Playstation SplitFish develops new force feedback system for use with PS3

[Chandoo]

courtsey of GAF, rumble on PS3 not a dream afterall ??

SplitFish GameWare Inc., a leader in video game hardware innovation, today announced it has developed a new dynamic force feedback system for use with the Sony Playstation 3 and other next-generation video game systems. Basic PS2 and Xbox versions are being considered.

The new SplitFish dynamic force feedback system was designed to insure compliant operation with the new tilt, motion and directional sensor technologies currently found in the next generation game consoles. The potential interference on the Sony PS3 SIXAXIS Controller caused by rotating mass force feedback systems such as Immersion's Rotating Mass Patent, required us to approach the solution from a completely new direction. While the SplitFish EdgeFX uses a mechanical feedback system, this new technology produces a whole new aspect of force and tactile feedback.

This low power consumption force feedback technology called "Sensor Effects -- SensorFX" uses no moving parts to produce meaningful sensory feedback. A broad range of intensity and sensation compliment the ability to derive feedback sensations from isolated areas on the controller, to isolate one side or the other, movement from front to back or all areas at the same time. As an example, a gamer playing a race game can feel variations in pulse, strength and collision location and to feel intensity differences between a smooth guardrail swipe and a full frontal slam into a wall.

The SensorFX feedback system can be sold as an add-on to existing controllers or as an imbedded feature that is part of a standard controller. The SensorFX PS3 add-on version is simply connected to the USB plug on the PS3 controller, similar to SplitFish's MotionFX.

The patent pending SensorFX has two modes, one for games that have force feedback support already built in and the other mode that relies on motion tilt sensing and button use and other actions to trigger the SensorFX tactile feedback. SplitFish will work with video game publishers and next-generation hardware manufacturers in an effort to establish standards for this directional force feedback technology.

 

[devilscallmedad]

Sony Doesn't Take the Bait for SplitFish PS3 Rumble

Still hopeful that Sony might one day bring rumble back to the PlayStation 3? It doesn't look like it's going to happen. A company called SplitFish has announced new rumble tech that works with motion sensing and sidesteps Immersion's patents, but Sony told GameDaily BIZ that it's not interested.

Yesterday, Alberta, Canada-based SplitFish GameWare Inc. announced that it "developed a new dynamic force feedback system for use with the Sony PlayStation 3 and other next-generation video game systems." SplitFish likely issued the news about its new "SensorFX" technology in the hopes of getting Sony's attention to possibly reach an agreement for incorporating force feedback into the PS3 wireless controller.
Sony's defeat (although an appeal is still pending) at the hands of haptic technology firm Immersion Corporation is well publicized and many suspect that battle to be the reason for the lack of rumble in the PS3 controller. Nevertheless, Sony maintains that they made the choice to include the interactive motion sensing functionality over the "passive" rumble feature and that the lawsuit had nothing to do with it.

But what if Sony could work with a company that would give them the rumble effect that many gamers would still seem to want, but without having to deal with Immersion or its patents? SplitFish says its "dynamic force feedback system was designed to insure compliant operation with the new tilt, motion and directional sensor technologies currently found in the next generation game consoles" and that "potential interference on the Sony PS3 SIXAXIS Controller caused by rotating mass force feedback systems such as Immersion's Rotating Mass Patent, required us to approach the solution from a completely new direction."

Described that way, it certainly sounds promising, but Sony would seem to have zero interest in it. Speaking to GameDaily BIZ, Dave Karraker, Sr. Director, Corporate Communications for Sony Computer Entertainment America said, "No one at SCEA has been in touch with this company. At this time, we have no plans to incorporate any kind of force feedback into our SIXAXIS controller."

For its part, SplitFish noted that its technology is designed with low power consumption in mind and that it uses no moving parts to generate "meaningful sensory feedback." The company said that while SensorFX can be imbedded in controllers, it also can work as an add-on, and in the PS3's case it would plug into the wireless controller's USB port.

The problem, however, is if Sony's not making rumble a standard PS3 feature anytime soon, then developers won't support force feedback in their games. And if that's the case, then how would SensorFX work? As Immersion CEO Vic Viegas pointed out to us, "The controller would have no commands to receive from the gameplay. Sony's in some control there and Sony's also in control of the console, so they can filter out vibration commands; essentially if they don't want vibration they can shut it down and it appears that's what they're doing."

 

[Chandoo]

The problem, however, is if Sony's not making rumble a standard PS3 feature anytime soon, then developers won't support force feedback in their games. And if that's the case, then how would SensorFX work?

so does that mean that in ps3 games at this time rumble IS featured ?

 

[devilscallmedad]

No it means, that sony still has time because once 10 million PS3's get shipped developers will just ignore rumble even if it is added later on. If sony wants rumble they should do that in the next 6 months.

 

[Chandoo]

not exactly to do with this thread but PS3 HAS force feedback support.. somewhat.



» PS3 Steering Wheel Force Feedback Works!
Article posted by XanTium | 30-1-2007 18:26 | Permalink | Digg News

» Comment article​

From ps3blog.net:

I just got Need for Speed: Carbon for the PS3. I put in the disc, booted up the game, selected "Quick Race", and started playing with my Driving Force Pro. What did I notice?

Force Feedback!

Remember, earlier this month, when waves of web sites reported that the PS3 was uncapable of doing force feedback, even with third party steering wheels? Apparently, testing this out wasn't hard at all, and this rumor is completely, 100%, categorically untrue.

Full Story: ps3blog.net
Discuss on our forums: forums.ps3scene.com