[Insane Metal]

Honestly, I hope Sony designs a completely new controller. Dual Shock has a nice design and all, but it's long due. They need to try something new and improved.

[Bojanglez]

real talk Do we need a dpad on a modern controller?

SOme of my friends insist on using it for FIFA, also I guess most people use them for fighting games (if they don't use an arcade stick). I wouldn't miss it though.

[TimeEffect]

Keyboard input. Sony has a technology were a touchpad can detect your finger hovering above it, and you'd have a keyboard on the screen which you'd use you located your finger and input the correct keys. Extra buttons, you could easily fit 8 extra buttons on a decent sized touchpad, you wouldn't actually see them on the controller but you'd know where to touch the pad to activate them. A 3th or 4th stick input. Just slide your finger around the pad and it acts like a stick or laptop mouse cursor. Would be great for map control, just imagine pinch to zoom, rotate, etc.

Thought you were Evilore, Then you said 3th.

[Nerfgun]

Honestly, I hope Sony designs a completely new controller. Dual Shock has a nice design and all, but it's long due. They need to try something new and improved.

Controlled with your tongue. It's a very limber muscle, you know.

*stares uncomfortably*

I think this sentiment is akin to wanting a replacement for a steering wheel. Sometimes it just ain't broke, you know

[SpoonyBard]

"the same size as an existing DualShock but features a small touchpad in place of the existing Select, Start and PS buttons. The tech is based on Vita’s rear touchpad, and is similarly responsive in use."

I don't know, how useful would that be? Having the touchpad in the back of the controller would make it easier to use while keeping your hands in normal playing position, but maybe that's too much for casual gamers to handle...

[Kenak]

"the same size as an existing DualShock but features a small touchpad in place of the existing Select, Start and PS buttons. The tech is based on Vita’s rear touchpad, and is similarly responsive in use." I don't know, how useful would that be? Having the touchpad in the back of the controller would make it easier to use while keeping your hands in normal playing position, but maybe that's too much for casual gamers to handle...

I really wish the Vita didn't include a rear touchpad. It's severely underutilized, has only been gimmicky in use thus far, and it makes the system uncomfortable to hold.

Controlled with your tongue. It's a very limber muscle, you know. *stares uncomfortably* I think this sentiment is akin to wanting a replacement for a steering wheel. Sometimes it just ain't broke, you know

The stuck placement isn't really an issue, but the form factor itself is 15 years behind the times. They don't need to dramatically change it -- just make it more rounded and smooth so it's more comfortable on the hands and eyes. Jett and Mist Koo had the right idea.

[Mista Koo]

I'm not saying to leave the newly created space empty. But the way many games do item switching (4 directions, single input) is based on the dpad, not the other way around. Menu navigation is completely manageable with a stick and a single genre (2D fighting games) is not a good enough reason to keep old conventions around.

I honestly think a Nintendo 64 Frankenstein controller with dual analogs is the perfect form.

Playing a 3D game? Hold it this way. Playing a 2D game? Hold it that way.

[HueyFreeman]

Share buttons a great idea, I've always wanted to easily capture screens and gameplay.

[SpoonyBard]

I really wish the Vita didn't include a rear touchpad. It's severely underutilized, has only been gimmicky in use thus far, and it makes the system uncomfortable to hold.

Oh, okay, I've only seen Vita demo unit once, and didn't really get to use the rear touchpad then... But having a small touchpad in the middle of the controller doesn't seem good either, it's difficult to think of gameplay situations where it would be better than analog stick or larger touchscreen. Maybe it's just for web browsing and OS navigation?

[Kenak]

Oh, okay, I've only seen Vita demo unit once, and didn't really get to use the rear touchpad then... But having a small touchpad in the middle of the controller doesn't seem good either, it's difficult to think of gameplay situations where it would be better than analog stick or larger touchscreen. Maybe it's just for web browsing and OS navigation?

I'm not saying it can't be done. The concept just hasn't really proven itself as a valuable asset thus far.

[waypoetic]

I think EVERYONE has the form factor wrong. I do not expect this controller to be shaped like a dual shock whatsoever. The ergonomics simply don't work for a touch screen. I believe it will be designed similarly to the vita, but obviously with a larger area allocated to ergonomics and the size of the analog sticks. I think this mock-up has it correct (without the screen, and perhaps only slightly smaller):

Hi. Hello. You're wrong. It's first of all : a touchpad. Not a touchscreen. Secondly, it's a DualShock-style controller and at the same size of the existing one. That's what the reports say. But that controller you just showed was pretty cool tbh.

[Arkham]

real talk Do we need a dpad on a modern controller?

Do we need cursor keys on a keyboard?

[Ashes1396]

Hi. Hello. You're wrong. It's first of all : a touchpad. Not a touchscreen. Secondly, it's a DualShock-style controller and at the same size of the existing one. That's what the reports say. But that controller you just showed was pretty cool tbh.

