Some people thought pigs would be flying before this ever happened but I looked outside and only birds were in the sky.
As many of you know, two years ago Immersion technologies and Sony were in a battle regarding patent infringement on the rumble technology in the PS2 controllers. Sony had lost that suit and this in part prompted the change to the tilt control in the PS3 controllers.
However, that is the past. Sony and Immersion have come into an agreement to "explore the inclusion of Immersion technology in PlayStation format products." Many have criticized the PS3 controller about not having rumble while the competition, Microsoft and Nintendo, continue to use it.
So, does this mean we will see rumble make a return for the PS3? Hard to say- the PS3 was not mentioned specifically. "Our new business agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment is specifically intended to enable advanced vibration capability for the benefit of the PlayStation gaming community," Immersion CEO Victor Viegas said in a statement. "We are happy to provide our technology in this regard and hope to make technical proposals very soon with respect to use of our technology in the PlayStation products."
A Sony representative added "We are very pleased to have reached a cooperative agreement with Immersion regarding the use of its advanced vibration technology (haptics technology). We look forward to working closely with them as we explore new and innovative ways to utilize this technology in PlayStation products."
According to a report in the Associated press Sony will pay Immersion USD $22.5 million over three years and Sony will be given a license to use several of Immersion's patents.