Disappearing Act: What Happened to Sixaxis?

Greedy Raven writes, "From the very beginning, Sixaxis motion controls on the PlayStation 3 have constantly been under scrutiny. The complaints have not so much been that the hardware doesn't work, but instead that games aren't able to incorporate the motion controls into a fun game play experience. In game review after game review, critics shame developers for even trying to make motion controls an important part of the game play. It is so bad that now that if a game chooses to feature the motion controls at all, it is only as an option buried away under an obscure menu entry.

What happened? After all, the console leading the way this generation is the Nintendo Wii, which last time I checked, was built around the concept of implementing motion controls into gameplay. Surely PlayStation games can utilize the motion sensor features in a similar manner to the Wii, while still appealing to the hardcore crowd..."

[CrAppleton]

Sixaxis was a cheap gimmick where Sony did nothing more but try to copy the Wii's success

[bgrundman]

I would like to think that Sony had more of a plan in mind than ripping off the Wii... but if you were an outside observer, it could definitely appear that way

[ammonator]

LittleBigPlanet anyone? That game uses six-axis, not as a control scheme but it's fun nonetheless.

[Cajun Chicken]

Gotta love slapping a friends Sackboy in the face.

[Capt CHAOS]

Do you not remember Sony showing that dreaded boomerang and in desperation once Nintendo announced their system, announced a controller based on the ps2 controller with.. Motion control. Minus the rumble... ??

[Danja]

except that the Boomerang controller looked pretty cool..:D

[topgeareasy]

sixaxis is before the wii

look at this:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch...

[Homicide]

I hated it. It always felt like it was going to break. DualShock 3 is better.

I want to see more implementation on the motion sensing. Did R2 even have it?

[Amnesiac]

Yeah RFOM and R2 both have uses for the sixaxis, when an enemy tries to bite your face off, you shake the controller to get them off, same as when you are on fire.

[Sickr]

How can anyone possible disagree with the aforementioned statement?

The Sixasis is an awfully designed gimmick and I'm pleased that developers have dutifully decided not to force its unwieldy play schemes on the user.

[jadenkorri]

ya topgeareasy, we all know, but don't forget the mind set of a 360 Fanboy, MS created and started Avatars, despite coming out after the Wii and Home, Home was long out before MS released theirs, it was just a closed Beta... Oh well, wonder what MS and 360 fanboys will claim next...

@ Sickr
did you not play Lair, as annoying as it was when i first played it with the sixaxis, once you get used to it, its freaking amazing, WarHawk uses it too, however using anologs in that game for me was required, but lair, could of been great had it not been rushed, but the control was done well... had they had the option to use analog, i would 100% guaranteed to have used it rather than the six axis, but thanks to lair and being forced, even with analog, still play lair with six axis...

Lastly, what do you think would have happend had Wii offered a standard controller, like the Gamecube controller as an example, along with the motion controllers, we still would be using that controller as the motion controllers wouldn't be appealing as a regular controller...sometimes being forced, is the only way to move forward...

[gonzopia]

Dualshock 3 contains SIXAXIS. It's not used in every game, but I'd rather have it than not, because I've seen a few really cool uses for it... namely the flying in Warhawk, the arrows and thrown objects in Heavenly Sword, and the ability to shove a creature off you in Resistance.

It has it's place, if used sparingly and in the proper manner.

[Bob Dole]

Bob Dole likes the reloading by pulling the controller up in Army of Two. It really helps to not have to take your thumb off the analog stick to reload. Bob Dole thinks every FPS on the PS3 should have this feature.

[cmrbe]

and the PS3 were launched basically together. There is no way on earth Sony could have copied the wii controller in less than 3 months.

[MazzingerZ]

the DS3 has Sixaxis so they didn't go anywhere...I think it's a great feature in some games, they are always optional (Lair the only exception now patched)...in Warhawk is way easier to fly by using the Sixaxis.

Good use of Sixaxis:
- Folklore
- Warhawk
- Heavenly Sword
- Ratchet & Clank: TOD
- Super-Rub-Dub (PSN)
- Toy HOME (PSN)
- High Velocity Bowling (PSN)

...which other I missed? I need some help here people!

...ohhhh yes, I'm looking forward to see how GOW3 utilises them

[motts]

It was so useful in Uncharted too when you needed to throw long grenades. It was much faster and easier to adjust the distance with sixaxis than with the analog stick. im kinda pissed it's gone in the next one

[sloth4urluv]

So sony didnt rip off the wii they ripped off pelican?

