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D-BOX ventures into video game sector with Motion Code
First it was home theaters, and then came the rumors of actual theaters. Now, D-BOX is officially getting into bed with video games, though we can't say for certain how well it'll be received. For those in the dark, D-BOX's Motion Code system enables specialized chairs to rumble and bumble along with the on-screen action, and thanks to a new deal with Electronic Arts, synchronized buzzing will be a part of Need for Speed Undercover on the PC. There's no word on what other titles are lined up for Motion Code treatment, but we've all ideas this one here will be a litmus test of sorts to see how things pan out. Call us crazy, but we'll take an actual Sunday drive over a simulation.[Via TheHDRoom]
Immersion shakes $20.75 million into Microsoft's coffers
Microsoft has won its claim against rumble licensor Immersion Corp., receiving $20.75 million from the company, Reuters reports. The particulars of the case revolve around a 2003 sub-licensing agreement between the two companies in which Microsoft was entitled to a portion of the cash that Immersion eventually settled on in its case against Sony.It appears that everything is now ship-shake between all the corporations involved and we can continue enjoying the jiggles we get from our controllers.Source -- Payback Time: Immersion To Pay $20.75 Million To Microsoft (Efluxmedia)Source -- Immersion settles suit with Microsoft (Reuters)[Thanks, laserboyjc]
Brawl on the go with homebrew Super Smash Bros. Rumble
Nineteen-year-old German homebrew programmer "Fuzzy" recently revealed his latest project for Nintendo's dual-screened handheld; a portable port of Nintendo's franchise mash-up brawler, titled Super Smash Bros. Rumble. The above shakycam video reveals the early fruits of his labor -- so far, only three levels and one character (Mario) are available. It obviously needs a massive amount of work, particularly in the character design and animation departments, but it's a wicked idea. We hope that Fuzzy will continue working on this inspired project, provided that Ninty's legal juggernauts abide.
Rumor: Dualshock 3s available in Europe on May 2nd
Dutch site PlayStation Only has heard from a "reliable source" that Dualshock 3 controllers will finally be made available in Europe on the 2nd of May this year. There's no word on pricing and the date hasn't been confirmed by Sony, so this is firmly a rumor for now. With America's April release date fast approaching, Europeans are itchy to find out when they'll finally be able to get their hands on them. Most games (certainly, all high profile and first party titles) all support rumble out of the box, or via a mandatory patch so the earlier the controllers are released, the better.
Hands-on with Nyko's Zero controller
Click for high-resolution image. Nyko's Zero controller beats Sony's DualShock 3 to the US market. Unlike any other third party controller out there, Nyko's Zero features both tilt and rumble functionality. We received our test unit today, and found it satisfactory. For the impatient that need rumble now (and don't want to bother importing a DualShock), the Zero will undeniably satisfy. However, there are a number of flaws in its design that make it hard to recommend whole-heartedly.Firstly, we commend Nyko for creating such easy-to-open packaging. With a simple cut of a sticker, we were able to get the controller out -- no plastic wrap packages that threaten to cut your fingers off. Another thing we were pleasantly surprised by: the use of a detachable battery pack. Two are included in the package: the standard rechargable pack, and one that accepts AA batteries. We appreciate the flexibility.Continuing the unboxing, we were disappointed to see that the Zero uses a dongle, just like Guitar Hero III. You will need to sacrifice one of the USB ports on your PS3 in order to use this controller. For owners of the 40GB system, this simply won't do. Sony's Bluetooth solution is obviously much more elegant, as it allows the USB ports to be free, and it makes it possible to turn on the system by pressing the PS button. The Zero cannot do that.%Gallery-17924%
Nyko's rumbling Zero Wireless PS3 controller goes on sale
Over a year (yeah, really) after this thing was originally announced, Nyko has finally slid the final piece in place in order to offer up the rumbling, bumbling Zero Wireless PS3 controller to end users. Granted, the version hitting shelves as we speak does include rumble, but since you've waited this long, you're probably better off getting the real deal when it lands in April -- for $5 less. Still, those who actually prefer 3rd party kit can look forward to being $59.99 poorer and receiving 25 hours of play on a full charge, LED-backlit buttons, "heat-dissipating aluminum panels (saywha?)," and your choice of black, white or silver.[Via Joystiq]
Nyko's Zero Wireless PS3 controller wins race to rumble ... or does it?
