<![CDATA[Kotaku: Immersion]]> http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/kotaku.com.png <![CDATA[Kotaku: Immersion]]> http://kotaku.com/tag/immersion http://kotaku.com/tag/immersion <![CDATA[Exploring the Most Beautiful Video Game Worlds]]> In today's Speak-Up on Kotaku, commenter Monsieur.Froid urges us to sit back, relax, and get lost in the wondrous landscapes of the most gorgeous virtual worlds gaming has to offer. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5796616&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Why Don't I Lose Myself In Games Anymore?]]> You know when you're going to finish a video game. It pushes its ethereal fist into your chest and seizes hold of your heart in a way you can almost feel-like being grabbed by the throat, a tightness in your chest that sets every nerve humming to the tune of the experience. That feeling gives you patience when you've been defeated a thousand times, or when you don't know what to do next. It makes you forgiving, when the game has flaws and bugs, and it makes you committed should the pacing fall apart, leaving no choice but to plod devotedly onward just to see what happens. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5789033&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Do Video Games Really Need To Be Immersive?]]> Do we need to be drawn into our games, or can we just play and enjoy? That's the question pondered by commenter RAMeyer19 in today's installment of Speak-Up on Kotaku. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5716027&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Real World Is Not As Easy As A Video Game]]> Continuing their run of excellent shows about bringing games into the real world, Rooster Teeth's latest episode of Immersion looks at how well we'd fare if we had to live our lives in 2D. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5714053&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Against Immersion]]> Do you want the video games you play to be "immersive"? Just like The Matrix someday? Writer Oliver Hargrave pens his objection to the concept in an article we're proud to republish here. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5603786&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Hot And Cold Running Game Controllers]]> When you play with thermoelectrics, you're bound to get burned, or possibly chilled. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5600759&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Sony Rumble Lawsuit Back, Guy Claims Sony Ripped Him Off]]> In 2007, Sony settled a long-running dispute with Immersion, a company holding patents for control pad rumble technology. The world moved on. But now, the lawsuit (or at least part of it) is back. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5260187&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Ubisoft Pits Brains Against Bullets In CellFactor: Psychokinetic Wars]]> Ubisoft has just announced CellFactor: The Psychokenetic Wars, a futuristic first-person shooter coming to Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network that pits big guns against mental powers. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5114437&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Immersion Forced To Pay Microsoft $20 Million]]> You'll no doubt be familiar with the name Immersion. They're the rumble guys. Microsoft had to pay them to get rumble in the 360 pad, while Sony refused, resulting in the rumble-free Sixaxis. When Sony eventually did cough up the money, though, that led to more dramas, as part of Microsoft's deal with Immersion was a clause that said they would have to pay MS $15 million should Sony swallow their pride and pay for the use of rumble. Which they did. And it was a fee Immersion, in a delicious irony, refused to pay. That led to a legal tussle between Immersion and Microsoft, which has today been settled, with the rumble dudes agreeing to cough up $20.75 million. Phew. Hopefully that's the last time we need to write the words "Immersion" and "legal" in the same story. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5042259&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[PS3 Firmware v1.94 Adding DualShock3 Support]]> According to Shacknews, the new PS3 firmware version 1.94 will be adding DualShock3 support. Packaged with Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction before it's available for download, the firmware update will allow DualShock3 owners (which is actually no one at the moment) to toggle rumble. By pressing the middle PS3 button, gamers will be able to access controller options—which we're assuming will be added to the list of other options like shutting down the console, controller, etc. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=314164&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Sony Passing On Better DualShock For No Good Reason?]]> MGS4 producer Ryan Payton may think the Dual Shock 3 feels better than the old version—and maybe it does—but according to Sony, the new controller is using Immersion's same base technology from 10 years ago. And it's a major point of contention that confuses Immersion as much as anyone else since they have far better technology in the ready.
I believe it's actually less expensive. The old technology utilizes two motors to create the complex set of sensations, whereas Immersion's new TouchSense technology utilizes a single motor, but we drive the motor in unique ways so that you can get stronger yet crisper effects... So you save on at least one motor, there's less power consumption, and you may save on other components and circuitry.
Oh, but it would cost Sony money in new licensing, right? More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=306589&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Kaz Says SIXAXIS Is Not The Final PS3 Controller]]> Kikizo spoke with new PlayStation boss Kaz Hirai—formerly miniboss of SCEA—touching on a number of subjects, ranging from old boss Ken Kutaragi's "retirement" to the oft-rumored rumble enabled SIXAXIS. Kaz and crew realize that rumble is "something that I know the consumers have told us they're looking to have in the PS3 controller" and that its a feature they're "obviously looking at." But, Kaz, is that all you got? That's so last gen! More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=280374&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Microsoft Sues Immersion]]> CNET is reporting that Microsoft has filed suit against Immersion—the company that had in-turn sued Microsoft in 2003 claiming patent infringement—alleging that the company violated its contract with the Xbox 360 manufacturer. Immersion, a provider of haptic technology, more commonly referred to as force feedback, recently settled its own suit against Sony for similar patent infringement claims. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=269961&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[More SIXAXIS Rumble Rumblings]]> Sony's decision to remove force feedback vibration from the SIXAXIS controller for the PLAYSTATION 3 was called a "strategic choice" for which the company has "no regrets." Following Sony's settlement with Immersion on patent disputes, talk of rumble returning to the PlayStation became much more positive. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=269044&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[CellFactor: Revolution Free, Awesome Costs Extra]]> Immersion Games and Artificial Studios today have unleashed their new FPS upon the PC gaming world today, CellFactor: Revolution, completely free of charge via GameSpot, FilePlanet, and FileFront. There is a catch, however - you'll need the AGEIA PhysX Processor card in your computer to get full enjoyment out of the game. Before we discuss the merits and setbacks involved with requiring such a specialized processor to play the game, watch this video.
