Sony’s radical PlayStation 4 controller concept

[BurningDoom]

http://news.yahoo.com/sony-radical-play ... 03000.html

Sony’s radical PlayStation 4 controller concept: A motion-control device you can split in half



While Nintendo (NTDOY) has been busy innovating with unique controllers on the Wii and Wii U, Sony’s (SNE) DualShock controller for its PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 has remained virtually the same since 1997. A newly discovered patent reveals Sony might be planning on a radical overhaul of the DualShock for the PlayStation 4 that’s rumored to arrive next year. U.S. patent 20120302347A1 details a “hybrid separable motion controller” that resembles a DualShock controller with two PlayStation Move sensor balls attached to it. Much like how the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controller combo separated the left and right hand input, the Sony controller patent goes one step further by allowing the two halves to be split and combined at any time – all without reducing the amount of buttons available.


The patent also highlights the inclusion of a “connection sensor for determining whether the controller is in a connected configuration or a disconnected configuration.”

One of the PlayStation Move’s biggest disadvantages is that it’s a separate controller and not the default one. As a result, most developers either saw it as merely a Wii Remote clone or as a niche controller with a limited install base not worth programming special controls for. If Sony were to include proper 1:1 motion controls within the default PS4 controller without turning its back on the “core” controller, it could greatly appeal to casual and core gamers.

Such a controller can be considered a natural evolution of the current DualShock 3 controller that sports limited motion controls using its three-axis accelerometer and gyroscope.

Of course, the controller is only a patent that may never make it to market, so don’t get your hopes up if it doesn’t happen.

It definitely looks different. But as a cheap gamer, I'm loving the idea of 2 controllers in one! Controllers nowadays are crazy expensive, and this is a nice solution to that problem.

[AppleQueso]

If it really has the move balls on top of it it's gonna get some pretty funny nicknames.

[hashiriya1]

Kinda reminds me of this...

[flojocabron]

came in here expecting this:



For this being a little to early to tell if the burningDoom's pic will be an early prototype.

I'm sure lots of Ideas are floating around.

On-line there's also pics of the early PS1 Controlers as well.

Its an intersting concept, but I dont think its gonna be very comfortable

[t0yrobo]

So it's basically this concept from 6 years ago, but with the glowing PSMove balls on top. Innovation!

[Pulsar_t]

Don't want radical anything But one thing is certain: That Dualschlock design has got to go. It's archaic and hardly ergonomic.

[MrPopo]

Don't want radical anything But one thing is certain: That Dualschlock design has got to go. It's archaic and hardly ergonomic.

The NES controller is all the ergonomics you need.

[Xeogred]

Please god no. If traditional controllers still aren't 95% prevalent on the next gen consoles then I guess I'll finally make the jump to PC gaming mostly.

I'm not fearful of this junk taking over, but sheesh. Just give me a normal controller in my hand and I'm happy.

[Menegrothx]

Don't want radical anything But one thing is certain: That Dualschlock design has got to go. It's archaic and hardly ergonomic.

The Coleco-/Intellivision controller is all the ergonomics you need.

FTFY

[BoneSnapDeez]

Hopefully they figure out a way to integrate motion controls without the need for those giant testicles on top of the controller.