Rumble: Unofficial Confirmation?
InnerBits claim that they confirmed with “two independent sources at Sony that they have been working on prototypes for several months.” We all knew it was coming of course, ever since we heard of Sony’s deal with Immersion. Of course, we all have this small little fear that Sony won’t be issuing rumble controllers, but then common sense takes over and we realize that of course, they must be making them, right?
Which leaves just two real questions for us to ponder:
- When is this thing finally coming out?
Obviously, we want as many games as possible to support rumble, so the sooner the controllers are released, the better. Ideally the PS3 would have shipped with rumble. (I have to admit that I miss rumble more than I thought I would.) But since we can’t go back into the past to change that, at least Sony could try to release the SIXAXIS Rumbler ASAP. - Are there any cool new features?
I hope that we don’t just get a plain old re-invention of the old rumble technology. I want something new and interesting! This is next gen, dag nabbit! So let’s see some better directionality, some more interesting rumbles, and well, new stuff. There’s got to be lots of things I can’t think of right now off the top of my head.
Oh, and by the way. InnerBits is reporting that one of the biggest problems they’re having is mainting a good battery life. The controllers will have to support Bluetooh, motion sensing, and rumble, in addition to all the regular stuff. Get on it quick, boys!
Not to take the discussion to the shotbox, but come on..? Nobody likes all games, its that simple. Some like the mother, other like the daughter 
Keep your "hate-articles" coming, Gary!
June 14th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
i thought i remember some guy from Immersion stating in an article a couple of months ago that they have some really cool new feedback options, so i am thinking sony might be the first one to get axcess to theses. We will see. Im not to big on rumble but hey just another cool thing they could add on.
Now if only i could get some rhythm game love on the psn (parappa, um jammer lammy, amplitude, freguency, rez… im looking at you)
June 14th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
its called haptic:
http://www.immersion.com/corporate/press_room/what_is_haptics.php
June 14th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
I think the issue with Rumble while using motion-sensing might be more of a problem than they want to admit. After playing a bit of Super Rub-a-dub the other day, I think the motion sensor is pretty sensitive. I mean, it doesn’t take much tilt on the controller to register a full tilt in the game. (not sure if this can be changed as I just played the demo)
So, with that in mind, that means there isn’t much degree of tilt in the motion sensing mechanism. Therefore, if the controller is rumbling furiously away, I can see that it would probably affect the motion sensors to give inaccurate readings.
Just a thought. I’m sure they will figure it out in the end. Battery life is a major concern. People never consider the running extra cost of the Xbox360 with the inclusion of having to *constantly* feed the controller with AA batteries.
Smart move on Sony’s part to keep it the same as the current controllers.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Bit more detail here as well..if it’s the same as in the link below the rumble is more versatile, lower power because it’s one motor instead of two, etc, etc.
http://www.immersion.com/gaming/video_pc/next-gen/
Motion Control and Tilt Sensing
Next-gen vibration can work alongside motion-control and tilt-sensing features. Because the speed at which a user can move or tilt the controller is much slower than the frequencies generated by vibration feedback, it’s possible to differentiate these signals using filtering and other techniques.
“You’re probably asking yourself, “How can rumble be any better?” Fortunately for us, Immersion has shown us how. They have convinced us next-generation rumble is real and ready today.. . . The realism and impressiveness created by Immersion’s new TouchSense technology is unlike anything you’ll ever feel. In fact, you have probably never even imagined how precise and advanced rumble can be.”
June 14th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
ah yeah… battery life. i hadn’t thought of that. i find the ps3 controllers have excellent battery life, especially compared to wii remotes. i am replacing those wii batteries WAY too often…
June 14th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
I dont think we will get a date for the new controller at E3, because it would cannibalize sixaxis sales. And it may even impact ps3 sales because people would want to wait until the ps3’s packed with the new controllers come out. This is a very touchy situation sony has to work its way around.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:05 am
I agree with bobeotm.
If I had to guess, I would say we wont hear anything till they do a price drop to clear older inventory, then announce rumble. If they announce a rumble enabled controller coming in weeks or months it would just encourage people they were ready to buy to wait.
As Liar and Wreckheart pointed out, Sony will most likely go with more advanced rumble, if nothing else to justify past comments about rumble and stay one step ahead of the competition.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Rumble shmumble. I have two SIXAXIS pads and I won’t be buying another one until I break one of my current pads.
I haven’t missed it at all.