Immersion CEO to Kaz: Talk to me man, we can settle this

It hasn’t been good times between Immersion and Sony for a long time now. The whole mess started when Immersion sued them, along with Microsoft. While Microsoft, being the rich guys, simply bought their way out of it, Sony stuck to their guns and finally got sued. Microsoft would be very happy right now that they were able to settle the suit; it gives them rights to use Immersion’s technology in the latest incarnation of their console.

People were curious about Sony’s move with the PS3. Would they simply submit to the pressure and buy their way out of it, or would they boycott Immersion and the rumble feature?

Few months ago, we all came to know of Sony’s answer, and while being a kind of a gutsy move, it was obviously something which struck everyone as being wrong. Few months down the line, and after various surveys suggesting the importance of the rumble feature, it seems that Immersion wants to work with Sony to settle this and get the vibration feature into Sony’s latest controller. Here’s what Victor Viegas, CEO of Immersion Corporation, had to say to GameDaily Biz:

“I was really surprised when they initially said it wasn’t technically possible and I’m probably even more surprised now… [Kaz Hirai’s] really saying two things. One is that it’s technically possible but that the cost is prohibitive—which again I find astounding—and the second thing he’s saying is that they’re making a decision to go with this tilt control in place of rumble because they think that’s what consumers will appreciate in their gameplay. So, on those two issues again I’m very surprised and shocked because I don’t believe either to be the case”

Now people might be hoping that Sony would reconsider and patch up with Immersion. Again you’d be wrong; because if Victor Viegas’ words are anything to go by, it seems that Sony isn’t even ready to talk with them:

“The litigation is not our primary focus but if Sony wanted to talk about how to implement rumble technology, paying a license, figure out ways to reduce cost or even enhance the capability with our next-generation technology I would for the most part be available at a day’s notice. I’m ready to meet with them and try to work out this issue because at the end of the day it’s the gamer that really seems to be suffering. I’m happy to try to resolve it but it’s hard to have a one-way discussion if the other party is not willing acknowledge the rights that we have under our patent portfolio and all of the brilliance that our engineers have developed over the years.”

Again, being gamers, we can only hope that Sony and Immersion can settle their differences. The general public doesn’t care who invented the technology; all they want is the features which can enhance their gaming experience. And while the rumble feature is almost taken for granted these days, it’s one feature which we’ll miss when we buy our PS3. Let’s just hope that the problem can be solved before it’s too late.

Via GameDaily Biz

It hasn’t been good times between Immersion and Sony for a long time now. The whole mess started when Immersion sued them, along with Microsoft. While Microsoft, being the rich guys, simply bought their way out of it, Sony stuck to their guns and finally got sued. Microsoft would be very happy right now that they were able to settle the suit; it gives them rights to use Immersion’s technology in the latest incarnation of their console.

People were curious about Sony’s move with the PS3. Would they simply submit to the pressure and buy their way out of it, or would they boycott Immersion and the rumble feature?

Few months ago, we all came to know of Sony’s answer, and while being a kind of a gutsy move, it was obviously something which struck everyone as being wrong. Few months down the line, and after various surveys suggesting the importance of the rumble feature, it seems that Immersion wants to work with Sony to settle this and get the vibration feature into Sony’s latest controller. Here’s what Victor Viegas, CEO of Immersion Corporation, had to say to GameDaily Biz:

“I was really surprised when they initially said it wasn’t technically possible and I’m probably even more surprised now… [Kaz Hirai’s] really saying two things. One is that it’s technically possible but that the cost is prohibitive—which again I find astounding—and the second thing he’s saying is that they’re making a decision to go with this tilt control in place of rumble because they think that’s what consumers will appreciate in their gameplay. So, on those two issues again I’m very surprised and shocked because I don’t believe either to be the case”

Now people might be hoping that Sony would reconsider and patch up with Immersion. Again you’d be wrong; because if Victor Viegas’ words are anything to go by, it seems that Sony isn’t even ready to talk with them:

“The litigation is not our primary focus but if Sony wanted to talk about how to implement rumble technology, paying a license, figure out ways to reduce cost or even enhance the capability with our next-generation technology I would for the most part be available at a day’s notice. I’m ready to meet with them and try to work out this issue because at the end of the day it’s the gamer that really seems to be suffering. I’m happy to try to resolve it but it’s hard to have a one-way discussion if the other party is not willing acknowledge the rights that we have under our patent portfolio and all of the brilliance that our engineers have developed over the years.”

Again, being gamers, we can only hope that Sony and Immersion can settle their differences. The general public doesn’t care who invented the technology; all they want is the features which can enhance their gaming experience. And while the rumble feature is almost taken for granted these days, it’s one feature which we’ll miss when we buy our PS3. Let’s just hope that the problem can be solved before it’s too late.

Via GameDaily Biz