PS3 rumble controller now official

The Dual Shock 3 will add the vibration function missing from the original Sixaxis controller (shown).

(Credit: Sony)

One of gamers' biggest beefs with the PlayStation 3 will soon be a thing of the past. At the kickoff press conference for the Tokyo Game Show, Sony Computer Entertainment President Kaz Hirai confirmed longstanding rumors that a rumble-ized version of the PS3 Sixaxis controller is on the way. The Dual Shock 3--which looks essentially identical to the existing Sixaxis PS3 controller--will hit Japan in November, then make its way to North America and Europe early in 2008. Devil May Cry 4 and Metal Gear Solid 4 are two of the first 11 games that will support the new Dual Shock's vibration function, and existing titles can be retroactively updated to support rumble via online updates.

Other notable announcements from Hirai's keynote:

• PlayStation Home, the PS3's Second Life-style virtual world, has been delayed until Spring 2008.
• Hirai emphasized that "Sony will be reducing PS3 manufacturing costs by making the console's semiconductors smaller and reducing the number of components in the system." That would imply that the company is working hard to make further price cuts financially feasible.
• The PlayStation Store can now be accessed from a PC, where downloads can then be transferred to the PSP. (Previously, they had to be downloaded to and transferred from the PS3).
• The PSP will soon be available in six new colors (Japan only, at least for now).

Check out Gamespot for a complete transcript of Hirai's keynote.

[ackmondual]

things are looking up for Sony

If they don't screw another chance, this oughtta get the 360 counter and take things up yet another notch

[jb16ostos]

That is way too long of a wait.

Why would I buy a PS3 with crippled, obsolete (and expensive, don't forget expensive) controllers? I don't even see why make this announcement official, it only makes me even less interested in buying a PS3. Price drop AND rumble, and then I'll think about it.

[Kamalot]

This is Waiting

With this announcement, Sony basically told everyone not to buy the PS3 this fall, since the new controllers aren't coming to the USA or Europe until 2008. This means that anyone looking for a game system this holiday season will be able to pick up the competition for less, or wait around for the PS3 with the good controllers sometime next year.<br /><br />Way to screw the pooch Sony.

[brandonh33]

This isnt stopping people

You must be an idiot to think that people are going to wait to buy a console because they want the new rumble controllers, they will just wait and buy the controllers when they come out, most people need extra controllers anyways.