Sony to replace PS3 controllers

Sony has told GamesIndustry.biz that the company will provide a service to replace wireless PS3 controllers "when and if" their lithium batteries degrade.

A report on GamesRadar.com observed that the pads do not feature removable battery packs, arguing this would render them "effectively useless" as wireless controllers after a certain number of charges.

This, the article claimed, would leave consumers "forced to shell out" for replacements.

But a Sony spokesperson told GI.biz, "This is a purely speculative story and is largely untrue. The latest generation of Lithium Polymer batteries hardly suffer any memory effect at all, so it'll be many years before there's any degradation in terms of battery performance."

The spokesperson went on to confirm, "When and if this happens, then of course we will be providing a service to exchange these items."

A European price point for the pads has yet to be announced, but yesterday SCEA announced they will retail for USD 49.99 (EUR 39). It was also confirmed that PS3 owners will be able to charge and use their controllers via a supplied USB cable.

[Silverwolf]

These batteries don't catch on fire like there other ones. Ouch!!!

[shortyNZ]

it wouldnt surprise anyone if they did...

[Funky Town_TX]

Okay Sony don't talk about it untill you have a plan.

[Watapata]

"When and if this happens, then of course we will be providing a service to exchange these items." it would appear they have one...

[ASSASSYN 36o]

NEVER, IN GAMING HISTORY HAS A COMPANY BEEN SO STUPID!

[kmis87]

That is extreme hyperbole.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

The Cd-i cost $700 in 1991 dollars, and they released the three worst games ever for it (the three Zelda cd-i games). If anyone here doesn't know of these infamous Zelda games that Philips thought would sell systems, check out this link and watch some of the videos.

http://youtube.com/results?...

[coolfool]

I think that this is actually quite good of sony, I mean, them replacing the controller if the battery dies is expected, but I am glad that are going to provide service for it.

[Capt CHAOS]

They should have made the batteries replaceable in the first place.. A pretty stupid oversight on their part..

[THWIP]

...at disposable controllers.

I honestly didn't realize the PS3 "SUXASSES" used MP3 player tech. They should've done like MS, and given you the option to just use standard batteries, or buy your own rechargable ones. I already had my Energizer charger, and about a dozen batteries, for my various remotes, digital camera, etc. I never have to worry about needing to exchange my controller.

[Boink]

I notice she didn't say they will be providing a FREE exchange service. and if they do, it will be another way for sony to lose money.

I guess waiting for 3rd party controllers will be the best bet.

[calderra]

Ummm... did she say replacing for free? Or did she just say replacing? Check your BS detectors, people.

And even if it was free, Sony's again looking at footing a big bill. Massive battery recalls are still starting up seemingly every week, a hugely expensive console sold at a big loss is about to launch, profit forecasts for the next year have already been announced 38% lower than expected (see yesterday's news)....

This makes a massive "WTF" factor. Sony really can't afford to plan for a massive wave of controller replacements at this juncture, and all they would have had to do was make the battery replacable.

Unless they made a deal to lock in the battery in exchange for reduced cost (a standard "proprietary hardware" kind of deal)... hhmmm...

[DJ]

First you guys complained about the battery not being replaceable and the whole "Sony's ripping us off" conspiracy.

Now that Sony's saying that they'll replace faulty controllers for free you're still complaining? It's not going to be a massive wave of controllers coming in; you people act like 50% of the controllers are going to be faulty.

[TheXgamerLive]

This is crap and you know it. Another majorly bad desicion by sony.
Does the fun ever start w/sony? Does it?

[Genki]

Wake up folks, this is NOT bad news! Just like Microsoft reimbursing those who had to pay for system repairs, Sony is putting forth the effort to fix their own woes.

Now, I'm not trying to put them in the limelight here, don't misunderstand. I actually agree with the majority this time in that it's a pretty bad idea that batteries can't be replaced by the consumer. All I'm saying is, why defame Sony even more for trying to alleviate a problem much in the same manner MS did(which I also think was a brilliant stroke)? Where's the fire, really?

[TheXgamerLive]

Yes, they supposedly say they'll replace the unit's in a given time that malfunction, etc... but to really fix the problem so to speak, sony would have said this is only temporary, instead we'll be making the controllers soon so that you can replace the batteries. That would of been the right thing to do, this is just another sick a*s thing that sony is doing.

[PS360WII]

Come on now. It's a controller, it's wireless, and you don't need to buy anything extra for it. Meaning you don't need to buy batteries, you don't need to buy a lithum rechargable, and you don't need to buy a recharge station. Oh my goodness that sounds like they covered thier bases!
I did the 360 rechargable battery crap for a month and finally found out how crazy I was for putting up with that crap. Why have 6-8 batteries laying around waiting to be used when you can just have one thing. To many accessories become a bad thing.

[THWIP]

...you'll never have to THROW AWAY your 360 controller, because of a dead/defective battery.
If you're too lazy to take 15 secs to swap batteries, as needed, you have issues.

[PS360WII]

Lithum batteries lifetime is around 3-5 years. So I guess I can start to worry about 'throwing away' my controller then. I don't have a problem switching batteries I have a problem having that many batteries cluttering up my stuff. Sure you can hide it in a corner but it's still junk and not needed.

[ThaTeflonDon]

Laptop batteries 2 to 3 months (when made by sony) ....and you actually think this is a good idea?? ....so I guess you would also love the idea of a non-removable laptop battery?? ....I DON'T THINK SO! ...how stupid does that sound!

[PS360WII]

All those items I meantioned had lithum batteries not rechargable energizer AA batteries. What a f-head. I'm not working for sony. And on another note a lithum battery for a labtop is not anywhere close to be compared to the lithum battery of a controller dolt. You MS fanbots need to start thinking and stop with all this blind hate.

[ThaTeflonDon]

Umm ..I was not comparing the two. i was saying you would think it would be smart to enclose batteries in a Laptop as well as in a controller like the PS3.

[nstott]

Swapping rechargable batteries on a 360 is way better than being tethered to your ps3 waiting for your controller to recharge. Once you go wireless it's hard to go back even to wait for a recharge. A 360 rechargable battery is only $12. Where do they get $50 for ps3 replacement battery?

[THWIP]

For $12, I can get a 6-pack of rechargeable batteries, that will last me well over a year, at several HUNDRED gaming hours.
PS360Wii just sounds a tad anal/OCD..."clutter" from something that has practical uses for MULTIPLE DEVICES? That's retarded.

[PS360WII]

anyways all my equip uses lithum so I'm not sure what old stuff you are using

[THWIP]

And BS on "all my equip uses lithum so I'm not sure what old stuff you are using ". Of the items I mentioned, NONE can be purchased with non-replaceable lithium batteries. Stop with the lies...unless you want a job with Sony. :|

[BIadestarX]

Will Sony put this in writing? Do I have to keep my recipe and register each control I buy? Do I have to pay shipping and handling? How long do people have to wait for the controller since people do need a controller to play? Do people will actually wait 1-2 week for Sony to replace their control or simply go buy another one? .... right I see this happening. I mean... seriously how hard it was to make them removable? Are there any technical reason similar to blue-ray? example, batteries last 100% longer if they are not removable? or some bull like that.... To me it sounds like one of those mail rebate that most people never do, in order to sell more controllers. How many people will actually bother going to the anoyance of calling sony, shipping the controller (paying for shipping) wait 1-2 weeks. Nice way or increasing the attach rate on accesories.

[kingboy]

throw your controller? lol you must be forgettin it`s got a freaking usb enable cord on it so why toss it away after 3-4 years?