Sony will phase out its original PlayStation 3 gamepad in the weeks following tomorrow's launch of the Dual Shock 3, the company has told MTV. A tactic similar to the discontinuation of the 60GB PS3 will see Sony halt production of its rumble-free SIXAXIS controllers and rely solely on existing stocks until they run dry; this is most likely to happen in the summer but will definitely take place by the end of 2008, a Sony spokesperson says.

The Dual Shock 3 is still expected to sell for $55 and will already have support for force-feedback from several games, including Devil May Cry 4 and any PS1 games played either from disc or bought from the PlayStation Store. A number of other games, including Heavenly Sword, will receive rumble after the fact through software updates that will arrive at varying times depending on the game.