bit-gamer.net

Sony to change the PS3 controller?

Published on 15th June 2007 by Joe Martin

Sony is rumoured to be putting the Force (feedback) into the PS3 controller, but it seems to be struggling with the Midi-chlorians.

When Sony first announced it had removed the force feedback capabilities from the PlayStation 3 controller, gamers were more than a little shocked. Sony insisted for a long time that removal of the rumble pack, prompted by litigation from Immersion about the force feedback patent which ended up costing Sony over $90 million, was a move it had no regrets about taking.

However, following the settlement between Sony and Immersion, the two companies entered into a business agreement to work on future PS3 products and rumours indicated that Sony was working on re-integrating the force feedback features into the PS3 SixAxis controller. One may ask how a SixAxis motion sensitive controller can also feature force feedback, a problem which Sony claimed was the original reason it removed force feedback from the SixAxis.

Our suggestion; Ask Nintendo.

Inner Bits has posted insider information however that indicates the rumble may be returning to the PS3 soon, though Sony hasn't officially confirmed the rumour as fact or fiction.

"We can now confirm that this is the case." Writes Inner Bits "We've heard from two independent sources at Sony that they have been working on prototypes for several months."

It's not as easy as it sounds however, running a motion sensitive, wireless controller which has force feedback has left Sony with apparent battery life woes.

"Officially, the corporate line is still "no comment". Unofficially, Sony is facing some difficulties with battery life; i.e. Between the rumble and the wireless support, the batteries are draining too fast to be acceptable for consumers."

We hope that Sony can find a work-around to the problem which doesn't cut back or compromise on other features - that or just give us a decent length of cable; wires aren't really that bad. Are they?

The bad part may be if the re-adoption of this new feature pushes development of new titles back further, as developers try to take advantage of these new features. That's without counting the cost for gamers to buy a new controller, though we imagine PS3 owners must have deeper pockets than most gamers anyway.

How important is force feedback to you? Will you only use a wireless controller? Let us know in the forums.

22 Comments

Discuss in the forums Reply

DougEdey 15th June 2007, 11:41

Kinda was hinted at by Logitech when they announced their PS3 controller with Rumble.

firefly 15th June 2007, 12:09

Quote:

"Officially, the corporate line is still "no comment". Unofficially, Sony is facing some difficulties with battery life; i.e. Between the rumble and the wireless support, the batteries are draining too fast to be acceptable for consumers."

Well.. just wire the damn thing and get it out already!

I can't say there's ever been a situation where I've thought "God, I wish this controller was wireless". Running out of juice during my l33t gaming sessions is just not an option. The only exception to this rule being the Wii controller which jus flat out would not work with wires.

Can't see what Sony are procrastinating about here really, are people so hooked on wireless now that it would seem like a cop-out on Sonys part?

Veles 15th June 2007, 12:25

I think sony are realising they half baked their cake, but unfortunately lots of people have already taken a slice.

DXR_13KE 15th June 2007, 12:26

what is the battery duration on a wiimote? if the trend is to to go wireless then sony cant go wired.

rupbert 15th June 2007, 12:27

The problem many people would have is going from wirelss to wired, personally I can't stand using either my PS3 or 360 controller whilst it is being charged...

The battery life is going to be a serious issue though, so perhaps wired is the only option (unless they use a much larger battery).

mikeuk2004 15th June 2007, 12:31

Quote:

though we imagine PS3 owners must have deeper pockets than most gamers anyway.

just because the game console is £360 does not mean the people who have it have deep pockets, because someone with an expensive item does not mean they are rich. They may have saved for a long time for it.

Anyway about time too. Got to have rumble to enjoy formula 1 :) I hope rumble and a feedback wheel is out in time for the next formula 1 as I plan on getting a PS3 at xmas and dont want to have to buy new joypads and chuck the standard one.

CardJoe 15th June 2007, 12:34

They should just package a docking station and leave it wireless, or wire it. Doesn't make a difference to me.

[stuart] 15th June 2007, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by DXR_13KE
what is the battery duration on a wiimote?

I got roughly 40 hours of play during my 2 day Twilight Princess binge and this was with the cheapo no name AA batteries that come with the Wiimote.

If Nintendo can manage rumble, motion sensing and the little speaker, surely Sony can get two of the three in.

LVMike 15th June 2007, 17:20

But i think the problem as sony stated is how the sixaxis senses motion with the accelerometer vs the infrared of the wii mote. It is a problem that could be fixed but will it?

I would like to know how they intend to run rumble off of the 3.3V( if i remember right) that their LI-poly battery gives them. That battery cant have that much capacity

devdevil85 15th June 2007, 18:16

Man, about time they think about coming out with rumble. I knew of Logitech's rumble controller. In all honesty, wired sucks. Wireless is so much better in terms of hand and body placement since there's no wire there to hold you back. Another good thing: No tripping/liability claims!

DXR_13KE 15th June 2007, 22:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by LVMike
But i think the problem as sony stated is how the sixaxis senses motion with the accelerometer vs the infrared of the wii mote.

notice that the wiimote has accelerometers and rumble.

L2wis 15th June 2007, 23:44

wii remote has got it locked down :) im sure sony will figure something out! Maybe this will speed along the manufactoring of uranium fuel cells? Or better yet! Make it so u have to fill it with sugar hahaha!

Neogumbercules 16th June 2007, 00:31

I'd like the addition of rumble. I don't care if the controller is wired as long as its long enough, and Sony has always been generous with cable length. Nintendo, on the other hand, always bugged me with their gamecube controllers having like a 3 inch cord.

