Sixaxis

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Sixaxis
DeveloperSony Interactive Entertainment
ManufacturerSony
TypeGamepad
GenerationSeventh
Release dateNovember 11, 2006
Input
  • Motion sensing
    (3 axes, 6 DoF)
  • 2 × Analog sticks (10-bit precision)
  • 2 × Analog triggers
    (L2, R2)
  • 6 × Pressure-sensitive buttons
    (Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square, L1, R1)
  • Pressure-sensitive D-pad
  • 5 × Digital buttons
    ("PS", L3, R3, Start, Select)
ConnectivityUSB, Bluetooth (PlayStation 3 and PSP go)
Power3.7 V Li-ion battery, USB host powered
Dimensions157 mm × 95 mm × 55 mm
6.18 in × 3.74 in × 2.16 in
Mass137.1 g
4.83 oz
PredecessorDualShock 2
SuccessorDualShock 3

The Sixaxis (trademarked SIXAXIS) is a wireless gamepad produced by Sony for their PlayStation 3 video game console. It was introduced alongside the PlayStation 3 in 2006 and remained the console's official controller until 2008. The Sixaxis was succeeded by the DualShock 3, an updated version of the controller that, like the DualShock and DualShock 2 controllers, incorporates haptic technology – also known as force feedback. A Sixaxis controller can also be used with PSP Go and the PlayStation TV via Bluetooth after registering the controller on a PlayStation 3 console.

The DualShock 3 was originally intended to be bundled with the PlayStation 3 in time for the console's launch; however, Sony was in the midst of appealing a decision from a 2004 lawsuit involving patent infringement claimed by Immersion. The two companies were at odds over the haptic feedback technology used in earlier PlayStation controllers. The legal battle led to a decision to remove the vibration capabilities from the PS3 controller's initial design, which became known as Sixaxis.

The term "sixaxis" is also used to refer to the motion-sensing technology in PlayStation 3 controllers. It is a contraction of "six axis", which refers to the ability to sense motion in all axes of the six degrees of freedom.[citation needed] The name is a misnomer because there are only three axes: X, Y, and Z, which allows six degrees of freedom (rotation about each axis and translation along each axis). The Sixaxis name is also a palindrome, where it is spelled the same way backwards and forwards.

History

The original "Boomerang" or "Banana" controller which was soon abandoned after its poor reception
Prototype silver Sixaxis controller as shown at the E3 2006, which did not feature "Sixaxis" branding on the top

At

E3 2005, Sony showcased their "boomerang" design for the PlayStation 3's controller. Accompanied by much criticism, most of which were for its looks, this design was later abandoned. Sony later stated that the original controller "was very clearly designed as a design concept, and was never intended to be the final controller, despite what everybody said about it".[1]

At

E3 2006, Sony announced that the boomerang design had been replaced by the Sixaxis; a wireless, motion sensitive controller, similar in overall design to the earlier PlayStation DualShock controllers. The controller was bundled with all new systems from launch, until the introduction of the 80 GB (CECHKxx, CECHLxx & CECHMxx) model, which substituted the Sixaxis with the new DualShock 3 which added a vibration feature while retaining the design, features and functionality of the Sixaxis. The Sixaxis controller was later phased out and replaced by the DualShock 3 controller completely and is no longer being produced in any region. The Sixaxis survived longest in Europe, where the Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots PlayStation 3 bundle, released in summer of 2008, included a Sixaxis.[2]

Features and design

A major feature of the Sixaxis controller, and from where its name is derived, is the ability to sense both

E3 that year which demonstrated the motion-sensing feature. [citation needed] Also, some comments from Incognito Entertainment, the developer behind Warhawk, said that it received development controllers with the motion-sensing feature only 10 days or so before E3.[4] Developer Brian Upton from Santa Monica Studio later clarified that Incognito had been secretly working on the motion-sensing technology "for a while", but was also withheld a working controller until "the last few weeks before E3".[5]

The Sixaxis features finer analog sensitivity than the

DualShock 2) is a jewel-like "PS button" with the PlayStation logo, which can be used to access the home menu or XMB (after system software version 2.40[7]), switch controller inputs and turn the console or the controller on or off. It fulfills a similar function to the "Guide" button featured on Microsoft's Xbox 360 controller, or the "Home" button on the Wii Remote
.

Lack of vibration capability

Sony announced that because of the included motion sensors, the vibration feature of previous PlayStation controllers was removed, stating that the vibration would interfere with motion-sensing.

