Sixaxis wireless controller |
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| Manufacturer | SCEI |
|---|---|
| Generation | Seventh generation era |
| Retail availability | November 11, 2006 |
| Discontinued | April 2, 2008 |
| Input |
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| Connectivity | USB, Bluetooth (PlayStation 3 and PSP Go) |
| Dimensions | 157 mm × 95 mm × 55 mm 6.18 in × 3.74 in × 2.16 in |
| Weight | 137.1 g 4.83 oz |
| Predecessor | DualShock 2 |
| Successor | DualShock 3 |
The Sixaxis Wireless Controller (SCPH-98040/CECHZC1) (trademarked "SIXAXIS") was the official gamepad for the Sony PlayStation 3 from launch until 2008 when it was succeeded by the DualShock 3, which incorporates the design and features of the Sixaxis wireless controller with the haptic feedback capabilities of the DualShock and DualShock 2, and is often known as the DualShock 3 SIXAXIS or DualShock SIXAXIS.
The original PlayStation 3 controller was intended to be named "DualShock 3", however Sony lost a lawsuit to Immersion, which forced them to remove the vibration capabilities from their controller for the PlayStation 3's launch in 2006. The two companies settled the case next year and Sony was able to release an updated controller using the original DualShock name.
The word "sixaxis" is also used to mean the motion sensitive technology in PlayStation 3 controllers. The word "Sixaxis" (contraction of "six axis" for the directional movements) is a palindrome. Sixaxis controllers can also be used on the PSP Go using Bluetooth and can be connected by registering the system and the controller on the PS3. In Japan, individual Sixaxis controllers were available for purchase simultaneously with the console's launch, without a USB to USB mini cable.
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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At E3 2006, Sony announced that the boomerang design had been replaced by the Sixaxis; a wireless, motion sensitive controller, similar in overall design to the earlier PlayStation DualShock controllers.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 to 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]
In 2011, Sony announced that the PlayStation Vita, the successor of the PlayStation Portable, will have Sixaxis motion-sensing capabilities.
A major feature of the Sixaxis controller, and from where its name is derived, is the ability to sense both rotational orientation and translational acceleration along all three dimensional axes, providing six degrees of freedom.[3] This became a matter of controversy, as the circumstances of the announcement, made less than eight months after Nintendo revealed motion-sensing capabilities in its new game console controller (see Wii Remote), led to speculation that the addition of motion-sensing was a late-stage decision by Sony to follow Nintendo's move. Further fueling the speculation was the fact that Warhawk was the only game shown at E3 that year which demonstrated the motion-sensing feature. 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 SCE Studios Santa Monica later clarified that Incognito had been secretly working on the motion-sensing technology "for a while", but did not receive a working controller until "the last few weeks before E3".[5]
The Sixaxis features finer analog sensitivity than the DualShock 2, increased to 10-bit precision from the 8-bit precision of the DualShock 2.[6] The controller also uses both analog and digital signals simultaneously at all times during gameplay. The frame beneath the L2 and R2 buttons has been omitted and these buttons have been made trigger-like, with the range of travel determining the degree of analog input rather than the range of pressure. In the place of the "Analog" mode button of previous Sony dual analog controllers (Dual Analog, DualShock and 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.
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.[3] This therefore made the PS3 wireless controller feel light to players accustomed to heavier controllers such as the DualShock. Haptics developer Immersion Corporation, which had successfully sued Sony for patent infringement,[8] expressed skepticism of Sony's rationale, with company president Victor Viegas stating in an interview, "I don't believe it's a very difficult problem to solve, and Immersion has experts that would be happy to solve that problem for them", under the condition that Sony withdraw its appeal of the patent infringement ruling.[9] Immersion later emphasized compatibility with motion-sensing when introducing its next-generation vibration feedback technology, TouchSense.[10] Subsequent statements from Sony were dismissive of the arguments from Immersion, with 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, Phil Harrison, Sony's president of worldwide studios, said: "Now, rumble I think was the last generation feature; it's not the next-generation feature. I think motion sensitivity is." He added that rumbling would, in the future, only come from third-party controllers[12]. That statement was proven false less than a year later, with the announcement of the DualShock 3.
In a change from previous PlayStation controllers, the Sixaxis features wireless connectivity based on Bluetooth technology. Although this is a standardized technology, connection of the Sixaxis to Bluetooth enabled devices other than the PlayStation 3 is not supported, with the exception of the PSP Go. This is partly due to the Sixaxis's lack of a "discovery mode", which is required for syncing bluetooth devices. When used with either the PlayStation 3 or the PSP Go the Sixaxis must be synced via a USB connection to the PS3 console. As a result use of the controller on the PSP Go also requires a PS3 console for initial syncing.
Workarounds have been created allowing the Sixaxis and DualShock 3 controllers to be used on PCs despite this limitation, using custom software and Bluetooth drivers.[13][14]
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".[15] Later, it was revealed that the Sixaxis came with instructions on how to remove the battery and that the battery was fully removable.[16] 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.
On the top of the controller is a row of four numbered LEDs, which are used to identify and distinguish multiple wireless controllers. These are similar to the indicators found on the Wii remote and the ring of light Xbox 360 Controller. Since the PlayStation 3 supports up to 7 controllers, but the controller only features 4 LEDs, controllers 5, 6 and 7 are represented as the sum of two other indicators (for example controller 5 is represented by illuminating indicators '4' and '1' at the same time, since 4+1=5). Sony has also patented a technology to be able to track the motion of these LEDs with the PlayStation Eye camera, for use alongside the PlayStation Move Controller, but it remains to be seen if this will be put to use.
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