Sony's Playstation rumble pack set to return?

San Jose (CA) - Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) and Immersion today ended a five-year old litigation, in which Immersion claimed that certain Sony Playstation controllers infringed on the firm’s touch feedback patents. Sony indicated that it will be using Immersion’s technology in future products.

According to a statement released late Thursday, the two companies have agreed to conclude their patent litigation and have "entered into a new business agreement to explore the inclusion of Immersion technology in Playstation format products."

Details of the potential use of Immersion’s "patent portfolio" in Playstation products were not disclosed. However, Kaz Hirai, SCE’s president hinted in a brief statement commenting on the agreement with Immersion that the vibration feature could be integrated in future Playstation-related products : "We look forward to exploring with Immersion exciting new ways to bring the largest and best range of gameplay experiences to our customers. We are very excited about our new partnership with Immersion and the potential for new and innovative products incorporating their technologies."

Sony discontinued the vibration feature, which was part of PS1- and PS2-compatible controllers, with the "Sixaxis" controller for the PS3 : Ahead of the PS3 launch, Sony said that a vibration feature would interfere with the motion sensing capability of the new controller. According to the agreement between the two firms, SCE will pay Immersion a previously awarded amount of $90.7 million in damages, pre-judgment interest, costs and interest.