Why not built in rumble on a portable?
There sure has been a lot of hoopla over the PS3s lack of rumble.
Gamers everywhere are decrying how this missing feature will make games
less immersive and enjoyable. But yet, when it comes to gaming, there
is a double standard between what is expected on a portable versus that
of a console. There have been many generations of portables since the
rumble feature was first introduced to gaming and yet, it has yet to be
a standard feature on any handheld, it has just been built into a few
game cartridges. Wouldn't that portable first-person shooter or driving
game benefit from the inclusion of force feedback? The DS has a built
in microphone and the PSP can browse the web, but neither have a
feature that is standard on nearly every console for over two
generations.
Sure, some would argue that they don't need yet another feature that
would help drain battery life, but like many feaures on a portable, it
could be turned off if the user preferred. A handheld also has the
screen built in, so if it were to rumble it would have to be low enough
that it didn't have the screen shaking in your hand. But even this
problem would be easily solved with minimal tweaking. So it seems that
the lack of inclusion has little to do with technical issues. The main
reason rumble is likely not included in portables is simply because
gamers don't seem to be asking for it.
But why does lack of rumble hurt a console's prospect in so many
gamer's eyes, yet is okay when it's lacking on their portable of
choice? If you had the option, would you want it included in your next
PSP or DS?
Steven Bailey
January 10, 2007
Source:
PSP Fanboy