Printable Version › Next-generation TouchSense Vibration White Paper › Best Practices for Use of Vibration Feedback in Video Console Games White Paper

You’ve been enjoying rumble all these years, why do you need next-generation vibration? Because when you experience new TouchSense® technology, you’ll feel the even more exciting and subtle tactile effects that can add to the fun of playing the game. Next-generation vibration can be used to match the realism expected of next-generation high-definition graphics and high-fidelity sound.

More Fun

For example, in a next-gen off-road racing game, you would not only be able to see every detail of the terrain — gravel, rocks, sand, mud — you would also be able to feel how the vehicle’s response to these features transfers to the steering wheel — an experience more like driving in the real world. You might feel both the sharp pop of shifting gears, and at the same time, the force of acceleration or deceleration. If you were also firing a machine gun, you might feel both the vehicle movement and the weapon’s repeating action. Or you might experience the vehicle movement and feel that you are being fired upon (taking damage).

Read what those who have experienced Immersion's next-gen technology are saying:

Immersion Unveils Next-Gen Rumble Technology, Gamepro.com, June 16, 2006
by Sid Shuman
“I personally experienced Immersion's new rumbling technology yesterday, and I have to say that it's a major, major step in the right direction. Not only are the rumbles stronger, they feel more detailed and crisp. A nearby explosion sends powerful shockwaves rippling through your hands; wielding a lightsaber produces a pleasant "humming" sensation; and machinegun fire feels downright violent. It's ten times better than the rumbling on the PS2 or Xbox 360.”

Immersion’s Magic Touch, Game Daily, June 19, 2006
by Chris Buffa
"But this single, next-generation motor is not only capable of spinning in multiple directions, it can stop on a dime and is generally much stronger than its predecessors. The result is a richer, more intense experience that will further immerse us in these upcoming games…. The difference between this technology and previous controllers is akin to making the jump from the original Resident Evil on PSOne to Resident Evil 4. It's just in stark contrast to what I've been used to.”

Rumble Into The Next-Generation, The Game Feed, July 27, 2006
by Hang Lauv
“You’re probably asking yourself, “How can rumble be any better?” Fortunately for us, Immersion has shown us how. They have convinced us next-generation rumble is real and ready today.. . . The realism and impressiveness created by Immersion’s new TouchSense technology is unlike anything you’ll ever feel. In fact, you have probably never even imagined how precise and advanced rumble can be.”

Does Rumble Matter?, Next Generation, August 23, 2006
by Kris Graft
“In short, yes, this is a definite improvement over today’s available rumble, and the consumer would be best served if TouchSense became a standard feature.”

Total Immersion — Will Sony ever be ready to rumble? (URL not available.) Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine, September 2006
by Giancarlo Varanini
"With the next-gen consoles, Immersion has essentially completed new technology that offers greater versatility. In fact, there’s such a broad range of effects available that if gamers had the opportunity to feel what it would be like to have them in a next-gen game, there would be even greater demand for them to be included."

More Variety

Greater Realism

Besides more variety, effects can be stronger, shorter in duration, crisper, more closely spaced, and more in sync with onscreen events. That means the feel of the game can be more realistic. The staccato of machine gun fire can more closely mimic a real weapon's action, and the feel can be better synchronized to the fire blasts you see on the screen.

New TouchSense technology will also support more varied in-game warnings like taking damage, entering a dangerous area, low ammo, or target warnings (like friendly target or missile lock). All these warnings could be made very distinguishable.

Motion Control and Tilt Sensing

Next-gen vibration can work alongside motion-control and tilt-sensing features. Because the speed at which a user can move or tilt the controller is much slower than the frequencies generated by vibration feedback, it's possible to differentiate these signals using filtering and other techniques.

Wireless and Easy on Power

The new technology can be used in wireless controllers, and power consumption will not be greater than existing dual-motor systems. In fact, in many cases, power consumption will be less.

Dual-motor Game Compatible

The games you have now, which were designed for present-day dual-motor systems will feel very similar when played on a system with next-generation vibration. An Immersion emulator in the console or peripheral will handle this translation without you having to do anything.

Find out more about the advantages of next-generation vibration, Immersion’s developer tools that ease and speed vibration programming, and how the technology works.