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Splitfish FragFX Shark preview: elegant weapon for a more civilized age
Perhaps you don't like playing first-person shooters on consoles, because you think controls can't get any better than a keyboard and mouse. Or maybe you won't play first-person shooters on the PC because you're worried about the price of hardware upkeep. Splitfish hopes to cater to both possibilities with its FragFX Shark controller combo. %Gallery-105431%
SplitFish FragFX controllers continue to evolve, now more fishy
While "10.10.10" made for a dramatic release date, oddball peripheral manufacturer SplitFish has announced a revised November 1 street date for the next iterations of its FragFX controller (think: Wii Nunchuk, sans accelerometer, tethered to a mouse). Having already introduced a "Pro" edition last year, SplitFish went with the "deadly [aquatic] predator" motif for the 2010 series, which includes: the wireless FragFX Shark and its wired counterparts, the fire engine red FragFX Piranha (pictured) and more subtle FragFX Barracuda. The Shark, compatible with PS3, PC and Mac systems, will retail for a whopping $90. The Barracuda and Piranha, only for PS3, will go for $70 and $50, respectively. Splitfish notes that its 2010 FragFX lineup will coincide with the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops on November 9. "It may look like the Pro," says endorser Dennis Dozier, the "#1 Global CoD Champ," comparing the Shark to last year's model (itself an upgrade of the 2007 original). "It is definitely not the Pro." %Gallery-101713%
Splitfish announces power-saving FragFX Shark controller for PS3, PC and Mac
SplitFish isn't providing a ton of details on this one just, but it has announced that its new FragFX Shark controller for the PS3, PC and Mac will be making its official debut at Gamescon later this month, and it's given us our first look at it. As you can see, it's not all that different from the company's standard FragFX PS3 controller, but the company promises that it will be more "ecology-friendly" thanks to some new power-saving measures that'll let you get 50 hours of gameplay from a single AA battery. Also set to debut at the show are the FragFX Piranha and FragFX Barracuda, although Splitfish isn't still saying anything about those apart from the fact they're also PS3 controllers. Head on past the break for the complete press release.
Splitfish brings the Fragchuck back just in time for Modern Warfare
Despite having released a product called the "fragchuck" once, and (if there's any justice) being roundly humiliated for it, gimmicky peripheral maker SplitFish is releasing a new version of its PlayStation 3 FragFX controller, called the Dual SFX Frag Pro. In addition to the ... fragchuck ... it features a 2000 dpi mouse, and loses the wire between the two halves. It'll be out at a cost of $90 on November 10, which, coincidentally, is also when Modern Warfare 2 comes out. If you like the Fragchuck but don't care for the mouse part, there's also this thing.The good news: the more people see the word "fragchuck," the worse they'll feel about using the outmoded, kind-of gross word "frag" in general.[Via Engadget]
SplitFish Dual SFX Frag Pro pairs button-enriched mouse with 'fragchuck,' ships November 10
For those of you not paying attention in class, SplitFish is a peripherals maker that, true to its name (or half its name, anyway), offers PS3 controllers that split the left and right hand controls into separate parts. The Dual SFX Frag Pro, its latest, comes with a 2,000dpi laser mouse to tempt those last few PC gamer holdouts to the dark side of consoles, and a three shoulder button-equipped directional pad for navigation. What can we say, it looks weird as hell, but the more we thought about it, the more we wanted to get our hands on a set to see just how games played with this unorthodox control scheme. Should you share our interest, you'll also want to know that pre-orders are being taken now for a cent under $90 in the US or a penny short of £80 in the UK, and shipping starts November 10. [Via SlashGear]
Splitfish Dual SFX Evolution and Frag Pro PS3 controllers announced, debut set for E3
While still one-half away from a good "show and tell" game, Splitfish has announced (with no pics, unfortunately) the Dual SFX Evolution and Dual SFX Frag Pro controllers, part of the Frevolution X series and coming this Fall for the PlayStation 3. For the first person shooter crowd, the Frag Pro is slated to be the successor to the mouse-and-nunchuk combo originally released in 2007 (pictured), with a new dual wireless system to clear up some cord clutter. As for the Evolution, according to the presser it'll swap out the mouse for a right-handed motion / analog joystick. We're a bit lacking in the imagery department right, but we'll be getting some eyes (and hopefully hands) on the peripherals when E3 rolls around early next month. Update: Looks like Splitfish called us on a bluff we didn't realize we had and pointed us to pics of the Evolution (above) and Frag Pro (after the break). [Via Joystiq]
SplitFish unveils new PS3 controller series at E3 '09
SplitFish Gameware, best known for its oddly-shaped controller peripheral and not its cruelty to aquatic life, will be showing off its "Frevoution X System" line of PS3 controllers at E3 next week. Both the "Dual SFX Evolution" and "Dual SFX Frag Pro" will be available for playtest at the expo.Expect the Frag Pro to be an upgraded version of SF's older FragFX controller, which is excellent for shooters thanks to its PC mouse-like design. The Frag Pro features an all-new "dual wireless system," and left-grip "Six-Axis" control. Both frag-ing controllers should be available by this fall... when all the shooters come out.
