New PS3 controller loses DualShock vibration
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ May 9th 2006 at 2:30AM }
According to Sony's latest press release, the new PlayStation 3 controller -- or the 'DualShake' -- will not feature DualShock (vibration) support. It should be noted that the Wii controller will "Pursuant to the introduction of this new six-axis sensing system, the vibration feature that is currently available on DUALSHOCK and DUALSHOCK 2 controllers for PlayStation and PlayStation 2, will be removed from the new PS3 controller as vibration itself interferes with information detected by the sensor."
Might we also add that this is a convenient way for Sony to distance itself from the troubles surrounding the DualShock technology?
[Via Sony news release; included in press kit distributed at E3 keynote]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ritz @ May 9th 2006 2:36AM
Not worth my money.
Too many features I don't want. A price I don't want. Functions I want but don't exist.
/gg Sony.
AlexHeinz @ May 9th 2006 2:41AM
Has anyone else noticed the new button in the center of the controller? 100 bucks say it takes you to the PS3's dashboard.
jopojelly @ May 9th 2006 2:41AM
wahaha, vibrate, wth?
Freddy Q @ May 9th 2006 2:43AM
suck for them hahaha Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Alkaiser @ May 9th 2006 2:47AM
Good riddance.
Rumble is one of the most useless features in games today. All it does is assist carpal tunnel syndrome all for a little bit more extra "immersion".
Zero_ @ May 9th 2006 2:49AM
Why doesn't Sony just say, "We can't put vibration 'cuz we got owned in court"?
Freddy Q @ May 9th 2006 2:50AM
R u kidding? Rumble helps the user feel the action.... like in a fps u get hit u feel it.... u no without looking that you got hit... it adds a whole lot to the gaming expo....
bran @ May 9th 2006 2:51AM
obviously Alkaiser never got the stone of agony...
Vezquex @ May 9th 2006 2:52AM
It does get annoying at times, but try turning it off sometime, say in Gran Turismo. Go ahead; you'll miss it.
jc @ May 9th 2006 2:53AM
This is huge. Will really put a cramp in any racing game. Do you want to steer by moving your controller left and right? I remember doing this with the power glove and it was really hard to steer.
However, racing games really need rumble. When you crash into something its gotta rumble. Its just gotta.
Now I'll definately get a PS3 no question. However, this just means that if theres a multiplatform racing game that I want (like burnout) I'll be getting the 360 version instead of the PS3 version. Ditto for madden. I'd much rather have my controller rumble when I get tackled.
Toast @ May 9th 2006 2:56AM
Um...who cares. The rumble feature is worthless its not realistic at all. I dont know why people are crying about it so much. I never here in game reviews people cite the dual shock as being incredible. They never mention it. Your experience will not be diminished at all with its abscence. Just like #5 said Good Riddance.
starbeamalpha @ May 9th 2006 2:58AM
They used super technology to make it even lighter than the ps2 controller! (by super technology I mean take out rumble)
bran @ May 9th 2006 3:00AM
super technology FTW!
starbeamalpha @ May 9th 2006 3:01AM
2011 May 7th - DualShake taken out of the new PS4 controller!
What the people are saying:
Um...who cares. The shaking feature is worthless its not realistic at all. I dont know why people are crying about it so much. I never here in game reviews people cite the dual shake as being incredible. They never mention it. Your experience will not be diminished at all with its abscence. Just like #5 said Good Riddance.
dsub @ May 9th 2006 3:03AM
All this proves is that sony did a piss-poor job of implementing the gyro feature. If nintendo can implement it without interefering sony should be able to as well...or could it be that this controller was half-assed and is a frankenstein creation of a last minute idea to rip off nintendo? (Say what you want, you damn well know sony wouldn't be doing this if nintedo weren't, so spare me the "so and so did it before nintendo" line)
That or they are just using it as an excuse to get rid of the whole dual-shock mess.
Toast @ May 9th 2006 3:06AM
Sony has been so used to ripping off nintendo for years this is old hat. Really if u look at the history this is nothing new. Samething with Microsoft stealing from apple to get where it is. Whatever will get them ahead they will do.
bobdole @ May 9th 2006 3:07AM
Good force feedback should be sublime. The user shouldn't notice it exists, because it's so seamless. The best example I can think of is the space jump in Metroid Prime. It probably took me like two hours of play after getting it to realize there was an extra 'whoosh' on the second jump, but not because it was weak. It was because it felt so right I didn't even notice it was happening.
Good special effects don't look like special effects, they look real, and that's what makes them great.