;p

You should had been in the last thread. Even a gaffer said it was a completely different design to the Dual Shock we're use to. That particular rumour was more in depth and talked a bit about the various iterations, and how It had a touchscreen.

I guess we'll find out in a few weeks.

[Pachterballs]

I think EVERYONE has the form factor wrong. I do not expect this controller to be shaped like a dual shock whatsoever. The ergonomics simply don't work for a touch screen. I believe it will be designed similarly to the vita, but obviously with a larger area allocated to ergonomics and the size of the analog sticks. I think this mock-up has it correct (without the screen, and perhaps only slightly smaller):

TOUCHPAD
TOUCHPAD
TOUCHPAD
TOUCHPAD
TOUCHPAD

you're wrong.

[Raoh]

My mishmash boomerang 2.0

Getting warmer....

[RibMan]

Honestly, I hope Sony designs a completely new controller. Dual Shock has a nice design and all, but it's long due. They need to try something new and improved.

I agree, it's definitely time to introduce a new design.

It's rumored that biometric sensors will be present in the controller. I wonder if the sensors are connected to this http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=511236

[Fancy Corndog]

Have you guys thought that maybe the whole center portion of the controller is a touch pad? Instead of a square cut into the middle.

[Orayn]

Have you guys thought that maybe the whole center portion of the controller is a touch pad? Instead of a square cut into the middle.

Entirely possible, though I still think they'd want to mark out the boundaries and make it clear what's touch-able and what isn't.

[kittens]

I think this mock-up has it correct (without the screen, and perhaps only slightly smaller)

TOUCHPAD TOUCHPAD TOUCHPAD TOUCHPAD TOUCHPAD you're wrong.

And I like that mock-up, personally. Makes more sense to have the sticks off to the sides a bit rather than having them down below the touchpad.

[PaulExcellent]

My mishmash boomerang 2.0

I'll take 3.

Seriously, that's lovely. I love the controller shape and the trackpad.

[Hcoregamer00]

One of my favorite trends in new systems is the ability to take screenshots and share them easily.

That is too cool, I hope there are more options like added AA, higher/lower quality JPEG, and many more :D

[LowEndTorque]

If they're going to stick with symmetrical sticks they need to at the very least space them further apart. I'm constantly knocking my thumbs into each other whenever I use the DS3.

[Bruiserk]

If they're going to stick with symmetrical sticks they need to at the very least space them further apart. I'm constantly knocking my thumbs into each other whenever I use the DS3.

How big are your thumbs?

[mrklaw]

If they're going to stick with symmetrical sticks they need to at the very least space them further apart. I'm constantly knocking my thumbs into each other whenever I use the DS3.

[LowEndTorque]

How big are your thumbs?

Average size.

[MCN]

My mishmash boomerang 2.0

I really like that. Looks well comfortable.

[Arkham]

Average size.

Pic or it didn't happen. :)

Seriously, how are you thumbknockers holding the controller? I'm 6"4 with large hands and that is not a problem.

[H_Prestige]

My mishmash boomerang 2.0

Yes

[LowEndTorque]

Pic or it didn't happen. :) Seriously, how are you thumbknockers holding the controller? I'm 6"4 with large hands and that is not a problem.

Anytime I push both sticks toward each other my thumbs collide. Try it.

Happens everytime I play a shooter. Unless you bend your thumbs at the joint and rest them on the sticks by the very tip of your thumb, they will collide any time you push the sticks toward each other. I like to rest my thumbs on the spot just above the joint. More comfortable.

[TimeEffect]

Anytime I push both sticks toward each other my thumbs collide. Try it. Happens everytime I play a shooter. Unless you bend your thumbs at the joint and rest them on the sticks by the very tip of your thumb, they will collide any time you push the sticks toward each other. I like to rest my thumbs on the spot just above the joint. More comfortable.

When in a shooter do you move both sticks toward each other?

Are your thumbs stiffly sitting on the sticks, or do you bend your thumb joints?

[weekend_warrior]

I think EVERYONE has the form factor wrong. I do not expect this controller to be shaped like a dual shock whatsoever. The ergonomics simply don't work for a touch screen. I believe it will be designed similarly to the vita, but obviously with a larger area allocated to ergonomics and the size of the analog sticks. I think this mock-up has it correct (without the screen, and perhaps only slightly smaller):

Anytime I push both sticks toward each other my thumbs collide. Try it. Happens everytime I play a shooter. Unless you bend your thumbs at the joint and rest them on the sticks by the very tip of your thumb, they will collide any time you push the sticks toward each other. I like to rest my thumbs on the spot just above the joint. More comfortable.

You're this guy?

