We've always been pretty sure that someone, somewhere would bring force feedback to the PS3. Today, the first 3rd party vendor has stepped up to the plate vacated by Sony. Splitfish, the developer of the new tech, calls it the Sensor FX "tactile response' system. The new system uses no moving parts to produce meaningful sensory feedback. "A broad range of intensity and sensation compliment the ability to derive feedback sensations from isolated areas on the controller, one side or the other, movement from front to back or all areas at the same time. As an example, a gamer playing a race game can feel variations in pulse, strength and location allowing them to feel intensity differences between a smooth guardrail swipe and a full frontal slam into a wall."
If you have any idea what that meant, please let us know. Other interesting notes are that the Sensor FX can function either as an attachment to the SIXAXIS or be embedded in a third-party version of the controller and that the technology has two modes: one for games with existing force feedback and one for those who do not.
We're looking forward to seeing how this pans out. Don't expect to see these on the shelves anytime soon, though. Splitfish appears to be looking to license the rights to use Sensor FX to other manufacturers. Psst, SplitFish, call Sony!
