Sony designing break-apart PS3 controller?

[Got2LoveGadgets]

Found this online

Have you ever broken your console’s controller into two because you were shot by virtual snipers just before completing a gruelling videogame? If so, Sony may have the answer: it’s rumoured that the electronics giant’s set to unveil a two section controller for the PlayStation 3.

According to a report by Gamesindustry.biz, unnamed sources have claimed that Sony is working on a “break-apart” controller that divides into two separate sections.

And if the unit immediately sounds like the Wii’s Remote and Nunchuck combo, then you won’t be surprised to hear that the moles have also claimed that each half of the new PS3 controller will contain an accelerometer for motion sensing.

The sources even appear to know that Sony’s already developed working units, which it’s thought to have shipped off to unknown developer partners.


Sony declined to comment on the rumours, but if the firm’s going to officially unveil the break-apart controller then next month’s E3 gaming conference – to be held in the US - would be the perfect opportunity for the company to hog the limelight.

By developing such a controller, Sony would be able to open the PS3 up to a wider audience of gamers seeking more physically interactive games, over and above first person shoot-‘em-ups or driving titles. So, in future, blockbuster videogame releases on the PS3, such as Grand Theft Auto IV, could be overshadowed by interactive dancing games or fitness titles, such as Wii Fit.

Sony’s not the first company to fall foul of such rumours. It’s already been claimed that Microsoft is secretly designing a Wii Remote-style motion controller for the Xbox 360, which could appear in stores by Christmas

[FF750]

They already have an update on this rumor at Kotaku. Sony definitely seems to have a new controller in the works but it doesn't merge - it is however made of several motion sensing parts. Here's the linK:

http://kotaku.com/5016289/rumor-deta...no-break+apart

Hopefully, we'll find out more at E3

[DetroitSportsFan]

Both Sony and Microsoft will have their Wii-like controller and games. No surprise there.

[Shin-Ra]

If they can break the sides apart without compromising (accessible without changing grip) buttons or analogue sticks I'll be impressed.

[TheTenth]

it sounds like the "fusion" controller developped by Gametrak, it can be split into 2 and you can add pieces to make it a golf club, tennis racket ... it uses the aceelerometer (mercury ball) + ultra sound that rebound in the room to indicate 100% the position of the pad ... Maybe Sony made a deal with them to be exclusive to PS3 (no news on in2games site for a while, wonder why???)

[doctorD]

Sony has applied for a patent for their breakapart remote. There are some pictures that accompany the latest report. http://www.shacknews.com/screenshots..._id=#img127926

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/55666

[Xerios]

Originally Posted by doctorD

Sony has applied for a patent for their breakapart remote. There are some pictures that accompany the latest report. http://www.shacknews.com/screenshots..._id=#img127926

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/55666

insane

[Shin-Ra]

I like how two can be attached with a plate to give the full range of DUALSHOCK 3 controls, the combination of technologies for potentially much greater accuracy and the communication between controllers in both hands.

Not sure how they'd make all this affordable though.

[doctorD]

More then likely the final product probably won't look exactly like what is currently being shown. I think it will be slimed down.

[Simplayer]

Originally Posted by doctorD

I think it will be slimed down.

Ew. I'd rather it not be slimed down.

[DezNutz]

Looks like someone might be trying to steal a little bit of the Nintendo Wii's thunder. Newly found patent documents show that Sony has been hard at work creating a new motion controller for the Playstation 3. "gofreak" over at the NeoGAF forums was the first to stumble on the patent applications.

According to "gofreak", the new controller will use several technologies to determine the actual location of the device in 3D space. They are:

1) Ultrasound to "determine absolute depth from an ultrasonic detector"—the PS3 EyeToy being the detector.

2) A set of LEDs "picked up by the PSEye camera to determine absolute X/Y position."

3) An accelerometer to "determine xyz and rotational inertia."

By looking at the diagram (click on the images for larger shots), it also appears that the controllers will be able to link together in various positions for multiple functions. One position shows the two linking side-by-side to create somewhat of a "DualShock" appearance, while another image shows two controllers linking up end-to-end, creating a crazy boomerang-looking device.

The whole design looks very intriguing, but it seems like it might be too complicated for the "casual" gamer market that Nintendo has successfully tapped. And that "boomerang" mode looks like it could be particularly dangerous in some scenarios. Sony could be attempting to bring sophisticated motion controls to its hardcore demographic. Regardless, it all boils down to the games, so Sony, I ask you to bring it on.

So, this holiday season, are you leaning towards the Nintendo Wii, or are these new developments going to make you think twice?

Check out all of the images over at NeoGAF—trust me, they're worth a click.

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/yoon/2125

[owa]

Did you mean "revealed"? From the tone of the article, I don't think "reviled" fits.

Anyway, guess we'll have to see since I agree, it could be getting a little too complicated for the casual gamer and hardcore gamers might look at it as a gimmick.

[doctorD]

Already linked: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=54008

[PVJAG]

Looks pretty cool. It will be interesting to see what comes of it.

[xtop]

http://www.psxextreme.com/ps3-news/4184.html

Throughout 2008, we continued to hear rumors about a possible "PS3mote," which would function much like the Wii's wand. The rumor could never be confirmed or even clarified, but the theories swirled; it might break apart, it might be designed specifically for one genre, it might do far more than the Wii-mote ever thought of doing, etc. But nothing could ever be considered concrete...until now. In those videos, you will see demonstrations using what is currently dubbed the "Sixense," and we await official news from Sony on the subject. As it's clearly still in a testing phase of sorts, we don't expect such a peripheral to be available for the holidays, but we're going to keep an eye on this going into 2009.

see videos here

http://playstationlifestyle.net/2008...s3mote-update/

[quexos]

You gotta hand it to big N, the Wiimote was really a good idea.

[Driver_King]

Nintendo wasn't the inventor of motion sensing technology now. Sony had a patent way before the Wii came out that was basically the same thing but was never utilized. This technology for the PS3 would be more accurate and engaging compared to the Wiimote. People have said the Wiimote looks like a gimmicky toy compared to this.