[na2ru1]

Glad someone out there in this world appreciated the grenade mechanics in Uncharted like I do.

[littletad]

It reminded me of the time my older relatives were playing tetris and frantically waving the Nintendo controller thinking the motion would steer the block in that direction.

Motion sensing isn't really a must have feature for the hardcore gamer, at least in my opinion. It's a gimmick and I'm glad Sony never mandated the use of it on it's games.

[Powertesties]

I like to think later this year we will see better uses of the technology Sony has placed in it's controllers. There is possibility is there but it really is up to the developer to utilize this technology. So far, no one has really used to it to the level of playability.

[blackpanther25]

Reloading with the sixaxis should be implemented into every fps. I believe it is in GTA IV as well.

[pixelsword]

...BKA the "power glove"

The PS1 version of the sixaxis made by pelican, was in essence the sixaxis... which, if I'm not mistaken allowed SONY to use the technology.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch...

[ButterToast]

I completely Agree with you.

I just bought Lair recently and I can't figure out what everyone was B!tching about. The sixaxis controls work amazingly well once you get use to them and like you I would never play Lair with the analog controls. I wish they took an extra few months though to make transitions smoother and fix a few graphical problems.

After playing the game and looking back on the reviews and the bandwagon hate the game received I'm not only disgusted with the review sites, but have also come to the conclusion that lair is one of the most underrated games ever. It's not perfect but its definitely underrated.

And you know 90% of the people bashing this game never even played it.

Kudos to you for your comment on Lair.

[paul-p1988]

Pain used it aswell, and i think its really good on that. Come to think of it, so did Super Rub a Dub, and i thought that was really well done aswell (kinda similar to the Wiimote in many respects that)

[RumbleFish]

I love playing Motorstorm and Motorstorm PR with the tilt controls. It's a whole lotta fun! And with SOCOM it's a great feature as well. I think it's OK, not to force anybody to use it, but it's allways great, to have the opportunity to use it.

[Cajun Chicken]

Ahem...Flower? Killzone2 using it to snipe? I'm sure it will be used to full potential with God of War 3 as that series uses EVERY BUTTON on the controller back on the PS2 and PSP.

[bgrundman]

That is true! I hope that some of the more skilled developers start implementing it more seamlessly into gameplay, instead of using it a minigame gimmick.

[CrAppleton]

You're right.. there have been implementations of sixaxis control throughout games.. but none have been significant.. and few have been worth using..

[Danja]

they dont play PSN games so they wouldn't know...

edit: wats with the dis-agrees...all I was saying is that alot of PSN games uses the six-axis very good.....so obviously the person who wrote this dont know what they are talking about..

[Cajun Chicken]

Ratchet and Clank Future use it pretty well too. I hope Insomniac don't drop it in the next game like most developers appear to.
I'm slightly disapointed in Naughty Dog, Uncharted 2 should use it somewhere from what previews say, they aren't.

[bgrundman]

I wouldn't worry about uncharted 2 yet, considering it is still in development. If it is still at that status in a few months, then you might have room to worry.

[Pennywise]

I'm sorry, but flipping the controller up to reload is the best use of the Sixaxis. This should be used in all shooters.

[Bob Dole]

THANK YOU! You beat Bob Dole to the punch. Not having to move your thumb off of the right analog stick to reload is superb.

[pixelsword]

...and it was use pretty okay, Then Motorstorm; but the game that made me fall in love with the Sixaxis was this one:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch...

Then Heavenly Sword used it very well in so many ways that they made the word "aftertouch" stick.

Lair was another good use (Yeah, I'm one of the ones who "got it": not to brag, but I'm #69th best on Lair Worldwide last I checked.

There are many other examples, but the controls have to be used to fulfill it's potential, not whine about what it is or isn't. The Sixaxis is very useful in capable developer's hands.

[bgrundman]

I think that we have just seen the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential of Sixaxis controls. Gamers and reviewers just need to give it a fair chance before saying it doesn't work.

[Bob Dole]

Word.

[ButterToast]

ya I've seen so many gamers cringe upon hearing the word sixaxis.

[resistance100]

It has been used well in some games, with heavenly Sword and FlOw being the ones which stand out the most.