More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=258615&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Phil Harrison On Rumble, Exclusives, Public Image]]> The nerd-news loving readers of Slashdot got a chance to ask Phil Harrison, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios and former Commodore 64 enthusiast, a series of questions, mostly about his company's PLAYSTATION 3. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=254196&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Sony Settles With Immersion, Will Rumble Return?]]> According to GameDaily, Sony Computer Entertainment and Immersion have settled their patent litigation and enter into a business agreement to work on future products. Immersion filed suit against Sony in 2002 for what they believed were patent infringements on their force feedback technology, resulting in a $90.7 million judicial decision against Sony. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=240889&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Sony On Non-Immersion Rumble: "No" And "No."]]> 1Up's bearded newsranger Luke Smith has pinned down Sony regarding that Edmonton-based company who claims to have figured out how to make the SIXAXIS rumble without violating the Immersion rumble patents. The Canadian company, called SplitFish, claims to have "the solution" to Sony's legal problems. The hardware giant included Immersion's patented rumble technology in its PS2 controller and subsequently got tangled in a legal mess that resulted in a rumble-less PS3 controller. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=233054&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[No Force Feedback For PS3 Racing Wheels Either]]> This really shouldn't come as a surprise, but a gentle (kick in the nuts) reminder that there will absolutely be no force feedback, anwyhere, on the PlayStation 3. None. Zero. Forever. Using your expensive Logitech Gran Turismo racing wheel will feel like your guiding your Ferrari through a sea of buttered pillows, stacked on a cloud. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=226250&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[No Regrets on Missing Rumble Says Harrison]]>
You may miss the rumble, but Phil Harrison doesn't. The PLAYSTATION 3 SIXAXIS CONTROLLER IS FINE AS IS. (Caps locks stuck, sorry.) Says Sony's Phil Harrison: More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=210506&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Hirai: Rumble Possible, Motion Sensing A Strategic Choice]]>
Controller tech fist fight! Personally, I'd perfer feedback to sensor tech—especially for shooters and driving games. But Sony Computer Entertainment of America boss Kaz Hirai states it was a strategic choice not to include the rumble feedback. Ellaborating, Kaz says: More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=205056&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Wii Rumble Dead?]]>
Is the fact that the Wii has no rumble old news? Is it news at all? I have to admit, when I played with the Wiimote in Leipzig, I did notice that it didn't vibrate steadily in my hands in response to my movements... giving the entire thing a frictionless air that made me think of trying to play a light-gun game while holding the controller upside down. Still, I just sort of assumed it hadn't been programmed in yet. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=199057&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[One Sleazy, Gyroscopic Gamepad]]>
Classy peripheral maker eDimensional made a gyroscopic controller with a built-in rumble for the PS2 and PC. The pad is an eight way digital direction controller that features twin motors for double the vibe feedback. Doesn't look like it's wireless, but it has patented Virtual Reality Motion Sensing, whatever the heck that means. And they put a muscle car and a scantily clad women in their ad that carries the tagline, "It's All In The Wrist." Immersion technology, gyroscopic gamepad and masturbatory double entendres together at last! Brian Ashcraft More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=193551&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Sony Pulls Rumble... from the Playstation!]]>
Over the weekend, McWhertor pointed out an issue of Playstation Magazine #1 from September 1997. Surprisingly enough, it ended up reading about as timely and topically as any modern print mag. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=186180&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[High Score: The Best of Kotaku]]> So much fighting going on this week. Here's what all the hubbub's been about at Kotaku for the week of June 18. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=183394&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Immersion Eyes Potential Wii Rumble Lawsuit?]]> Immersion's scrap-up with Sony over rumble tech is bad for gamers. We don't really expect Immersion to give Sony the tech out of the goodness of their hearts; we can understand that the prohibitive licensing cost and their ongoing legal antagonism with Immersion might have gotten Sony's dander up. But playing PS2 games on the PS3 isn't going to be the same without rumble. And Immersion prez Vic Viegas makes a good point: "If you can see a single blade of grass in Madden and hear the hot dog vendor in the stands, but you don't feel the tackle? That's not going to sit well with gamers." More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=182258&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Next-Gen Rumble Tech Demoed]]> Gamepro got some hands-on time with Immersion's next-generation of haptic technology, used in force feedback controllers. Their client list includes Logitech, MadCatz, Saitek, and more, and from what they've shown, they've got some cool stuff planned. Two of the tech demos that I found the most drool worthy were descriptions of the following feedback effect demos: More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=181539&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Immersion Offers Rumble to PS3]]> First of all, thanks to everyone who pointed out in response to my earlier post that the problems Sony has had with the rumble feature have been in regards to a patent dispute with Immersion. I actually did know about this, but I had assumed that David Yarnton, I dunno, was talking about the rumble device exploding out of the controller in a jagged storm of plastic shards and maiming small children. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=175078&view=rss&microfeed=true