PS3 Rumble Controller Definitely at TGS

In a revelation that will shake the hands of gamers worldwide, IGN has confirmed that Sony's worst kept secret, the rumble-enabled PlayStation 3 controller, will indeed make its debut at this week's Tokyo Game Show. During a demonstration of Criterion's upcoming PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 crash 'em up Burnout Paradise, attentive editor Anoop Gantayat noticed a trembling sensation while playing the PlayStation 3 edition. Inspecting the controller, which was aesthetically identical to the existing Sixaxis, he glimpsed a sticker on the bottom labeled "RUMBLE." Gantayat also reports that the addition of the rumble motors increases the weight of the previously featherweight controller. In his exact words, it felt "notably heavier." This experience confirms recent rumors that Sony has been shopping rumble-enabled controllers around development studios and integrated rumble functionality into the latest PS3 Software Development Kit. There's no word yet if, as the rumors suggest, Sony will be utilizing Immersion's advanced TouchSense technology. Sony previously attributed the PS3's lack of rumble to difficulties with the Sixaxis's motion sensing technology. SCE Worldwide Studios head Phil Harrison even went so far as to claim rumble was "a last generation feature," though many speculated the exclusion was due to a lengthy lawsuit, filed by Immersion in 2002, regarding the original PlayStation and PlayStation 2's rumbling Dual Shock controllers. Microsoft settled a similar case with Immersion in 2003, thus permitting its continued use of rumble motors in Xbox and, eventually, Xbox 360 controllers. Sony and Immersion came to a mutual agreement regarding their legal action earlier this year. At the time, many assumed the burying of the so-called legal hatchet between the two companies would result in the integration of rumble into the PS3 controller. Suspicions were further raised a few days later, when God of War II director Cory Barlog exclaimed "Rumble coming back to PS3, eh?!" at the game's launch party. With Burnout Paradise both supporting rumble and due out in early 2008, there is a good chance the Sixaxis Shake, Dual Shock 3, or whatever Sony ends up calling it will end up in gamer's hands before the year's end. It is also a safe bet that other upcoming PlayStation 3 titles, especially those developed by internal first-party studios, will incorporate the new controller's capabilities. This is far from the first instance of Sony revising a system's controller post-launch. A few years after the original PlayStation hit stores, the company released a controller featuring the now-standard dual analog sticks. A vibration-enabled Dual Shock followed a short time later. Given Sony's precedent during that time, it seems doubtful the company will institute any sort of exchange or trade program for those who own the existing Sixaxis, though after its release, the updated controller will likely be bundled with the PlayStation 3. Expect to hear more on PlayStation 3's rumbling controller, as well as supported games, in the coming days as Tokyo Game Show goes into full swing.