PS4's Dualshock4 controller: The Future of Touch controls?

So since my last post regarding the Dualshock4, I had been checking online to know practical applications of this new touch pad thingy/gimmick on the DS4 Sony recently announced and while i remain kind of skeptical, some view into the Vita games and mobile games is starting to make me have a re-think.

Here is a post i found online from a User regarding the touchpad, while it is an opinion, you cannot help but look at the mobile gaming scene

Uncharted Golden Abyss Charcoal Rub and Drag and drop puzzle

Ipad's virtual buttons and multi-touch

Regarding the touch pad, it's an adaptive interface, so it can be used for whatever developers want it to be used for.

Look for mini-game controls, menu navigation, map navigation and function (Swipe to move map, tap for waypoint).

The touch pads is one of the main reason why mobile gaming is still booming. You make anything with it from virtual buttons and sticks for the traditional experience all the way to gesture based input. The only limit is the imagination of developers now instead of just a dozen or so buttons that often have to do double and triple duty.

Menus, inventory, XMB, any screen where you had to constantly flick a stick or mash your D-Pad to navigate can now be relegated to the touch pad. That's HUGE! It'll be one of those things like rumble. Something that you don't really notice, but becomes such a necessary part of the experience that you wouldn't feel right playing anything without it. Mark my words.

The beauty of it all is that Sony and the developers who will utilize this know exactly what I'm talking about. This is the ball Nintendo dropped. Developers will be all over it. I can't wait to see how it's used in a Fallout game for the Pip Boy or in a game like Watch Dogs.

Sony is indirectly giving Nintendo a helping hand. As developers learn to integrate the touch pad into the Sony gaming experience, they will be able to apply that knowledge to WiiU and materialize the genius they had in integrating that second screen before anybody.

If none of this happens, then two console makers have missed the boat to the future...

What is your opinion on the new touchpad?

I think it's completely unnecessary and will probably be rarely utilized. 

It's needed for mobile gaming because there's not much else in terms of controls and even when there is (like the Vita) it works because the screen is in your hands and all the options are easy to reach.  The PS4 touch pad seems like it may feel odd to use due to not really knowing where you'll be touching in relation to the TV screen. 

Though, I will not put it down until I see it in action, as they're likely spending a good amount of time making sure it's worth having.

It's just a trackpad dood.

It remains to be seen how integral it will be. I disagree with rumble being such "a necessary part of the experience." I can play games very well without rumble or any tactile feedback. In fact, I can't remember the last game I played that even had it as part of the game. So it's not that huge.Kravyn81

I'm not sure how the touch pad will work out, but rumble is very important to me. Those original six-axis only controllers were/are junk. Without it, games just feel hollow...at least to me. Lair is a game that really could've used some force feedback...as well as some other stuff :)

I think it will be the future of touch controls in the same sense that six axis was the future of motion control.judaspete

If the use is practical enough, ill say keep it there. But they havent shown anything to be usefull in games or the interface.

But im all for new ideas, as long as the execution is done well, Then ill say COOL!..

I can see myself scrolling this feature with some RPG game or in customization menu for a caracter etc.. who knows what good use it can be for :)

I don't really care for it, but glad that they made it more minimal instead of resembling a tablet. Including Move technology was smart, though.

If the DS4 had a Touch SCREEN...I would say yes the chances for seemless integration becomes more of reality...a touch screen could help with menus and such and could provide some unique ideas such as maybe using the controller as the camera for Fatal Frame.

But as just a touchpad...ehh...not seeing how much it can improve the experience.

i don't think there will be any overlap between the touchpad and the wii u touchscreen. the touchscreen gives visual feedback so all the tiny things like navigating menus actually make sense with the hardware (you see the icon on the touchscreen and activate it).

i'm no developer, but i can't imagine a decent use for the touchpad. i think it will be much like the sixaxis.

It remains to be seen how integral it will be. I disagree with rumble being such "a necessary part of the experience." I can play games very well without rumble or any tactile feedback. In fact, I can't remember the last game I played that even had it as part of the game. So it's not that huge.Kravyn81

I imagine Sony will encourage developers to use it and we'll probably get some PSN games that are based around it, to "bridge the gap" between console and cell phone gamers.  And after a year or so that will all be forgotten about and it will just be used for navigating menus.  Mostly horizontal ones as it's a lot wider that it is tall.

It could be useful for minigames like lockpiking in Fallout / Elder Scrolls games and...and...well maybe something else too.

I'm not sure how the touch pad will work out, but rumble is very important to me. Those original six-axis only controllers were/are junk. Without it, games just feel hollow...at least to me. Lair is a game that really could've used some force feedback...as well as some other stuff :)dimebag667

I like rumble.:(GLove093093

It's just a gimmick

[QUOTE="dimebag667"]I'm not sure how the touch pad will work out, but rumble is very important to me. Those original six-axis only controllers were/are junk. Without it, games just feel hollow...at least to me. Lair is a game that really could've used some force feedback...as well as some other stuff :)Kravyn81

I can agree that if it wasn't there...I would probably get used to it and move on, but since it is...I need it:) I'm not sure what games you're playing that don't have rumble, but it's most every game I can think of; unless its not and I just don't notice. If anything I think mechanics or functionally that doesn't hurt or hinder in any way should never be taken away. Local split-screen for instance; that should in every game that any sort of multiplayer (that could use it correctly)