Immersion wants Sony to upgrade rumble technology

by Chris Powell { Oct 3rd 2007 at 2:15PM }

While the announcement that Sony would finally bring the DualShock 3 to the PS3 excited us all, we couldn't help but feel a little underwhelmed when we realized the controller would utilize the same rumble technology found in the DualShock 2.

However, if Immersion CEO Vic Viegas has his way, the DualShock 3 will be just the first-generation rumble controller for the PS3. "Immersion is very motivated and very interested in working with [Sony] to bring the next generation of gaming technology because the gamers deserve a full, immersive environment where you can match high-fidelity graphics and sound with high-quality haptics," he said. "We're hoping [the DualShock 3] will be just the first step towards integrating the next-generation technology."

What makes this prospective upgrade even more plausible is the fact that Viegas says the upgrade will actually be cheaper since the old technology uses two motors, while Immersion's TouchSense technology only needs one to achieve better results. "Immersion is already committed that we won't charge anything extra for the next technology. We have a standard royalty rate ... we don't want to make this more expensive and give anyone a reason not to implement it," Viegas said.

Tags: dualshock3, immersion, rumble

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

beans @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:28PM

of course they want sony to use their new tech...that way, a few years down the line they can sue sony for infringing on something random...

Egster @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:30PM

It will probably also require a redesign of the entire controller to use the new technology effectively. I doubt Sony would want to wit that long to introduce rumble.

apease @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:50PM

Sony has the rights to use any of Immersion's tech they want, they've paid for it now. And if it did require a huge redesign, Sony's been working on the new rumble controller since last spring, and it's not out yet even in Japan.

BlackBeltJones @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:55PM

It's cheaper, better, takes up less space in the controller, and cost the same to license it, it seems that sony is passing on this so as to not inconvienince themselves. Come on sony, retrofit a factory, give the factory workers a couple days training on the new machines and get me some "next gen" rumble.

DOmeN @ Oct 3rd 2007 3:06PM

Sounds good, I look forward to seeing the new technology...or I guess I mean feeling it. ;D I'll try to track down the article but Kojima, and MGS4 report from Gamespot or 1up had mentioned an interesting use of the rumble on PS3, noting that it was direction specific. (i.e. it rumbeled in the controller where you where actually taking damage from) If I find the link I'll post it. =D

Stef Geiger @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:57PM

This is such a stupid move on Sony's part. The Dualshock 2's rumble was pretty pathetic, especially compared to the 360's controller. Now that it's apparently official that the Dualshock 3 will have the same lame tech as the PS2 did, I don't think it's worth upgrading from the sixaxis. I can't imagine what their reasoning is behind this. And I highly doubt it's an issue of wanting to get it out fast - it won't come to North America until almost a full YEAR after they settled the suit - they clearly haven't been rushing it.

HektikLyfe @ Oct 3rd 2007 2:57PM

Three words,

Rumble Power Glove.

DOmeN @ Oct 3rd 2007 3:06PM

1up article from Kojima production on the DS3
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3163213

ruibing @ Oct 3rd 2007 3:15PM

@5
I think they just wanted to get rumble out as soon as they could. It's hard to please everyone, between the people who want it as soon as possible and those who want a better version.

alienclays @ Oct 3rd 2007 3:20PM

yes, the r&d as well as dev kit updates might outweigh the benifits in this one. esp when the cost will be picked up by the consumer when they buy a second (or for most of us, a third) controller. the old school rumble tech only costs a few cents to add in anyway (a pair of mini motors and some metal weights?) and even over millions of controllers the few thousand bones they might save will probably mean little anyway. i still have yet to find someone who wont buy a ps3 simply because of rumble.

finaly, sony is not M$, desprately neeeding the profitablity of accessorys to make money. (even cogs of battle didn't do it, maybe glowing circlets 3,....)

Michael C. Sherrin @ Oct 3rd 2007 3:39PM

I am not buying a 3rd controller variation. Sony, get it right the second time. There is no third time's a charm when it comes to controllers. And frankly, why didn't Sony use the newer technology? Battery life? Or are they just mad at lawsuit-happy Immersion.

*******

Michael C. Sherrin
http://www.prodigeek.com/

Popfrogs @ Oct 3rd 2007 3:43PM

@11: You must not be a Wii owner. Those people have like 3 variations of controllers and the new step-on-me pad and whatever else they come up with in the future will just increase that number.

Then again the PS2 had DDR and some GunCon games...so...

Tim Parsons @ Oct 3rd 2007 3:58PM

hmm how can something utilizing only one Motor be Better?,. how exactly is that Rumble "touchsense" gonna be distributed throughout the controller?

bamf @ Oct 3rd 2007 3:58PM

I have read about the directional specific rumble from sites that have had hands on with the DS3 at TGS.
Better feedback than just the whole pad rumble. In FPS when getting shot you wouldn't need to have a red flash on part of the screen indicating the direction of the shooter, the rumble will show you this which is much better.