The discontent between Microsoft, Sony and Immersion seems to have reared its ugly head again, with news that the former is filing a lawsuit against the force feedback haptics company, claiming the firm has broken a prior agreement signed by the two companies.

Immersion originally sued both Microsoft and Sony over use of its patented rumble technology in Xbox and PlayStation 2 controller pads. However, it later came to light that Microsoft had settled its differences via a significant dollar payout, as well as buying a large stake in the company.

Now, however, Microsoft is accusing Immersion of breaking that deal by settling its lawsuit with Sony and entering into a partnership with Microsoft's rival to perhaps incorporate force feedback into the PlayStation 3's new SIXAXIS controller - which is not the kind of action undertaken to guarantee a Christmas card from a certain Mr. William Gates come the holiday season.

"We entered into a binding licensing agreement with Immersion and are seeking to have that agreement honoured," Microsoft associate general counsel Steve Aeschbacher stated.

"Microsoft licenses technology both in and out and relies on these agreements to be honoured and enforced. Our request to the court is that all companies and industry partners should play by the same rules and that the binding agreement we signed with Immersion be honoured," he added.

And so the ruckus rumbles on, this time with Microsoft using the force. We’ll bring you more feedback on the case as we get it. Somebody stop us, quick (consider yourself stopped - Ed).