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Sony says rumble is so last gen
4:04 PM on 02.26.2007, World Famous 54 comments

Sony says rumble is so last gen photo
     Sony

Lame excuse or honest response? You decide.

Sony's Phil Harrion told GameDaily that the idea of rumble in a controller is just not so next gen -- but he did open the door to rumble in 3rd-party controls. Here's what the lad had to say:

We have no plans to do so in the standard controller that ships with PlayStation 3. I believe that the Sixaxis controller offers game designers and developers far more opportunity for future innovation than rumble ever did. Now, rumble I think was the last generation feature; it's not the next-generation feature. I think motion sensitivity is. And we don't see the need to do that. Having said that, there will be specific game function controllers, potentially like steering wheels that do include vibration or feedback function—not from us but from third parties.

What other flame-inducing words did Phil spit out? Take a look after the jump.

 

Phil on media criticism:

No, not a bit. I think, first of all, the so called negativity is in a fairly narrow section of the media. The most important thing, however, is that the people who buy the system love it, and the fact that we have great reaction—great scores if you will—from the people who bought PS3 [who've enjoyed] the games that they've played and the services that they get. That's all that really matters. I don't really care about the negativity in the press; if it was true, if they were talking about real big issues that were genuine criticisms, then of course we'll address them, but there's nothing that bothers me. I think the fact that we are able to have a very well organized, very well managed supply channel, which allows us to keep the stores restocked, is a really positive thing.

Phil on Blu-ray:

It wasn't Sony's decision; it was our [SCE's] decision. We needed to have Blu-ray disc from a game design point of view. The chipsets in PS3 chew through data at such a rate that in order to build variety and detail and quality into the games, we need more than nine gigabytes. Now, the fact that we could also adopt the preeminent next generation movie format into PS3 was an added bonus, not an added cost.

 

[What you said regarding] disc speed is a complete myth. It makes no difference to the operation of the game whatsoever. The blue laser diode, as you well know, had a blip short-term ramp up issue, which is now past; that's now behind us. That did cause us some challenges in being able to supply the launch worldwide, but that's all resolved.

 


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ArrestedDeveloper's Avatar
ArrestedDeveloper at 02/26/2007 16:03
Shouldn't someone correct Phil and say that ps3 owners have enjoyed the game (singular) that they've played
Sir Jimbob's Avatar
Sir Jimbob at 02/26/2007 16:04
I like both.

/Nintendo Realist Fan
bluexy's Avatar
bluexy at 02/26/2007 16:12
Heard it here first:

Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble on the Game Boy Color = NEXT GEN
amalgamut00's Avatar
amalgamut00 at 02/26/2007 16:13
My dad got a PS3 and he wishes he never bought it. He hates how we can't get our wireless to work on it and the lack of games is horrible. So by saying that everyone that has a PS3 enjoys it, better go ahead and give everyone a call that bought the system, I know some other people that bought one that don't enjoy it too well either.
Pistolaero's Avatar
Pistolaero at 02/26/2007 16:15
That is some PR bullshit right there. I am still waiting for someone to start asking the real questions:

"Why is Sony fucking up?"
Hipple's Avatar
Hipple at 02/26/2007 16:16
I like how Sony has just thrown Phil Harrison out to the wolves. I almost feel sorry for him, having to be the cheerleader for a bungled launch and a system that gets more criticism every week. I bet he fucking hates his job...
DrRockso's Avatar
DrRockso at 02/26/2007 16:17
@Pistolaero

Look no further than the newwest EGM for answers to that one.
Pistolaero's Avatar
Pistolaero at 02/26/2007 16:20
For real? Nice...
Aetsen's Avatar
Aetsen at 02/26/2007 16:24
Excellent movie reference, Summa. Though I doubt anyone will get.
kassatsu[Matlock]'s Avatar
kassatsu[Matlock] at 02/26/2007 16:24
Wireless to about 2min to setup, wtf kind of setup are you using... ~___~
vishusdelishus's Avatar
vishusdelishus at 02/26/2007 16:28
It's a good thing Aetsen pointed out that he doubts anyone will get it, because he must be super duper smart.
glg20decoy's Avatar
glg20decoy at 02/26/2007 16:33
T...O....O....L
michiyoyoshiku's Avatar
michiyoyoshiku at 02/26/2007 16:36
Sony doesn't want our money

Justice's Avatar
Justice at 02/26/2007 16:38
The people who buy the system, try to sell it on Ebay and are doomed for the rest of their lifes, until the cash it in to that dude whos name I forget
Alex's Avatar
Alex at 02/26/2007 16:39
"rumble I think was the last generation feature; it's not the next-generation feature. I think motion sensitivity is."

