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Analog trigger squeezes its way onto PlayStation Motion Controller

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 28th 2009 at 4:00PM }

Sony's R&D guru Richard Marks made a recent appearance on the PlayStation.Blog to talk more about the PlayStation Motion Controller. In a new seven minute video (after the break), Marks spent a bit more time going through the various technology demos first unveiled during E3. While Sony commented that the ball-on-a-stick design was simply a prototype, the controller in Marks's hand doesn't appear to be very different (if at all) to what was shown earlier this year.

In addition to reiterating claims of its accuracy and the importance of tactile buttons, Marks mentioned a few details that you may not have known about the controller. Firstly, he talks about the controller's analog trigger: "It has this analog trigger which really is a great metaphor for squeezing and grabbing. So you can grab and you can put as much pressure as you want to grab something with, which is really great for picking things up or for giving you the ability to just interact with the scene in a way that's completely different than we've been able to do before."

Next, he confirms that the controller will be able to rumble, much like Nintendo's Wii Remote. "It can give you some feedback about what's happening through rumble, which is very private and only you are getting." Private? We're not sure that's the best word (note: link slightly NSFW) to use when describing force feedback.

Continued →

Sony to never stop getting sued for rumble technology

by Griffin McElroy { May 19th 2009 at 1:55PM }

It's been more than two years since Immersion and Sony settled their kerfluffle over the latter party's infringement on the former's "haptic feedback" (rumble) technology. However, Sony's not quite out of the woods yet -- it's currently the subject of yet another civil suit, filed this time by Craig Thorner, an engineer who also held a number of patents relating to haptic feedback.

Brace yourselves -- this gets confusing. After its settlement with Sony, Immersion was set to take on Performance Designed Products (PDP) for similar rumble-yoinking reasons. PDP contacted Thorner for some pre-litigious preparation. They negotiated terms for the licensing of his patents -- though Thorner used the same lawyers who represented Sony to help with said negotiation. His complaint is that these lawyers got him unfavorable results in the negotiation, including low royalty payments, and the inclusion of a provision that would grant a patent license to Sony.

So, technically, Sony's getting sued for patent infringement and legal malpractice. Hopefully, no suspected shady dealings will go down in this case. We'd hate to see Sony get stuck in some sort of inescapable infinite lawsuit loop.

Update: Turns out we've already turned your attention to this intense legal showdown. Consider this a helpful accidental reminder!

Immersion shakes $20.75 million into Microsoft's coffers

by Alexander Sliwinski { Aug 27th 2008 at 12:30PM }

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

by Griffin McElroy { Jul 6th 2008 at 2:00PM }

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

by Jem Alexander { Mar 28th 2008 at 4:10PM }

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

by Andrew Yoon { Mar 11th 2008 at 6:00PM }

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: Nyko PS3 Zero controller

Continued →

Nyko's Zero Wireless PS3 controller wins race to rumble ... or does it?

by James Ransom-Wiley { Mar 7th 2008 at 7:00PM }

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

by Nick Doerr { Mar 7th 2008 at 2:30PM }

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: Nyko PS3 Zero controller

Device converts controller rumble to electric shocks

by Kyle Orland { Mar 6th 2008 at 12:20PM }

"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?

by Jem Alexander { Jan 28th 2008 at 9:35AM }

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

by Andrew Yoon { Dec 22nd 2007 at 9:50PM }

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 ...

DualShock 3 rumble works with PS2 games

by Justin McElroy { Nov 14th 2007 at 9:55AM }

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

by Andrew Yoon { Nov 14th 2007 at 9:40AM }

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

by Andrew Yoon { Nov 12th 2007 at 9:19AM }

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

by Andrew Yoon { Nov 1st 2007 at 2:00PM }

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).