DualShake
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Mod adds rumble to PSP
While there may be one very obvious Sony gaming peripheral that's screaming out for a rumble feature, that hasn't stopped modders from looking at adding the functionality to other Sony gadgets. A modder by the handle of FOO-f00 has given the PSP a basic rumble feature through a bundle of wires and circuitry that somehow translates the speaker volume into a signal that a motor can use. FOO-f00 made it so it only activates once a high enough pitch is reached, but we'd imagine the result is far from a perfect rumble feature. Still, the project is very much a proof of concept: and an awesome concept at that.[Via PSP Fanboy]
PS3 hacked to accept Xbox 360 controller
If you're running Fedora Core 5 on your PS3 and happen to have an Xbox 360 controller lying around -- blasphemy, we know -- then you may be interested to know that a new hack makes the PlayStation 3 capable of accepting instructions from its arch rival's wired controller. Apparently a guy called diabolix managed to throw together a driver for the device, taking us one step closer to realizing one of the runner-up designs from Joystiq's PS3 controller redesign contest (pictured.) So far the PS3 has been the most congenial of the new-gen consoles, seeing as it can now read instructions from the controllers of both its rivals. Of course, neither of these activities was motivated by a desire to make up for inadequacies in the PS3's Dualshake -- that thing's an Emmy award winner![PS3 Fanboy]
PS3 controller wins Emmy award [update 1]
In the mood for a good laugh, a proper el-oh-el? Then read this unbelievable, oblivious and altogether hilarious Gamesindustry.biz article regarding the wondrous insides of the PS3 controller. The gist of it sees the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences bestowing an Emmy award upon the Sixaxis -- for technology and engineering. As you might expect, the award arrives in response to new-fangled "motion sensing technology", currently not featured in any other console in existence. Indeed, the engineers at Sony deserve a hearty pat on the back for taking the time to "re-define the original Dual Shock controller" and painstakingly remove any traces of rumble technology. Indeed, putting rumble and motion sensing into the same controller would likely spell unmitigated disaster. Meanwhile, Jack Tretton, CEO of SCEA, chimes in on the whole affair and in doing so, sends out a distress signal from deep within an alternate reality. "The overwhelming consumer demand and critical acclaim for PS3 is testament of the platform's strength and the industry's desire for a true next-generation entertainment system." Come on, Mr. Tretton, even Quinn Mallory has a subscription to Time magazine.Update: Oops! Sony got their controllers mixed up.
PS3 peripherals priced: $50 for a Sixaxis
Today at the Gamer's Day event in San Francisco, Sony revealed the prices for various peripherals. The Sixaxis controller will be $49.99, which is the same price as the wireless Xbox 360 controller and $10 more / less than the Nintendo Wiimote (depending on whether or not you include the nunchuk add-on). The age of $50 controllers is very frackin' nigh.The PS3 memory card adaptor, that allows you to transfer PSOne and PS2 memory card data to the HDD, will only be $14.99. The BD Remote Control, which is "coming soon" (read: not available at launch) will be $24.99.See Also:PS3: Dual Shake is dead, long live Sixaxis
Sony pulled rumble from PSOne controllers?
After the CliffyB coincidence, we thought to give you another look at a retro article with modern application. From the very first issue of PSM Magazine from September 1997 (found as a PDF on Retro Gaming -- click on the image to the right), a Kotaku reader pointed out an article on page 16 talks about the then-imminent US release of the PlayStation One dual analog controller. The US version had one slight difference than its Japanese brethren: no rumble. The article cited "another company" (Immersion?) who owned the patent to the vibration technology -- my, how times have changed. However, the other theory (not from Sony) is that the new-fangled vibration technology, "however slight, eventually causes the controller to break" after extended use. Obviously, with such a powerful seismic force, there's no way Sony could figure out how to combine rumble and motion sensing. Oh, wait a second ...
Dual Shake may rumble still
Skin of your teeth, white-knuckle and overly elaborate escapes can be made all the more engaging and memorable by the subtle rumbling of the controller in your hands. Of course, having just stolen a Dual Shock 2 from the lonely demo unit in your local games retailer, palpable excitement is something you have in droves, not to mention rampant kleptomania. The vibration emitted by most of today's controllers also adds an extra level of immersion to games like Silent Hill and Halo -- just ask Immersion, they named their company after the idea. Don't ask Sony, however, since it's a touchy subject. Currently appealing against a court ruling in favor of Immersion's claims that they treaded upon specific patents when they created the Dual Shock controllers (like the one you stole), Sony has come under some fire for dropping rumble functionality from the PS3 controller entirely. An accusatory finger was pointed at the newly implemented motion sensing technology, a move interpreted by some as Sony being unwilling to hand licensing fees over to Immersion. Whether or not that's the case is still up for debate, though Immersion has now unveiled new technology which indicates, at the very least, that a rumbling Dual Shake may still find its way into hands (especially thieving ones).The "TouchSense" technology for use in next-gen controllers promises added realism in addition to full compatibility with motion and tilt sensing devices. "Because the speed at which a user moves the controller is much slower than the frequencies generated by TouchSense technology, the two signals can be differentiated using filtering and other techniques." Their statement goes on to say that Immersion "offers engineering services to implement the technology within a particular console system." Will Sony grab this opportunity, or let it slip through their fingers? Is it really that big of a deal?[Via PS3 Fanboy]
The cost of Immersion: DualShake a possibility
What is it about innovation that seems to bring out the worst in companies? When Sony began showing off its newest controller, cries from fans elsewhere claimed that they had copied Nintendo's motion-sensing technology. Back in the day, the PS2 had a similar situation that prompted litigation which Sony is still grappling with today. The idea was the rumbling technology, and Immersion said it was theirs.Enter the Sony-Immersion headache. The latter took it to court in an effort to settle their rights on certain patents which claimed the controller tech. Long story short: Sony's been paying out a royalty every quarter in a deal which circumvents a $90 million settlement they would otherwise have to pay to Immersion. With a pending appeal against the settlement, many are saying Sony has dropped the rumbling technology from their latest PS3 controller due to the bad vibe between the companies.But what should they do if along came a solution to the motion-sensing rumble conundrum? This is where TouchSense comes in. According to Immersion, they have the ability to make the PlayStation 3 controller shake, rattle and roll with force feedback, all the while retaining its sensing feature. However, there's still that icky $90 million thorn in their side. If Sony would cough up the cash, gamers could have their cake and eat it too. But they're saying it's too late and there's just not enough time to implement TouchSense. This, of course, contradicts Immersion's claim that it would only take a matter of weeks. Is force feedback worth the price? Would gamers even notice? These are questions that we're betting Sony is still trying to tackle.
