Since the original PlayStation, the DualShock controller (or, at least its previous incarnations and names) has been the iconic standard bearer for generations of consoles and gamers. Its shape, form and function legendary, perfect for almost any type of game.
It has, of course, evolved. Analog sticks punctuated the sleek design during its first run, and since then there’s been analog buttons, reversed triggers and – famously – vibration. But one thing has remained largely constant throughout: its recognisable physical characteristics.
[drop]This, naturally, has led to a sense of familiarity with PlayStation gamers consciously attached to a brand – it’s meant that those that just want to play FIFA each year don’t have to bend their fingers around anything alien (so to speak) and the core gamer that plays everything instantly feels at home.It works, because it’s a great design.
When Sony first showed off the PlayStation 3, the hardware designers went off on a couple of crazy tangents with the control, the infamous boomerang shape quickly (and widely) derided by most, and ultimately reversed by SCEI back to the shape we know and love. Minus, of course, vibration, although that was to follow.
With the advent of the PlayStation 4, are we as gamers hoping Sony sticks to their principles, or tweaks and remixes the classic controller?
Familiarity is a warming, comfortable feeling. Imagine picking up a PS4 on launch night and just being able to dive right in, your fingers and thumbs instantly locking into place. That’s a positive – we like that sensation and it means we can just focus on the games.
But there’s a certain appeal of the new, the unfamiliar. Most other consoles change their input devices, Nintendo perhaps most famously. Is there merit in opening the same PS4 box and finding something new, something exciting to fit between your palms?
Yes, and it’s likely this’ll be the case.
[drop2]Now, nobody’s expecting a boomerang again. Sony won’t deviate that far but they may well bring new elements in. Rumours over the last few weeks have suggesting biometric sensors on the palm grips, for starters, although that’s unlikely to result in the overall form shifting too much from what we’re familiar with.And something we’ve looked at in the past – a touch screen – has today reared its rumour shaped head. We’ve mentioned that we’d like something in the centre of the Dual Shock 4, a small touch pad that’ll let you swing a bat, throw a shuriken or aim a football at a goal. Again, it won’t change the shape, but it does present some interesting gameplay possibilities.
A literal touch screen though? One with actual visuals on it? That seems too much of a stretch. What’s more likely is complete Move integration, somehow – Sony aren’t likely to want to throw away years of technical experimentation and research, and they’re unlikely to throw in a traditional Move wand, too.
Our guesses are simply that – but it’s our hopes that Sony don’t go too far down the route of the unfamiliar but bundle in enough tweaks that mean there’s something new to play with. A Vita-esque touch pad ticks that box, but we’d also like to see Move incorporated too, the mechanics that could open up are limitless.
But this has to be a controller for the masses, too, and that’s the balancing act Sony need to get right. We’ll know soon enough, but in the meantime, what would you like to see them do with the beloved DualShock you know and love?
The Lone Steven
Just keep it the same, increase the size if need be as i think a common complaint is that the DS3 is too small. Get rid of the flippers that the DS3 has as it’s nearly impossible to watch a film if you put it down on a counch or bed as you will inadvertly cause it to skip ahead. Or just release the DS4 and release another offical controller. If they include Sixthaxis in the DS4, they may want to make sure that the controller will not go flying accross the room when someone is using it as that’s happened to me. In fact, i suspect that is what killed my DS3. :-/ Or give it self awareness so it adjusts to you. This could result in Skynet taking over but i doubt it. :p
xdarkmagician
I thought about the “flippers” and how I have the same problem, alot. but then I figured Sony could just change the video controls so those buttons don’t operate during video playback. I actually like how the buttons stick out for gaming
Pedromr
Fingers crossed here… Never been able to get along well with ds3, my hands are way too big for that. And PLEASE, put that damn left analog on the right place, give us some decent triggers and make it avaliable in two sizes… Oh, and bacon!
cc_star
Eurgh!
I hope the left stick isn’t offset. 360 design is just awful in comparison.
Pedromr
Dude, how come??? The 360’s gamepad fits like a gloove in my hands… With DS3, in comparison, my thumb has to go a loooooooong way down to reach the analog.
xdarkmagician
I detest the battery pack placement on the 360, It gets in the way of where I want to put my fingers. But I do prefer the analog placement on the 360 (and the indented nubs) as once you get used to it, it does feel more natural for thumb movement
Awayze
You have big hands, you cant reach the analogues, riiighht.
And no, leave the buttons and analogues where they are. Don’t make it stupid like the 360’s analogues.
duke
Nowt.
cc_star
Extend the two halves further apart, stick a 5″ touch LCD in it running unskinned Android with access to PS Mobile & Google Play. Mimo WiFi with Miracast. Job done.
ron_mcphatty
Ah very nice idea! If they can make something like that for £99 they’ll be doing very well.
FluBBa
maybe of-topic but, why is there no DS3 app for the PS–vita? So I can use it as an extra controller in all games?
Pedromr
Yeah, I was hoping for something like that too. Guess they’ll save it for ps4. If ever…
TSBonyman
Sticks and buttons and the ability to clip on a txt-pad and i’m happy. Better deadzones for the sticks would be nice. And banish the sloping triggers to room 101.
Kennykazey
Deeper triggers curving outwards like the 360, rounder grips (a’la N64 or 360) and move the PS button to the front or side that faces the player. Then all I want is better battery life, perhaps it could turn off motion sensors when not in use.
I want the PS4 to be able to use DS3 controllers, then PS3 owners will feel like they’ve got a foot in the door right from the start.
dude90
Is it just me who likes the old boomerang controller? Seemed good.
Jakster123x
It’s hard to remember what my controller was like originally as i’ve got a couple of free accessories from PSM3 over the year – analogue grips and useful triggers – along with Sony’s wireless keypad. Also, it’s a Sixaxis (yup) so the only vibration i’ve had this gen (hmm) has been from the Move.
For me, concave triggers and a little touch pad would be fine. I’d also say don’t make it terribly expensive but what’s the point?
BryOnRye
Mention of Move integration has me imagining the dualshock with a big ass move glowy ball sticking out of the charging usb socket.