Also Killzone 2 uses it's well for the sniping

[bgrundman]

I look forward to the chance to test that out!

[CrAppleton]

I'm VERY interested to see how well it works with KZ2 and sniping.. But I have yet to see a MUST HAVE use for it.. I think it's nice to have available.. just a gimmick.. that's all

[bgrundman]

To each their own I guess...

[mfwahwah]

Uncharted, loved it for the grenade throwing and the lean back jumps.

NBA 2K8, loved it for free throws

MGS4, loved it for shaking off my camo

I mean, these are all very small and simple uses, but they go so damn far for what they're worth.

To me at least

By the way, I don't like motion control, but I can definitely appreciate it when it's used well.

[bviperz]

You can also use it (in SP) to lean in/out of cover.

[Fishy Fingers]

Two articles concerning sixaxis in one day? Either way, the accelerometers used in the sixaxis are not really sensitive enough to have as a default method of control (Example, Lair) like the Wii. But personally, I've experienced plenty of good examples of sixaxis that help "benefit" the experience, LBP, Ratchet & Clank, Heavenly Sword etc (I could go on) and I like some future uses I've seen such as KZ2 and using it to open vents or what ever.

Sixaxis has plenty of fun and practical applications which some devs have utilized extremely well. If sixaxis is used in "larger" applications (WarHawk planes or whatever) then as long as it's optional it's great, some like it (turn it on), some dont (turn it off), they're giving you the choice.

[CrAppleton]

I will give you that looking around with your guy in LBP is a cool feature.. but it doesn't add to the gameplay at all

[Fishy Fingers]

I disagree, plenty of times I've found myself chuckling at the sporadic head movements or the random pelvic gyration. To me, that means it benefited the experience, it's funny.

[CrAppleton]

I agree with that.. It is funny and makes for great online fun with friends.. but I still say it doesn't actually improve the GAMEPLAY

[Sarcasm]

I think SIXAXIS should always remain optional. When you have no option to turn it off, then it will end up like Lair.

[thor]

I don't think it's good when it gives you the option to use it or not; because it's ALWAYS easier to go without. If they had online servers set up dedicated to motion control that might be good, so you know everyone is forced to use it. But I think it's best relegated to a simple function; for example, Motorstorm 2 uses it to right your vehicle if you're in the air to get a better landing. It's not optional, but it's not something that's particularly hard to do so it doesn't frustrate. Then of course there's Super Rub-a-Dub, Flow and suchlike.

[Raoh]

killzone 2 is supposed to raise the bar on sixaxis. littlebigplanet uses it. i wish they used it more in uncharted. it was cool balancing on the logs with it. gta4 uses it for steering.

but the best use to date has to be aiming arrows in heavenly sword. dark sector tried this too but the path of your glaive was too short to use it as good as in heavenly sword.

[bgrundman]

If Microsoft were to have released a Sixaxis-like controller, they would have been raked across the coals by Nintendo fanboys... so why is Sony immune?

[CrAppleton]

They aren't.. and it IS a cheap knock off..

[WEL]

I don't see the media bashing the Mii's-like of the X360 so, I don't understand your statement... The sixaxis have been bashed since launch. You already forgot? The entire PS3 have been bashed since launch without stopping ever, 2-3 years later and the trend continues...

[ravinshield]

it failed just like the ps3rd

[CrAppleton]

sixaxis really needed? We all know the answer is no.. it is nice to have.. sure.. but we can do without it Sony

[PimpHandHappy]

HVB is awesome

looking 4ward to seeing what flower does with it.

I think it will be used more for PSN games then anything. Uncharted cut it out and im cool with that. You cant have a bowling game without it

with that said
it really hasnt added much to most PS3 games. HS made it fun

[Parapraxis]

Motorstorm Pacific Rift + Sixaxis = win
High Velocity Bowling is the game I've seen that uses the sixaxis the best.
Sony could easily use this in more games like HVB and have it be a success.
I was shocked when Hot Shots OOB didn't impliment it, I would own that game right now if it used sixaxis controls.
I think Devs are treating sixaxis as more of a compliement rather than a complete control scheme.
I'm still waiting for a minigames collection that uses sixaxis. Why nobody has made one yet baffles me. Sony should step up and make a "mature" sports collection. Golf, Baseball, Bowling, Volleyball, whatever, It CAN be done.

