Rumour: PS3 Rumble Announcement At Leipzig?

Rumours are rumbling around the internet once again about the PS3's Sixaxis controller. The latest whisperings suggest that prototype rumble-enabled controllers have found their way to several Sony developers.

Innerbits reports the following, "We can confirm that prototypes of the new rumble-enabled controllers have made their way to various Sony developers. Information on these controllers is still closely held by Sony and their partners, but an official announcement and unveiling is expected in the next two to three months."

An announcement at Leipzig seems like a strong possibility, although Sony may hold out until the Tokyo Games Show, where its CEO Kaz Hirai is delivering a keynote.

As SPOnG reported back in March, the settlement of Sony and Rumble-pak creator Immersion's differences makes the incorporation of rumble into the Sixaxis an inevitability. At the time Hirai said, "We look forward to exploring with Immersion exciting new ways to bring the largest and best range of gameplay experiences to our customers”.

The real question is not whether, but when and how we will see rumble appear on the PS3.

Last month SPOnG told you that the rumbling Sixaxis will probably boast a "touch sense" feature that will allow the rumble to come from specific parts of the controller as well as feature more powerful feedback than its PS3 predecessor.

There are also reports that Sony has been quietly phasing a slightly improved version of the Sixaxis into the market place. Hardware updates are not unusual over the lifespan of a console, and in this case the improvement is said to improve the controller's sensitivity.

^{Source: Innerbits}