Nintendo Wins.
Aetsen's Avatar
Aetsen at 02/26/2007 16:44
@ - vishusdelishus

I am smarter than you, but that's not the point I was trying to make. It was about how not many people have seen that movie or recognize it from that picture. But I'm glad you're familiar with David Arquette's illustrious filmography.
Cruds's Avatar
Cruds at 02/26/2007 16:48
"Sony's Phil Harrion told GameDaily that the idea of rumble in a controller is just not so next gen"
I guess thats true for there console. They didn't come up with a next-gen solution either. Till someone finds a better solution, rumble is the only bit of feedback you get other than watching the screen. So "not so next gen" or not I rather have it on my controller.
somatix's Avatar
somatix at 02/26/2007 17:01
@Cruds: Actually unless you are deaf, I would consider the audio from video games to be a pretty strong method of feedback also.

Anyway, I don't think that rumble is that big of a deal, however removing it in place of motion sensing seems to be a two steps forward one step back sort of move.
BluDesign's Avatar
BluDesign at 02/26/2007 17:02
sdf
World Famous's Avatar
World Famous at 02/26/2007 17:06
I'll be sitting down with some Sony folks at GDC. Hopefully I can get you all some answers.
Lord_Satorious's Avatar
Lord_Satorious at 02/26/2007 17:18
I hate both rumble AND motion control. I am a lazy gamer; I just want to play my games by pushing buttons when lying on a couch and not have my controller vibrate or have to shake the damn thing just to accomplish something that could just as easily be accomplished by pushing a button or moving a thumbstick around. If Sony could just release all the big name titles I've heard of before, I'd own a PS3 already.
Ignignokt01's Avatar
Ignignokt01 at 02/26/2007 17:18
Lame excuse. Seriously, its not about them REPLACING rumble with motion controls due to issues with them conflicting. We know they don't conflict becuase of the Wii remote, which has both. That's a copout, fair and simple. Ask anybody if they'd like to have rumble in their controllers, even in NEXT GEN SYSTEMS WITH 4 DIMENSION GRAPHIX AND VIRTUAL REALITY CONTROLS, everybody still likes the feeling of rumble. Its imperative in most games, like shooters. Sony needs to stop denying their failings and own up to them. That way, they can say: hey maybe this is something we should improve? If they don't even admit its a problem, its never going to get fixed. Fuck Sony, once again
Ignignokt01's Avatar
Ignignokt01 at 02/26/2007 17:22
Interesting note: Phil thinks motion controls is "next-gen", yet according to Sony and PS3 fanboys, the Wii isn't a next-gen console? A small contradiction...

He's a master of PR, I'll give him that. But he, like most PR dudes, is a douche.
ArrestedDeveloper's Avatar
ArrestedDeveloper at 02/26/2007 17:27
I knew it was Ready to Rumble just by looking at the picture. I think saying rumble is a last gen technology is bull crap though, I still like rumble, I'm a consumer, therefore rumble is still pertinent to this new generation. Plus Wii has motion control and rumble. I feel motion control is over hyped (i own a wii and once the newness of it wears off you wish you were playing zelda with a stadard controller.
ArrestedDeveloper's Avatar
ArrestedDeveloper at 02/26/2007 17:29
^^
standard controller.)
branflakesinmilk's Avatar
branflakesinmilk at 02/26/2007 17:36
Without rumble the PS3 controller goes flying out of my hands because it weighs three ounces. No cord, no weight, the thing is just slip-sliding all over the damn place!
GuitarAtomik's Avatar
GuitarAtomik at 02/26/2007 17:43
Whenever someone asks him (or any Sony PR person) about rumble, he tries to play it off that they couldn't do both and that they decided motion control was more important. The Wii is proof that that is complete bullshit not to mention that TWO companies (Immersion and Splitfish) have publicly stated it could be done with little extra cost to the controller.

