E3 2006: PS3 controller unveiled
New controller looks like the Dual Shock, but in addition to minor changes to the classic buttons, it hides a new technology.
Monday, May 8, 2006 - At its pre-E3 2006 press conference, Phil Harrison, corporate executive and representative director of SCEA, unveiled the official controller for the PlayStation 3. The "banana controller" shown at E3 2005, much criticized by fans of the PlayStation, is gone - the new controller looks exactly like a PlayStation 2 or PsOne controller, with the same button layout we all love.
Anyhow, a few changes were made to "classic" buttons. The analog sticks are now more sensible (1024 degrees of sensitivity against the 256 of the Dual Shock 2) and wider, in order to give players more control over the experience; the top shoulder buttons (R2 and L2) are bigger and have increased depth in stroke.
The new PlayStation 3 controller is wireless. It functions via Bluetooth 2.0 EDR (the latest Bluetooth standard), and should have a 24-hour battery life. To recharge the controller you must plug it to the console with its USB cable; this can be done at any time, even while playing.
Inside, the controller hides a new technology developed for the PlayStation 3. With no need of external sensors, the controller is capable of sensing motion in six degrees: up, down, left, right, forward, and back. In other words, functionality very similar to the one of Nintendo Wii's controllers.
The controller will no longer feature force feedback vibration. Sony claims that feedback vibration could interfere with games that use the motion sensor, but it's obvious the decision is a consequence of the lawsuit between Sony and Immersion for patent infringement. Immersion, a company specialized in developing and licensing touch feedback technology (used for example in cell phones, computers, and simulators), sued Sony and Microsoft claiming that both companies were using technology patented by Immersion in the force feedback function of their controllers. Sony lost and appealed to the decision of the court, just to lose again against Immersion. Sony has been required to pay $82 millions in royalties to Immersion, and could be forced to suspend the sale of controllers with vibration function. Microsoft, on the other hand, settled out of court purchasing a 10% share in the company.
On a note, without the vibration-controlling motors, the new controller, despite the new motion sensing functionality, weighs as much as the PlayStation 2 Dual Shock controller.
Links
:: PlayStation 3 and controller photos
Anyhow, a few changes were made to "classic" buttons. The analog sticks are now more sensible (1024 degrees of sensitivity against the 256 of the Dual Shock 2) and wider, in order to give players more control over the experience; the top shoulder buttons (R2 and L2) are bigger and have increased depth in stroke.
The new PlayStation 3 controller is wireless. It functions via Bluetooth 2.0 EDR (the latest Bluetooth standard), and should have a 24-hour battery life. To recharge the controller you must plug it to the console with its USB cable; this can be done at any time, even while playing.
Inside, the controller hides a new technology developed for the PlayStation 3. With no need of external sensors, the controller is capable of sensing motion in six degrees: up, down, left, right, forward, and back. In other words, functionality very similar to the one of Nintendo Wii's controllers.
The controller will no longer feature force feedback vibration. Sony claims that feedback vibration could interfere with games that use the motion sensor, but it's obvious the decision is a consequence of the lawsuit between Sony and Immersion for patent infringement. Immersion, a company specialized in developing and licensing touch feedback technology (used for example in cell phones, computers, and simulators), sued Sony and Microsoft claiming that both companies were using technology patented by Immersion in the force feedback function of their controllers. Sony lost and appealed to the decision of the court, just to lose again against Immersion. Sony has been required to pay $82 millions in royalties to Immersion, and could be forced to suspend the sale of controllers with vibration function. Microsoft, on the other hand, settled out of court purchasing a 10% share in the company.
On a note, without the vibration-controlling motors, the new controller, despite the new motion sensing functionality, weighs as much as the PlayStation 2 Dual Shock controller.
Links
:: PlayStation 3 and controller photos
(Posted: Monday, May 8, 2006, 8:20PM GMT)
- Harry
Notice: Ps2Fantasy.com has been undergoing a major redesign for a long time. Ps2Fantasy.com will soon become PsFantasy.com, a professional network of websites covering all PlayStation platforms. We will offer more updates than ever, in-depth content, and a series of services to our community. During this process, functionality of this website and frequency of updates are very limited.
| » Contact Our Editors |
