In a recent interview, Sony Computer Entertainment America president Kaz Hirai said that the "strategic" move to drop rumble from the PlayStation 3 controller was for the consumer's benefit.
Hirai told games website Kikizo in a recently posted Tokyo Game Show video interview, "The issue when we're talking about trying to have motion sensing as well as a vibration feature, is trying to isolate the vibration feature from the motion sensors. Is it technically feasible? Absolutely."
However, Hirai said that a tilt-control-enabled controller coupled with rumble technology would be too pricey for many customers.
He continued, "But the other problem, or the balancing act that you need to do, is to be able to present the controller to the consumer at an affordable price. We have one controller in the box, but many consumers will want to go out and get an extra controller. And if we have to come up with technology - which you can technically do - to isolate the vibration from the sensing, if that means that the controllers are going to be so expensive, then we're doing the consumer a huge disservice by coming up with a controller that is not very affordable.
"So it's a balancing act that we need to do. And we felt that ultimately, the vibration feature, which is a feedback feature, as compared to the motion sensing which is an input functionality, when you compare the two, we decided that the input device or methodology is a lot more important than feedback, and that has been a strategic decision that we've made."
Sony have revealed that the PS3 controller, now dubbed "Sixaxis," would cost the equivalent of $42 in Japan.
correct decission ! i would prefer moton sensinge in any time !
That's bull. Rumble is just missing and that's sad. Motion is fun, but a gimmick. Like the Wii has it. Games are fun but not exciting like real next gen.
MS Sidewinder had it for PC. The same as the PS3 controller has. It was fun for 5 minutes then people turned it off because they like to game and not swing across the room
I'm genuinely excited about the wii controller. I may get bored after a short time, but the possibility of greatness is too good to pass up.
Mart mentioned the Sidewinder, which I had and despised. It just seemed pointless. The PS3 controller may someday become good at controlling certain games, but the controller is just after 1080p on the list of features that I, personally, could care less about. It just doesn't seem to excite me like the wii does.
Anyone else?
"However, Hirai said that a tilt-control-enabled controller coupled with rumble technology would be too pricey for many customers."
You mean like a $600 console? ;)
The new "in" this year is: If you don't want to add it, call it a ‘Strategic’ Move.