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80GB PS3 has limited backwards compatibility
We're still attempting to confirm what the new red light means on the PS3 controller from Sony*, but what we can confirm is that the new 80GB PS3 will have limited backwards compatibility. Clearly stated on the box, the system has apparently gotten rid of the chip previously used for US backwards compatibility and switched over to the European software version.The box states: "This product has limited backwards compatibility with PlayStation and PlayStation 2 format software ... visit www.us.playstation.com for system software update." We're attempting to find out if the new 60GB versions rolling off the assembly line will also switch over to the BC software. So, if you're really into your old PS and PS2 games, might want to check and see if they are compatible with the software or get a system currently available before the switch.*Update: From Dave Karraker, Sr. Director, Corporate Communications regarding the red light: "It is just a lighting trick. Nothing different or new about it."
Red lighting on 80GB PS3 box not a sign of rumble [update]
One single red light has spurred rumors that the newly-announced 80GB PlayStation 3 has a shaking Sixaxis controller (or "shake-axis," if you will) packed into the SKU. Another clue comes from an Engadget reader who says that the Contents section of the box has "more text describing the SIXAXIS item than can be found on the 60GB box."To us, the Home button light looks just like a reflection of the background. Or maybe it's just a cosmetic difference so you can say, "hey guys, I bought an 80GB PS3 and here's my red light Sixaxis to prove it!" We've contacted Sony for more information. From Dave Karraker, Sr. Director, Corporate Communications: "It is just a lighting trick. Nothing different or new about it."Update: According to Patrick Seybold on the official PlayStation.Blog, "Just want to clarify for those wondering why the PS Button on the controller is red. That is what happens when you charge the ... 'debug' controller. It is not a sign or indication of a new/different controller with the 80GB model."[Via Engadget, PS3 Fanboy; thanks, BulletToothTony]
Sony's 80GB PS3 to include SIXAXIS with rumble?
It's all coming so fast. No sooner does Sony fess up to August price cuts than we start hearing tell of a response from the 360 camp, and now it sounds like Sony has even more goodies for the PS3 faithful. First off is a Circuit City memo that got forwarded to us showing those price cuts indeed happening today. It'll get advertised next week, but if those shelf jockeys are doing their jobs, you should supposedly be able to walk into a Circuit City right this minute and walk out with a brand new 60GB PS3 for $499. To add further drama to the situation, people are taking clues from the 80GB PS3 box as proof of the inclusion of a "Rumblaxis" (fancy new word courtesy of PS3 Fanboy) controller being included with the new system that's set to launch in August. People are conjecturing the red light on the Home button is a clue to such rumble functionality, and eagle-eyed readers have also noted that the "Contents" section of the box has more text describing the SIXAXIS item than can be found on the 60GB box. To be honest, we're not spotting the difference, but feel free to make up your own mind with the links provided below. Check out the Circuit City memo after the break.[Thanks, Vagrant Pistol]Read - Red light Rumblaxis theory [Via PS3 Fanboy]Read - Contents flap Rumblaxis theory [Thanks, Jeremy]Read - Original box photos
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Fun speculation: 80GB PS3 to come with rumble Sixaxis?
[Update: The SIXAXIS controller has featured a red light in promotional materials since launch. The red light is not indicative of a redesigned controller.]Let's keep the wave of slightly related news going. With the announcement of the 80GB PS3 and the price drop of the current model, everybody looked over a detail that may be important. Then again, it may be nothing at all. Over at PSU, the writers thought it worthwhile to point out that on the box for the 80GB PS3, the included controller was lit up all red in the circle we know as either the Home button, PS button, or clear button where the "Analog" button used to be. Why is it red? They feel it's because the controller is actually the new Rumblaxis controller (though we just made up the name).This doesn't sound too far-fetched. Why else would they delay the new SKU until August, if not to wait until they can toss the new controller into the box? While it was just a picture with a lit-up button, we're going to nod along with PSU on this one and say that yes, in fact, the 80GB PS3 launching in August will come with the new rumbling Sixaxis controller.[Thanks, Justin!]