click to embiggen Sony once called rumble a "last generation feature," but secretly, somewhere, someone was designing DualShock 3 (and waiting for legal matters to settle). The race was on! (And quietly won by Logitech last June.) Still, someone had yet to release the 'ultimate' PS3 gamepad, which would combine the awesome powers of six-degree motion and palm-numbing vibration. (Actually, Sony did that last November -- in Japan.) Yet still, US PS3 owners where without such wizardry until today, when Nyko's Zero Wireless Controller -- packing hex-directional gesturetech® and rumble -- hit retail for $60. Too bad this hard-featured controller has a mere 40 days before it becomes irrelevant. Gallery: Nyko PS3 Zero controller
Nyko PS3 rumble controller beats DualShock 3 to market
As you could probably deduce from the subject line, Nyko has unleashed their third-party rumble and motion controller upon the world. Before we even get our hands on a first party controller (besides importing), no less. So, if you really want to, you can purchase the wireless monstrosity pictured above. It retails for $59.99, which is $5 more than the DualShock 3 will retail at. (Note: It's currently $50 on amazon.com.) It's your call, but for some people the size might actually be a plus. For you see, some people are used to handling giant tools in their hands. And by tools we, of course, mean controllers.Expect a full hands-on shortly.%Gallery-17924%
Device converts controller rumble to electric shocks
"How much better would games such as Mortal Kombat or Streetfighter [sic] be if you were ELECTROCUTED each time you were hit!" No, that's not a rhetorical question (though our answer would be "not at all better") ... it's the web site introduction to the Mindwire V5, a new British product that replaces those annoyingly rough rumbling controller sensation with a series of gentle, soothing electric shocks. Ahhh, bliss.Using a special controller converter (pictured) and a series of five adhesive pads, the V5 sends force-feedback activated shocks that the web site compares to those of a muscle toning machine. While the device will work with practically any game, the site recommends using it to enhance fighters and first-person shooters (just be sure to stay away from Rez)Though the site advertises plenty of safety features, the litany of warnings makes us worry about how safe this device actually is. It's probably moot for us, though --- at £99 (about $196), this one is only for well-off masochists.Also see: Military sim "shoots" back[Via Pocket Lint, Thanks Foolio]
Rumour: 120GB+ PS3 on its way in rumble bundle?
Ars Technica's seemingly reliable inside source has snuck out of the shadows with another interesting bit of hardware "news". We know that the 80GB PS3 is being discontinued, even if Sony won't admit to it themselves. The rumour is that another SKU (for those of you playing at home, that's the fifth since launch) will take the place of the 80GB, and will come bundled with a Dual Shock 3 controllers. Prices will stay the same, but the new SKU will have a 120-160GB hard drive. The article doesn't indicate whether the new SKU will have backwards compatibility, memory card readers, more than two USB ports or, you know, whether it even really exists. We're not convinced that this is the best idea - the 40GB has been the only SKU available in Europe for a wee while now and it's doing great. Why such a big hard drive? Is there something coming soon that is going to require so much storage space? We know Sony have been discussing video and music downloads for quite some time, so is it finally on the horizon?Speculation on this can go on forever. We're going to remain skeptical until something concrete appears. If it's anything like the 40GB or 80GB revelations, we'll know it's coming a few weeks before it's "announced".
Heavenly Sword gets patched to 1.1
The PS3-exclusive action game, Heavenly Sword recently got a 1.10 patch. Right now, the contents of this 18MB download are mysterious. It has been confirmed that DualShock 3 support has finally been added to the game, for those lucky enough to have imported the rumble-ready controller. But, certainly the patch must hold other surprises. 18MB is a lot of data for just rumble alone ...
Sony DualShock3 Stateside "early 2008"
We were just alerted to an "easter egg" of sorts hidden in plain site in the text of the PS3 firmware 2.01 update released on November 20th. It's not much, but an asterisked notation for "Vibration Function" says that the DualShock3 will be "Available for purchase in early 2008." Goodish news for those of you having trouble acquiring the rumbler from Japanese importers. [Thanks, Arun]
DualShock 3 rumble works with PS2 games
Even if your PS3 doesn't work with PS2 games, apparently your fancy, imported DualShock 3 controller will. And that doesn't just include letting you spin two (count 'em!) two analog sticks while you're catching monkeys with a net. No, friends, you'll also be able to feel the visceral thrill of rumbling as you whack the monkeys with your stun club. ... Or, you know, play other PS2 games that don't involve catching monkeys. The DualShock 3's rumbling abilities with PS2 games, which only a few would have noticed by now, was apparently added by the PS3's 2.0 firmware.So the DualShock 3 is the newest gen of a next-gen peripheral now reaching back through time to accommodate a last-gen feature on last-gen games. But the only PS3s that support it will be those that play last-gen games, a feature that itself has become last-gen. We've honestly lost count of the layers of irony. Help us out here, Alanis.
