Officially licensed PlayStation 3 controllers not only look better, they work better too, and whilst you might have to pay a few quid more for one, at least they’ll continue to function post firmware 3.50, as it appears Sony are thinking about blocking some unofficial ones.
“Counterfeit PlayStation 3 Wireless Controllers,” says the Consumer Alert on PlayStation.com, “which are practically identical in appearance to genuine PlayStation 3 Wireless Controllers, have been discovered in the market. SCEA advises consumers to be cautious when buying PlayStation 3 Wireless Controllers from uncertain sources as the quality, reliability and safety of counterfeit products is uncertain, and in some cases, may be dangerous.”
The statement continues.
“It is possible that some counterfeit product may ignite or explode, resulting in injury or damage to the user, your PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, or other property. Moreover, SCEA does not support continued functionality of counterfeit or unlicensed controllers in system software updates and these devices may cease to function in the future because of system software updates.”
Reports suggest this is mainly in reference to a few PS2-PS3 controller adaptors, some arcade sticks and some Dual Shock 3 ‘copies’ from the East rather than anything more elusive and sinister.
Source: PlayStation.com via NeoGAF.
Erroneus
It’s fair they are trying to stop counterfeits, but it seems this “update” also blocks some special controllers, used by people with a handicap and that’s just not fair. Sony get on top of it or else you got some real bad press coming your way.
PlayDude77
It’s obvious that Sony really cares about their customers!
bigdon_23
is it even possible to distinquish between real and fake without physically checking? i have a japanese ds3 in white think il be safe though cause it is official,
if it is possible to block fake pads why can people still use turbo pads?????!
Ed the Penguin
Interesting… My Buzz controllers packed in yesterday – any connection?
hazelam
sony responding to the thousands of reportas of igniting or exploding controllers.
that is one of the worst pieces of scaremongering i’ve ever heard of to justify removing the owners choice even more.
didn’t ms get taken to court when they tried something like this?
hasn’t been resolved yet has it?
XisTG
well, my original control started acting stupid (came with the fat PS3).
when the battery runs out, i connect it to the console and, once it is charged, it doesn’t sync. All lights keep blinking forever. The only way for it to sync is to reset the system.
on the other hand, my second controller (also official) syncs with no problems. the difference between them is that whereas the first one came with my fat PS3 (love the controller), the second was bought some 4 months ago (hate it, it’s too light, prefer the heavy one).
anyone ever had this problem?
and on the controller subject, anyone prefers the fat controllers over the light ones?
MrBlack
fat controller is good for a certain tank engine
Ed the Penguin
This post has caused confusion and delay.
Rocket_345
I only buy the official sony controllers as i know i can trust that they will work and they always feel better when held
seedaripper1973
lol ive seen ads for them on here…oh the irony…
dude90
Well I have the original sixaxis controller so I suppose its good that they are doing it for the faked one.
DJ-Katy
“Officially licensed PlayStation 3 controllers not only look better, they work better too,”
Please stop with this propaganda, this is the 2nd time I’ve seen this kind of remark on TSA lately. Software doesn’t explode, the only notable difference between fake controllers and officially licensed ones is that the officially licensed ones are, well, officially licensed. Any other analysis from Sony is just them trying to protect their revenue stream through scare tactics, and everyone with half a brain should know this.
DJ-Katy
We are starting to sound like we get paid by Sony to lick their asses. Return to the respectable objective journalism that TSA became popular for, please.
Bladesteel
I certainly hope so! If you’re doing it for free you’re going to ruin the market for the rest of the game journalists :D
Jokes aside, I agree, I can’t see any justification for this move from sony.
If they detect an unofficial controller they could pop up a warning when it’s connected, that way the user can’t blame Sony if it explodes, and then continue playing as usual. Actually preventing it from working is sony being aholes, hurtig their own customers. Even if they bought a knockoff controller they still bought the consoles and games you know, pirates won’t be getting this fw anyway, and if they crack it they’ll probably remove this “feature” anyway.
JoshHood
I’ve tried many, many controllers over the years and none have ever felt or worked better than the officials, so I agree with that statement.
hazelam
i wasn’t a big fan of the build quality of the sixaxis pads, they were flimsy and the case flexed a bit with even mild pressure, and the triggers got themselves stuck if you accidentally sat on it.
the ds3 is a much sturdier pad though, you could use it to bludgeon somebody to death with.
er, i would imagine anyway. >_>
i bought an official ds2 one time and straight out of the box half the buttons didn’t work.
suggesting that unlicensed devices could ignite or explode is a ridiculous claim, especially coming from sony.
anybody remember those pc batteries?