That being said, I'll miss force feedback for PS3. You don't realize how important it is until it isn't there (think Rez).
Morgon @ May 9th 2006 3:09AM
Also, didn't Sony say that the system would be able to support 7 controllers, being Bluetooth?
The new controller shown only has indicators for 4.
Add this to the list of 'features' it backpedaled on.
Sony's definitely at the farm, cash in hand.
starbeamalpha @ May 9th 2006 3:10AM
Apple stole Xerox's GUI (graphic user interface)...
Sean @ May 9th 2006 3:11AM
#6, and apparently force feedback removes your ability to spell the word "you".
Phizzle @ May 9th 2006 3:19AM
I Think this just shows that Sony is try to be like the 360 and the Wii, they need to learn that they can't be both. This is just a stupid move by Sony, as of right now it might sound cool but after a while I don't think it will ever get used. It will be just like the eye toy, and giving up the dualshock for this is just plain old stupid.
skyman8081 @ May 9th 2006 3:22AM
My question is, How will this affect PS1&2 games that expect the rumble feature to be present for gameplay uses? Wouldn't this render some the gameplay experience for some games unplayable? (e.g. the first MGS game, or any game for the PS1/2 that had something like OoT's "Stone of Agony")
This might have an interesting effect of Backwards compatability of previous generation games. And guaranteeing a bitchfest about BC being "broken" on the PS3.
Matt @ May 9th 2006 3:22AM
#19, you;re an idiot. If by stole you mean took an interface that required a 5 button mouse and a keyboard to navidate and created the point and click interface that defines modern computing, then you're right, they did "steal" the gui from Xerox. This is no exageration, if you were to attempt to use Xerox's gui today you would have no idea what is going on but if you used the original Mac you'd feel right at home; that's because the Xerox interface was a neanderthal when compared to the MacOS's homo sapien. Get your facts straight before you spout useless dribble.
As for the PS3 vs. the Wii. Sony's screwed. Don't get me wrong, I love my PS2 and will never buy an Xbox of any kind, but Sony has been making wrong move after wrong move. It's fine if you want to argue that rumble is a "useless" feature but when paying $599 I expect that a feature standard on every other console for the last generation is included in my new investment. This price point is a big mistake and Sony's going to live to regret it.
But that's okay, Wii, here I come (despite your stupid name).
3rd party @ May 9th 2006 3:22AM
I'm sure 3 party controllers will pick up the slack and the consumer demands. They seem to always do. Logitech for example.
Madthijs @ May 9th 2006 3:22AM
And they still didn't figure out how the dual analog sticks are supposed to be positioned. Damn, I really don't like the PS2 controller as the analog sticks are not where they are supposed to be. The XBOX360 controllor is much better. Also, force feed is, when done properly, great. The new XBOX360 controller has it down right. FOr everyone that only played with a PS2 controller... Yeah, their force feedback sucked. It's just to hard, the whole thing shakes it's ass off... It should be more refined.
And in racing games, you'll need it badly as to know when you're hitting the curbstones, or going off track.
PS: I'm not a fanboy, honestly. I just really don't like th PS2 controller and can't believe that Sony didn't come up with something new... more refined.
Jon @ May 9th 2006 3:31AM
Wow...what a glaring ommission...I thought this was supposed to be Next Gen???
MegaWatts @ May 9th 2006 4:56AM
Sony got pwned in court and are lying to the fanboys. :) Funny.
Paul Cosgrove @ May 9th 2006 4:57AM
"vibration itself interferes with information detected by the sensor"
How sensitive is this thing, if a little rumble would put it off? If it's really that touchy about movement, can it be that useful in a game? Even *breathing* might throw you off-course.
Pseudo @ May 9th 2006 5:27AM
"I'm sure 3 party controllers will pick up the slack and the consumer demands."
Hmmm... think this through... if the PS3 doesn't support rumble, then PS3 games won't ever include an instruction for the controller to rumble. Sure, 3rd parties could make rumble controllers, but they would never actually vibrate because the games would never tell them to! The best they could do would be to shake at loud noises. Which would be CRAPPY.