SplitFish FragFX PS3 controller gets reviewed
Buying into less-than-standard gaming controllers is never an easy ordeal, but the kind folks over at IGN have managed to spend some quality time with the SplitFish FragFX PS3 in order to break down the gizmo before you break out your wallet. Besides being quite pleased with the overall feel and design, reviewers gave props to the intuitive reassignment system, impressive accuracy and precision, and the host of useful extras that gave them an edge when engrossed in a deathmatch. Notably, the only "real complaints" heard throughout revolved around the smallish mousing surface and somewhat "clicky" mouse buttons, but it honestly felt like they were grasping for negatives at that point. Overall, IGN was mighty pleased with the offering, and while it's hard to say if your experiences will mimic these, there was "no question" that it improved the gameplay of those reviewing.
SplitFish announces FragFX mouse controller for PS3
Peripheral purveyor SplitFish has already brought some PC-style input to the PlayStation 2, but now, as promised, it's taken its game to the PS3, following up its EdgeFX mouse controller with the strikingly-similar FragFX device. Like the EdgeFX, the FragFX gives you a mouse to improve your aim in FPS games, with the separate left-handed grip controller getting an upgrade this time around to let you take advantage of the PS3's motion sensing abilities. Not one to let a potential selling point go unnoticed, SplitFish is also touting the controller as being "optimized" for use with Sony's recently announced Home virtual world. While you'll have to wait a while to put that particular claim to the test, you will be able to get your hands on a wired version of the FragFX next month for $60, with a Bluetooth version coming "later" for $70. [Warning: PDF link][Via Gameworld Network]
SplitFish FragFX controller; more PC than PS3
SplitFish is at it again! Reminding us a little of the Phantom lapboard, the FragFX aims to deliver the accuracy of the PC's mouse and keyboard combo to the PlayStation 3 and, more specifically, your couch. The slightly awkward system promises to duplicate the entire range of PS3 input, including the motion control. The "FragChuk" (that's the nunchuk-y thing on the left above) provides "Wii-like motion sensitivity" for the PlayStation 3 console while the mouse handles all of the controller buttons and right-analog control. A wired version is scheduled to ship next month for $59.99 and a wireless Bluetooth wireless will ship "later" for $69.99.
