PS3 controller is ready to rumble
The upcoming rumble-equipped controller will weigh more than the current PS3 controller.
(Credit: Sony)The last few days rumors have been circulating that Sony was preparing to announce a new rumble-equipped controller for the PS3. As you may know, the current PS3 controllers don't shake, which we assume was because Sony got slapped with a lawsuit in 2004 for allegedly stealing Immersion Corporation's rumble technology for its Dual Shock and Dual Shock 2 controllers. But after Sony ponied up $90 million, the two sides had reportedly been mending fences, and that some rumble was on the way. Now IGN's confirmed that indeed something is shaking with the PS3 controller.
IGN's report reads:
"Big shocker at today's Electronic Arts pre-Tokyo Game Show press event. While playing a demo of Burnout Paradise, we felt something that we never thought we'd feel from a PS3 controller--shake!
That's right, Burnout Paradise is the first rumble-equipped PS3 game we've ever played. Which made us think at the time, if the game is making the controller shake, the controller must be a new version of the Sixaxis!
In fact, the controller we were using to play the demo looked exactly like a standard Sixaxis, except that it had a sticker on the bottom that said 'RUMBLE.' It also felt notably heavier than the standard Sixaxis.
We presume this is a prototype of the PlayStation 3's new rumble controller, whatever it's going to be called."
It's unclear whether the new controller will be using Immersion's next-generation rumble technology, but word is Kaz Hirai will formally announce the new controller in his keynote address shortly.
This is good news for anybody thinking about buying a PS3, but current owners may not be so psyched by the idea of having to buy another controller for their PS3s, especially if they own two or three already. As far as I'm concerned, current owners should get a discount coupon or something. This may not be iPhone Pricegate or anything, but throw us like $10 or something. How 'bout it, Kaz?
Hunkered down in New York City, Executive Editor David Carnoy covers the gamut of gadgets and writes his Fully Equipped column, which carries the tag line "The electronics you lust for." He's also the author of "Knife Music," a novel. E-mail David. Follow David on Twitter. 
