Immersion weighs in on PS3 controller

Vic Viegas, CEO of Immersion, said "it would have an impact on our revenue" if Sony decides to eliminate vibration in the PS3 controller, according to our sister site Next-Gen. "If [Sony] eliminated all support for the current rumble technology, then presumably the third parties will not be selling vibration controllers," which would in turn affect the company's ability to license out its force-feedback technology.

For many gamers, Immersion first came to light in 2002, when it sued Sony and Microsoft over the use of its patented force-feedback technology in their controllers. Microsoft settled out of court, but Sony fought the suit and was hit with a $90.7 million judgment in Immersion's favor.

While Sony insists that the removal of vibration from the PS3's controller is tied to its motion-sensitivity, rumors persist that the litigation is Sony's main reason for eliminating the rumble. When asked at a press event in March if the Immersion lawsuit was tied to the PS3's then-secret controller design, Sony Worldwide Studios President Phil Harrison vehemently denied any connection.

To get the full story, check out Next-Gen's articlehere.

June 20, 2006