PS3 - Immersion To Sony "Let Us Help"

PS3 News by Lyndon M STAFF 1142 days ago

Most are, by now, aware of the relationship between Immersion and Sony. A number of months back Immersion sued both Sony and Microsoft for patent infringement in regards to the rumble technology. While Microsoft took the quick way out and paid a settlement (thereby allowing them to keep using the rumble) Sony did not, got sued and lost the court battle. With the PS3 on the horizon some wondered would Sony swallow their pride and pay for using the technology or boycott Immersion and the rumble altogether?

Well, Sony obviously said ´no thanks¨ and decided to not use rumble at all. While it may seem like a somewhat brave move one has to wonder how wise it was. These days rumble is pretty much accepted as a regular feature. Immersion says it would like to work with Sony to incorporate the rumble alongside the tilt sensor. In an interview with gamedaily.biz Immersion CEO Victor Viegas had this to say:

¨I was really surprised when they initially said it wasn´t technically possible and I´m probably even more surprised now... really saying two things. One is that it´s technically possible but that the cost is prohibitive�which again I find astounding�and the second thing he´s saying is that they´re making a decision to go with this tilt control in place of rumble because they think that´s what consumers will appreciate in their gameplay. So, on those two issues again I´m very surprised and shocked because I don´t believe either to be the case¨

For those hoping Sony would be willing to kiss and make up, don´t hold your breath. Going by what Viegas had to say it won´t happen anytime soon.

¨The litigation is not our primary focus but if Sony wanted to talk about how to implement rumble technology, paying a license, figure out ways to reduce cost or even enhance the capability with our next-generation technology I would for the most part be available at a day´s notice. I´m ready to meet with them and try to work out this issue because at the end of the day it´s the gamer that really seems to be suffering. I´m happy to try to resolve it but it´s hard to have a one-way discussion if the other party is not willing acknowledge the rights that we have under our patent portfolio and all of the brilliance that our engineers have developed over the years.¨

I´m sure most gamers would be thinking Sony should swallow their pride and accept the offer. We could care less about who made it first- we know the rumble can co-exist and is taken for granted to be there. If it turns out they never resolve their issues it´ll take some geting used to not having it there.

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