[ReTarDedFisHy]

By far had (has) the best SIXAXIS Motion controls. Most games are waaay too sensitive and it feels quirky and awkward trying to control it. R&C nailed the sensitivity, and that's all that the SIXAXIS needs.

[C_Dub]

Motion control doesn't really appeal to me, which is why I don't have a Wii and every PS3 game that has it is usually turned off when I play. LBP is an exception because it doesn't get in the way, but sticks give you MUCH more control than motion sensing does.

[va_bank]

Does NO ONE here play Warhawk?

[thor]

Not with the motion controls. Pro flight with analogue sticks is the only way to go. I wouldn't dream of using sixaxis because it's too hard to control. Not to mention that you need to use the sticks anyway.

[va_bank]

I use ProFlight WITH SixAxxis. Left analogue stick is used for aiming.

[thor]

Well for me it was an unnecessarily complication. There's never any need to shoot at someone in one direction whilst moving in another, because they're usually moving away from you and you need to fly towards them anyway. So I ended up not bothering with the aiming, and so then the motion control was pointless.

[Chubear]

Like I've said, if you found Lair's 6a6 controls "unresponsive" then you just aren't good at motion sensing and that's not the game's fault, unless it's that wavy-wavy-do-anything-and-you' ll-still-hit kinda wii-mote thingy. I just dont' see how if you liked and enjoyed the 6a6 use in games like HS, R&C or Warhwark how you couldn't like the 6a6 use in Lair.

All I know is had reviews said the 6a6 controls take some time to get used to, no one would complain. Warhawks 6a6 controls are way harder to control even with sensitivity turned all the way down but since warhawk has an option to go analog, they didn't blast it at all. Factor 5 wasn't "forcing" anyone to use 6a6, they just foolishly thought people who called themselves gamers would just adjust and get it done like with the wii games or any other game.

...

To me, the bottom line is MS were the only ones that didn't have any kind of motion sensing and if they could find a way to make Sony's perceived advantage mute, they'd do it. This is nothing new for MS, they do this with all the other competitors they come up against when they enter a new industry or frontier. Had Lair gotten even 7s that still would have encouraged developers to try and develop more Motion sensing games for the PS3 and if that happened that one feature would have stuck out as one more feature MS's 360 doesn't have.

E.g look at the tonne of things PSN has over Live but what do you hear all the time that makes Live better? X-game chat. Everything else gets negleted and this one feature is hailed as the ultimate and worth giving MS $250 every gen to have. This is how MS rolls, spend huge amounts of resources making their competitors products look bad while they push their mediocre product ahead of, most of the time, far more better products. They rely heavily on consumer ignorance and mis-information and it works for them a vast majority of the time.

It seemed to have worked with motion sensing too cause after Lair's review bashing there hasn't been ANY developer who's talked or thought of bringing out any game that's heavy on motion sensing. This was what they wanted and they've accoplished it, to make sure developers stay away from improving and developing motion sensing games for the PS3.

The Wii's sole appeal was motion sensing and had Lair been done on the wii using the wii-mote in the exact way as the 6a6 controller, it would have been hailed as the best use of motion sensing and deem most innovative game of 2007 for sure; this I have no doubt. I mean come on, reviewers slobbered 8.5s all over a game like Boom Blox cause the Jinga blocks go BOOM?!... and Lair is a "fail"? Pfft yeah ok.

Editorial reviewers are a cancer to the progression of the industry and I can't wait for the day gamers start taking our gaming experiences back from these PR groups that use these gaming sites and their "reviews" to manipulate the industry.

[thor]

I don't think the reason Lair was panned was only because of the motion control. It was a general attempt by Sony to push everything on their console; 1080p being another example. Unfortunately this made the framerate very unstable. The gameplay was repetitive and hardly revolutionary.

[Chubear]

your comment is BS. You're just going off what you've read on forums and reviews but these aren't issues in my copy of Lair so I if you've actually played it, I dont know how your copy got something different.

Of all the talk about Lair having bad framerates yada yada yada, there isn't ONE video anywhere that shows this. Doesn't that seem odd. As a matter of fact, games like Assassin's Creed, Mass Effect and even Geow had framerate issues worse than I've ever seen in Lair and Lair had 10 times more action on screen than any of these but I don't see anyone mention that flaw for these games.

The worst thing Lair had at launch was an occasional nasty screen tear on a take down animations and even that got cleaned up within 2 weeks of launch. Certain people have seen framerate glitches (this is different from framerate in-game)but all have said were either one time events or just rare.