[Ainaurdur]

Anytime I push both sticks toward each other my thumbs collide. Try it. Happens everytime I play a shooter. Unless you bend your thumbs at the joint and rest them on the sticks by the very tip of your thumb, they will collide any time you push the sticks toward each other. I like to rest my thumbs on the spot just above the joint. More comfortable.

I just picked up one of my DS3s and naturally settled into a more thumb-tip position. So no thumb collision problems for me.

Think I have always held the Dualshocks that way.

[LowEndTorque]

When in a shooter do you move both sticks toward each other? Are your thumbs stiffly sitting on the sticks, or do you bend your thumb joints?

1. A lot

2. That's the thing about controllers. Everyone grips them differently. Everyone has their own particular grip that they find the most comfortable. Some controllers do a much better job of a "universally" comfortable design than others.

The massive amount of complaints you see about the horrid ergonomics of the DS3 and praise for the ergonomics of the 360 pad are not made up fanboy bullshit. They are legit complaints based on real people's genuine opinions and preferences. This isn't directed at you in particular TimeEffect, but I see a great deal of knee-jerk defensiveness every now and then when people point out legit flaws with Sony's controller design. It's a bit silly.

[Duffyside]

My mishmash boomerang 2.0

These two look the most comfortable to me, though alr1ght's might have to have longer grips. Though that might also be because I'm paranoid about it, since that's a problem with the Dualshock.

Still need colored buttons though.

[Raoh]

Made a new more polished mockup: (Larger version) The touch pad is clickable, click anywhere for start click bottom left for select (similar to the Macbook's touch pad). In my previous one it was supposedly a tappable touch pad (tap to click, doesn't actually click). While I prefer the Xbox's stick, I wanted to stick with the Playstation stick (stick pun unintended).

Not bad, simple.. something for sony to build on.

[RoboPlato]

My mishmash boomerang 2.0

The grips on this one look nice. I like the blue lit buttons too.

[Duffyside]

Ok, so to the people who think the touchpad is a great idea; why? What do you think it's going to bring you?

[alr1ght]

I'm guessing the touchpad will mostly be used for non-gaming elements. Web browsing would benefit from it the most.

[Orayn]

Ok, so to the people who think the touchpad is a great idea; why? What do you think it's going to bring you?

There are plenty of examples in the rest of the thread and you could read them instead of pouting about it.

[RoboPlato]

I'm guessing the touchpad will mostly be used for non-gaming elements. Web browsing would benefit from it the most.

Yeah, I'd love something like that just for menus. If the click feature on it works for more than just Start/Select it could also be an extra button used for some things. It's not a huge addition but it's not detrimental in any way.

[Arkham]

Happens everytime I play a shooter. Unless you bend your thumbs at the joint and rest them on the sticks by the very tip of your thumb, they will collide any time you push the sticks toward each other.

Well, there you go. Yes, yes they will. Which is why you use your thumbs not your knuckles.

I like to rest my thumbs on the spot just above the joint. More comfortable.

Sure. Wrong, but more comfortable I guess. ;)

[Duffyside]

I'm guessing the touchpad will mostly be used for non-gaming elements. Web browsing would benefit from it the most.

How would you type though?

[Alex]

I don't get the touchpad, what use is it going to be?

Share button sounds neat, other than that I hope they use something akin to the Vita's D-Pad and I want different analog sticks. I don't care if they're concave or convex, just something different in feel and tighter.

[metareferential]

Love the boomerang 2.0 mockup.

And I really hope sony brings back the black/blue combo of the first ps2. So classy.

[SPE]

You're this guy?

Nope, he's the guy on the right:

http://cinema-scope.com/wp-content/u...-of-sleep.jpeg

Seriously though, it's surprising you don't get different sized first party controllers. One size fits all doesn't work in ergonomics, as no two people are the same. Bigger ones for clown handed freaks like LowEndTorque, and smaller ones for children.

[pseudocaesar]

Small edit on the one kairu made: No need for the touch pad boundaries, the texture should feel different.

This one is my favourite. I would be happy for it do be as close to the DS as can be. I wouldnt say no to new triggers though, and slightly fatter hand grips.

[Orayn]

I don't get the touchpad, what use is it going to be?

Same things you can do with the clickable trackpad on a MacBook, also applied to games.

Sliding your finger along it in a straight line could be another analog axis or act slide a scroll wheel. You could pan/zoom/rotate maps with multi-touch. Touch zones on it could serve as additional buttons. You could use it as a secondary way of aiming in shooters since a trackpad is still more precise than an analog stick. Use your imagination!

[RoboPlato]

Oh man, I just realized that we could get mouse like navigation for menus and stuff. That would be awesome.

[jdl]

If the screen capture on the controller is instantaneous, that's a huge win. Especially if it's BC.

[VanWinkle]

If the screen capture on the controller is instantaneous, that's a huge win. Especially if it's BC.

Should be - it is on Vita!