Sony PlayStation 3 gamers across the United States are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the DualShock 3 controller and will finally be able to enjoy haptic feedback in their PS3 games. While most gamers might be applauding Sony for bringing back this feature for their latest console, maybe we shouldn’t be so forgiving. The way I see it, gamers are still getting the shaft.
We’re now required to buy new controllers in order to enjoy vibration feedback in our PS3 games. Consumers looking to replace the four SIXAXIS controllers they already own with four DualShock 3 controllers will pay a hefty price of $54.99 each simply to get a feature that’s offered within older versions of the DualShock.
I understand the Immersion litigation was the main culprit behind the exclusion of haptic feedback in the SIXAXIS, but this problem was out of the gamers’ hands (no pun intended) and it seems like we’re the ones getting punished. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say the SIXAXIS always felt like a half-baked controller since vibration feedback was removed, but there weren’t better alternatives offered to play our PS3 games.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad Sony is offering the DualShock 3, but this is the controller we should have been using all along. Sony needs to take care of the consumers who bought the SIXAXIS, and here are some options:
1.) Create a trade-up program where consumers with a SIXAXIS controller can trade-up for a brand new DualShock 3. Since the shells of both controllers are exactly the same, I’m sure Sony could gut the SIXAXIS to include the vibration components.
2.) Offer a voucher for every SIXAXIS we own that would allow us to purchase a DualShock 3 at a reduced price. We can provide Sony with the serial numbers of each SIXAXIS we have and get a voucher in return. If Nintendo can give away free rubber jackets for consumers who previously bought Wii remote controllers, I don’t see why Sony couldn’t arrange this to happen for consumers who previously bought the SIXAXIS.
3.) Drop the price of the DualShock 3.
Any of these would be viable solutions that would prevent PS3 owners from feeling cheated because they purchased a SIXAXIS prior to the release of the DualShock 3. Let’s hope Sony doesn’t make a habit of excluding rudimentary features from peripherals only to offer them in later versions down the road.
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Although I do not own a PS3, it is still a big rip off.
And Sony is not really being called on it like they should.
What they should do, is, without question,
make the DS3 available for the people
with the sixaxis for either a minimal price,
or free, as an apology.
Word.
That was very well written. All though I agree with you I really don't think we'll get any breaks on this one. It's an early adoption issue.
Sony must have really thought most people would trade the rumble for motion control. Turns out they were wrong. Luckily I never bought a second controler until now.
I am glad they kept the SIXAXIS though. In some games it's well used,like Ratchet & Clank and Heavenly Sword.
I guess I don't feel ripped off because my sixaxis (pos controller by the way) broke and I replaced it with a DS3.
I fail to see how this is a rip off though.
shaft? to those who didn't plan ahead.
But in truth, I'd rather have a dualshaft3 than macroshaft
Dark Sniper agrees with you. Unfortunately, Sony didnt do this when Dual Shock was introduced on PS1, so it's highly doubtful they will do it now.
$niper