DualShock

The DualShock (officially DUALSHOCK and occasionally referred to as Dual Shock) is a line of vibration-feedback gamepads by Sony for the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 3 video game consoles. The DualShock was introduced in Japan in late 1997, and launched in America in May 1998, meeting with critical success. First introduced as a secondary peripheral for the original PlayStation, a revised PlayStation version came with the controller and subsequently phased out the digital controller that was originally included with the hardware, as well as the Sony Dual Analog Controller.

Models

DualShock

Sony released the DualShock controller in different colors. Translucent Island Blue is shown here

The DualShock Analog Controller (SCPH-1200) is a controller capable of providing feedback based on the onscreen action of the game (if the game supports it), or vibration function. The controller is called Dual Shock because the controller employs two vibration motors: a weak buzzing motor that feels like cell phone or pager vibration and a strong rumble motor similar to that of the Nintendo 64’s Rumble Pak. The DualShock differs from the Rumble Pak in that the Rumble Pak uses batteries to power the vibration function while all corded varieties of the DualShock use power supplied by the PlayStation. Some third party DualShock-compatible controllers use batteries in lieu of the PlayStation’s power supply. The rumble feature of the DualShock is similar to the one featured on the first edition of the Japanese Dual Analog Controller, a feature that was removed shortly after that controller was released.

The controller was widely supported; shortly after its launch most new titles, including Crash Bandicoot: Warped, Spyro the Dragon, and Tekken 3 included support for the vibration function and/or analog sticks. Some games designed for the original vibration ability of the Dual Analog such as Porsche Challenge also work. Many games took advantage of the presence of two motors to provide vibration effects in stereo including Gran Turismo and the PlayStation port of Quake II. Released in 1999, the PlayStation hit Ape Escape became the first game to require the use of a DualShock controller.

Like its predecessor the Dual Analog Controller, the DualShock has two analog sticks. Unlike said controller the sticks feature rubber tips in lieu of the grooves recessed into the Dual Analog Controller's sticks.

DualShock 2

DualShock 2 (matte black model)

When the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system was announced, the DualShock 2 Analog Controller (SCPH-10010) included with it was exactly the same externally as the previous Dual Shock analog controller, except that it was black (colors came later), had different screw positioning (one fewer), and the DualShock 2 logo was added. Another way to tell the DualShock and the DualShock 2 controllers apart is that the connector that plugs into the console matches that console's memory card shape; the DualShock’s connector has rounded shoulders and DualShock 2’s is squared off. Internally, the Dual Shock 2 was lighter and all of the buttons (except for the Select, Start, Analog mode, L3 and R3 buttons) were readable as analog values. That is, instead of merely indicating a button is currently depressed or not, the controller could also determine the amount of pressure being applied to the button.

Vibration function lawsuit

Main article: Immersion v. Sony

In 2002, Sony and Microsoft were sued by force-feedback company Immersion for patent infringement for the use of vibration functions in their controllers. While Microsoft settled out of court, Sony continued to defend the case. Sony lost and was required to pay considerable retroactive royalties ($82 million) to Immersion, for the seven years that the DualShock controller had been on the market, and suspend the sale of the controllers in the United States (including all PlayStation and PlayStation 2 console packages containing them). Sony unsuccessfully attempted to appeal the decision, and the judgment was speculated to be a contributing factor in Sony's removal of vibration functionality from its original PlayStation 3 controller, the Sixaxis. Sony came to a settlement with Immersion, with an announcement on March 1, 2007 that two companies were planning to "explore the inclusion of Immersion technology in PlayStation format products."

DualShock 3

DualShock 3 (JPN Ceramic White model)

Announced at the 2007 Tokyo Game Show, the DualShock 3 Wireless Controller (CECHZC2J) is a controller for the PlayStation 3 that incorporates the features and wireless design of the Sixaxis wireless controller with rumble capabilities. It was released in Japan on November 11, 2007 in black at a retail price of JP¥5,500. The controller is now available in North America and will debut in Europe on May 2, 2008 for a retail price of $54.99. It will also be bundled with a Metal Gear Solid 4 themed 80 GB PlayStation 3, which will be released on June 12th 2008. Hands-on accounts at the 2007 Tokyo Game Show describe the controller as being capable of vibration forces comparable to the DualShock 2. According to GameSpot, DualShock 3’s "rumble was a touch weak"; while various others reported more refined vibration effects than the DualShock 2, particularly with the Metal Gear Solid 4 demonstration.

DualShock 3 (JPN Ceramic White model) top markings

The DualShock 3 is identifiable by the top labeling which incorporates both "DualShock 3" and "Sixaxis" markings. It is also easily noticeable when lifting the controller as the DualShock 3 at 192.0g weighs 40% more than the Sixaxis’ 137.1g. The back markings indicate the DualShock 3 draws up to 300mA of current at 3.7V for a power consumption of 1.11 Watts, an order of magnitude increase from the 30mA of current at 3.7V (0.111 Watts) listed on the Sixaxis.

Sony representative confirmed on 2 April 2008 that the SIXAXIS controller will be officially discontinued with the release of the force-feedback enabled DualShock 3 in mid-April 2008. The SIXAXIS is no longer being produced, and will not be available after it has sold out, likely by summer 2008.

Software requirements

Playstation 3 firmware 1.94 or higher is required to use the DualShock 3. The first software content release supporting the DualShock 3 was the Gran Turismo 5 Prologue free demo made available in the Japanese PlayStation Store on October 20, 2007. A partial list of software that includes rumble support including patches (downloadable add-ons from the PlayStation Store to add rumble to software released before September 2007) was announced by SCEI at the TGS 2007. Support was added to Motorstorm with an online version 3.0 patch in October, 2007. In consoles with backwards compatibility, the Dual Shock 3 controller vibration function can be used in appropriate PS2 and PS1 titles. Future releases of games that support DualShock 3 capability will be labeled with an icon of the controller and "DualShock 3 Compatible".

The following Playstation 3 Games are compatible with DualShock 3 at launch:

• Formula One Championship Edition*
• MotorStorm*
• Pain
• High Velocity Bowling
• MLB 08: The Show
• Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
• Resistance: Fall of Man*
• Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
• Go! Sports Ski*
• Folklore*
• Heavenly Sword*
• Warhawk*
• Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
• Super Stardust HD*
• Snakeball
• Toy Home
• Piyotama
• PixelJunk Monsters
• Blast Factor*
• Condemned 2: Bloodshot
• Lost: Via Domus
• Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2*
• Burnout Paradise
• Dynasty Warriors 6
• Devil May Cry 4
• Turok
• Timeshift
• Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
• Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit

* Titles require an update via the PlayStation Network to enable rumble functionality

Emmy Award

The DualShock controller was given an Emmy Award for "Peripheral Development and Technological Impact of Video Game Controllers" by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences on January 8, 2007. Sony initially reported that the Sixaxis had received this award before issuing a correction.