SIXAXIS posts (Subscribe to this feed)

Rag Doll Kung Fu producer explains game mechanic

by Andrew Yoon { Mar 25th 2009 at 4:00AM }

If you haven't played the original Rag Doll Kung Fu on PC, the upcoming PSN-exclusive Fists of Plastic may seem a bit baffling. Utilizing the analog sticks and SIXAXIS controls, this "casual" 2D fighter plays unlike any traditional beat-em-up you've seen. It's hard to fully explain the unique premise of the game, so we think this video from the PlayStation.Blog will do the job.

We're certain the motion controls will be hit-or-miss with the community. We're thinking Sony will have to release a demo to let people get a feel for themselves if the rather bizarre controls suit their taste.

Gallery: Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic

Stereotypes (and Sackboys!) in new Rag Doll Kung Fu trailer

by Andrew Yoon { Mar 12th 2009 at 5:30PM }

Sony's prepping one of its next big PSN downloads: Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic. The follow-up to Mark Healey's PC game takes full advantage of the PS3 controller, encouraging gamers to tilt and move the SIXAXIS to unleash wacky kung-fu combos. A new trailer (available after the break) highlights the game's zany characters. Pay close attention and you'll see a customizable Sackboy in the trailer as well.

The game will be available for download off the PlayStation Store in less than one month: April 9th. A demo should provide players a good taste of all the offline-only multiplayer the game has to offer.

Gallery: Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic

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New AC adapter can charge PS3 peripherals

by Justin McElroy { Oct 10th 2008 at 2:28PM }

Our friends in Japan will soon be able to free their USB ports from the tyranny of charging SIXAXISes (SIXAXES?), as Sony has announced they'll soon be releasing an AC adapter that can charge two PS3 peripherals. It's coming to Japan on Dec. 18 for 2,800 yen (about $28 USD).

No, we don't have a date on a U.S. release yet, but, our knowledgable friends at PS3 Fanboy hypothesize it will be cheaper when it reaches our shores.

Europe gets DualShock 3 July 2, UK on July 4

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jun 30th 2008 at 9:00AM }

Sony Europe announced this morning that the DualShock 3 will release in the land ~~down under~~ over there on July 2 and in the UK on July 4. The rumble-licious controller will cost £40 -- there is currently no price given in Euros.

So, happy American Independence Day merry ol' England! Crack open a can of Bud, prep some barbecue and go down to your local games shoppe and pick up a DualShock 3. Yes, it's everything the Sixaxis was supposed to be.

Gallery: DualShock 3

DualShock 3 shakes down US for $10.9 million in April

by Alexander Sliwinski { May 16th 2008 at 9:10AM }

Apparently, rumble does matter to a lot of Americans. According to SCEA, the feedback-giving DualShock 3 had $10.9 million in sales during the month of April, meaning that about 200,000 Americans were ready to put down $55 for some vibration from their PS3 controller.

As we learned from our initial impression of the DualShock 3: Yes, it's worth it. We do know that the Sixaxis is on its way out, but at this point only the MGS bundles come with the DS3. We're still waiting for the "official" changeover to occur with regular PS3 consoles.

Gallery: DualShock 3

Mirror's Edge team praises tilt controls, Cell architecture

by Andrew Yoon { May 9th 2008 at 3:00PM }

Click for high-resolution image.

Sean Decker, general manager of Battlefield developer DICE, spoke to VideoGamer.com about their upcoming Mirror's Edge. The first-person platforming/action game made its debut at PlayStation Day, which led some to believe the title was a PS3-exclusive. It's not, but the team is promising to make the most out of the PS3's unique architecture. For example, the team plans on utilizing tilt controls: "The great thing about it is that there's a lot of little things like, Faith there when she's walking like this (points to Mirror's Edge trailer showing Faith tightrope-walking across a beam), Sixaxis controls, super easy to implement and say, OK well just balance it and then you've got it there, as opposed to teaching a player to say, oh let's push this button or that button."

"The other thing is the Cell really allows us to push the resolution of our textures much higher and we've taken full advantage of that as well. So there's a lot of little quirks to it that we really like and our engineers love as well as our designers." However, Decker wouldn't go so far as saying the PS3 version is superior to the Xbox 360 version -- they're simply "different."

Gallery: Mirror's Edge

Save the Sixaxis: New MGS4 'Welcome Box' bundles announced for Japan

by James Ransom-Wiley { May 2nd 2008 at 11:00AM }

Not one to sit back and let the Sixaxis suffer into extinction, Sony Japan will carefully package the feathery gamepad into a trifecta of new Metal Gear Solid 4 bundles. Dubbed the "Welcome Box," the new limited edition bundle will be offered in three standard flavors (Clear Black, Ceramic White and Satin Silver) and will include a 40GB console, rumblin' DualShock 3 and copy of MGS4 -- oh, and yes, one's very own Sixaxis. The Welcome Box (shouldn't it be "Goodriddance Box?") will be made available in concurrence with the worldwide release of MGS4 on June 12 for a reasonable ¥49,800 (roughly $470). Comparatively, the "Hagane" Grey MGS4 bundle will retail for ¥51,800; and so essentially, Sony's offering a savings of ¥2,000 (about $20) to folks who adopt a Sixaxis. Too bad no Welcome Box's been announced for North America. We'd so love to join the cause: Save the Sixaxis!

Gallery: MGS4 Welcome Box (Japan)

SIXAXIS being discontinued in America, still no sign of DS3s in Europe

by Jem Alexander { Apr 2nd 2008 at 6:45PM }

Well hooray for that. It's about bloody time that Sony finally says that they're discontinuing the SIXAXIS controllers. They'd told Stephen Totilo of MTV exactly that, adding that once the current stock runs out (estimated to be sometime during the Summer) there will be no more. Presumably this means that DualShock 3s will be made standard pack-ins when buying a PS3. Again, it's about bloody time.

