Controller Vibration

[Andy]

Originally posted by epmode
i usually turn off the vibration function, unless it's unobtrusive. for the most part, i find gamecube games to be best in that respect. on the flip side, the xbox rumble feature is terrible, as i can actually hear the motor in the controller.

For me is completely the opposite. Anyway, I personally like the rumble a lot. For most genres I could care less, but for racers in particular, it actually adds a LOT to the experience. A lack of accurate/well done rumble in modern racers is actually a detriment to the game, imo.

[Joust Williams]

The only thing that rumbles almost enough is a few PC joysticks.

If I am shooting a gun, I want the damn thing to recoil with 50 lbs of force. If you are going to say "well, rumble makes it realistic", then it better almost fly out of my hand. Otherwise, what is the point? No gamepad rumbles enough.

[Agent X]

I turn off vibration effects for fighting games, but keep them for just about everything else that supports them. Many recent games do a pretty good job of incorporating it in a way that enhances the game, rather than acting merely as a gimmick.

I agree with the people here that said that racing games and first-person shooters seem to benefit most from the vibration effects. Some other games such as Rez, Frequency, and Amplitude also use it well. Metal Gear Solid (which I've only played the demo of) also struck me as an example of an earlier game that used vibration to good effect.

[epmode]

Originally posted by Andy
For me is completely the opposite. Anyway, I personally like the rumble a lot. For most genres I could care less, but for racers in particular, it actually adds a LOT to the experience. A lack of accurate/well done rumble in modern racers is actually a detriment to the game, imo.

you're right, it definately depends on the type of game. the rumble feature in metroid prime is great (very subtle and varied), but in ico, it's completely distracting. when you're holding yorda's hand, the controller will rumble violently to simulate her heart beat. a good idea, but in practice, it irritates the hell out of me.

somewhat surprisingly (at least for me,) i love the rumble feature in rez. it's totally over the top, but works very well for the game.

[Johnny Nighttrain]

Originally posted by BoBVila
If I am shooting a gun, I want the damn thing to recoil with 50 lbs of force. If you are going to say "well, rumble makes it realistic", then it better almost fly out of my hand. Otherwise, what is the point? No gamepad rumbles enough.

yeah, that would be nice. i'd love for Namco to do something like this already. here's an idea...Crisis Zone Sequal. now that would be fuckin sweet.

also, you gotta wonder if companys are gonna bother making better use of it come next generation, or even today. i remember thinking the stuff that was done the first MGS was pretty cool.
another really great example is Rez. i always wanted a Trance Vibrator just for the sake of owning one, but ever since i found out that it rumbles differently then the rumble pack, or dual shock, i've wanted it more than ever.

it would be nice if more developers saw rumble as a way to really add to the experience, and not just a way of letting you know when you're making some sort of contact.

im not too sure that Nintendo is gonna try much. it doesn't seem like they put that much effort into it, but then again, im sure this was because of the way the controller was designed, so i can't really blame them. not to mention that the controller still managed to have the perfect weight.

another reason that i see to believe this would be due to the fact that Nintendo does think that the GameCube controller will become the new standard. i dunno about you guys, but im pretty damn convinced they're gonna use a controller that's very very similar next generation. i wouldn't be suprised if there was slight mods. a bigger D-Pad would be nice Nintendo.

i also feel like you're missing out by not having rumble. i've been like that since Ocarina of Time.

[gamevet]

I tend to notice it in racing games, REZ and NFL games, but for the most it's kind of transparent.


When I really notice not having a rumble feature, is when I bring out the Saturn or Super Nintendo. It becomes very apparent that the rumble is not there.

[Cheebs]

I always turn rumble off. It annoys the heck out of me.

[Matt]

I almost always turn rumble off, and if I can, I use a digital-only controller instead. So old fashioned!

Except I do really enjoy playing Rez with the Dual Shock & Trance Vibrator combo - vibration fits really well with some games, but most of the time it just feels like a useless gimmick.

[Mr-K]

It got to the point with me where I forget about it. But I always keep it on, it never really bothers me. It's just a regular part of the experience now.

I still enjoy watching my controller shake off of the table on some cinematics though.

[Josh]

I don't notice the rumble feature in gameplay anymore... just cinemas.