Immersion Pushes TouchSense for PS3 To Stop Slump |
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Immersion Corporation is definitely not feeling good vibrations coming its way. The developer of the touch-feedback technology opened up its financial results for the second quarter (which ended June 30, 2006) being somewhat pessimistic. The company sees a continuing loss after disappointing attempts to settle its lawsuit with Sony. The company posted revenue of $6.7 million for the period which is slightly higher in last year's posting ($6.2 Million). The company also figured a net loss of $2.4 million.Now they could only hope that its TouchSense Vibration Technology could save the sinking ship. According to Immersion CEO and President, Victor Viegas: "this... technology can work alongside motion and tilt sensing and provides backward compatibility for existing dual-motor systems, allowing an implementation path at any stage of product lifecycle, even after a console model has launched."
Aside from that, the company is also rummaging for profits in the mobile phone business. It signed a new license agreement with with LG Electronics to allow the mobile handset manufacturer to make use of Immersion's VibeTonz System. Korean company SK Telecom also recently launched a VibeTonz-only content service called VibeBell. Finally, Immersion stated that most recently in June, the Korean phone company introduced a new VibeTonz capability, which enables force feedback in touchscreens for smartphones. Whatever works for the company, I guess.
Via Gamasutra
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Comments [refresh]
whatever floats their boat. hope we get back some vibration back to the PS.
yay!more possibilities on having rumble feature in the ps3's new controller!
So they came back begging SONY to implement it?
What a pity company, they should use their brains before suing PlayStation brand.
Sony was a huge cash cow for immersion and I guess they didn't think about that before they decided to sue Sony... just assuming Sony would smile and take them back. Now with Sony rejecting them (who could blame them! Immersion cost them millions of Dollars) Immersion is left, jaw hung, eyes wide wondering how they can remedy the situation so that they can once again recieve the huge bonus that comes with having their tech in Sony products.
I knew something like this would happen. For every company they sue, thats one more company that will be less willing to use their technology, Vibration in games isnt something thats a standard, it never has been, its been an overrated feature that makes some games less enjoyable.
Just about every professional in console shooters turns it off because its a distraction that makes your reflexes slower. Play Halo with vibration off and see how much better you get. Its staggering and you will never turn it on again.
The force feedback mouse for the PC failed miserably. No onewanted to buy it and alot of games supported it, it was a waste of money and people ended up buying a better mouse.
If i was Sony I would wait until Immersion stocks get low, and then partner up with the company so they wouldnt have to pay so much for the technology and license.
I hope Sony dances on their bankrupt asses when Immersion goes down. The only way I could see Sony taking them back is if Immersion agrees to drop the lawsuit.
Lol. Came crawling back eh? That's what happen when you mess with Sony. They better drop the lawsuit before any negotiation between them and Sony can happen.
burn immersion burn !
It's more likely that Sony and Immersion will make up than not. Both companies want the money. It's a win-win.
HA now Sony got the ball and sets off for TOUCHDOWN!!! In ya face Immerslut!!!!
I don't understand how they are losing money...
Sony wasn't paying them to begin with, that's why they sued for 90 million dollars. The fact that Sony isn't using their rumble tech shouldn't make a difference right???
...it did on the stockmarket though , their stocks ( US4525211078 ) plunged right after the E3.
The stockmarket is taking "signals" like that serious.
Even though Immersion has many other interests , like medical equipment for example.
And Sony is not implementing "Rumble" into the PS3 controller , because the lawsuit is not through yet.
And striking a deal with Immersion about the PS3 controller , would be like admitting that Sony used Immersions patents in the first place ( on the PS2 ).
I hope they come up with a solution , i want this new Force Feedback technology in a PS3 controller.
If not right from the beginning , then later on ,
before RE5 , GT5 , MGS4 , etc. come out.
Dan: They wouldn't be admitting anything about using Immersion's patents. The truth is that putting an electric motor inside a controller to create vibrations that happen because of software command isn't exactly rocket science. Neither MS or Sony really copied Immersion as much as did what they thought was the obvious, then they got caught up under an over broadly stated patent. Anyone who's ever done a 6th grade science project could come up with the idea of that kind of tech.
Immersion has to deal with the fact that they stirred a pot they never should have just to make a buck they don't deserve. Now probably the only company that would really benefit them by including their tech is giving them the cold shoulder. Personally I could care less if we have force feedback, I turn it off half the time anyway. I'd rather see a half baked company twist in the wind.
RRRRRUUUMMMMBLL LLLE!!!!!!!!
I kind of liked the rumble feature when done well such as in MGS, the GT games, and the Ace Combat series. Situations where it provided tactile feedback as to what is going on that could be difficult/impossible or more distracting to convey through images alone. I'd rather have the controller rumble to let me know something is happening rather than some annoying screen shake or something like that.
Then again, I can live without it just as easily.
Are you guys forgetting the little tidbit where Microsoft owns around 20% of Immersion's stock? It's not only the lawsuit that is causing Sony to be reluctant partner with them. Any money they give them, Microsoft will indirectly get a little taste and Sony definitely doesn't want to help the competition.
Now, what would be interesting is if Sony pulled some money out of their collective butts and bought up a controlling share of Immersion after they go a little further down the tubes. It'd be interesting to see MS's reaction. Of course, that'll never happen with the big debt Sony's got right now after taking out those huge loans.