After some five years of adamant denial, Sony has suddenly settled with Immersion Corporation, the haptics technology company that had successful sued Sony for patent infringement in Sony's use of force feedback or "rumble" technology found in Dual Shock Controllers for PSone and PS2. Sony's current controller for the PlayStation3 features no such feedback (which will physically jar or vibrate the controller during in-game incidents like crashing a car or taking a hit for a more tactile game experience), instead embedding tilt-sensitive technology, which Sony maintains would conflict with any rumble functionality, so rumble was discarded altogether.

Many industry-observers suspect the injunction and losing a $91 million lawsuit was more likely the reason for the omission.

In a story first broke by GameDaily Biz (biz.gamedaily.com), the settlement includes a payment of some $22.5 million over the next couple of years in exchange for certain rights to use Immersion technology. Though Sony has not (yet?) stated that a Rumbling SixAxis Contoller will actually be made for the PlayStation3, such a thing seems likely.

"We look forward to exploring with Immersion exciting new ways to bring the largest and best range of gameplay experiences to our customers," said Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. President and Group Chief Operating Officer, Kaz Hirai. "We are very excited about our new partnership with Immersion and the potential for new and innovative products incorporating their technologies."

Many said-same industry observers take that as a "yes, SixAxis Dual Shock is coming."