Spider @ May 9th 2006 5:31AM
Has anyone considered that the gyro feature in the Wii controller is in the nunchucka unit and not the remote (the part that will most like have the rumble)?
nestlequ1k @ May 9th 2006 5:48AM
#28... Sony's thing about force feedback messing up the tilt is bogus. The real reason they cant include vibration is because there was a lame ass company that patented it, was bought out partially by Microsoft, and now they refuse to let Sony use rumble unless they pay a ridiculous fee. The US patent system is fuct, so we cant really blame sony for this ommission. But what the heck, we will anyways. Actually any reasons a good reason to blame Sony for something. 99 outta 100 they deserve it.
hutchi @ May 9th 2006 7:26AM
@ #18 ... 1+4 = 5 , 2+4 = 6, 3 + 4 = 7 that mean two lights to represent numbers 5,6 and 7.
hutno @ May 9th 2006 8:29AM
Oh sweet another reason for Sony to create an external rumble peripheral that will cost you extra $$$. Maybe a wireless Bluettoth vest or something for about $100 with lots of non sensical technology.
Danno @ May 9th 2006 8:37AM
How is the lockpicking supposed to work in the Splinter Cell games without rumble?
I always thought that was a clever part of the game.
Prof-KOS @ May 9th 2006 9:02AM
What a blatant attempt to avoid further legal action while avoiding further R&D costs of trying to come up with a way to do it without stealing the tech.
Kutaragi: My console is so much better than yours. It can process graphics in HD, output to 2 TV at once, sense 3D movement of the controller, and it's a Blu-Ray player.
Iwata: My company was able to incorporate a 10 year old technology that all consoles have had since and gamers expect.
Kutaragi: Uhhhh...yeah.....Well, it's not important anyway.
Jibaro009 @ May 9th 2006 9:54AM
Sony is doing a very good job lossing future marketshare.
Don Jose @ May 9th 2006 10:00AM
Dear Sony,
Apparently, someone has told you that your controller design is innovative. So innovative, in fact, that you haven't changed it in over 10 years.
I would just like to take this opportunity to point out that you are confusing innovation with stagnation. Your controller has never been much to look at, play with, or compare to those of your competitors. Also, this problem cannot be solved by simply pulling another last minute "let's do what they're doing" move (and, seriously, if you should have copied one of your competitors control designs, it should have been Microsoft's. Nintendo's design is giving them enough flak as is, and they've been working on it for approximately 18 years.)
Just wanted to let you know, it's time to start using your own to feet to move forward. You're getting too heavy to hang on someone else's coattails.
Welcome to the 21st century. Now get back to the drawing board.
mountain_rage @ May 9th 2006 10:18AM
Sony just last a portion of the female gamer market, no vibration what were they thinking.
Mal F4cti0n @ May 9th 2006 10:31AM
WHAT!?!?! How can you not have vibration in your controller? When you are playing a racing game and going over rough roads, that is soooo cool to feel that in the controller.
Or when you are getting shot in an FPS or a plane game. Or land in a skating/snowboarding game. Or ANY GAME!
Okay, so lets recap:
Two package types, both really expensive.
Not in 1080p as promised (1080i in Sony press conference), so no "true HD experience".
No rumble in the controller.
Like I said earlier today, I am going to pick up a 360 tonight and start playing GAMES! I will take that $100 price difference and buy two used games for the same price as the "tard pack" of the PS3.
Good luck, Sony, you lost one customer who was on the fence on which system to get.
Jordan @ May 9th 2006 10:42AM
two words: Immersion lawsuit! this is hysterical, a company that had such a huge lead, jacks up the price two DOUBLE the previous generation, i wouldn't be surprised if the games are $70 at launch! I don't understand how you can have the lead and pull something so dumb, everyone knows what nintendo is doing w/ it's controller, and then to pull a half-baked wannabe out of their tail, that's just dumb, stick w/ what you have, stop trying to copy people, and why don't you spend some money on R&D so you too can actually have rumble as well, and to SPIDER, yes the wiimote does have tilt and yaw, not just in the nunchuck, it has already been confirmed in a flight game developed by Hudson, i just thought they'd do a better job with the controller and their NEW INNOVATION that's almost 10 years old, suddenly backfires in their face
zero @ May 9th 2006 11:16AM
umm.. no vibrate? cheap feeling controller? wt heck SONY listen up, if you want my buisness- and im a huge ps2 fan.. dont go out with a bi#$% slap. if you go down go down with a s#!t storm. i want to see vibration and who cares about motion controll.. i would turn it off. imagion say your in the final lap of a 100 lap race and all of a sudden your little brother/dog/cat/mother/girlfriend hasnt been able to get your attention and grabs your hand, you fling the controller away and crash losing that 2 hour long race on the final lap. oh and did i mention the whole time you had to be careful not to tilt tha damn thing while playing? LAME. my oppinion: blu ray= awsome coolness dual display(2tvs)= awsome coolness suped up processor=awsome.. you get the idea.. now cripple all of that by using a shotty controller- main interface... sony, im a fanboy and im starting to lose faith. please give me some hope in the near future and if all elce fails releace multiple controllers.. 1 boomarang, 2 standard dual shock, 3 dual shake.
