Rumor: Rumbling Sixaxis to gain touch sensitivity as well

by Christopher Grant { Jul 4th 2007 at 1:43PM }

First PSM reported that the Sixaxis would be recreated with rumble this year, and now their French colleaugues at PSM France report (by way of Maxconsole) that the pad will not only rumble but will feature touch sensitivity as well. The "Touchsense" functionality will enable a more nuanced rumble that's not only felt through the Sixaxis' handles but through the "levers" as well (analog sticks?).

Sounds great, but what's all this fancy new rumble going to cost us? Despite being more powerful, this rumor claims that the "engine" is cheaper to build than previous rumble mechanisms and should therefore add little to the cost of the controller, welcome news for owners of the rumble-free Sixaxis. And great news for your PS2 titles: the mag also claims that a new PS3 firmware update should enable rumble for your backcompat titles. If the rumors about a new Sixaxis are true, we hope to hear more at E3 next week.

[Via Engadget]

Tags: Immerson, Rumble, Sixaxis, Touchsense

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

quazi @ Jul 4th 2007 1:48PM

but..but..but..but sony said rumble was last gen...

Moe @ Jul 4th 2007 1:49PM

you know what else is last gen? halo 3's graphics.

Spitkicker @ Jul 4th 2007 1:51PM

I guess next gen is starting soon. Right SONY?

Spitkicker @ Jul 4th 2007 1:52PM

@moe
Ha!! Wow. I'm glad you played the game. Thanks for finally letting us know how it looks. I know Bungie has had it tightly under wrap there. Where did you find your secret insider information?

Myke @ Jul 4th 2007 1:54PM

Oh good, a $600 "last gen" controller to match their console, how cute.

quazi @ Jul 4th 2007 1:55PM

lol moe who said i liked h3??
assassins creed & GTA 4 ftw!!
try to figure out what console i own now!
360 sucks wii sucks ps3 sucks.
CD-i r00xxx0rs!

T H @ Jul 4th 2007 2:02PM

Wow.. you are some bitter haters.

bob-e @ Jul 9th 2007 12:56AM

I really hope this is true just to the Sony fans have to eat their own words.

When Nintendo adds touch sensitivity it's a "desperate gimmick". But when Sony does it, I'm sure all the fan boys will be praising them for "revolutionizing the industry".

jay @ Jul 4th 2007 2:08PM

So. After all Sony's embarassing attempts at justifying the lack of rumble in the PS3...

I'm sorry. This is why I don't buy anything from them.

Rare Hare @ Jul 4th 2007 2:11PM

I think it's pretty funny that Sony is scrambling to catch up now that their lawsuit is over and they realize that they really do need rumble.

"Oh shit. We were just kidding! Haha! Next gen can start now!"

derek @ Jul 4th 2007 2:12PM

"The reason Sony didn't incorporate rumble into SIXAXIS wasn't related to a lawsuit over patent rights, but because it was a 'last generation feature"

- Phil Harrison
Executive Vice President of SCEE

I love it.

TheGuy @ Jul 4th 2007 2:13PM

Hmm...this could be interesting. Aside from racing and shooter games, using rumble in games always felt generic and unnecessary. From the sound of-it, it looks like this new rumble could spice-up rumble. The aspect of touch-sensitive rumble controls sounds really interesting.

Konny @ Jul 4th 2007 2:19PM

Sony will market is as something else.. to make it sound like "rumble" is some crude and ancient way of providing haptic feedback. Soo, last gen.

"Touchsense" .. sounds about right.. anyways, wtf am i suppose to do with my less than 1 year old, perfectly working sixaxis? Im glad i didnt go out and buy a bunch of them.

Werbal @ Jul 4th 2007 2:20PM

Touch sensitivity? What does that remind me of?

LOL SONY CAN'T STOP STEALING

deaftly @ Jul 4th 2007 2:21PM

nice slap in the face to people who already bought the old controllers, gotta love sony, i would think focusing on securing exclusives rather then stupid shit like this would make more sense

tituspullo @ Jul 4th 2007 2:35PM

great job sony , last gen is the new next gen!

Jamaicangmr @ Jul 4th 2007 2:40PM

@ Werbel

Did you actually read the article or are you just unable to comprehend? This isn't like the DS touch screen which is different tech than touch sensitivity. "The "Touchsense" functionality will enable a more nuanced rumble that's not only felt through the Sixaxis' handles but through the "levers" as well" This allow the rumble to be felt on the area's where your hand is in contact with the controller. I know your thinkin of touch screen but it's not the same thing my friend.

