@#$@#$@#$ Stubborn-Ass Sony!!...

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 3:54 am

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/03/30 ... 21323.html

Great Sony, fight it out in court and risk loosing the entire Playstation franchise. Brilliant. SOOO glad I just got a PSTwo.

magnum opus · Post by **magnum opus** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 4:02 am

well i'd say this pretty well confirms that it isn't just a cash grab on immersion's part

Ganelon · Post by **Ganelon** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 4:03 am

Meh, that comment was just hyperbole. What's gonna happen? So Sony releases new controllers and versions of the games at most. When they get too close to that, they'll probably go for an out-of court agreement anyway.

I couldn't care less about dual rumbling since it's distracting IMO.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 4:08 am

Dude, if Sony looses, it could mean the end of sales of ALL Sony games-and no new ones for the PS2, which would leave the PS3 effectively still-born.

This article makes that pretty clear; that's what concerns me-not the controller, but the potential loss of games.

The n00b · Post by **The n00b** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 4:09 am

"We're happy that she eliminated or dismissed a number of defenses and arguments made by Sony. I wouldn't call it a victory. [The decision] is still subject to appeals, number one. Number two, it's a judgment based on a verdict of $82 million, which is a 1.37 percent royalty for infringing products that were sold. Our typical license is approximately 5 percent of the wholesale selling price."

Sounds like Sony is getting away with murder here.

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 4:18 am

That is, they WOULD get away with murder if they'd just pay out and get out of the courts, but apparently this award is still too much for 'em...

Ganelon · Post by **Ganelon** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 4:29 am

dave4shmups wrote:Dude, if Sony looses, it could mean the end of sales of ALL Sony games-and no new ones for the PS2, which would leave the PS3 effectively still-born.

This article makes that pretty clear; that's what concerns me-not the controller, but the potential loss of games.

Um, no. Sony can just introduce new games without vibration functions and there would be no problems because it won't use any aspect of Immersion's patent.

Just think about it and don't blindly listen to the words they're using; how can Immersion, who owns the patent to a specific type of force feedback that Sony is currently using (and not just dual rumbling as I had previously thought, meaning 3 motors would NOT work), stop new games, which won't even implement force feedback, from being released?

I guarantee new games will come out just fine, maybe just without rumbling if by some bizarre path Sony loses in the end. Hell, I'll bet you on this point if you're convinced that somehow Sony and the PS2 will cease to function as a game system. Make a quick buck or hundred if I'm wrong, how about it?

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 4:45 am

Ganelon, all I know is that the following quotes from the Gamespot interview clearly imply that Sony's Playstation franchise could come to an end if they loose in court:

"GS: In what way do you think that this legal argument affects gamers, or should be of interest to gamers?

VV: The most meaningful thing to a gamer would be the risk of this permanent injunction. If suddenly Sony can't sell games, obviously consumers will be affected. Retailers, obviously will be affected. Third-party providers, suppliers to Sony, game publishers who publish these games won't be able to sell them. So there would be a dramatic impact for anybody who currently is using a PlayStation product.

And it probably is very good for the Xbox product line.

The question is, will Sony allow this to occur, will they at some point decide that it's better to resolve this than risk losing their PlayStation franchise? You can only assume that they would, but we've been at this for three years and they haven't decided to go in that direction. So they decided to fight it at all costs through court--and that, I think, does subject their customers and their partners to some risk, if, in fact, the permanent injunction is in place without stay. "

I rest my case. And sorry, I don't have any money to bet!

Specineff · Post by **Specineff** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 5:05 am

On September 21, 2004, the jury reached a meaningful verdict, a unanimous verdict. They found that 16 claims of two patents were both infringed and valid, and they awarded us damages of $82 million.

I am *almost* sure the jury members must have owned a Saturn or Dreamcast at some point.

I'm sorry to say this, but Sony might just find out that they can't get everything they want done by the might of their dollars alone.

shiftace · Post by **shiftace** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 5:07 am

The interview is with the plaintiff's CEO, who better have zero interest in providing a balanced view to the public. That's all I really wanted to say.

Thunder Force · Post by **Thunder Force** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 5:09 am

It must have been a slow news day at Gamespot.

Why worry and stress about this, Dave? Let Sony's corporate types worry about it and solve it, they get paid to do that. This will all end in a typically corporate fashion anyway. Which means things will return to BAU (business as usual) by any means necessary... even if it means Sony yakuza assassins have to hunt down and start decapitating members of Immersion one by one until they come to a settlement.

judesalmon · Post by **judesalmon** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:24 am

It's only 40-odd games that infringe upon the patents. The most noteable being GT3 and THPS3. Oh no! Sony won't just discontinue them.

As for the pads, Sony will either license the technology or go to one or no motors. No biggie.

Microsofts $25 million and 15% stake in Immersion looks like a good deal now. American courts love screwing big business so it's weird that Sony thought they'd win.