Sony needs to own up to the fact that it's not there because of the Immersion lawsuit and get over themselves. There is absolutely NO reason that the SIXAXIS can't have both.
JamesSorensen's Avatar
JamesSorensen at 02/26/2007 17:57
fuck rumble i could care less

people make such a big deal about it not being there... thing is noone really cared it was there since n64

if its thiere its there if its not its not ... big deal
skruloos's Avatar
skruloos at 02/26/2007 18:03
Arrested Development said "I feel motion control is over hyped (i own a wii and once the newness of it wears off you wish you were playing zelda with a stadard controller."

It's amazing the different reactions people have to the controller. I'm the complete opposite. After having played Twilight Princess on the Wii, I sat down to play Morrowind and Ocarina of Time over again and I was wishing for controller motion. Whenever I got into the heat of battle, I got more into it flicking the controller back and forth rather than button pushing. But to each his own.
mix's Avatar
mix at 02/26/2007 19:38
GuitarAtomik:
The Wii and PS3 DO NOT use the same motion technology, The PS3 does not need to have a bar set up for motion tracking(Super Scope style) and I find the PS3 more accurate and precise than the Wii.(I have only tried driving games on the PS3 mind you)

I was the one who turned vibration off in a game as I didn't enjoy it as a feature. I would rather have motion over rumble any day.
iliketuna's Avatar
iliketuna at 02/26/2007 19:46
"I think the fact that we are able to have a very well organized, very well managed supply channel, which allows us to keep the stores restocked, is a really positive thing."

That made me laugh so damn hard...
JonDarkwood's Avatar
JonDarkwood at 02/26/2007 20:14
You know what else is last-gen?

Buying Sony-manufactured consoles.
ViperRohb34's Avatar
ViperRohb34 at 02/26/2007 20:44
This Dude is WHACKED

1st of all Sony said months before PS3 launch that Motion sensor and rumble were possible in one controller.. but the lawsuit was the REAL only reason it wasnt there.

Before rumble what was there? Thats right .. no rumble. Rumble has become part of real interactive feedback between games and yourself. Knwing when your hit.. feeling the pulses in steeering.. firing a fully automatic M60..

You can have both motion sensor and rumble..Just look at Wii..
Im OK's Avatar
Im OK at 02/26/2007 20:57
"Lame excuse or honest response?"

Lame excuse.

The Wii managed to do it, and in a way that didn't preclude motion-sensing. I guess when Sony was stealing the motion-sensing idea from Nintendo, they didn't steal a way to keep in rumble as well. Haw haw!

OH NO I DI'IN'T!

(Yeah, that was an uncalled for low blow, I know. Sorry. ¬_¬)
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 02/26/2007 21:40
"Now, rumble I think was the last generation feature; it's not the next-generation feature."

So what if it's a last generation (or even two generation ago) feature? Game design should build on the past, not replace it. You don't see people saying "analog joysticks are a last generation feature."

"I think, first of all, the so called negativity is in a fairly narrow section of the media."

If by fairly narrow you mean any non-Sony financed media, then I'd say you hit the nail on the head, Phil.

"I don't really care about the negativity in the press; if it was true, if they were talking about real big issues that were genuine criticisms, then of course we'll address them, but there's nothing that bothers me."

They do talk about the big issues, Phil. It's just that nothing borrows you because you have to put up this "we're undefeatable" front to try and hold on to the PS2's success.

To be fair, Nintendo's wiimote has the most sorry excuse for rumble I've felt in a while, more of a buzz than actual rumble. What happened to the days of genuine force feedback? If I use my wiimote as a sword and hit something, I want that thing rumbling like I just hit a plate of armor.
deiga-the-semivaliant's Avatar
deiga-the-semivaliant at 02/26/2007 22:10
I concur with Necros opinion on the Wii remote rumble... that thing is WEAK. And don't get me started on the speaker.

But I guess it's just the limitations of the space in the controller. It is pretty small.

Sony PR is shitty blah blah blah. We all know it, we all say it, the world still turns. It's like with every step they take, they fall down a flight of stairs.
Magesx's Avatar
Magesx at 02/26/2007 22:45
RUMBLE IS SERIOUS BUSINESS

But does anyone care? Most of the people who say that it's the stupidest idea ever hate the PS3 to begin with.
Magesx's Avatar
Magesx at 02/26/2007 23:00
That is, to take out the rumble. I didn't really make that clear.
GuitarAtomik's Avatar
GuitarAtomik at 02/27/2007 00:03
Mix:

I know they don't use the same tech, but both Splitfish AND Immersion have both stated that they came up with solutions that would work in the SIXAXIS. MULTIPLE solutions. You don't need to chose between either rumble or motion control because it's completely viable to have both. And if you hate it, there's always the option to turn it off.

