Get your hands off my SIXAXIS -- er, PS3 controller
by Nick Doerr 
{ Sep 14th 2006 at 6:30PM }
Personally, the name Boomerang would have worked better if they kept the original model (even if it looked kind of odd, but it's still missed) than the rumored "SIXAXIS", or "S-AXIS" as we'll call it for short, for the final PS3 controller. Besides, S-AXIS floats off the tongue better, though not a palindrome. Someone checked the patent records for the term "sixaxis" and came up with a bunch of neon-colored Sony signs (not really). Sony representatives said they've not yet announced a name for their new controller, but this influx of information does point to SIXAXIS as a fine guess. What think you, avid readers? Does SIXAXIS work well for you?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ghost @ Sep 14th 2006 7:02PM
Nope.
Colin @ Sep 14th 2006 7:17PM
I don't mind sixaxis. Its a little odd, but I like the palindrome aspect.
And come on, its not like dualshock was the greatest name either. I don't think I ever said 'hey buddy, pass me the dualshock (tm), I wanna play ps2 (tm)'.
So as a marketing/labelling name, I think SIXAXIS works. They can play on the palindrome aspect, and obviously implies it's motion abilities.
Silver R. Wolfe @ Sep 14th 2006 7:45PM
I think that the SIXAXIS has good marketing potential just because of the palindrome aspect (Like the band NIN did).
I don't like it much though.
Nick James @ Sep 15th 2006 2:55PM
How about you just call it "PlayStation 3 Controller"? Who the hell cares what it's called? Unless it's something like Wiimote or Power Glove... it's a freakin' controller. Hm. Both those are Nintendo accessories. Odd. For the record though, SIXAXIS sounds silly and no one will refer to it as such. It will just be "the PS3 controller" or "PS3 gamepad"
Josh Glaser @ Sep 15th 2006 5:28PM
Wow, I didn't even notice the palindrome-ness until you guys pointed it out. Awesome.
Better yet, to make the name a visual palindrome (that is, half of it a reflection of the other half) the only letter that would have to be backwards is the second "S," and we see enough of those to recongnize them. (Backwards "Q"s are different.)
Of course, that's assuming that Sony uses SIXAXIS in all-caps (which is a given) and doesn't use the italicized Spider-Man font. And anything that doesn't use the horrific Spider-Font is good with me.
I actually really liked the "DualShake" name Joystiq & Co. came up with it, but SIXAXIS is fine too.
alienclay @ Sep 16th 2006 12:39AM
.... a little off topic,..
hey sony, instead of normal force feedback, how about gyroscopic response.
think about this, you're playing grand turismo using the tilt to steer and L2/R2 for brake and gas and what not, but the controller has two or more gyros inside to create vibration less resistance to control via rotational inertia. this can simulate the 'grip' of the car if you will and when you hit a tight turn at higher speeds you can turn up the gyro speed to simulate g forces. hit the turn too hard and you can release the grip buy de-accellerating the gyros to remove the inertia as the car spins out. this type of feedback is beyond spinning some little weights on mini motors, and only provides feedback when the player moves the controller. maybe that will help with legal stuff under a new patent...
or not ...