DualShock
From Free net encyclopedia
Image:Stockdual.jpg The DualShock (also DUALSHOCK and Dual Shock) is the standard game controller included with the PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and Playstation 3 video game consoles. The DualShock was introduced in Japan in late 1997, and launched in America on 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.
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Design
The DualShock analog controller 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 Dual Shock uses the PlayStation to power the vibration function, whereas the Rumble Pak uses batteries. Some third party Dual Shock 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.
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 DualShock is one of the most ergonomic designs of a game controller, and, as a result, has been cloned by other companies.
Vibration function suit
In March 2005, 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, purchasing a 10% share in the company, Sony continued to defend the case. Sony lost and was required to pay considerable royalties (approximately $91 million) to Immersion and suspend the sale of the controllers—including all PlayStation and PlayStation 2 console packages containing them. Sony appealed this decision and lost again.
DualShock 2
When the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system was announced, the controller included with it was the same as the Dual Shock analog controller, except it was black, added two additional vibration levels, was considerably lighter and all of the buttons (except for the SELECT, START, ANALOG mode, L3 and R3 buttons) were pressure sensitive. Many games support the pressure sensitive buttons, such as Square Enix's The Bouncer, SCEA's Gran Turismo 4, Fresh Games' Mad Maestro, various racing games, and the PS2 Metal Gear Solid and Grand Theft Auto installments. However this feature is not considered crucial in determining game design for the PS2 and has since been replicated in controllers from competing consoles.
DualShock 3 (Working Title)
The prototype boomerang-shaped controller shown for the first time in conjunction with the PlayStation 3 at E³ in 2005. It will be using wireless Bluetooth technology to connect with the console, which Sony's specifications indicate is capable of utilizing up to seven of the controllers simultaneously. However, Bluetooth is only capable of seven channels within close range, so usage of another Bluetooth-enabled device—such as a mobile phone or PDA—is likely to reduce this number.
The design of the controller has prompted some discussions, with many alleging that it will require awkward hand positions to use. Many defends the design by claiming that the ergonomics of the controller will actually be more comfortable than the current DualShock 2 design for long-term use. Other critics have suggested that Sony should replace the lower R2/L2 shoulder buttons with spring-loaded analog triggers, like the Nintendo GameCube controllers or Microsoft Xbox controllers or Sega Dreamcast controllers.
On March 23, 2006, Sony announced that the boomerang-shaped controller was merely a prototype, and that a new controller design might be revealed at the next E³.
Multitap
- Main article: Multitap.
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 and FPSs with four split screens.