SCEA Senior VP of Marketing Peter Dille stating, "It seems like the folks at Immersion are looking to sort of negotiate through the press and try to make their case to us … we've talked about how there's a potential for that rumble to interfere with the Sixaxis controller."[11]

However, in a press release made some eight months later,

DualShock 3
controller.

Wireless technology

In a change from previous PlayStation controllers, the Sixaxis features wireless connectivity based on the

PSP Go or the PlayStation TV
, a PS3 is required to set up the Sixaxis.

PlayStation 3 controllers are compatible with Bluetooth-equipped

root access.[14][15][16]

Power

The Sixaxis wireless controller features an internal 3.7 V Li-ion battery, which provides up to 30 hours of continuous gaming on a full charge. Third party replacement batteries are also available. The battery was originally not thought to be replaceable when a Sony spokesperson stated that the Sixaxis should operate for "many years before there's any degradation in terms of battery performance. When and if this happens, then of course Sony will be providing a service to exchange these items".[17] Later, it was revealed that the Sixaxis came with instructions on how to remove the battery and that the battery was fully removable.[18] The DualShock 3 also uses this battery.

The Sixaxis can also draw power over a USB cable via a USB mini-B connector on the top of the controller. This allows the controller to be used when the battery is low and is also used for charging the battery. When connected via USB, the controller will communicate with the console over the USB connection, rather than wirelessly. This also applies to the DualShock 3.

LEDs

The top of a DualShock 3 Sixaxis controller, LED lights on the right

On the top of the controller is a row of four numbered

DualShock 4
, features a light bar used for motion tracking, as well as player identification.

See also

References

  1. ^ Fahey, Rob (2006-05-12). "E³: Sony's Phil Harrison". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on February 25, 2008. Retrieved 2006-08-30.
  2. ^ Totilo, Stephen. "Sony Non-Shocker: Sixaxis Discontinued". MTV News. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "SCE Announces New Controller For Playstation 3" (PDF) (Press release). Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. 2006-05-09. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-01-21. Retrieved 2006-05-24.
  4. ^ "Incognito Had 10 Days To Design Warhammer's Tilt-Sensitive Controls". Kotaku. 2006-05-12. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-01.
  5. ^ "WarHawk dev knew about tilt". Eurogamer. 2006-07-03. Retrieved 2007-01-01.
  6. ^ PlayStation.com - Playstation3 - Accessories - Sixaxis Wireless Controller Archived January 29, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "Firmware v2.40 Walkthrough Part 2: Trophies". Sony. 2008-06-30. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
  8. ^ "Immersion Obtains $90.7 Million Judgment in Patent Infringement Case Against Sony" (Press release). Immersion Corporation. 2005-03-08. Archived from the original on January 17, 2016. Retrieved 2006-07-01.
  9. ^ Murdey, Chase (2006-05-17). "Ready to Rumble? Immersion's Victor Viegas on PlayStation 3's Lack of Vibration". Gamasutra. CMP Media LLC. Archived from the original on May 10, 2009. Retrieved 2006-07-01.
  10. ^ "Immersion Corporation Introduces Next-Generation Vibration Technology for Video Console Gaming Systems" (Press release). Immersion Corporation. 2006-06-19. Archived from the original on 2006-09-23. Retrieved 2006-07-01.
  11. ^ Block, Ryan (November 6, 2006). "The Engadget Interview: Peter Dille, Sony Computer Entertainment's SVP of Marketing". engadget.com.
  12. ^ "Sony: Rumble is a 'Last Generation Feature'" (Press release). GameDaily BIZ. 2007-02-26. Archived from the original on January 6, 2010.
  13. ^ "Use A Playstation 3 Controller On Your Mac With Bluetooth". Retrieved 2012-12-01.
  14. ^ "Use PS3 Controller in Windows 7, Vista and XP (Wireless Bluetooth)". Archived from the original on March 29, 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-21.
  15. ^ "Playstation 3 controller(Dualshock 3 or Sixaxis) driver for windows | MotionJoy". Archived from the original on March 2, 2015. Retrieved 2010-05-21.
  16. ^ "Sixaxis Controller App". Retrieved 2012-07-13.
  17. ^ "Sony to replace PS3 controllers // GamesIndustry.biz". gamesindustry.biz. 20 October 2006. Archived from the original on February 12, 2008.
  18. ^ Chen, Jason (11 November 2006). "PS3 SIXAXIS Controller's Battery Is Kinda Replaceable". gizmodo.com.
  19. ^ "PS3™ - Reassign Controllers". manuals.playstation.net.
  20. ^ Murph, Darren (December 14, 2006). "Sony patents LED-infused, motion-tracking controller". Engadget.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to SIXAXIS.
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