Again, the gaming media manipulate the communities gaming experiences and that's a sad thing indeed. I'd rather stick to the topic of motion sensing and not make this Lair focused.

Please, if you can find ONE vid that shows all these issues that can't be found on any other well known game then please, post a link so I can see. Actually you won't, cause I've looked real hard for myself.

heres a vid of ONE of the many hectic battles in Lair. Please, point out the time zones where you see bad framerate that hinders the gameplay so much that it has to be pointed out as a major factor to down a game.

http://www.gametrailers.com...

That much action on any of the games I mentioned above would have made them CHUG like crazy and this is just some regular gamer like you and me that just learnt the controls like you would with any other game, no editing or stuff like the gaming sites do, just straight raw footage.

And you saying you don't think it was for motion sensing that Lair got slammed means you have a very very short memory. That was THE main factor for it's slamming by reviewers.

[thor]

OK so I didn't play the game; I stayed away after reading the reviews.

I believe you when you say that the framerate issues in Lair were no worse than other games. But they were mentioned in the reviews I read. The graphics were both praised and criticised. I remember that the game got a couple of re-reviews after it was patched with analogue control; and the reviews were positive but not overly so. It may have got 7s and 8s had the analogue control been there from the start.

It _might_ be the case that, upon being forced to use motion controls and not liking it, the reviewers found every last bit of the game to complain about. You can find many criticisms against ANY game - MGS4, Gears of War 2, you name it. List them in a review and slap a score on it and you have a "legitimate" review. But I don't suppose their criticisms are completely invalid.

[Sevir04]

Thor I respect your comments but today Someone has a statement that can't be proved wrong. good on you Chu, very nice.

[Zeevious]

You're an example of what I have serious issues with among current "gamers" who read only reviews without reading between the lines. (Rent it to try - Like it? Buy)

Either you:
Don't own Lair...Never played Lair...Didn't bother to go through the practice runs included with Lair...Or don't really know a thing about Lair beyond reading only critical reviews.

It was even patched to include analog controls & improved targeting...Have you even played it since then?

Have you ever played it at all? (OK I see you answered that. Try it!)

Compared to the reviews I have to ask if the game reviewers where playing was Lair or Liar.
.

[na2ru1]

Ps3 default is set to highest - 1080i(interlaced) if you have a small TV like me.

Custom set it and uncheck the 1080i so that only the PROGRESSIVE is selected. progressive may smoothen out the framerate.

I discovered this when I realised Warhawk had a much smoother framerate when 720p was set as highest res for my 30" Samsung(maximum 1080i)

[pippoppow]

Chubear- your repost is right on the button. Motion sensing is a good added feature that has been done well in games like folklore, heavenly sword and others. It adds another gameplay element which if done right adds nicely to the over all enjoyment and greater immerse experience of a game. Since MS has no motion sensing and no Blu-ray, they and biased media outlets continue to downplay those useful added feature/s. Hope they come out with a break apart controller next gen, similar to what I've seen on the net to further expand on that immersive experience.

[DragonWarrior46534]

This article = Flamebait.

[Chubear]

... isn't that what the entire gaming community is about this gen already?

[Chubear]

and disagree cause it's not true? Please mention one gaming community forum that doesn't rely on some sort of flamebait to stir up the community? Even sites like PSU that are very good at keeping within the lines fall in this stuff time to time.

This is what the core gaming industry has become, just one big flamebait for clicks and hits on websites.

[PotNoodle]

Like, shaking it to bring your octocamo suit to normal in MGS4. The little details in games like Killzone 2 where you have to keep it still to get a steady shot, move your controller and your scope will move, to turn a valve, hold both R1 and L1 and turn your controller as if you were turning the valve.

Just making whole games based around it is never really a good idea imo, even though there has been some great games with it - high velocity bowling to be exact, which imo is better than wii bowl, maybe not as easy but once you learn how to use it, it is better.

[Chubear]

"Just making whole games based around it is never really a good idea imo, even though there has been some great games with it - high velocity bowling to be exact, which imo is better than wii bowl, maybe not as easy but once you learn how to use it, it is better."

See, you just contradicted you own self there. This is what the gaming media has done to many minds in the community. They've succeeded in making people actually believe use of motion controls for a regular controller can't be done well and thus is useless but we've seen a couple of games that it's been done very well and within 2yrs.

