Analog trigger squeezes its way onto PlayStation Motion Controller
Sony's R&D guru Richard Marks made a recent appearance on the PlayStation.Blog to talk more about the PlayStation Motion Controller. In a new seven minute video (after the break), Marks spent a bit more time going through the various technology demos first unveiled during E3. While Sony commented that the ball-on-a-stick design was simply a prototype, the controller in Marks's hand doesn't appear to be very different (if at all) to what was shown earlier this year.
In addition to reiterating claims of its accuracy and the importance of tactile buttons, Marks mentioned a few details that you may not have known about the controller. Firstly, he talks about the controller's analog trigger: "It has this analog trigger which really is a great metaphor for squeezing and grabbing. So you can grab and you can put as much pressure as you want to grab something with, which is really great for picking things up or for giving you the ability to just interact with the scene in a way that's completely different than we've been able to do before."
Next, he confirms that the controller will be able to rumble, much like Nintendo's Wii Remote. "It can give you some feedback about what's happening through rumble, which is very private and only you are getting." Private? We're not sure that's the best word (note: link slightly NSFW) to use when describing force feedback.
In addition to reiterating claims of its accuracy and the importance of tactile buttons, Marks mentioned a few details that you may not have known about the controller. Firstly, he talks about the controller's analog trigger: "It has this analog trigger which really is a great metaphor for squeezing and grabbing. So you can grab and you can put as much pressure as you want to grab something with, which is really great for picking things up or for giving you the ability to just interact with the scene in a way that's completely different than we've been able to do before."
Next, he confirms that the controller will be able to rumble, much like Nintendo's Wii Remote. "It can give you some feedback about what's happening through rumble, which is very private and only you are getting." Private? We're not sure that's the best word (note: link slightly NSFW) to use when describing force feedback.







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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Dave @ Aug 28th 2009 4:03PM
Meh...
el serpiente @ Aug 28th 2009 4:07PM
I guess that is just a tiny bit better than 'FIRST!!!'
whylekat @ Aug 28th 2009 4:12PM
Downvote him anyway!
*rabble rabble rabble rabble*
Rocks @ Aug 28th 2009 4:16PM
"The beast will make off with your children,
he'll come after them in the night.
We're not safe 'till his head is mounted on my wall.
I say we kill the beast!"
TypeF @ Aug 28th 2009 4:24PM
the only thing i dont like is the size of the controller. Is big enough to break the tv with it if you miss swing it like those wii kids
Duke @ Aug 28th 2009 4:39PM
Your "meh" has changed my entire view on this device. I never thought of it the way you do. Brilliant!
sc00by_y00 @ Aug 29th 2009 7:00AM
Gotta love the competition..
They have a play with little boys sim.. - which as creepy to as "meh" as it can get
they also have an eyetoy + , which is pretty much what natal is and you cant even sit down to play it and you cant be black to play it either and you have to play it in a white washed room and you have to play a racing game while standing up (again cant sit down to play it -- I guess it gets all confused after all its "modelling" your skeletal movement pffft
Yes this device is very "meh" when you look at what the competition is offering.. It works, from all of the live tech demos it seems to be incredibly accurate, they dont need to throw a tonne of marketeers with their marketing brain washing bullshit at us to see its potential, but yeah I guess there isn't a bald gay french man talking about how wonderfully wonderful this device is and how you can reach out and touch little boys with it..
Alton Brown [Planeteer | Power of Dueling Banjos] @ Aug 28th 2009 4:07PM
That ball at the end looks perfect to torture cats with.
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Aug 28th 2009 4:19PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shu9seow25M
uncle jesse @ Aug 28th 2009 4:08PM
The technology looks great... the controller does not.
Sly697 @ Aug 28th 2009 8:13PM
i agree the sphere looks gay
Dartmerc @ Aug 29th 2009 1:25AM
I think it looks kind of cool, and certainly fun.
Mr Khan @ Aug 28th 2009 4:09PM
Seems like the right idea so far...
CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Aug 28th 2009 4:16PM
It seems like both Microsoft and Sony have the right ideas on how to make the stuff. The problem I think will happen is that not everyones going to go and buy these. With Wii EVERYONE has a Wiimote, unless they bundle these in with the next generation systems I see them being as popular as the Eye Toy.
Mr Khan @ Aug 28th 2009 4:19PM
That's exactly the problem they'll have to surmount, something that can be resolved either with extraordinarily compelling software, or an effective re-launch of the hardware (or new hardware entirely)
Pat @ Aug 28th 2009 5:14PM
@ CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw
I'd disagree with you on that. I don't know what MS plans to do as far as making Natal an option or the main controller, but Sony has the right idea in keeping this as an option. Yes, Nintendo bundles a Wiimote with every console (and let's be fair, Sony does too with the Sixaxis/DualShock). But unless the games uses the motion controls you are left with an uncomfortable controller for normal play. On the other hand, I don't want every game to require these. Keeping this is an option on Sony's end is the right way to go.
The success of this controller will depend on the games. It comes down to that.
nobo @ Aug 28th 2009 6:21PM
@pat
pretty sure that's exactly what CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw just said.
Neo Asuma @ Aug 28th 2009 7:24PM
@ Pat
It also depends upon how the games "play" as well. We don't want a bunch of Wii Sports/EA Sports Active games or any other type of low-quality titles (even though we know someone WILL make them).
d889 @ Aug 28th 2009 9:53PM
all i want is to use the NORMAL controllers for fps and be able to duck/dodge left and right and have the character do the same. peeking around corners would be much more fun.
d1srupt0r @ Aug 30th 2009 2:52PM
@ d889
I think that's more on the Natal camp. As far as gameplay we will see cool games on both consoles using their respective motion technologies once the developers get their thing going on.
