Immersion offers vibe to Sony, for 90 million

[62t]

Having confirmed that 'rumble' technology will be omitted from the PS3 controller at E3, the technology have been replaced by the motion-sensing technology of the new 'tilt' feature, technology firm Immersion have offered to help Sony reintegrate the feature - which was criticised for its absence.

Immersion chief Victor Viegas has now told Gamasutra.com that "Immersion has experts that would be happy to solve that problem for them," but that Sony must drop their appeal against the firm and pay the 90 million USD damages awarded in the wake of a court case between the firms, which saw a court agreeing that Sony had infringed patents owned by Immersion. Microsoft solved a similar case outside of court, paying multi-million dollar damages and licensing Immersion's technology for future controllers.

Sony are appealing against an order prohibiting them from using the 'haptic' rumble technology in Playstation products, Immersion boss Viegas lamenting that that there has been "a lot of unnecessary energy expended over this." The president clearly hopes this tussle can be resolved to avoid further legal wrangling, but it will need a major shift from Sony to get the technology back on the agenda for the PS3. The Immersion bigwig noted the difference rumble technology can make to racing and action games, stating of its absence on PS3: "I can't imagine how people will be able to view that as an advancement in gaming." More soon.

By Luke Guttridge, on 22nd May 2006.

http://www.ferrago.com/story/7773

[camoor]

Rumble technology was cool for the first time when you were fishing in N64's "Ocarina of Time"

Since then it's just been a pain in the ass. I hate when games don't let me turn it off - and I say good riddance!

[SpazX]

I like rumble, the only thing is that they need something more variable.

[Backlash]

I never use it b/c it kills the batteries in my wireless controllers faster. And I don't miss it.

[Metal Boss]

I like rumble, but if it has issues with the wireless technology, it might be better off without it.

[stinkoman]

I like rumble, but if it has issues with the wireless technology, it might be better off without it.

That's more of Sony's smoke and mirrors talk. It's obvious the reason they didn't include rumble. They're still in court about it.

If you believe that they had trouble with integrating it with the new controler. Just look at the Wiimote. It has rumble, wireless movement, and a speaker. Heck even the 360 controler, which is wireless(I know there is a wired one), still has rumble.

The reason they still have rumble. Is because they(Microsoft & Nintendo) shelled out the cash to Immersion. Something Sony refused to do. Probably because like most of everything else they make(videogame wise). They more than likely believe they invented it.

[Xevious]

I like a subtle use of rumble.

[graf1k]

I like having rumble. Some games over use it or use it at max all the time (which I don't like) but the actual rumble/vibration/force feedback I like.

[RedvsBlue]

I like the rumble for Uno. You can have your eyes off the TV doing something else and the controller will rumble to let you know its your turn. Hell, you don't even have to be in the same room to know its your turn.

[Vinny]

I never use it b/c it kills the batteries in my wireless controllers faster. And I don't miss it.

It doesn't seem to be a problem on the 360... I started the game with a fully charged controller and am almost done with the solo segment and have raced a few hours online. The controller still works.:)

I like rumble in my games, it's cool having the controller shake when I'm fish-tailing my car or when stuff blows up.:-P

[jer7583]

Rumble is something you don't notice until it's gone. I think the PS3 experience will feel a bit more bland without it. Hopefully Sony swallows its pride and offers up the money to use the technology.

Metal Gear Solid has always used rumble to great effect (AP sensor, lots of cutscenes), i wonder how kojima feels about the ps3 controller not using rumble..

[ryanbph]

didn't msft also purchase a large stake in immersion.

[Vinny]

didn't msft also purchase a large stake in immersion.

No, they settled the lawsuit out of court and ended up with 10% of the company as part of the settlement.

[ryanbph]

thanks for the clarification vinny....10% is quite a bit to be held on its own.

[trip1eX]

I like a subtle use of rumble.

Ditto. I like if it's used sparingly to enhance games.

I hate the games where it's on so much that it loses it's luster. Like shooting games where it's on every time you shoot which is 90% of the game. That gets old.

[62t]

well i switch to a wave bird and it doesnt make much of a difference during gameplay.

[CouRageouS]

Can't Sony just add rumble in a different way than Immersion does it? Instead of two motors add three or four! Or maybe just one big one. That'll show them.

Also, I love how everyones calling it rumble. I miss my third party rumble pak that had a light on it.

[SpreadTheWord]

http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/adventure/metalgearsolid4/media.html

Kojima talks about the new controller and the lack of rumble at the end of the interview.

[Puffa469]

do I sense a third sku $700 ps3 coming? =p


I like to hold the controller so it vibrates against my wedding ring and makes a loud ass buzzing sound so my wife will look up from her warcracking and go 'what the hell was that?' the cat also looks at me weird when i do that.