BrianG @ Jul 4th 2007 2:40PM

fanboys are so last gen.

rfom @ Jul 4th 2007 2:43PM

Sony refuses to bow to a patent-squattor, but its fans demand rumble, so sony gives in and produces a controller that probably an improvement over existing rumble - Yeah, Sony is evil
While MS produces a console that breaks down 33% of the time, its loyal xbots get screwed, MS obscure the numbers and does nothing - which is all A-OK

CarNage @ Jul 4th 2007 2:45PM

MOE OWNED QUAZI!!!!!

HAHAHA, what a great way to own an annoying 360 fanboy. the new sixaxis is going to kill the wiimote.. just like killzone 2 trailer is going to steal the show at e3.

and hour of victory (an xbox 360 exclusive) got a 2.0 from gamespot! LMAO!!!!

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/hourofvictory/review.html?tag=tabs;reviews

GodisaMyth @ Jul 4th 2007 2:56PM

Yes, basic rumble is last-gen. What they are talking about is a new technology by Immersion called haptic force feedback or as they like to call it Touchsense. This is different from basic rotating motor rumble.

I do not know exactly how it works but my understanding is that there are no rotating motors, somehow they have figured out how to have subtle vibrations eminating from all parts of the controller.

I said this right after the settlement that Sony will have this new force feedback tech in the updated controller.

We will have to wait for E3 to be sure. It would make no sense for Sony to announce a new controller at any other time.

The Nintendo comparisons are hilarious. Maybe some of you Plumberboys should actually read the article and do some research on Immersion's Touchsense technology.

This is not wave your arms around like a fool control.

Bring on E3!!!

Sorry if there are any gramatical errors...I blame my lack of proper spellin on Evilin's Woodhed's sped riddin cors.

soccerdrew17 @ Jul 4th 2007 2:59PM

rumble is boring. i literally ignore it. this could be really good, if it works. and it wouldnt be a "me too" thing, it would be a "what now ms and ninty." but like i said, just depends on how well it works.

Chris Putnam @ Jul 4th 2007 3:05PM

Considering the price of the Sixaxis seems to be about 75% markup, maybe they'll be nice and keep the price where it is. It's already fairly ridiculous.

Somehow I don't see it happening, though.

BNinjaC @ Jul 4th 2007 3:05PM

As long as they improve it, whats the problem?
Remember the S controller for Xbox?
Personally I hope MS redesign the 360 pad with a better D-pad and better bumpers.

lawrence @ Jul 4th 2007 3:09PM

i hate microsoft .i boughtra xbox 360 andspent 800 + on a 360 =loyal xbox you can kiss bill gates ass by geting 4 styetems ut i have to take care of a family so fuck microsoft you idiots will waste money on one system.whem one system breaks one time illget it again but twice is not makeing me tryit a third time so thats a piece of shit hardware microsoft just like for lots of money and marketing but no quality hard .software in ford has qualitylike that ipod dock but that car breaks down if you use.microford is a piece of crap

derek @ Jul 4th 2007 3:16PM

#22

I've actually done quite a bit of research on Immersions touchsense technology, and it mostly applies to tactile touch screen feedback.

Instead, I believe that Immersion will be implementing a form of force feedback on the analog triggers and possibly the joysticks.

Nothing else.

skyteck @ Jul 4th 2007 3:19PM

c'mon you guys how many times have you fuc

JodyAnthony @ Jul 4th 2007 3:19PM

@ lawrence:
what?

Viridium @ Jul 4th 2007 3:30PM

lawrence, was that post in English?

DoggySpew @ Jul 4th 2007 3:33PM

Phill already has said that because of the lawsuit, they couldn't tell the truth about the rumble being gone.

But all is forgiven with the Rumble enabled Sixaxis controller (which motion sensing was patented BEFORE the Wii was revealed).

BrianG @ Jul 4th 2007 3:33PM

What isn't any country I've ever heard of.

tonic @ Jul 4th 2007 3:43PM

Gamers and developers were demanding the return of rumble and guess what? They got it and then some. This is the best news for the gamer who isn't buying his playstation 3 until the games he wants come out(MGS4, Assassins Creed, Haze, GT5). By then the price may have fallen and the 5 free Blu-ray movies promotion will hopefully still be in effect. Value for money...I love it. Let's hope Sony does the honourable thing and offer some compensation to the early sixaxis buyers. Even if they don't they would still have the moral high ground on Microsoft and how they are handling they console defect problem. Patience is a virtue.