So, what you think would happen over time when more and more developers start understanding more about it and what the community would like and developing fresh new sweet games with it?

We'll likely not find out this gen cause editorial reviews HAVE indeed succeed in planting that bad seed in the minds of many and if developers see other games that use motion sensing - on a platform other that the wii - are getting totally blasted, they sure as hell will stay away from even trying.

Who loses? Yup, we do. Not the gaming sites, not the developer companies or their PR divisions - WE DO.

[PotNoodle]

Because i didn't say that people shouldn't base their games around it because it isn't a good feature, but because it may encourage other developers to do so and most of them will fail.

Because with the large amount of games that do support it, as an option - it does hardly ever get used.

[Epic]

Yeh most games so far, in my opinion, whose main game mechanic is based solely on sixaxis.. haven't been all that good or received well especially if they don't give you the option to revert back to traditional control schemes.

Lair was good but when it first came out (Prior to Patch), they were MAJOR problems with the lock on system - according to IGN. If memory serves me right, this was in part, due to the 6a6 controls - making the game practically broken..(Patches have subsequently and substantially reduced this problem but the damage had already been done).

Saying that, when games use it as a side dish (like for aiming grenades in Uncharted, weopen reloading in Army of Two, effecting vehicle pitch in WipeOut HD) as oppose to the main course - I think it really adds to games.

However, there are people who swear by 6a6 in warhawk.

All in all though - the best games give me the option to customise my controls - so I can make it the best experience FOR ME.

[Chubear]

You opinion is valid but I just want to make something very clear. NOTHING but analog control, 2 new Dragons & switching the dash forward to the right D-pad were done for the Patch.

EVERYTHING else remained the same way for gameplay, framerate and controls. What you see now after the patch in gameplay was the same at launch. The vid I posted was from a gamer that uses only motion sensing on the game and I believe had posted that vid well before the patch had come out regardless.

[Epic]

yeh lair doesn't look that bad, even before the patch.
there were some harsh things said about it.

but some things were true.

but yeh the patch was good, because it added the analog controls.. but as you have brought to light, the patch didn't do that much different - because the game was ok before then.

However, when the patch was out; the damage had already been done.

[dazzalfc]

Some games that use it, use it very well, like, as others have said, Killzone 2 when sniping and LittleBigPlanet for quirky laughs.

I do find it a little useless though, and abit of a waste of time. However, its in there, and if used correctly, i'd be more than happy to use it.

Its nothing like the Wii's before that thing kicks off again. The whole idea of the Wii is motion control, whereas the Sixaxis is mainly there to complement any game that uses a feature tied to it

[micro_invader]

I think Flow used the sixaxis quite nicely. As people have said before me, the ps3's sixaxis is only there to compliment the overall gaming experience whereas the wii is based around motion sensing.

[PimpHandHappy]

i dont want it 2b a a big gameplay thing...like in Socom
I wont buy that game till i can lean using the pad! I would also like the crawl 2b a lot faster! Slant 6 can blow me

its nice to have thats 4sure. Without motion control the Wii would be no where near the level it is

[mll09]

I think the best use I've seen of it is LBP it never gets in the way, and is quite funny at some time.

I think its crown will be taken by Killzone 2, it uses the SixAxis in the most innovative way this gen IMO.

[InMyOpinion]

They should have added rumble from start instead of charging gamers for it afterwards.

[Bob Dole]

They couldn't. Sony was settling a lawsuit with immersion over the rumble technology when the PS3 was released. It's nice we can get it now though.

[crillyconlig]

KILLZONE 2 sixaxis sniping is perfect use of it, shake your hand the gun goes off aim like a real gun, move the controller very slightly for a pefect headshot, just like moving the gun in real life very gently for a better shot

[Forbidden_Darkness]

Some games have used it well, and im glad its not as major as the wii controller, side tasks are nice with the sixaxis.

Killzone 2 looks like its going to use them well, and lets not forget about flower.

[DJ]

And I love it when it's used cleverly, such as balancing in Mirrors Edge and Uncharted, manipulating the sniper rifle in Killzone 2, or controlling your Sackboy in Little Big Planet.

[Bazookajoe_83]

It really cool when it´s implemented in the little things, folklore had it spot on. I must say that it was also pretty cool to use it to reload in army of two.