DualShock 3 will rumble with PS2 games
Many importers have been curious: does the new rumble-ready DualShock 3 work for PS2 games played on the PS3? The answer is yes (provided you don't have the 40GB model -- you won't be able to play PS2 games at all!). With rumble being slowly reintroduced to the system, it appears that PS3 will finally be able to do everything the PS2 offered last generation ... and then some.[Video by Jamie A.]
DualShock 3 launches in Japan, gets unboxed
Our Tokyo-based Engadget friend just sent us a nasty e-mail that went along the lines of "I have it, you don't SUCKAS." What are we talking about? The rumble-ready white DualShock 3 controller. Watch as he mercilessly opens the packaging, something Americans will have to wait until next year to do. Let's hope that the mighty blister pack gods will shame him with a cut or two as he undoubtedly tears apart the package with rabid glee.
DualShock 3 imports to be scarce
Many flocked to various import websites when Sony announced the rumble-ready DualShock 3 at Tokyo Game Show earlier this year. However, it looks like production of Sony's long-awaited peripheral won't meet the mountainous demand for the controller. Quantities will be quite scarce, as seen by Play-Asia's pre-orders already being sold out: "this is a product with limited availability and our allocations have been pre-sold."Importer NCSX also expects demand to increase the cost of importing a controller. They have some advice for those that want a rumble controller: to wait. "If prices ratchet up too high, we'd advise patience since prices should eventually drop to normalcy within 2-3 weeks after the Japanese debut." Of course, if you're bothering to import a controller, chances are you want it as soon as possible.Sony has not yet set a date for a North American release of the controller. It is expected to debut some time in the Spring. The controller will retail for 5500 yen (appx. US$47).
DualShock 3 supplies low; import cost high
Import retailers are warning non-Japanese consumers that the DualShock 3, Sony's contrition controller, will be in extremely limited supply when it goes on sale Nov. 11. Importers like Play Asia say they've already pre-sold their expected supply. Sony obviously doesn't like import retailers, but they should take it as a good sign that consumers are keen to import the new DualShock 3 controller before its spring release in the States and Europe early next year. Importers are allegedly charging about $80 USD (£40) for what will probably be $50 (assuming it's the same price as the Sixaxis when it comes across the ocean).But, but, but why would you want to import the DualShock 3 when the rumble won't work with many old games? Well, Resistance: Fall of Man is patched to accept rumble and we're expecting hoping that other games have rumble added onto them soon. We're not going to make any "rumble is last generation" cracks because we're just happy Sony is bringing back the rumble. You really don't know what you've got till it's gone.
PS3 firmware 1.94 to bring rumble support
Everyone's favorite last-gen feature is just about ready to make its grand appearance on the PS3: although firmware 1.94 hasn't been officially released yet, ShackNews is reporting that copies of Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction contain an updater to Sony's latest code, and it provides support for the rumblin' DualShock3 controller due out in Japan in November and in the US sometime this spring. No word on what other updates 1.94 provides, but it's not like anything else is even close to as important.[Via Joystiq and Tech.co.uk, thanks sk]
Firmware 1.94 adds DualShock rumble support
Ratchet & Clank Future (available in retail stores soon) is the first retail PS3 game to support rumble out of the box. The game includes firmware update 1.94 on the disc and will allow players with DualShock 3 controllers to experience the incredible innovation of rumble.The firmware is, as of writing, not yet available for download. DualShock 3 controllers will be available in Japan in November and in America next year.[Via Joystiq]
PS3's 1.94 firmware adds support for DualShock 3
If you want to experience rumble with your PS3 games as soon as possible, you're going to have to go on a quest of sorts. First, time travel into next month (or wait a couple of weeks) and import a DualShock 3 from Japan. Next, you're going to need the PS3's new firmware, 1.94, but sadly, it isn't available for download yet. But don't be deterred. Shacknews is reporting that if you pick up Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (the first retail game with built-in rumble support) you'll be able to find 1.94 right there on the disc. Imagine the convenience. Now, unless you have obsessive compulsive disorder, we have no idea why you'd need the firmware weeks before the controller's even out. But at least we know a certain former Double Dare host is going to sleep well tonight.
