PS4 controller has front touchpad?
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Source says controller for next-gen platform is "more or less" the same shape as current DualShock, does not have rumored "Share" button.
The PlayStation 4's controller will feature a front-facing touchpad, a source has told VG247. To accommodate this new feature, the controller's Start and Select buttons have reportedly been shifted.
A previous report suggested the PS4 controller would feature a rear touchpad based on the PlayStation Vita's existing technology.
Concerning the PS4 controller's form factor, the source said it will be "more or less" the same as the current DualShock offering, though the L2 and R2 buttons have been remodeled "for the better."
As for the controller's rumored "Share" button, the source shot down this speculation, saying no such feature exists. According to an Edge report earlier this month, the "Share" button would allow users to post gameplay video and screenshots to the Internet.
A Sony representative was not immediately available to comment.
Sony is holding a New York City media event next week where the company is widely expected to announce the PlayStation 4. GameSpot will be in attendance, and the event will be live-streamed.
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.
238 comments
I am for it and curious to see what developers do w/ it. You can do a lot w/ touch controls even for so-called hardcore games. You don't need to have wonky touch controls for everything but it can be really nice for scrolling through maps and things like that, secondary controls that add to the gaming experience. Just because touch controls can be used for Angry Birds doesn't mean they have to be.
2 Like Yeah Nintendo sucks!!! They never provide enough ULTIMATE POWER!!!
LOL
So then why does every other company continue to follow their lead?
"more or less" the same as the current controller!
Chance to bring the PlayStation pad up to date missed then.
1 Like As long as the controller looks normal, and not over sized like the WiiU, than I look forward to seeing what they'll do with it!
2 Like I hope not, so many rumors about MS and Sony making their system stupid...I buy Sony and MS because they AREN'T Wii...if next gen ends up being as stupid as the rumors would indicate, I'm sticking with PC exclusively.
@bluefox755 the problem with PC is that is cruelly lack game hits like God Of Wars, Uncharted, Ninja Gaiden, Metal Gear Solid and so on. The PC have only FPS and MMO like game that is the same years after years after years with some minor graphics change. and to keep playing those game you need to update your hardware adequatly every new game if you want that have what the game as to offer.
I'm not saying that PC suck but consoles seems to be the way to go if you want more variety of game other than FPS, MMO, and RTS.
@kabloe @bluefox755 You make some good points, I do like me some uncharterd, I loved my PS3, wish I still had it. I also enjoyed PC gaming however, most non-exclusives I could get for PC for not only cheaper, but they looked alot better than their console counterpart, despite my PC being about 5 years old, it still runs almost anything, with a few exceptions, on max settings smoothly. My point was though, if sony tries to become more like Nintendo, I won't be interested in their games anyway, I don't want games focused around touch screen and motion sensing, and people say "Well, it will be optional, you don't have to use it", problem with that is, these arbitrary features will be shoe horned into great franchises like Uncharted, and it will take away from the experience, IMO. This is a little cynical I know, but the industry goes where the money is, and the casual gaming market has alot of money, I just fear that more traditional gamers like myself will be left behind...but, like I said, I still have my PC :)
@bluefox755 @kabloe But don't worry about Sony ya know, Ps3 dualshock have six-axis option that just a few game has exploited this option and Sony doesn't turn out to be using only this setting for that manner.
Compagnies have to innovated cause we need the industustry to move forward not just stay like that forever, its like the old man that doesn't want DVD because his VHS does the work and don't want to learn from new things cause they are affraid of technologies.
It's not because sony tries some minor new thing that the idustries will go down that path but they have to test to know whats we love and what we don't.
If Nintendo one day said that they don't want Analog stick on the N64 controller the concequences for every controller nowaday will not have analog stck it would have been crazy, no?
so instead of making a new controller, one that dosen't hurt your hands during extended gameplay, they stick with the same controller. Bad move Sony - you really could learn a thing or two from microsoft. And I do have a PS3 and the controller is too small.