SplitFish details PS3 force feedback tech
See, whatcha do is, take a big ole' fish, split that sucka, stuff a buncha SixAxis parts in his belly, sew 'im back up, smash a couple buttons thru his eyes, then glue the rest of 'dem necessities on -- and BAM! You should get 'bout two minutes of force feedback...As it turns out, SplitFish's SensorFX technology isn't quite as sophisticated as we imagine above. The Edmonton tinkerer explains that its version of force feedback uses no moving parts, but is capable of delivering a range of sensations throughout different locations of the controller -- okay, but can you also eat it once the "battery" is dead? SensorFX apparently features two distinct modes, one for games that already support force feedback, and one for games that don't; yes folks, it just takes a guess, and rumbles away.SplitFish also confirms that it has not yet previewed its latest technology for Sony, as Sony spokesman Dave Karakker indicated earlier this week. SplitFish made no further assumption about the possibility of SensorFX being incorporated into a future version of Sony's SixAxis, but did reveal plans to work with both game publishers and hardware manufactures (maybe Nintendo and Microsoft want in too, maybe) in an effort to gain multi-platform support for its patent-pending force feedback invention.[Via press release]
Sony not ready to rumble with Splitfish
In announcing their SensorFX force feedback system for the PS3 yesterday, accessory-maker SplitFish somewhat coyly mentioned that the technology "can be sold as an add-on to existing controllers or as an imbedded [sic] feature that is part of a standard controller." The second part of that sentence led some to believe that an official deal with Sony to add rumble support to the PS3's SixAxis controller might be afoot. Today, Sony spokesman Dave Karakker put any such rumors to rest, telling GameDaily that "no one at SCEA has been in touch with this company," and, furthermore, "at this time, we have no plans to incorporate any kind of force feedback into our SIXAXIS controller." Without any official support from Sony, any PS3 rumble solution from a third party would likely have a hard time garnering support from game developers and publishers. As Immersion CEO Vic Vegas pointed out in an earlier interview with GameDaily "[Sony] can filter out vibration commands; essentially if they don't want vibration they can shut it down and it appears that's what they're doing." But the question then remains: why don't they want it. Despite Sony's original protests that rumble technology "interferes with information detected by the sensor," the Wii shows that force feedback and motion sensing are possible in the same controller. Legal threats from Immersion might cause Sony to be wary, but Immersion themselves have offered to work with Sony on a legally acceptable solution. Cost might be an issue, but with Sony already losing hundreds on each unit of hardware, a few more bucks of loss in each controller hardly seems like a deal-breaker. At this point, the only thing we can figure that's stopping Sony from adding rumble support to the SixAxis is some sort of foolish pride. Yes, adding rumble support mere months after the system's launch would essentially be admitting a large mistake in the original controller design. But a self-assured company should be able to absorb this temporary, minor embarrassment for the sake of the long term interests of the system. Sony, apparently, is not that kind of company.
SplitFish ready to get Sixaxis a'rumblin
Our old friend SplitFish is in the news again, claiming to have developed a new dynamic force feedback system (read: rumble) that will work inside PlayStation 3's Sixaxis controller. SplitFish alleges that its technology does not violate Immersion patents, suggesting that Sony would not risk further legal troubles if the PS3 maker opted to use SplitFish's force feedback system.If Sony did partner up with the Edmonton gang, it would mark the climatic moment of one of the industry's great success stories. Just over a year ago, SplitFish was peddling 3D-glasses for PlayStation 2 among the cluttered stalls at the Sands CES Showroom in Las Vegas. Now the company is a Kutaragi signature away from redefining the PS3 controller? Maybe we're getting ahead of ourselves ... Perhaps glideFX-2.0 is more likely.See also: Dual Shake may rumble still
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.
SplitFish's new glideFX controller PS3 compatible?
Looks like someone at SplitFish realized the gold plastic look wasn't earning them any followers, so they went back to the ol' drawing board and came up with the new glideFX controller. Their website describes the glideFX as "the world's first B-type Controller. glideFX uses a 'Trackball' to manage movement that is normally controlled by the right analog stick. Separate left right controls and adjustable Sensitivity settings." I'm not really sure what any of that actually means.Obviously someone at SplitFish needs a lesson on proper capitalization. Grammar inconsistencies aside, the site reports the glideFX controller is "for the PlayStation 2" while the email we received said it was the "new PS2/3 SplitFish controller" that "is to be shown at E3 this year." Probably means this same controller will be updated to be PS3 compatible, with wireless functionality and whatever else that entails ... though, we'll be content just seeing the stock PlayStation 3 controller.[Thanks, Ken][UPDATE: To inform any (further) comparisons between the SplitFish controller and the Revomote, please read - Splitfish: we're not copying the Revolution controller.]