Mark @ May 9th 2006 11:21AM
Any one whom still plays Halo try turning the vibration off it makes such a difference.
John Lucas @ May 9th 2006 11:23AM
You guys don't understand.
They HAD to do this, as sad as it is to say.
Nintendo once again as so many times changed the direction of the industry.
Remember, folks, Nintendo is *STILL* the leader of this game business. They have never left the throne.
Everything they implement becomes the standard.
They lead, others follow.
And it's been that way since 1983.
Sony was FORCED to change their design at the last minute (as Microsoft did with that remote system-off switch similar to the Wii controller) because Nintendo turned the gameworld on its head back on September 16, 2005 with the unveiling of that Revolutionary controller.
The same thing happened with Analog Sticks with the N64 when Sony & Sega suddenly realized that sticking to old Nintendo standards from the SNES & NES days weren't gonna cut it. They instantly redesigned their controllers to match Nintendo's limitless innovation.
Never forget, folks, everything the other companies do is to beat Nintendo at their own game. They are trying to beat the King of the Hill not the other way around with Nintendo trying to keep up with them.
This is why Nintendo can take the direction it wants to regardless of where the others go. They are the leaders & they do things on their own time while the others do things to stay ahead of Nintendo.
This is the same thing as spec-jumps to get a graphical edge & media center features to get an media immersion edge & all that hype about HD & DVD & all that. All of it is to best Nintendo, the leader of the industry.
Sony was forced & this controller shows signs of desperation in my opinion.
People will soon find out that Nintendo's Wii "wand" is the real deal and others might as well be poor 3rd party bootleg imitations.
Dual Shake...Hahahaha! Pathetic!
Good luck to ya Sony. You're gonna need it.
John Lucas
ipodfanboy @ May 9th 2006 11:27AM
Sony looses dual shock vibration. Sony got its ass owned by nintendo and microsoft i think both of those companies has stakes with immersion. Sony should have paid immersion the 90 million dollars. Wow thats pretty bad. I feel sorry for female gamers and soccer moms who use the dual shock2 as a secondary sexual play toy of some sort like a vibrator.
snoopaloop @ May 9th 2006 12:08PM
For those who dont beleive rumble adds anything to the experience your terribly wrong. Have you played Halo? or any FPS by that matter? now try it without rumble. It's a whole new game, and not for the better. Playing without rumble in a game like Halo becomes a crutch. Your running with your back turned to your enemy. He shoots his pistol, it strikes you in the back. With rumble, you know you got hit. Without it, you've been shot six times before realizing it. You say you wont miss it, but you will. Quit trying to justify Sony's huge mistake. Good luck Sony, your gonna need it.
Rocket Punch @ May 9th 2006 12:35PM
oh, bad news for the ladies....
say good bye to "good vibrations".
Niel @ May 9th 2006 2:18PM
Sony didn't even improve on some of the design flaws on the controller such as the directional knobs (should be softer). They should have copied microsoft and move the left analog up because the directional pad isn't use for primary gaming anymore. You shouldn't spend millions of dollars in research can come up with the same product this a disappointment coming form a company that shits on eveyone else's ideas.
Steel Jug @ May 10th 2006 9:03PM
I haven't seen this much sony hate since i went to the xbox 360 forums. I haven't played a game with rumble and noticed it since starfox 64. As for the motion sensing thing? Who cares? At least the ps3 doesn't have a crappy name *cough*Wii*cough*
Phil Anselmo @ May 13th 2006 5:53PM
5. Good riddance.
Rumble is one of the most useless features in games today. All it does is assist carpal tunnel syndrome all for a little bit more extra "immersion".
Posted at 2:47AM on May 9th 2006 by Alkaiser 5 stars
What????????????????????????????????????????? That has to be the dumbest thing I've heard yet this year.
gamerpunk15468 @ May 13th 2006 8:33PM
Personally, I think sony needs to get their facts straight. I have heard so many different things about the PS3 it's beginning to seem like a joke. Xbox, however, was straight up with their facts and has stuck to them clear up to production. By the time the PS3 comes out, it may be nothing like what they say it is. Sony needs to get this straight, since they will be losing potential buyers.