GaijinPunch · Post by **GaijinPunch** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 11:13 am

I always root for the underdog, so hope Immersion gets some big bucks. It's about time Sony took a blow. They've been making tons of money, hyping up bad products, blah blah for a while.

I say the more damage to Sony the better. It's not like they're going anywhere. Besides, I can't even play US games on my PS2, so personally will just laugh harder the more they get fined. Yeah, it'll have repurcussions in the Japnaese market to some degree, but maybe this will make them think twice before pissing on smaller firms in the future.

This is a win-win.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 5:40 pm

"Why worry and stress about this, Dave? Let Sony's corporate types worry about it and solve it, they get paid to do that. This will all end in a typically corporate fashion anyway. Which means things will return to BAU (business as usual) "

Why worry? Because I own an American PSTwo and because I want to continue to see games released for it. That quote makes it pretty clear, I think that business will not "return to normal" if Sony looses this court battle-and hasn't it pretty much been established by all that Sony has no case since they've been using the technology of another company and not paying them for it?

"It's not like they're going anywhere." Again, I refer to the quote taken from the interview-if they loose, and the injunction becomes permanent, then it's "bye-bye" for the Playstation franchise.

judesalmon · Post by **judesalmon** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 5:52 pm

It's only 40 games in violation and Dualshock pads. That's hardly going to end the PlayStation brand Chicken Little.

Post by **undamned** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:42 pm

$82 Mill is a bump, but not a catastrophic hit compared to how huge $ony is. Sure they'll fight for it, but it's not putting them under, in the event that they have to eat it.
-ud

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:56 pm

Is their a list somewhere of the 40 games?

*shrugs*, all I know is what the CEO of Immersion said-don't you guys think it's possible that the injunction could become permanent? That's what he said could happen if Sony looses the case; again, it's straight from the CEO's mouth.

shiftace · Post by **shiftace** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:58 pm

And again, the CEO is going to paint his company in the best light possible at all times possible. He's the last person you should to believe.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:10 pm

Alright, I see your point Shitface. Still, is there a list somewhere of the 40 games?

TWITCHDOCTOR · Post by **TWITCHDOCTOR** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:17 pm

dave4shmups wrote:Alright, I see your point Shitface. Still, is there a list somewhere of the 40 games?

Dave, I thought you were being "harsh" with this guy...I mean calling him a S H I T - Face and all.
He spells its as SHIFT- Ace.

Get you're tounge out of the gutter MAN!!! Your corrupted now for sure.

Calling people names...shame on you!! Tsk Tsk.

Neon · Post by **Neon** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:34 pm

Ahahahahaaaa hohohooooooooo, glad I decided to read this silliness after all

TWITCHDOCTOR · Post by **TWITCHDOCTOR** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:39 pm

I wouldn't be surprised if that other guy comes back and starts calling you
Dave4Shmucks.

Ok, I'll quit while I'm ahead, before someone refers to me as the BitchDoctor or something...This thread had now become too funny to resist.

Ord · Post by **Ord** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 8:08 pm

dave4shmups wrote:Alright, I see your point Shitface.

Y'know Dave it's this kind of language that's really making this forum go downhill fast!

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 8:25 pm

I read it wrong, alright! It was in the morning, I was blurry-eyed, and it it looked like Shitface. My apologies Shiftace.

The n00b · Post by **The n00b** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 8:55 pm

I simply won't stand for this kind of language and personal attacks on what is supposed to be a family friendly forum! I guess I'll have to get a sense of humor...

TWITCHDOCTOR · Post by **TWITCHDOCTOR** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 9:08 pm

dave4shmups wrote: I read it wrong, alright! It was in the morning, I was blurry-eyed, and it it looked like Shitface. My apologies Shiftace.

To be honest, when Shiftace first joined up here at Shmups.com, I thought it was pronounced just as you did...but upon further carefull inspection, a whole different name was revealed to me.

Specineff · Post by **Specineff** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 9:09 pm

I swear that all this time it looked to me like Sh*tface. Guess I need to clean my glasses more often. D'oh!

IlMrm · Post by **IlMrm** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 9:11 pm

I didn't even catch that until I saw all the

s on Twitch's post.

Back on topic: I agree with the others that it'll be back in business as usual. The way I see it, the only way Sony production will be halted is if PS2s start blowing up in people's homes due to an unknown defect.

TWITCHDOCTOR · Post by **TWITCHDOCTOR** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 9:17 pm

Specineff wrote:I swear that all this time it looked to me like Sh*tface. Guess I need to clean my glasses more often. D'oh!

Most of the time I'm pretty good at spotting things that aren't always obvious.
I guess that might be a reason why I can come up with some pretty good paterns in games.

shiftace · Post by **shiftace** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 9:24 pm

Yay, I derailed the topic without even trying!