All-New PS3 Controller to Add Features

Sony's upcoming controller revision for PS3 will add more than just rumble, according to PlayStation's top boss. Plus: What Ken Kutaragi did next.

By Adam Doree

Kikizo has learned that the second-generation PlayStation 3 controller is in the works is set to offer more than just rumble feedback - the feature sorely missing from the existing motion-sensing Sixaxis controller, currently bundled with the machine.

In a new interview published today, Sony Computer Entertainment's global President Kaz Hirai said that rumble is "obviously" being looked at now that legal issues with Immersion are out of the way, and then added: "We're also looking at a variety of other things that we can incorporate with the controller, and we'll come out with announcements when we think we have the right mix of features."

Hirai pointed out that the PlayStation controller has always been an evolving peripheral, citing the original no-frills PS1 controller. "It's come all the way to this point... it's not the final model for a PS3 controller."

Although specifics are yet to be revealed, we're speculating that one of the new features won't be a 'SERECT' button.

Elsewhere in the interview, Kaz revealed that he will be giving the regional headquarters of the company such as SCEA and SCEE more autonomy, having come from the top of the North American arm into the new top spot at SCEI. "Now that I'm on the headquarters side, I think I am better able to modulate what kind of decisions need to made on the Tokyo side, and what kind of decisions are best left for the RHQs to make, without Tokyo intervention."

"They understand their market a lot better than anybody in Tokyo. And they're professionals at what they do. So I want to give the RHQs more autonomy, to come to decisions, make recommendations." But he stressed: "That doesn't mean just handing everything over!"

Hirai, who now works out of the Tokyo HQ and travels back to see his family every month in SCEA's home territory of Foster City, California, also discussed the controversial resignation of 'Father of PlayStation' Ken Kutaragi for the first time. "He is still full of a lot of different ideas, some of which we just can't do in a Sony Computer Entertainment environment," he told us.

Kaz said that once in a while he still approaches Ken for advice though, and seemed certain we can still expect big things from Kutaragi-san: "He's working on some of his dreams. I'm keeping a close eye on him, because he has some great ideas which I know are going to be the next big thing."

He added: "I think in a corporate environment, you can only do so much."

Elsewhere in our second exclusive interview with Kaz, the boss discusses other interesting topics such as surviving in the company's current tough market position, reducing the manufacturing cost of PS3, and the best upcoming software for PlayStation fans.

Read or listen to the full interview here.