PlayStation 3's Sixaxis controller could soon be reissued, complete with rumble capability, following Sony's settlement with Immersion, the technology company who hold the patent on the equipment that creates the rumble feature in controllers.
"Our new business agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment is specifically intended to enable advanced vibration capability for the benefit of the PlayStation gaming community," Immersion announced today in a press release published on its official website. Sounds promising, no?
Immersion had been involved in a legal battle with Sony over the Dual Shock's use of rumble technology - and it's been widely suggested that the disagreement (and the money involved) was the reason Sixaxis was created without rumble features.
However, with the case settled, Sony is looking forward to working with Immersion in future: "We look forward to exploring with Immersion exciting new ways to bring the largest and best range of gameplay experiences to our customers," says Kaz Hirai, Sony president.
While this doesn't guarantee rumble will reach Sixaxis, we'll certainly be betting the house on Immersion's rumble technology making its way into Sony's own peripherals in the near future.
March 02, 2007