If they can make the controller last 5 hours before having to be charged, that would be more than enough for me. Thats enough for 2-3 play sessions for me and I can just plug it in when I'm done.

And I'm still waiting on Nintendo to release an official rechargeable battery pack for their Wii-mote. The third party ones are all terrible.

Colonel Sanders 16th June 2007, 03:10

Rumble is nice, but I don't consider it too important. Wireless is cool, but I hate worrying about batteries, and I've never had much trouble with wired controllers.

Personally, I would probbably buy a wired PS3 controller with rumble and six-axis even if there was a wireless option, I simply hate worrying about batteries.

L J

DXR_13KE 16th June 2007, 22:46

but wireless is the future :p

CollinstheClown 16th June 2007, 23:05

I'd laugh if they brought back the old version...
http://www.ps3blog.net/wp-content/ps3_controller.jpg

-CollinstheClown

mikeuk2004 17th June 2007, 00:57

I hate the position of the analogue sticks. I mean they make it so you must use them in most games so why is there still the dpad in the place where it feel more comfortable to have the analogue stick. Microsoft had got it right, I love MS 360 pads and the original xbox pad. I would also prefer the second stick where the buttons are and arch the buttons around the stick. Id think that would feel much better.

Sonys position of both sticks gives me cramp as its not natural or comfortable. They need to sort it out. What seems to be a temp fix on the Ps1 as been made fixed. I mean when the sticks came out for PS1 most games used the D-pad and not many games used the sticks so there position was out of the way and not to effect the normal play with the d-pad. PS2 used the same pad which I thought was stupid because most games were made to use the sticks and they should have replaced the d-pad then. I think they are even more stupid to use the same setup a third time. Let hope for a complete re-design.

Colonel Sanders 17th June 2007, 04:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeuk2004
I hate the position of the analogue sticks. I mean they make it so you must use them in most games so why is there still the dpad in the place where it feel more comfortable to have the analogue stick. Microsoft had got it right, I love MS 360 pads and the original xbox pad. I would also prefer the second stick where the buttons are and arch the buttons around the stick. Id think that would feel much better.

Sonys position of both sticks gives me cramp as its not natural or comfortable. They need to sort it out. What seems to be a temp fix on the Ps1 as been made fixed. I mean when the sticks came out for PS1 most games used the D-pad and not many games used the sticks so there position was out of the way and not to effect the normal play with the d-pad. PS2 used the same pad which I thought was stupid because most games were made to use the sticks and they should have replaced the d-pad then. I think they are even more stupid to use the same setup a third time. Let hope for a complete re-design.

You must not use a Playstation controller very much. Especially after playing GTA San Andreas - I abesolutely love the layout of the Playstation Controller better than any other console. *disclaimer - the Wii mote is in a different class than every other controller, but I still dispise it as I believe it is the sole reason Nintendo is shipping any Wii's. I always hated the X-Box controller for the "triggers" - all I see in triggers are a lot of slack before the thing starts to respond (just like a lot of the buttons on the GC controller). I think it is wrong to place the stick in in the "upper left" (ie GC X-Box) because that is easier to access, BUT the stick does not require "easy access" - I mean all you have to do is tilt the little thing. D-Pads are more of a challenge with 4 little buttons to push (BTW the GC d-pad is the most useless thing to ever be placed on a controller. . .). Plus, I hardly find the playstation analog stick hard to reach, I kinda think it's more comfortable in it's "odd" position.

L J

completemadness 17th June 2007, 14:59

the only problem with the PlayStation controller for me is its a bit small, some of the custom controllers are much more ergonomic, and fit your hands a lot better
Other then that, although it seems a bit odd, everything on the PS controller is at your fingertips

C-Sniper 19th June 2007, 14:35

IMHO i would just put a wire on it and say it has an infinite battery life.

bloodcar 19th June 2007, 17:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeuk2004
I hate the position of the analogue sticks. I mean they make it so you must use them in most games so why is there still the dpad in the place where it feel more comfortable to have the analogue stick. Microsoft had got it right, I love MS 360 pads and the original xbox pad. I would also prefer the second stick where the buttons are and arch the buttons around the stick. Id think that would feel much better.

Sonys position of both sticks gives me cramp as its not natural or comfortable. They need to sort it out. What seems to be a temp fix on the Ps1 as been made fixed. I mean when the sticks came out for PS1 most games used the D-pad and not many games used the sticks so there position was out of the way and not to effect the normal play with the d-pad. PS2 used the same pad which I thought was stupid because most games were made to use the sticks and they should have replaced the d-pad then. I think they are even more stupid to use the same setup a third time. Let hope for a complete re-design.

I feel the exact same way and have been adament in stating so. My favorite controller of all time is the GCN controller (although a larger D-pad would have been nicer) with the 360 controller coming in second. The 360 controller was first in my opinion until I played Spider-Man 3 this weekend and the shoulder bumper button mashing that the black suit requires makes my hand cry in pain.

There should also be a follow up on the article concerning the fact that this might not happen because of the lawsuit that Microsoft just slapped Imersion with. While I'm not a fan of massive corporate lawsuits, if it keeps Sony from having rumble controllers, I find it hilarious.

The_Beast 19th June 2007, 17:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neogumbercules
I'd like the addition of rumble. I don't care if the controller is wired as long as its long enough, and Sony has always been generous with cable length. Nintendo, on the other hand, always bugged me with their gamecube controllers having like a 3 inch cord.

same here, i don't mind if it is wired but it should have rumble