Iwata on PS3's DualShake: It won't affect us
Whether it's the backing of an unorthodox console or just the sight of an opponent stumbling over a price tag, Iwata exudes a good deal of confidence in the interview where he shrugs off the PS3's knee-jerk addition of motion sensing capabilities. Mr. Iwata points out that having to hold the DualShake with both hands makes for a noticeably different experience. "There's a huge gap between the two, I can tell you, with that whole experience, so I really don't think that the inclusion of motion sensing into Sony's classic type of controller can affect in one way or the other the advantage that we have with the Wii controller." Though gamers will be pointing and yelling "thief" for a while to come, Iwata's calm reaction is probably the best illustration of what's really happening here. The PS3 controller has an extra feature (at the expense of rumbling) that, judging by the games we've seen so far, is unlikely to become the primary form of input as it has with the Wii. The types of games on the two systems are thus likely to be different enough to dismiss any sort of suggestion that Sony is somehow stealing from and encroaching upon Nintendo's market. It's important to keep in mind that the functions of a controller, whether they be motion sensing or sensual massaging, are pretty worthless without games that make proper use of them. (That excludes the original Xbox controller. It made for an exceedingly effective blunt weapon.)
Immersion ready to rumble with PS3 controller
Why doesn't Sony's Playstation 3 controller give you the shakes? According to the company, the familiar DualShock-style force-feedback was dropped from the new controller in favor of motion-sensors. However, Immersion Technologies -- which sued Sony for using its haptic tech in earlier controllers -- believes that the controller could be made to rumble, and has some ideas for Sony about how to do it. The catch: Sony needs to drop its appeal of the verdict in Immersion's 2004 lawsuit, and pay Immersion the $90 million that the judge in that case awarded the company. And, of course, Sony would have to pay Immersion for whatever technology they use in the PS3 controller. Frankly, it doesn't sound like a bad deal. By continuing to appeal the lawsuit, Sony's risking another loss and piling up legal fees, and by dropping the shock, they're left with a controller that many have called a weak attempt to copy the Wii. Working with Immersion on a haptic solution could solve both problems.
E3 Vox Populi: Will lack of rumble hurt the PS3? [update 1]
Yesterday, we asked a few people on the show to give their reaction to the following question: "Will the lack of rumble in the Dual Shake hurt the PlayStation 3?" Here are some reactions we got:David Edery: Game TycoonIt's certainly a shame to lose something where rumble matters in the design context. Rumble has always felt like icing to me; it's not crucial. Not having the motion sensing at all, that's a huge problem. I'd be much more worried about Microsoft, frankly. Rumble has never mattered to me that much. I think it'll hurt them, but I don't know how much. I don't think it's a huge deal. People want to move, though. Not having [motion sensing] when others do have it, will be a huge disadvantage.Jessie: GamerSurvival"It'll hurt; I've heard a lot of people upset [over the decision]."David Reid: VP Marketing for GameTapI've never thought of it as a big deal. That's me personally. There was a time when i was deep in the weeds at Xbox when we were like, "do we pay for one motor or two motors?" I think the bigger story is a $499 box that doesn't have HDMI, doesn't have Wi-Fi, doesn't have a memory unit. I think lack of rumble is the least of their problems. Those are really smart guys, they've got a really great business, I'm sure they know what they're doing but it really struck me as odd.Delila: OnTheXbox.com"[The rumble] adds to the experience, feeling the explosions for example. It's gonna hurt them."Roman: Industry Analyst [Lack of rumble] is not the main thing that's going to hurt them. To me they're the loser of the show. I'm very concerned actually. Rumble is marginal compared to other issues.Cesar: Gamerscore"Not as much as the price."See also:E3 Vox Populi: What are your thoughts on the PS3 prices?E3 Vox Populi: Who had the best press conference?[Update 1: fixed horrible, horrible typos. Please forgive us!]
Dual Shake functionality tacked on at last minute
That's the impression given by a Eurogamer interview with Warhawk developer Incognito. One of the questions posed in our controller comparison editorial was in relation to how long ago the decision had been made to enhance the PS3 controller with automagical motion sensing capabilities. The article states that the developer only got their hands on the technology within the last two weeks, but the actual response given by Dylan Jobe to one of the questions is far more telling. When prompted about how long they had actually known about it, Jobe responded with, "We've really known officially for about a week and a half, and we did the final tuning just a couple of days ago."A couple of days ago? Yikes. Note to PS3 game developers: The PS3 controller has motion sensing abilities. Just thought you might like to know.[Thanks Kimmo!]