That's nice that you don't care about rumble but I did. I thought the dual shock had the best rumble of last gen and felt it was the biggest controller innovation since the analog stick. Completely nixing it and telling me it's old tech and that I don't need is straight up wrong. Are they going to get rid of the d-pad next? I'm sure some people never use that right?
Mxyzptlk's Avatar
Mxyzptlk at 02/27/2007 00:21
I want my games to rumble. Whenever I play console ports on the PC, the lack of rumble bothers me the entire time. I can't play driving games at all with it. Some people obviously don't like it, but with other systems they can turn it off. PS3 owners who enjoy force feedback are SOL. I'm saying it right now, PS4 will have rumble put back in.

@ Mix: The PS3 controller doesn't need a sensor bar because it doesn't have the pointing feature either.
questworld's Avatar
questworld at 02/27/2007 01:31
I personally think current rumble is rather crude. It's fine if you're firing a machine gun or driving in a racing game, but for a lot of other stuff I think it needs work. What I want is like a directional force feedback but in a wireless way; like if I was using the Wiimote and played a first-person sword fighting game I'd like the control to react as if it got hit from a certain direction. I'm thinking more like some four sided mechanism w/ four "hammers" where one of which will tap one side of the housing.

Anyway, I personally don't see the big deal of having rumble, most of the time anyway, but I think Phil's making up excuses especially in the light that we can probably guess why they didn't put it in in the first place (i.e. Immersion lawsuit). It's too bad really but I'm sure those interested in the system will live without it... at least until they the moment they suddenly add it back and it's all "next gen now because we've finally said so."
Civnerd's Avatar
Civnerd at 02/27/2007 01:34
The next thing out the "last gen" door?? We will soon see PS3 controllers with a sticker where the d-pad once was, with an arrow pointing to the thumbstick.
questworld's Avatar
questworld at 02/27/2007 01:37
Incidentally I actually like a weaker rumble feature for most scenarios. I would really like them to make a multi-level rumble device and not just a quick turn on turn off to simulate weaker force feedback. I'd like something that has both, say, the vibration level of a electronic toothbrush (regardless of how long it operates) and then have something much stronger for those machine gun type games.
Rosten's Avatar
Rosten at 02/27/2007 02:36
"The Wii and PS3 DO NOT use the same motion technology, The PS3 does not need to have a bar set up for motion tracking"

The Wii doesn't use the bar for its accelerometers, it uses it for IR positioning. The PS3 completely lacks IR positioning, it only has accelerometers. They use the same accelerometer technology.
Bob Arctor's Avatar
Bob Arctor at 02/27/2007 02:41
I just realized today that i have had the rumble off on my 360 controller to save battery life because I ran out and didnt want to buy more or a 2nd rechargable one so i obviously dont miss it
I'm fine with no rumble on my PS3
Burnt Meatloaf's Avatar
Burnt Meatloaf at 02/27/2007 03:39
I get genuinely annoyed when I encounter a PS2 game that doesn't have rumble.
Angry Irish's Avatar
Angry Irish at 02/27/2007 09:52
"Ask anybody if they'd like to have rumble in their controllers, even in NEXT GEN SYSTEMS WITH 4 DIMENSION GRAPHIX AND VIRTUAL REALITY CONTROLS, everybody still likes the feeling of rumble. Its imperative in most games, like shooters. Sony needs to stop denying their failings and own up to them."

Do NOT generalize gamers. That's one way gaming companies screw up so badly. The only thing rumble did for me was pleasing my crotch during Tony Hawk games when going on a non-stop rail. Otherwise, it's useless.
ViperRohb34's Avatar
ViperRohb34 at 02/27/2007 11:08
"The only thing rumble did for me was pleasing my crotch during Tony Hawk games when going on a non-stop rail. Otherwise, it's useless."

Most gamers don't see you "View" .. but you're right some seem to think it was better in the old Nintendo Days before rumble.

Get this clear Anyone can have both. A gamer setup a 360 controller to have motion sensing on his stock 360 controller.. it worked perfect and the rumble was unaffected
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