SIXAXIS Finally Gets Rumble and an Extra Feature as Well!

It finally looks like Sony's implementing that wretched rumble functionality in the SIXAXIS. But wait, PSM France has more on that. Apparently, the company not only wants to give gamers the "feeling" that the ground is shaking underneath their character's feet, but also wants to add more depth to this feature, by implementing the SIXAXIS' analog sticks with 'touch sensitivity' as well.

There has been earlier talk about this 'touch feedback' (to be more exact) technology being implemented into the PS3's controller, back when Sony was just settling with Immersion on the rumble issue. Here's what Immersion's CEO Victor Viegas stated at the time, speaking of the respective technology:

"We are pleased to have put this litigation behind us. Our new business agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment is specifically intended to enable advanced vibration capability for the benefit of the PlayStation gaming community. We are happy to provide our technology in this regard and hope to make technical proposals very soon with respect to use of our technology in the PlayStation products."

What this feature does is that it enables a more nuanced rumble, not only felt through the controller's handles but also through the SIXAXIS' analog sticks. Now tell me Sony isn't thinking ahead of its problems. Well, not that this feature alone can pull the PS3 out of the mud, but it's a good start I'll tell you that.

Now, you're probably wondering how much this will cost, right? Not much, as Joistiq reports: "...this rumor claims that the "engine" is cheaper to build than previous rumble mechanisms and should therefore add little to the cost of the controller,..." I'd say this was logical really - the company can't expect anyone to pay even more for an already overpriced machine.

OK then, I guess that just about covers the whole issue. SIXAXIS is getting rumble and then some. Now, how about those 380 titles, Sony, are they coming along...?