@porkchopgamer the PS3 controller is a great comfortable controller, that's why they kept the controller the same for a long time. Microsofts controller is comfortable but teu got their idea from the Sony controller. So far I never had sore hands while playing with my PS3.
I'd prefer it to have a similar shape to the controllers right now. I mean the game system might change, but you can reliably look at the controller and say to yourself, this is a sony playstation I'm playing. It makes it what it is for me.
rumors and commercial propaganda that Sony want!! i enjoy it and welcome the real news soon, lets hope it wont disappoint, but then again Sony never have, aside from the vita which is having a slow start, still a quality bit of kit but hurry up releasing some games and drop your prices of relative products associated with it.
I don't mind the current design except my pointer fingers get cold in the winter. I would like to see the ring fingers get some buttons or something, personally. In some games like GTA, when I'm driving, I find myself using my left thumb and pointer to use the sticks in order to look around and press buttons all at the same time. It just seems clunky/poorly designed.
As long as Sony actually DOES something original with their next controller. Having the same controller design for the past 3 generations has overstayed its welcome. It's time to bring something fresh onto the table. Sony, quit being so lazy and start brainstorming.
1 Like @Metallic_Blade Why fix something when it ain't broke? The Dual Shock is a great all around controller. I would say that its only weakness is the FPS genre, but all other genres it works excellent for.
@NodakJo2010 @Metallic_Blade yeah it's so great all around they decided to replace the triggers.... The design was awful and even Sony realises that at this point.
somehow i feel they would not reveal much details about next gen console on 20th. Talking about "future of gaming" they may just give some some rubbish info about new services, new Move features, etc. and minimum about PS4 itself. Sorry to say it but Sony was always weak in preparing the events and resentations. I just hope I am wrong...
4 Like Call me old school but I'd rather controllers just stay like they are. I have no interest in buying a Wii U just because of its big touch screen controller. I don't want gimmicks, I just want the same controller we already have. Sell a touch pad controller as a extra gimmick, don't make something stupid be the default controller, new isn't always better. Look at how much of a failure the Syxxasis or w/e its called, that thing was used in the early sp3 games like College Hoops 2k8 using it for free throws, hasn't been used since in who knows what game. Just a gimmick to raise the price of controllers.
@sunyatanada76 LOL... I remember the Power Glove. It came out around the same time as R.O.B.. The glove was just plain annoying to use and ROB was only used for like 2 games. Very innovative thinking but terrible execution.
@sunyatanada76 nope the dreamcast controller was the best. A Visual memory unit way before WiiU thought of putting something in the controller. And in the age of tamagatchi's its amazing the idea didn't actually catch on until now with the WiiU. much like the dreamcast utelized tamagatci like memory unit, the wiiU integrated a Ipad like controller. The advertizing sells itself cause the image of the pad relate to eachother, Its actually a pretty smart business move. Unlike the dreamcast however the WiiU is selling. Probly cause the Dreamcast got hacked and Sega robbed blind whereas the WiiU hasn't been yet. Here is hoping it doesn't too soon. Hackers can be useful at times but detremental at other times. The dreamcast was ahead of its time and a dedicated gaming console and hacking killed it and thus killed much of the innovation in games due to the demand for a business model that encouraged more revenue over innovation. but I digress.....
@liononzion the dreamcast waas definnitely ahead of its time and an amazing machine, but that controller used to make my hands cramp up regularly lol
2 Like Too much speculation..if they do make the touch pad its only going to replace the start and select button..and not necessarily a touch pad, it could also be a touch pad texture with buttons, hard to explain..lets just wait and see 6 more days
@marting265 The worst part is it'll just bring up the cost and for absolutely no reason at all. The buttons on controllers are fine, it's just another way to milk more money out of the customers. As an onlooker (mostly Xbox fan), it seems like Sony's biggest problems are caused by cost of systems and accessories, with the exception of the controller. I haven't priced a PS3 controller to an Xbox controller, however judging by looks, I'd guess that the PS3 controller is slightly cheaper (going by size, lights, etc.). It would be very bad business to change a simple, most likely cheap, and effective controller design. However, even though I probably won't be buying a PS4, I'd like to see a very small change in appearance. I love to look at new tech and seeing the same controller year after year is a little bland. I'd just like to look at something new, yet still very effective and practically identical in performance for the long term Sony fans. Either way, I can't wait to see what this E3 will bring. Hopefully some more healthy competition. Instead of bashing or copying each other, it'll be nice to have mature companies that will challenge one another to be better and unique.