Rumor: Rumbling Sixaxis gains touch sensitivity, little added cost
Here's a news piece that will be a joy for your hands. You may use them to clap softly to yourself if you'd like, but we prefer shaking them violently as if they were holding a rumble controller with Sixaxis capabilities plus touch sensitivity. At the same price as current Sixaxis controllers. PSM France report that this so-called "Touchsense" ability gives a new sensation to the last-gen rumble we're used to. Random shaking caused by two twirling hammers or whatever. So lame! This new rumble allows your hands to grab a sensation from not only the handles, but through the "levers" as well. We're fairly sure that means the analog sticks. They're kind of levers.The rumor spawning this information states that the cost to manufacture all this new technology is actually cheaper than previous rumble mechanisms, thus adding very little cost to the Sixaxis, if any at all. Along with this little tip, it seems PSM France found it prudent to claim an upcoming firmware update will enable rumble for backwards compatible titles. We'll see if these rumors are true at E3 next week![via Joystiq]
Rumor: Rumbling Sixaxis to gain touch sensitivity as well
First PSM reported that the Sixaxis would be recreated with rumble this year, and now their French colleaugues at PSM France report (by way of Maxconsole) that the pad will not only rumble but will feature touch sensitivity as well. The "Touchsense" functionality will enable a more nuanced rumble that's not only felt through the Sixaxis' handles but through the "levers" as well (analog sticks?).Sounds great, but what's all this fancy new rumble going to cost us? Despite being more powerful, this rumor claims that the "engine" is cheaper to build than previous rumble mechanisms and should therefore add little to the cost of the controller, welcome news for owners of the rumble-free Sixaxis. And great news for your PS2 titles: the mag also claims that a new PS3 firmware update should enable rumble for your backcompat titles. If the rumors about a new Sixaxis are true, we hope to hear more at E3 next week. [Via Engadget]
New details surface on Sony's rumbling SIXAXIS
Managed to not entirely forget that Sony owes us all a rumbling SIXAXIS or two? If so, you may actually be delighted to hear that the end result could be quite the device if whispers stemming from the latest issue of PSM France are to be believed. Reportedly, the forthcoming controller will not only sport a vanilla rumble, but it will also boast a "touch sense" feature that allows rumbles to emanate from specific locales on the device. Additionally, the shakin' is said to be "more powerful and more intense" than prior renditions on the PS2, which means that the 90-pound wusses in the crowd best get to the weight room, and programmers are purportedly working to enable shorter bursts of sensation to make even the most subtle of movements ones you can feel. Now, how's about a release date?
Deal of the Day: SIXAXIS for $40
Controllers don't come cheap these days. Sony's tilting PS3 controller usually retails for $50, but amazon.com is having a special sale, knocking the price down to $40 (with free shipping to boot!). If you're not waiting for a controller that can rumble (and who knows when that'll arrive), this might be what you need to finally start playing some multiplayer PS3 games.[Via CAG]
Sony not talking about rumble
Sony has refused comment on whether a PS3 controller with rumble is coming. GI.biz says that neither Sony Computer Entertainment of America nor Europe would comment on stories that began circulating last week of an impending rumble feature.It's really such a silly story not to comment on. It's like watching someone making a cake, asking them what they're doing and they say, "Nothing." And it sure looks like that cake is vibrating. We don't know if this rumble feature is supposed to be some big Min-E3 reveal, but we're hopeful that an announcement is due soon. If so, we're wondering if Sony has a great PR message set up explaining why early adopters would want to pay for new controllers. Or maybe, and this would be shocking, Sony could set up a reasonable exchange program to send in your old Sixaxis for a new one. Yeah, sounds crazy, but at least it would diminish hard feelings.
Battery life proving problematic in adding rumble to SIXAXIS?
It's unlikely that we'll be the only ones thrilled to see this fiasco finally reach closure, and even though the dust has somewhat settled, the PS3 faithful are still operating sans a first-party rumbling controller. Rumors may have suggested that such a device was indeed getting ready to launch in the not too distant future, but according to a blurb at Inner Bits, battery life could be holding things up. While it doesn't come without a tad of salt, Sony is reportedly "facing some difficulties with regard to battery life," as sources supposedly mentioned that "the rumble and wireless support" were causing the batteries to "drain too fast to be acceptable for consumers." Of course, there's always the third-party alternative if you're not picky, but those holding out for the real deal could be waiting a tick longer if this proves true.[Via Joystiq]
Battery life could be prohibiting rumble in Sixaxis
Sources close to Inner Bits reportedly tell them that Sony unsurprisingly has been working for the past few months on engineering the Sixaxis controller to shake and rattle (it already rolls). The problem currently lies with battery life. "Between the rumble and the wireless support, the batteries are draining too fast to be acceptable for consumers," said the report. The project has been going on for months and Inner Bits believe (as do we) that Sony will manage to find an efficient solution.One point the report brings up is Sony public relations, as they have in the past cited rumble as "not next-gen" (pending a now-settled Immersion lawsuit) and then getting those who already have rumble-less Sixaxis pads to upgrade. Rumble has rarely been used as an integral feature to gameplay (one exception includes finding hidden objects in Psychonauts).[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Battery life the main obstacle for rumbling Sixaxis?
