By Craig Zammit
LOS ANGELES, USA: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) has today announced details of its new wireless PlayStation3 (PS3) controller which has followed Nintendo’s next generation console, Wii, and its revolutionary controller functionality but removed the need for peripheral devices.
After Nintendo recently announced that its next generation console’s controller will incorporate functionality which senses player movements and relays them into the gaming experience, Sony has introduced similar technology into a self-contained traditional controller design.
The new PS3 controller, which appears identical to the PlayStation2 (PS2) controller, will employ a six-axis sensing system which allows users to control the roll, pitch and yaw of character movements on the screen.
This latest announcement from Sony would have shocked Nintendo, which initially introduced this ground-breaking technology. The Nintendo controller still requires two sensors near the user’s television to allow the three dimensional movement.
Sony’s self contained movement sensing controller will now lose its vibrating functionality, previously available on its PSone and PS2 DualShock controllers, as the vibration effect would interfere with the controls sensors.
The new wireless controller from Sony will also have Microsoft looking for answers, as the current front runner in the next generation video game console race is now left behind as the only brand without movement sensing controllers.
The controller incorporates Bluetooth technology to achieve its wireless status, with a USB cable providing an automatic charging wired option for when the batteries start running low. The transition between wired and wireless can also be attached and detached at anytime during gameplay.
The new PS3 controller replaces the much criticised ‘boomerang’ controller which was originally announced with Sony’s new console, but was later scrapped in place of the updated design.
The new PS3 controllers will be bundled as standard with the PS3 console.