Meanwhile SCEE are remaining tight lipped regarding any date for a European launch of the new rumbling controllers. We're hoping they'll hit before June, considering how big of a fan Kojima is of using the feature. There is a rumor that DualShock 3s will be hitting Europe a month from now, on May 2nd. If we hear anything more then we'll be sure to let you know.

Sony pulling plug on SIXAXIS

by Justin McElroy { Apr 2nd 2008 at 2:30PM }

This shouldn't come as much of a ... shock, but Sony is discontinuing the Sixaxis in light of the DualShock 3's arrival, according to MTV. A Sony rep says that you can likely expect them to all be gone by summertime.

The practical upshot is that if your hands have become so atrophied from a lack of physical activity that you can no longer support the DualShock's heft, you may want to stock up on featherweight Sixaxises (Sixaxi?). Good night, sweet, almost comically light prince. And flights of angels (controllable with aftertouch) sing thee to thy rest.

DualShock 3 available next week, compatibility list released

by Alexander Sliwinski { Apr 2nd 2008 at 11:00AM }

Let's get ready to rumble! Sony's PlayStation Blog announced today that DualShock 3 controllers are currently shipping to North American stores and should be available next week. The controller originally had an April 15 release date attached to it, but can now be sold as soon as retailers receive them.

We've placed the full list of DualShock 3 compatible titles after the break; games with an asterisk require a patch (which will automatically download if you're connected online). Sony has also added a page to its official PlayStation site dedicated to listing titles with rumble. DualShock 3 compatible titles will have an icon on the box and the controller's suggested retail price is $55. For those who truly don't care about rumble, keep an eye out for falling Sixaxis prices.

Update: Edited piece after Sony let us know that the DualShock 3 compatibility page is live and confirmed the controllers can be sold as soon as retailers receive them.

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Deal of the Morning: DualShock 3 for $50

by Nick Doerr { Mar 11th 2008 at 1:15AM }

While it might not be much of a deal, Amazon currently has fresh DualShock 3 controllers listed at $50 (pre-order only, of course). From the looks of the webpage, the deal looks permanent, at least, until pre-orders end (MSRP is $54.99). The Sixaxis has been cut down to about $44, so we can assume they're trying to create a hierarchy of controllers. A fiefdom, if we may. Anyway, if you're looking for a DualShock 3 pre-order, this is probably good news for you.

Quick guide on how to use your Sixaxis on the PC

by Nick Doerr { Mar 9th 2008 at 5:15PM }

How To: Use PS3 SixAxis On PC - The best video clips are hereWe've probably talked about it before, but some people have found ways to use the PS3's Sixaxis controller on the PC. However, we've only been told things or seen images serving as proof. Now we have a fantastic tutorial video to show you how you can do it right now, at home. If the video wasn't edited at all, you could have a functioning Sixaxis on your computer in about three and a half minutes. Good luck!

Revolutionary: Controller Showdown, Round 2

by Mike Sylvester { Feb 12th 2008 at 5:00PM }

Every (other) Tuesday, Mike Sylvester brings you REVOLUTIONARY, a look at the wide world of Wii possibilities.

Some of you may have wanted to see the Wiimote and SIXAXIS dropped on an island with explosive collars around their necks, forced to fight a deathmatch, but Battle Royale this is not. Nintendo and Sony would happily accept you placing both consoles in your entertainment center, because they offer up different experiences. Getting a DVD player doesn't require the discontinuation of cable TV service, nor does it render your iPod obsolete. But they are similar in that they are gaming input devices, so there will naturally be some overlap in possible applications. It's for that reason we're interested in seeing which controller is better at what. So with no further ado: Round 2. Fight!

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Lair control fix may be in the works

by Justin McElroy { Feb 12th 2008 at 10:55AM }

The shoddy SIXAXIS controls may not be Lair's only problem, but it's certainly the one that's taken the brunt of the criticisms pointed at the game. Throughout it all developer Factor 5 has insisted that motion-controlled dragons were the only way to go, but it seems that they may finally be softening.

Recently, the company's president, Julian Eggebrecht, told IGN "If we find a chance in the future that would bring Lair to the audience which didn't get any access, that would be fantastic," he said. "I can't say anything quite yet, but there might be something in the works there. We might have a chance yet to bring those back to the table and hopefully, if that should happen, they would give the game a second chance." Now, as much as we'd like to see a patch, we get the sneaking suspicion he's hinting at a sequel. What does it sound like to you?

[Update: More of Eggebrecht's quote added.]

[Via PS3F]

Factor 5 might finally fix Lair's control scheme

by Chris Powell { Feb 12th 2008 at 9:30AM }

It's no secret many gamers aren't very happy with Lair's SIXAXIS control scheme. And despite overwhelming requests by gamers the world over for Factor 5 to issue a patch to rectify the issue, months have gone by without any fix for this issue.

However, Factor 5's President Julian Eggebrecht recently hinted that a fix may finally be in the pipeline. "I can't say anything quite yet, but there might be something in the works there," he said. Additionally, he admitted the decision to only include the SIXAXIS control scheme was a mistake. "If you're on a platform where this whole motion control is something new and not being pitched as the main feature of the platform, you should probably give the choice between having different control schemes, there is absolutely no doubt about it," he added.

It's hard not to agree with Eggebrecht, but what a lot of gamers out there want is just a fix for what many believe is crippling controls for an otherwise decent game. Hopefully, Factor 5 chooses to give us what we want.