SIXAXIS: To Rumble or Not To Rumble?
Sony originally had a dispute with Immersion Corporation about the rumble feature on the SIXAXIS, claiming that it is last-generation. Although, it seems that the two companies have come to an agreement, as a press release reveals that the two companies have entered into business together again. It’s now all up to Sony to decide if they want to implement rumble into their Playstation 3 controller. Full press release after the jump.
Read (Destructoid)
Immersion and Sony Computer Entertainment Conclude Litigation and Enter Into Business Agreement
Immersion Corporation, (Nasdaq: IMMR – News), a leading developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, and Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) today announced the companies have agreed to conclude their patent litigation at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and have entered into a new business agreement to explore the inclusion of Immersion technology in PlayStation® format products.
“We are pleased to have put this litigation behind us,” said Immersion CEO Victor Viegas. “Our new business agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment is specifically intended to enable advanced vibration capability for the benefit of the PlayStation gaming community. We are happy to provide our technology in this regard and hope to make technical proposals very soon with respect to use of our technology in the PlayStation products.”
Immersion will receive the amount of the judgment entered by the District Court, which includes damages, pre-judgment interest, costs, and interest, in addition to retaining compulsory license fees ordered by the District Court which were already paid. Terms of the business agreement between the parties provide SCE with certain new rights with respect to Immersion’s patent portfolio. Additional financial terms are not being disclosed. The conclusion of this litigation and the agreement will have no material impact on Sony’s consolidated earnings forecast announced on January 30, 2007.
“We look forward to exploring with Immersion exciting new ways to bring the largest and best range of gameplay experiences to our customers,” said Kazuo Hirai, President and Group Chief Operating Officer, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “We are very excited about our new partnership with Immersion and the potential for new and innovative products incorporating their technologies.”
About Immersion (www.immersion.com)
Founded in 1993, Immersion Corporation is a recognized leader in developing, licensing, and marketing digital touch technology and products. Using Immersion’s advanced touch feedback technology, electronic user interfaces can be made more productive, compelling, entertaining, or safer. Immersion’s technology is deployed across automotive, entertainment, industrial controls, medical training, mobility, and three-dimensional simulation markets. Immersion’s patent portfolio includes over 600 issued or pending patents in the U.S. and other countries.About SCEA
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one(TM) game console, the PlayStation®2 and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment systems and the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment systems and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.About SCEI
Recognized as the global leader and company responsible for the progression of consumer-based computer entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) manufacturers, distributes and markets the PlayStation® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system and the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3(TM)) system. PlayStation has revolutionized home entertainment by introducing advanced 3D graphic processing, and PlayStation 2 further enhances the PlayStation legacy as the core of home networked entertainment. PSP is a new handheld entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio. PS3 is an advanced computer system, incorporating the state-of- the-art Cell processor with super computer like power. SCEI, along with its subsidiary divisions Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd., and Sony Computer Entertainment Korea Inc. develops, publishes, markets and distributes software, and manages the third party licensing programs for these platforms in the respective markets worldwide. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. is an independent business unit of the Sony Group.
March 1st, 2007 at 8:45 pm
So they say it’s last generation. Then they want it.
I wonder if the rumble will interfere with the motion tracking of the sixaxis.
March 1st, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Yeah, I dare Sony to get rumble, and then re explain why they couldn’t before.
March 1st, 2007 at 10:32 pm
I don’t care what reason they give for not previously adding rumble. Just add it, Sony!!
March 1st, 2007 at 11:20 pm
So another large company bows to a patent squatter…
sigh
March 2nd, 2007 at 6:32 am
Rumble and Accelerometers can be compatible, the Wiimote already has both.
March 4th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Re: NRG753 and Zac
People need to understand that the Sixaxis is just that a combination of accelerometers and gyrocopics sensors that make a complete six axises of control. Without the gyrocopics it becomes just another version of motion sensing that was first out using acceleromters only in the 90’s for the PS1, in a after market controller. Even for the PS2 motion sensing was already in the works by eDemensional and anounced around the same time as both the Wii and PS3’s. They had them on the market many months before either company had them out.
Here’s a link to the PS2 and PC controllers:
https://edimensional.com/product_info.php?products_id=120
Splitfish (a Canadian Company) has just finished developing a new way of puting both the motion sensing and a NEW form of rumble in a controller for the PS3. Called SensorFX (not the razor LOL) ! It does not use moving parts for the rumble feature and does not interfere with the Sixaxis!!!
Hopefully Sony doesn’t bow to these other Patent Squaters, Immerssion and their so called Touch Sense Patent. They would have to redesign it to work where Splitfish has it working already and even have an attachable mechanisms for our present Sixaxis. They also have a very cool combination Mouse controller just out for the PS3 for first person shooters and other games where a mouse is much better.
http://www.splitfish.com/
March 4th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Ah I see. For the good of ps3 owners/potential owners, let’s hope that they work with Spitfish. Nice post btw.
August 12th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
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