David [Steam: ZayCube] @ Aug 28th 2009 4:10PM
Lol, a dildo vibrator :D
RANDOM G [King of the Scribblenauts][Sweatshop Retiree] @ Aug 28th 2009 4:28PM
It took ten whole minutes for someone to make a dildo comparison?
Come on guys, you gotta step it up.
CJLopez @ Aug 28th 2009 6:06PM
The thing is, that joke was made when it was first shown on E3 to death, so really, that joke is dead already.
Hell, it was made also when the wiimote was showncase
HippoHero @ Aug 28th 2009 6:18PM
I hope this doesn't go the way of the 'Dildorang'.
David [Steam: ZayCube] @ Aug 28th 2009 6:44PM
I made the comparison before I even started watching the video. But it was not official that the controller would have vibration until now.
Neo Asuma @ Aug 28th 2009 7:30PM
I kinda thought of that the minute Marks started mentioning "feedback through rumble."
playwhutyalike @ Aug 28th 2009 11:32PM
Dildos don't hurt people, people with dildos hurt people.
whylekat @ Aug 28th 2009 4:10PM
Still looks just as dumb & gimmicky as the Wii.
NitroMikeo @ Aug 31st 2009 3:53PM
No it doesn't.
whylekat @ Aug 28th 2009 4:15PM
Yes it does.
Mr Khan @ Aug 28th 2009 4:17PM
Comments like that set you up for a double-dose of fanboy angst. You state that the Wii is dumb and gimmicky, earning the ire of Nintendo fanboys, and then you state that this product of Sony's is similar, drawing fire from the Sony camp
den-69 @ Aug 28th 2009 4:20PM
it looks gimmicky like the wii because these are tech demos, not games.
David [Steam: ZayCube] @ Aug 28th 2009 4:20PM
There are Nintendo fanboys?
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Aug 28th 2009 4:26PM
Now's not a good time to insult Sony products whylekat. Sony has a lot of momentum right now and the fanboys have tripled in size because of it.
whylekat @ Aug 28th 2009 4:30PM
Hey it's not my fault the Wii is overloaded with shovelware like Carnival games.
And to the fanboys.. I'm sure The Ps3's motion sticks and Xbox's Natal will be equally flooded with dumb gimmicy games that are pretty terrible. Just like the wii.
So it's not like i'm hating on 1 platform or another. I'm really just hating on gimmicky motion controls.
el serpiente @ Aug 28th 2009 4:31PM
Whine a little more, Planet.
I don't think the world really understands yet, the grave injustice you've suffered.
whylekat @ Aug 28th 2009 4:44PM
@ Captain Planet
tell Sony to make the old 80gig CHEAPER then the new 120gig slim and I'll be right there playing Fat Princess with ya.
Str84rumBk (PSN) @ Aug 28th 2009 4:50PM
@whylekat
you know your complaining on the design i would like for you to create a motion sensor controller with what you thing is a better design. and i would like to see if you can get it to actually work. damn. these guys are working on a pretty decent project and all they have is people like you hating. smh. i personally think there doing a grat job on the hardware.
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Aug 28th 2009 4:50PM
While Captain Planet has many, many powers, corporate influence is not one of them and your request is, how the French say, le fucking stupid.
whylekat @ Aug 28th 2009 5:12PM
@ Planet.
What's stupid is anyone who buys an 80gig for same price as a 120gig
@Str9/8!rpwurum 2whatever ur name is
I never said anything about design choice. Motion controls themselves are gimmicky. They will never feel real until things like gyroscopes and extra weight is implemented.
Anyone who plays golf via Wii sports and thinks they can play real golf because of that wii sports practice is in for a rude awakening. Swinging a wiimote will never feel like swinging a real bat and connecting with the ball. Ect..
Cody @ Aug 28th 2009 6:12PM
@ Captain
Why do you keep bringing me up?
HippoHero @ Aug 28th 2009 6:26PM
Because, Cody, we've all arbitrarily agreed that you're a douche.
PS: I'm downvoting your comment for no reason.
el serpiente @ Aug 28th 2009 6:33PM
Do you often fantasize about the other commenters here blowing you?
I mean, that's cool. I respect your lifestyle choices.
I'm just not very attracted to whiners, I hope you understand...
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Aug 28th 2009 7:07PM
Ugh, good lord man. Now you've moved from my shaft, down to my chode. I'll give you five more minutes but I'm not paying for it.
R2-D2-586 @ Aug 30th 2009 5:36AM
What is nintendo?
Matt Phanenhour @ Aug 28th 2009 4:11PM
I'm wondering if one of the wands is going to have an anolog stick? If not how else could youmove your character in an aventure game?
MrKlorox @ Aug 28th 2009 5:59PM
Agreed. These controllers need all the buttons that current controllers have. This means clickable analog stick, four face buttons arranged in a 'plus' array, digital shoulder button, and analog trigger... for EACH HAND. Just a trigger simply won't do.
d1srupt0r @ Aug 28th 2009 9:29PM
Break-apart Dualshock 3 motion controller FTW !!
stormtrooper190 (IcelandTerrorist) @ Aug 29th 2009 8:44PM
you know MrKlorox all 4 shoulder buttons on the sixaxis ARE analog. os are the face buttons and D pad. why downgrade a controller if you can have it the same
Hidstar -PSN- @ Aug 28th 2009 4:14PM
dildo and controller 2x