I really don't mind paying the extra 2 dollars for motion sensors in my controller and a touchpad is old technology..like I mean oldschool IBM laptop technology so I can't see how this crap is a bad prospect except if its an excuse to charge insane amounts over or force gamers and devs to utilize them..like making them the primary controller like the wii..thats ridiculous
Trolling For Web Site Hits Again, Eddie?
These "Source Says" Articles are getting a little Tiresome. Doesn't matter if it's This Site, 24/7, etc. There is nothing conclusive. It's all just air.
Let us know when, if ever, you plan to engage in any real Journalism. I know the danger of such an act scares you, but if you take Baby Steps, you'll get there.
OH! Ok Sony! Let's bitch at Nintendo for having it's classic controller look like a DualShock! I hate this company some times. Great exclusives, horrible imagination...
I'm completely against a touchscreen controller but a touchpad controller won't be that bad as long as the shape and button placement don't change drastically. I could see moving the "start" and "select" buttons up to where our current DS3 controllers say "Duelshock 3" and the PS button to the center back side.
This comment has been deleted
@CivilizedPsycho Thegmepad is easily the best controller ever released. orryguys. If you haven't tried it yu can't knock it.
@Randy21021 this is a rumor. Doesn't mean it's true.. just something posted to update the gamespot page... how many rumors have gamespot posted and we just forget about it the next day w/o even thinking ohh.. they really shouldn't post things like this.
1 Like Glad that share button isn't going to be there, but I hope that touchpad doesn't turn the controller into the Wii U controller. I really want Killzone 4, but I'll buy an Xbox if I see a controller as clunky as the Wii U's. F*** that.
13 Like I donot get the facisnation with touch screens. Probably a geneartion that has grown up with Ipods glued to their hands. No gamer I know is gentle with their home controller. It needs to be strong and durable. It should survive being thrown, slammed down, buttons pounded on, and wrenched in opposite directions with both hands. I don't see how something as sensitive as a touch screen can survive any one of those. At the price controllers go for too, this is a VERY bad combo in my opinion. I want more durability. I would like to see a bigger controller too. Not all of us have little elf hands, and I'd like my fingers to not curl up like I am in rigor. Put the tech in the console and the games. Forget the gimmicks.
@Metal_Jaws http://img.talkandroid.com/uploads/2012/03/cat_b10_645_3.jpg
They make heavy duty rugged smart phones for the hard work place. And those are also touch screen. You may not realize it, but touch screen tech has come leaps and bounds in terms of durability.
@Metal_Jaws I definitely get where you're coming from, but I've never been hard on my controllers or any of my systems since my SNES. I wouldn't say I'm gentle with them either, but I treat my iPhone and iPad with the same care and they all stay in good shape. I just don't see why a screen instantly makes the controller more "sensitive". I guess if you're throwing it down or something, but there's an easy fix for that. Don't. I guarantee a screen will make you think twice about it, and if it doesn't, don't blame Sony.
And how can you not understand the fascination with touch screens? It's probably one of the biggest technological advances we've made in awhile when it comes to interacting with our electronics. I don't necessarily want to play games with my touchscreen, but consoles aren't just about gaming anymore(not saying that's a good thing).
Btw, if you want a bigger controller, a new one with a touch screen will probably be the only way you get one unless you make/buy a custom.
6 Like @Metal_Jaws i like to think im crushing the other guys head when im squeezing my controller full force with one hand. DIIEEE!
7 Like Personally, I love the DualShock. I just thought the L2 and R2 triggers on the PS3 controller could have been better. So I'm interested to see what they have done. If this ends up being true, then I'm glad the form factor hasn't changed. No need to mess up a good thing.
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