[CouRageouS]

well i switch to a wave bird and it doesnt make much of a difference during gameplay.
I think it does quite a bit. If I go a long period playing my Cube and having no rumble, it comes as a nice "surprise" when I go back to PS2 and theres rumble again. I love the Wavebird of course, but when a game uses rumble well its awesome. One of my favorite subtle effects is when you run or sprint in a game, and you get very light little shakes on the controller.

[Strell]

The reason they still have rumble. Is because they(Microsoft & Nintendo) shelled out the cash to Immersion. .

Wrong.

Nintendo's technology is different than Immersion's, so they don't infringe on any patents or anything.

Microsoft took the other viable route and settled out of court AND purchased stock in the company.

Sony is apparently not smart enough to figure out how to make their own unique rumble technology, which really isn't all that surprising at all. They can't think up shit for shit for their controllers to begin with, so it's no surprise to them that they removed it from their Dualcockfuck or whatever the hell it's going to be called these days.

[wubb]

I like a subtle use of rumble.

Agree with this. Some of the coolest ways it's used by games is just in the cut scenes and not in gameplay at all. Games that use it constantly just numb my hand and I end up switching it off.

They need to add a shockspot to the controller that can be activated to punish the loser of VF5 bouts.

[Puffa469]

I think it does quite a bit. If I go a long period playing my Cube and having no rumble, it comes as a nice "surprise" when I go back to PS2 and theres rumble again. I love the Wavebird of course, but when a game uses rumble well its awesome. One of my favorite subtle effects is when you run or sprint in a game, and you get very light little shakes on the controller.


I love the rumble effects in Gran Turismo, when you get too close to the side of the track, your controller rumbles on that side, to simulate all the grit and dirt on the edge of the track.

[Metal Boss]

I really hope Sony makes a deal with Immersion, after seeing that Kojima interview, they'll be commiting seppuku over there for breaking Kojimas heart :lol:

[Rusty Ghia]

Good riddance, I say. I have never, ever found it useful. Never have I played a game and found a legitimate use for the rumble "feature." "Ooh, explosions!" BRRR.

Big deal. Here's to hoping the controllers will cost that much less, but I doubt it.

[Puffa469]

I really hope Sony makes a deal with Immersion, after seeing that Kojima interview, they'll be commiting seppuku over there for breaking Kojimas heart :lol:


hehehe C'mon Psycho Mantis! Show me your power! Whats that? You got nothin for me? Oh well, why dont you tell me what kinda games I like? Whats that? I bought the crippled ps3 with no card slots? You are powerless Mantis! POWERLESS!!! Muahahahahahahaha!

[Snake2715]

Good riddance, I say. I have never, ever found it useful. Never have I played a game and found a legitimate use for the rumble "feature." "Ooh, explosions!" BRRR.

Big deal. Here's to hoping the controllers will cost that much less, but I doubt it.

Then you havent played Mario party. Playing without rumble on the mini games is murder. You ttoally look over the explenation point and get screwed.

[BodyShot213]

Shooters are just not the same without rumble.

[RelentlessRolento]

please take the deal sony. For soe games it's very essential, like the case of Rez, but others not really. It is a great plus though and I have been enjoying it since the PS1's original stuff.

[jer7583]

I can see Microsoft now.. "hey kojima.. we've got rumble, why not port that little series of yours over to us.. lol"

[whoknows]

I agree with the idea that Sony should make their own type of rumble so they dont have to pay Immersion.

[Vegan]

Lack of rumble is the only reason I don't have any Wavebirds.

[GizmoGC]

Lack of rumble is the only reason I don't have any Wavebirds.

I havnt used a corded Cube controller of any kind in 3 years. I forgot games even rumble on the Cube.

[KaneRobot]

Sony can spin it however they want - it's a step backwards without it.

[Vinny]

I agree with the idea that Sony should make their own type of rumble so they dont have to pay Immersion.

Well, basically that would be a huge waste. One, it would mean much higher costs to consumers because...
1. It would mean Sony would have to spend money developing this technology
2. They would have to change their current manufacturing process again to implement their 'motion sensing' and the new rumble feature
3. They'd still have to deal with Immersion for the rumble already used in PS1/PS2 games by...
a. Continue paying their lawyers to keep fighting and win
b. Continue paying their lawyers to keep fighting and lose and pay
Immersion the money anyway
4. Releasing even newer development kits to developers and having them learn how to use it (though I figure it won't be that hard)

Sony's in a corner as far as I see it.

[Vegan]

Well, basically that would be a huge waste. One, it would mean much higher costs to consumers because...
1. It would mean Sony would have to spend money developing this technology
2. They would have to change their current manufacturing process again to implement their 'motion sensing' and the new rumble feature
3. They'd still have to deal with Immersion for the rumble already used in PS1/PS2 games by...
a. Continue paying their lawyers to keep fighting and win
b. Continue paying their lawyers to keep fighting and lose and pay
Immersion the money anyway
4. Releasing even newer development kits to developers and having them learn how to use it (though I figure it won't be that hard)

Sony's in a corner as far as I see it.

They were painting the PS3 into a corner long before the controller issue surfaced.