AssemblyLineHuman @ Jul 4th 2007 3:48PM

hahahahahahahaha company x is SO last gen after E3 wen company y reveals generic feature a and hyped up game b evry1 will no why their gona when this consoul war

derek @ Jul 4th 2007 3:50PM

#26
#34

Since when did July 4 become national moron day?

AssemblyLineHuman @ Jul 4th 2007 3:53PM

omg derek your juts a company x fanbot and yo'ur mad becuz u no im write

T H @ Jul 4th 2007 3:56PM

@#26: "MicroFord"

I don't now why I found that so funny, but,

BWAAAAAHAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

and #34: spelling console "consoul" is ridiculous, what is that, some Zen acid trip bullshit? Err.. unless you spend each and every day inside with the blinds closed playing yours, forgetting to eat and use the bathroom...

But I like girls

tonic @ Jul 4th 2007 3:59PM

To compensate the early adopters Sony could offer them some free games in the Playstation Store.

AssemblyLineHuman @ Jul 4th 2007 4:00PM

it IS speld consoul see hear

http://kotaku.com/gaming/top/dirty-german-ps3-magazine-inferno-244688.php

so jokeson u HAHAHHA

BulletToothTony @ Jul 4th 2007 4:15PM

wow i came in here to read the news and to see if some people were happy about it.. instead i see 90% people hating and bashing the sixaxis.. why people hate the ps3 so much? what do they gain by saying.. look it sucks, first it was, it doesn't have rumble, now they say, idiots they're putting it in.. honestly, what do they gain by bashing all ps3 news? does it make their console better? didn't someone just came out with the "TiltBoard"? for the 360 controller? it doesn't matter.. just play your console since you love it so much, and stop wasting endless hours bashing a console that is showing to have a great future.. and is not gonna change whether you bash it or not.. nothing will change by your comments!!!

rick @ Jul 4th 2007 4:19PM

Re-introducing Rumble will go a long way to win over many of the 100M+ ps2 owners to the ps3.
Despite the moronic comments on here (boys!), I think adding touch sensitivtiy is can only be a good thing and I look forward to how Devs make use of this added feature!!!

This coming holiday season would be a great time for Sony to release a next-gen eye toy too. I think it would be a major success and would attract more casual gamers to the ps3.

Loki @ Jul 4th 2007 4:44PM

Price drop and games are the only thing that will get the PS3 back on track...

truth @ Jul 4th 2007 6:12PM

Sony: rumble is last gen
Sony fans: YEAH WHO NEEDS RUMBLE!
Sony: We are bringing rumble to Sixaxis
Sony fans: OH GOD THANKS SONY YOU ROCK I LOVE YOU!

selfcon @ Jul 4th 2007 6:18PM

After reading the majority of the comments here, I'm convinced that most of you are 12 year old boys.

AssemblyLineHuman @ Jul 4th 2007 6:32PM

"34. #26
#34

Since when did July 4 become national moron day?

Posted at 3:50PM on Jul 4th 2007 by derek"

Yay comment deletion! Now it looks like you are the one who is coming out for National Moron Day. I would also like to take pride in the fact that you even made that comment as it reflects quite positively on my performance!

Digi Smalls @ Jul 4th 2007 7:30PM

this is how Phil Harrison gets past calling rumble 'last gen', by adding rumble to the sticks and buttons? clever.

i don't know too many game situations where fingertip feedback would be of any immersive use, (not racing, shooting, or fighting) except for picking locks in Splinter Cell which would be nice. alas the next SC is a 360 exclusive.

i'm sure the fanboys will change their arguments again, they will all of a sudden become rumble fans, say this is the feature that was missing from rumble all along and that they are "glad they waited until Sony did it right".

.

cc123 @ Jul 4th 2007 7:50PM

@Digi Smalls

From my understanding the Touchsense stuff they talk about is just a more precise powerful form of rumble. You can read about it hear:

http://www.immersion.com/gaming/video_pc/next-gen/index.php

I don't know where you got the buttons and stick thing from.

And I don't get how you call people fanboys when you troll EVERY PS3 thread. You are the biggest most hypocritical xbot twat on here.

Digi Smalls @ Jul 4th 2007 8:10PM

i was referring specifically to the PS3 fanboys.

i'm on xbox threads, wii threads and PS3 threads, i have them and talk about them. what i say is based on my experience with my consoles, not unsubstantiated troll flame bait. (although i will confront those that do do that.)

don't expect me to apologize for hurting your preferred console's feelings.

.