Innerbits, the site that posted the awesome breakdown of XMB memory costs last month, has come through again with a great article about the upcoming rumble-capable Sixaxis. According to the site, they've gotten confirmation from two different sources at Sony that they have been working on a rumbling Sixaxis for several months now and are just trying to work out the last of the kinks. Currently, the biggest issue is battery life -- or the lack thereof. Evidently between the rumble and the wireless support, the battery has been draining too fast to be considered acceptable. As it is now, Sony touts 30 hours of battery life per charge on the Sixaxis and while Innerbits didn't specify what the current battery life of a rumbling Sixaxis is, you can assume that anything less than 5-10 hours per charge will be considered unacceptable. Nobody wants to have to hook up their controller in the middle of a marathon game of Warhawk.The article also talks about some of the PR problems that Sony will face with the release of a new controller. PS3 owners who have already bought the original Sixaxis will now have to either deal with the lack of rumble or go out and buy 2-4 new controllers, and that adds up to no small chunk of change. Also after Sony has maligned rumble-support as 'last-gen', will consumers be willing to embrace their sudden about-face? Relevant questions for sure, but considering how PS3 owners have been clammoring for rumble support it's likely that they will be willing to purchase additional controllers. What about you guys? Would you replace your original Sixaxis controllers for a more rumbly one?
Logitech Cordless Precision for PlayStation 3 brings the rumble, forgets the motion
Why Logitech decided to eschew a "next-gen" feature for a "last-gen" one in its newest PS3 controller we'll never know, but the esteemed peripherals manufacturer is nonetheless poised to loose its rumble-tastic, accelerometer-free Cordless Precision for PlayStation 3 on the gaming world. IGN got a first look at the SIXAXIS competitor, and while they appreciate the build quality, battery life, and solid wireless connection, the lack of motion sensing, crappy D-pad, and absence of Bluetooth-related functionality (the Precision requires a USB dongle to communicate with the console) aren't worth the ten dollar discount you're getting when compared to a first-party offering. Plus, now that Sony and Immersion have finally made nice, you're bound to see some Bluetooth gamepads incorporating both force feedback and tilty goodness in the very near future.[Via Joystiq]
Logitech: PS3 controller alternative, or shenanigans?
Calling Logitech's new wireless controller a "PS3 controller" is a bit of a stretch. We'd love to watch anyone with this controller play Folklore once it comes out. Yeah, having trouble capturing those souls? It's because the darn thing doesn't have any motion-sensing technology in it. They gave it rumble, though. This brings us back to our original point -- this controller is not a PlayStation 3 controller, rather, a wireless PlayStation 3 compatible controller to play your PS2 games with the rumble goodness you so dearly miss.For $40 and the added joy of repeated AA battery purchases (50 hour battery life? Hats off, if possible), did Logitech really think this peripheral through before releasing it to the masses? If it's going to be a PlayStation 3 controller, it should include both rumble and motion. It's called forward-thinking. PS3 will have rumble eventually, but motion is an integral part of the system. Bottom line: if you want to play your PS2 games wirelessly on the PS3 with rumble, this is a decent option. Don't try to play Lair with it, though. Your dragon will never, ever, ever move.[via Joystiq]
Do people play your PS3 without permission? Lock up that Sixaxis
You read correctly. Lock the Sixaxis. No, no, the controller itself doesn't have any sort of fancy locking feature, but a new, mostly worthless, peripheral has been showcased at Taiwan's Computex Taipei 2007 event for hardware and peripherals. This peripheral looks like a gigantic ... uh ... white leech and locks your Sixaxis or DualShock by its analog sticks. There's a three-digit code to unlock your controller, but since the thing appears to be plastic, there are always other ways to get to it.Our question is this: who cares? The only people that should consider this are those with young siblings who either screw up your game or haphazardly delete your game saves. If you've got a lot of roommates (assuming you're in that college demographic) and they play your PS3 more than you can, it might be an all right investment. You'll definitely come off as a jerk, though. Regardless, we love our silly peripherals at PS3 Fanboy, so we thought we'd alert you to this one. Thoughts?
