DualShock

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The DualShock (sometimes spelled Dual Shock) is the standard game controller available for the PlayStation and PlayStation 2 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. The DualShock was a success, providing gamers with a new way to get further into their games.

[edit] Design

Sony released the Dual Shock controller in different colors. Ocean 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 has two vibration motors: a weak buzzing motor (like cell phone or pager vibration), and a strong rumble motor, similar to that of the Nintendo 64's Rumble Pak. Unlike the Rumble Pak, however, the DualShock uses the PlayStation to power the vibration function, whereas the Rumble Pak uses batteries. Some third party DualShock controllers use batteries in lieu of the PSOne's power supply. This rumble feature is similar to the one featured on the first edition of the Japanese Dual Analog, a feature that was removed shortly after that controller was released.

The controller is 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. Many games took advantage of the presence of two motors to provide vibration effects in stereo; for example, Gran Turismo or the PlayStation port of Quake II. Released in 1999, the PlayStation hit Ape Escape became the first game to require the use of a Dual Shock controller.

Like its predecessor, the Dual Analog Controller, the DualShock has two analog sticks, and unlike said controller, the sticks featured rubber tips, in lieu of the grooves recessed into the Dual Analog Controller's sticks. However, the handles of the Dual Shock are a bit smaller than that of the Dual Analog Controller. The two-handle layout is one of the most ergonomic designs for a game controller, and, as a result, is used by many companies; this has included some applications very different from controlling a video game.^[1]

[edit] DualShock 2

DualShock 2

When the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system was announced, the DualShock 2 Analog Controller (SCPH-10010) included with it was exactly the same externally - except it was black (colours came later), had different screw positioning (one less), and the Dualshock 2 logo was added - to the previous Dual Shock analog controller, internally though the changes were, it was lighter, the sticks had more levels of sensitivity, and all of the buttons (except for the Select, Start, Analog mode, L3 and R3 buttons) were pressure sensitive. Another way to tell the (3) PS1 and the (1) PS2 controller/s apart, is that the connector that plugs into the console, matches that consoles memory card shape - ie. PS1 rounded shoulders/ PS2 squared off.

[edit] Vibration function lawsuit

In 2002, Sony and Microsoft were sued by force-feedback company Immersion for patent infringement for the use of vibration functions in their controllers. Specifically, they were accused of infringing on claims in U.S. Patent 6,424,333  and U.S. Patent 6,275,213  (filed 2000 and 2001 as extensions of U.S. Patent 6,088,017 , itself filed 1998, all "Tactile feedback man-machine interface device"). While Microsoft settled out of court, purchasing a 10% share in the company, Sony continued to defend the case. Their defense centered on an earlier force feedback controller patent, the use of which Sony licensed from Logitech during 1998. Sony lost and was required to pay considerable retroactive royalties (approximately $91 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). Following attempted (and failed) attempts to appeal, the two companies have now settled, with Immersion receiving $90.7m. The two companies plan to "explore the inclusion of Immersion technology in PlayStation format products."^[2].

[edit] Sixaxis

Main article: PlayStation 3 accessories#Sixaxis

The "Boomerang" PlayStation 3 prototype was abandoned in favor of a black DualShock 2 style controller.

The prototype boomerang-shaped controller was shown for the first time in conjunction with the PlayStation 3 at E³ in 2005. However, in Sony's E3 conference on May 8, 2006, it was revealed that the that the "boomerang" design had been scrapped for a new, redesigned, Sixaxis (SCPH-98040) wireless controller nearly identical to the PlayStation 2's DualShock 2.

The Sixaxis has a tilt sensor that allows six degrees of freedom (movement in all three spatial axes, plus pitch, roll, and yaw rotation). It also has broader analog sticks, a USB cable port at the top of the controller (utilized for connections to the PS3 and recharging), four LEDs for play identification, the shoulder buttons have been raised (almost becoming triggers), and a home button similar to that of the Xbox 360 is on the center of the controller's face. The controller is lighter than previous DualShock controllers, likely due to the absence of a vibration function. Sony stated that the lack of vibration was to prevent interfering with the motion sensing, however Immersion (litigant in the law suit described above) dispute this, and it is widely held by the press^{[citation needed]} that the absence of the function is due to the court decision in Immersion's favour.

[edit] Confusion between DualShock and Sixaxis

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. There was some initial confuson over the award because SCEA claimed the award was to be given to the Sixaxis controller.^[3] SCEA responded to their mistake:

[edit] Multitap

Main article: Multitap.

The multitap is an accessory that allows PlayStation/PlayStation 2 to use more than 2 controllers. Like a hub, a Multitap connects the Dual Shock controllers to the PlayStation unit. With two multitaps, a single PlayStation unit can support up to 8 controllers. Most of the games that support Multitap functionality are sports games, racing games, and FPSs with four split screens. It should be noted that the original PS2 Multi-taps do not work with the Slimline PS2; there exists a different version of the Multi-tap that is made specifically for this particular PS2 model. Some 3rd party companies have developed adapters to get around the problem

[edit] References

1. ^ Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank 1987-2006 by Simon Dunstan, page 7
2. ^ Sony, Immersion Settle Patent Lawsuit Over PlayStation Console
3. ^ http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=5672
4. ^ http://kotaku.com/gaming/top/sony-whoops-dualshock-not-sixaxis-won-emmy-227799.php