... [/sarcasm]

[Brian @ Aug 4th 2007 1:36PM]

It doesn't matter anymore, we all know now that Sony execs lie through their teeth. So Monday, we'll probably see the sixaxis controls with rumble on store shelves. Not that it really matters; they'll sit there for a couple of months because the PS3 aren't selling. I've been working in Walmart for a month now, and the same four systems still sit untouched in the case. I've even asked an associate if they were the same ones and she said, "As far as I know." So it's probably too late to entise people to come back to the mothership by adding rumble to the controlers. Especially when you'll have to replace the one you have if you want all your controllers to have the rumble function. And this is after claiming that rumble wouldn't work with the tilt technology in the controller. So it either seems that Sony didn't want to follow Nintendo with having tilt and rumble, or they didn't want to have to shell out a major settlement to Immerson. Reguardless of reason, it looks like Sony thinks it needs to conform to hope the PS3 isn't a big flop.

[Marcus @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:56PM]

Sony has bad English, when they confuse denying with confirming. So Sony kinda confirmed that rumble is coming to the PS3.

[AppleManCan @ Aug 4th 2007 12:03AM]

psh, the iPhone can rumble

[Matt @ Aug 4th 2007 12:11AM]

Never understood the whole rumble feature obsession. Does a vibrator in your hand really add a lot to a game?

[m @ Aug 4th 2007 1:53AM]

I'm with you-- plus, I've read that it contributes greatly to repetitive strain injuries (carpal tunnel, etc).

[Nick @ Aug 4th 2007 12:27AM]

They are purposefully doing this so that they will unveil the feature at "TouchSense" The PS2 Rumble can't be in the equation because of the law suit. The new product that they created with Emmersion is "TouchSense". So until someone straight asks him when "TouchSense" is coming, he is still going to dodge the rumble questions because "rumble" won't be in the PS3... Semantics, but it's all we are going to get until the official announcement of "TouchSense" which I expect to happen at TGS.

[Doug @ Aug 4th 2007 12:36AM]

"Having no announcements" is entirely different than denying the feature. So in a way they are saying, "yes, we are working on it, we're just not ready to announce anything yet."

[Phil @ Aug 4th 2007 1:10AM]

If they let slip that future controllers will add the rumble feature, they won't sell any controllers until the new ones come out. Denying it is the smart business move.

[Eric @ Aug 4th 2007 1:38AM]

I remember them lying about the price cut before they announced it. Different ads were popping up with the proof. The 2 things other than games that I want are a) Rumble and b) IR port on the console or a clean looking USB IR adapter so I can program my Universal Remote to work with it and be able to power it on and off. All that would take is a little firmware update and the USB adapter.

[DGAR @ Aug 4th 2007 8:06AM]

I would think that rumble would play hell with the sixaxis concept. Of course if you have to enable "first person" pov to get the benefit of sixaxis on some games, then you could have the rumble on when not in that mode.

[Asterra @ Aug 4th 2007 5:12PM]

I think the best solution would be an adapter to enable the use of the 360 controller on the PS3. Then we would be all set for next year when the good games start arriving. I have issues with the cheaply-made PS3 controller. Try twisting the controller slightly with two hands. It creaks like cheap plastic and unsolid construction. Try the same thing with the 360 controller.

[Fruition @ Aug 6th 2007 3:47PM]

The real question is, when you twist it does the PS3 controller shoot the battery pack out the top?

But in all seriousness, even if it sounds cheap when you twist the casing, the only thing you can surmise from that is they skimped out on the plastic exterior when making the controller, and to be honest I care more that the stuff on the inside works, not the plastic on the outside, which, even if it sustains a few scratches or cracks, will not affect gameplay.

[MikeG @ Aug 4th 2007 7:37PM]

Well of course the havn't added rumble to the PS3 itself! Who wants a vibrating console!? They added rumble to the controller ;)

[Loonie @ Aug 6th 2007 11:20AM]

Executivese - English: "Of course there's no rumbling pads coming to the PS3. So you certainly should just go right ahead and buy a PS3 right now, and definitely not hold off on that purchase until the rumble becomes available."

[Jeebus @ Aug 6th 2007 3:56PM]

"updated SIXAXIS controllers with refined motion-sensing features"

Does that mean that the two I already have is not good enough? The new "refined" ones will be better? That sucks.

[djvc @ Aug 6th 2007 8:05PM]

just a thought, but wouldn't the rumble function screw up the SIXAXIS function? wouldn't you have to turn off the rumble function to operate the controller in a motion sensing operation?

it's lame that it doesn't have rumble at all, but i have never heard anyone talk about the functionality of rumble vs motion sensing...