Has Sony failed to understand the casual gamer?
In a recent interview with GI.biz, Nintendo VP of marketing, George Harrison, said that Sony and Microsoft have both attempted to woo the casual gamer but both failed due to a lack of understanding of the casual gamer. Specifically, Harrison mentioned the Sixaxis as Sony's failure:"We can already see some of the things they've tried. For last year's E3, at the last minute, Sony rushed out their Sixaxis controller as an effort to respond to the Wii remote. We saw Microsoft roll out Viva Piñata as their killer app for the Pokemon set. And neither of those worked really well.It's true that Nintendo knows how to dominate a certain kind of casual gamer market, but it seems a bit disingenuous to be writing off the Sixaxis as a failed attempt to capture Nintendo's market share. Sony has never particularly positioned that motion-sensitivity of the Sixaxis as a lure to the casual gamer. They've marketed it as a feature that adds to existing games and allows you to do things you've never done before (see LAIR and Warhawk). It's true that they have utilized the motion sensitivity aspect of the controller to create more easily accessible games like Blast Factor, flOw and Super Rub-a-Dub, but unlike Nintendo, thats that's clearly not their whole focus.
Rumor has it the PS3's SIXAXIS ready to rumble this year
While it's indeed completely plausible -- even likely -- that we'll see rumble in the SIXAXIS this year courtesy of Sony's new deal with Immersion, it's also important to remember there are many kinds of rumor, and the type that originates from internet message boards, well, just don't say we didn't clarify where this one came from. According to a GameFAQs posting, the new issue of PSM itself is supposedly publishing what they too identify as a rumor that Sony's set to announce SIXAXIS rumble for the PS3 at E3 in July, which will have new controllers land on November 13th. So hey take this rumor within a rumor how you will, but Sony's got to announce something at E3, don't they?[Via Joystiq]
Sixaxis to gain rumble capabilities sometime this year
The latest issue of PlayStation Magazine, according to a member over at the GameFAQs forum, the instigation of a rumbling Sixaxis may come sooner than expected. Ever since the lawsuit and all the hubbub with Immersion simmered down, everybody has been waiting for an announcement about rumble's "last-gen" technology making a comeback.It seems the wait will not be as long as we expected. Even though Sony's talking heads dodge the question like its a flaming shuriken, a rumble-axis has been in the works for a bit and will be announced at the upcoming E3 event, followed by the announcement that a release will be scheduled for the redesigned controller for mid-November. Tilting and rumbling? We can't wait. We wonder, though -- will older PS3 games be able to update their software to include rumble technology?[via Joystiq]
LocoRoco creator thinks Sixaxis and Wiimote are pretty much the same
During an interview with LocoRoco creator Tsutomu Kouno, GamesIndustry.BIZ grilled him about his thoughts on the Wii. In being an employee for Sony, Kouno thinks that the Sixaxis and Wiimote are very similar, just that the Wiimote uses a pointing device where the Sixaxis is completely motion-sensing. "I don't have much interest in making a game for Wii," he says, adding that he's "already played Wii and checked out how the controller works." Personally, we think he's a bit nutty to not find the control scheme innovative. But, then again, all everyone seems to want to do with the Wiimote is make minigames, so maybe he's a bit jaded.What do you guys think? Are the Wiimote and Sixaxis basically the same?
SGD '07: Wii Sports-like bowling game for PSN
Sony revolutionizes the games industry yet again by introducing a sports game that detects your motion through the controller! Instead of pressing buttons, one can hold the controller and move it as if it were a real bowling ball. We love the idea!But in all honesty, we think that the SIXAXIS may not be as well-suited for this type of gameplay as other consoles. Joystiq's Kevin Kelly tried the game, and as we suspected, didn't have the easiest time with the game: "You literally flip the controller on its side, hold it with your thumb between the analog sticks, and then sweep your arm gracefully along an arc while holding and releasing one of the buttons to send your ball down the alley. Sound simple? Well, it is and it isn't. Holding the SIXAXIS like that feels really, really weird. It's like we're wired or programmed to hold that controller with both hands, and doing something like that makes our gamer genes cry out in pain. Although, in all honesty, once we got the hang of it, it wasn't all that bad." So while not truly revolutionary, High Velocity Bowling should offer some motion-sensing fun for the Wii-less. Because it's coming through the PLAYSTATION Network, this experiment in copycat design should, at the very least, be affordable.