[Bob Dole]

For sure. Slamming the monsters side to side then sucking them in.... that game had it's moments.

[titntin]

Six axis was and still is excellent.

The wii controller is an all or nothing thing, you HAVE to use the motion controls even when it hurts the game (as it often does).

By including it in the controller along with standard controls the balance is just right. Its not needed or useful for many games, but when it is its excellent. Brunswick bowling is excellent, the motion sections in HS were fun, the use in KZ2 works really well. When its used to simply compliment a well thought out control scheme its a very useful addition... and anyone who thinks otherwise has probably very little experiences of it.

[Epic]

I must say, Uncharted and Folklore (no one remembers that game) used the 6a6 really well, especially for grenades. If they take that out of uncharted 2 as I keep hearing, I'd be a bit sad. But hopefully Naughty Dog keep it in for the final builds of U2.

Saying that, I think the Gyroscope in the DualShock3 or SIXAXIS does PITCH really well..

Army of Two, Uncharted, WipeOut HD, FOLKLORE... all used the pitch really well - when I think about it.

[Pennywise]

I think the sixaxis was cool in Folklore, but overall the game was pretty forgettable. Something about reading the text someone is saying instead of listening bothered me. Anyways... game on!

[Epic]

Yes fair point, these days it would be better to use voice acting over text. That is one way most people marked that game down, understandably so.

Text is a bit old fashioned (I'm looking at you Zelda).

[Pennywise]

Yeah it just felt too retro to be a current gen game. Funny you said Zelda... my poor niece cant read that great yet and she is trying to play Zelda. Didnt work too well for her!

[na2ru1]

Totally agree with you on the games you mentioned. The main problem I found is that too much sensitivity on the motion sensors make it difficult since we haven't able adjust our jerkiness. I remember I use to be really jerky with the analogues but now we all love the precision it adds.

[Socomer 1979]

there's a ton of games that use sixaxis.
Its for the new school gamer. It takes a old gamer like me
a little while to adjust but with socom & folklore I just got it.

I thought it was kinda cool in gta4 too.

[ambientFLIER]

Words cannot describe my hate for this controller. I'm looking at it right now in front of me and I just want to smash it. It's very uncomfortable to larger hands, the sixaxis thing is a gimmick, the analog face buttons are a gimmick, the analog sticks are convex, which makes your thumbs slide off, the triggers are a joke and slippery, and the battery pack in not replaceable.

My 360 controller adapter cannot arrive soon enough...If Microsoft did ONE thing well it's the controller (save for the d-pad).

[ambientFLIER]

Don't be cheap and get a ds3? What? I have one... It came with the ps3.

[JOEdANGEL]

About the only use of Sixaxis im interested in is Flower. That game/visual trip seems like it will actually make good use of the controls. Every other game Ive played with it (not that many to be honest) has been more of an annoyance than an enhancer.

Uncharted's use of it to balance on logs and arc grenades was bad, but the use of it to steer boats in Saints Row 2 and helicopters in GTA4 was just plain awful. I'm not saying that all previous efforts have been the same, but it just feels like a gimmick that doesn't really need to be there.

[Magic_The_Celt]

People said "we want rumble"

and now i game with a Dualshock 3

Yeah sure, sony f*cked up trying to get rid of it at first, but hey its back now.

[ambientFLIER]

I tried using the motion feature in Resistance 2 and found it a gimmick. It was quicker to just hit the melee button instead of shaking the controller. It's just not sensitive enough; you have to pretty mush thrash it around for it to register until your wrist hurt.

Also, how do you set yourself on fire in R2? I played through the whole game and don't remember even seeing fire, let alone being set on.

[Lumbo]

walk up to a burning car wreck then *rolleyes*
As a medic i can tell you that people do it all the time and suck up all my heal merrily burning around...

[na2ru1]

I loved it in Uncharted since i was able to acend/decend grenade aiming quicker. I loved it in Motorstorm since they made it feel almost perfectly natural(when on 1st person view). And WIPEOUT HD is spot on ONLY when i configure the sensitivity to 30%.

Give me a shout if I'm not the only one.

[ARog34]

Unless it was a useless little handlebar that came out of the controller, then there's a reason to hate it... I must say: The SIXAXIS is AWESOME.

I finally have the option (a different option at least) to drive left and right with the controller in games like Motorstorm, Burnout, and WipEout- game devs that really added 'great' SIXAXIS motion sensing support.

I couldn't be more mad at the word 'gimmick'... One of the most successful PSN D/Ls- High Velocity Bowling uses it!!! I mean, why do people think 'Home' bowling isn't as intuitive? It would be much better with motion control. The DualShock 3 is built so well to be held like a bowling ball. Overall, SIXAXIS control is always fun to try, and I tend to use that option more than other people do.

Other notable games that are a success of SIXAXIS motion control: LittleBigPlanet, Warhawk, and Killzone 2 is *rumored* to have a really great sniping control. Only this is made possible by the great design of the SIXAXIS.

The next thing I want to see on PSN would be a mini putt putt game- and why not use the SIXAXIS for that? I wish I could develop such a game :D

EXTRA- Oh, and is that waggle, break-apart, wobbling controller using full space interaction ever going to come out?

[ElementX]

I remember when Sony said rumble was last-gen and motion was next-gen. LOL, my how things have changed. Charging consumers $55 for Dualshock 3 controllers to replace the original six-axis, batteries that can't be replaced. At least 360 controllers have a cheaper replaceable battery pack if they die. I'm not sticking up for 360, but the controller is much better.

[ARog34]

The statement: "Rumble is last-gen" (stated by Phil Harrison, a once top dog for Sony) was used to cover up a lawsuit case. They had been sued by the company 'Immersion' for infringing on certain rumble usage in the early Dualshock controllers (1 and 2).

It's like me saying- "You're last-gen with your thinking..." Sony has constructed the PS3 Dualshock controller with the mentality that "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." It's been improved upon for this current generation and the DS3 is one of the best controllers next to your beloved 360 controller.

*SRY to say that you're wasting a lot of money on rechargable or energizer batteries to have to constantly replace in your controller. I'd like you to tell me one case where the DS3 has failed due to the inner lithium ion battery. Hmmm... plus, how do you like the 'sticking / jutting out' of the xbox controller? I haven't seem to have that problem on the smooth backside of the DS3... I just can't agree with the stuff you've said I had to outlash against the xbox controller for something. But yeah, chose the controller that suits you best, but the DualShock 3 (DS3) is still one of the best controllers released since it's debut on the original Playstation. No reason to bash.

[Enigma_2099]

... they added a rumble feature after everyone kept B****ing about it!

That's what was really important to gamers... rumble. Now, what are you gonna single out about Sony to pick on next?

[hadouken007]

please no mo motion control in ps3 games,it rapes my game experience.

[madpuppy]

I think melee in Resistance 1 and 2 using the sixaxis was very well executed and natural. It is much better than mapping another button. The thing is, sixaxis, should used to enhance a game rather than gimmicking up the control scheme unnecessarily.

[Dark General]

Best game i played with motion controls was Dark Sector. Guiding the Gliave in mid-air making it turn corners to cut off some soldier's leg while he's trying to take cover was awesome. It was harder to get the decapitations but it was pretty fun steering it around.

[madpuppy]

It was used very well in Dark Sector, It's a shame the game had a few flaws and was a little repetitive regardless I still liked the game and throw it in to use the glaive. T think it would have been cool If Tenno was able to morph more than one weapon, a pole weapon for melee and maybe 3 more to break up the game and make it more interesting. Shame, the game started off so great....

[Dark General]

Yeah it started out pretty interesting and cool. Then the story and narrative just felt REALLY rushed. Also i was surprised that the girl ended up being that other warrior. Had they built up Tenno's relationship with her and the story overall i think the game would have been much better.

Still the game turned out to be a solid, fun little game. I agree with more weapons as well. The predator style cloak was pretty cool though.

[rob6021]

I think the reason they really didn't ever do much with 6 axis is the fact it doesn't have a wrist strap, and they were afraid of getting sued if they tried to do throwing or other gestures where you might lose the controller from your hand.

[shawnsl65]

i use it to melee attack with the gun when an enemy gets close.

[Cynical-Gamerzus]

Shave 25 bucks off of PS3 controllers or the 50 on a system??
Eliminate that Sixaxis BS!!
And make it an option to buy the controller with Sixaxis support!!

[NDoerrFans]

...for being the best mandatory use of Sixaxis controls in a game (at least, I think it was mandatory). "Tugging" a soul out of the enemies felt natural and it rarely, if ever, messed up on me. Assuming I knew what I was doing, especially for some of the more difficult monsters.