PS3 controller design here to stay, according to Sony exec
by Christopher Grant 
{ Nov 17th 2005 at 4:03PM }
According to Japanese gaming-mag Famitsu, a Sony exec. has denied
rumors that a redesigned PS3 controller would be unveiled at this January's CES in Las Vegas. With all the praise being
heaped on the 360's new wireless wonder, the enduring
popularity of the good-old DualShock, and the harsh
reception the "boomerang" controller has received from all levels of the gaming world, its notable that they would
stick to it. Here at Joystiq we like a challenge, so we'll say it: since no one has experienced the controller
hands-on, perhaps Sony knows what they're doing.
[Thanks, Lost Alley]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
john @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
Terrible controller. And joystiq is wrong, sony knows nothing of wbat its doing.
Let it fail.
Dan Carew @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
SONY is known for making comfortable peripherals, I think the PS3 controller will allow for a better grasp on the sides, and thus better control.
xbox360-forums.com @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
Many people, including some on this site have stated they have used controllers with a similar design. They have also said them to be comfortable. It is just changed, people don't like change. Now resembling a 'boomerang' it has become the butt of jokes. It is mainly these factors that contribute to a false image of consumers wanting a redesign.
Smiling Politely @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
The screenshots of the PS3 controller always make it look really big. There are actually some screenshots of someone holding it and it looks actually quite small.
Branigan @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
can't be better of the x360 one...
Carl Winslow @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
I'm worried about holding the grips and still being able to reach all of the buttons. I don't know, but my good friend is really excited about this controller.
I should mention, however, that my good friend is Manute Bol.
Atrix @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
Clearly, no one has a clue if this thing will be comfortable or not. Just have to wait (or build a scale replica).
Sense @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
A few points: I can kind of see where Nintendo is going with the whole controller alienation factor. I can see why a non gamer would be intimidated by a PS3 controller, or even a 360 controller to a lesser extent.
That said, I think the dual shock is in need of a redesign, mainly because I never liked it. Way too uncomfortable for me and too small. But that's just me. I know a lot of people love it. Whatever they decide, I just hope the new controller won't be like the dual shock.
mo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
Here you go:
http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3043
John @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
john your an idiot, and its true that the controller is smaller that they look. wait till they release it to the public and then you'll realise whats in store.
Jack @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
Maybe I should give sony benifit of the doubt, but I seriously dont like it, it looks like something batman uses. The ends seem to make it look diffcult to hold.
Grudge @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
http://www.joystiq.com/entry/1234000083060451/
You've explained before how the supposed pre-cursor to this was well recieved and very comfortable. Have any of you ever used that PSOne controller? Ever driven a car with radio controls on the steering wheel? If Revolutio can whip out a friggin' TV Remote and cal it a controller to rave reviews and much fanboy-suckling, surely this can at least be looked at with an open mind before bashing it to hell.
Smiling Politely @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
@mo: Thanks, that is what I was talking about in #3. It looks really smaller then the stand alone screenshots.
Sigurd @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
The PS3 Controller - dong-shaped for her pleasure!
Gimbal @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
Probably will see a boost in third party controllers.
Carl Winslow @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
Thanks a lot, mo! I'd hate to be the tiny village in Manute Bol's path after he sees that picture!
The Big O @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
In case anyone has forgotten, Sony lost a case in regards to the dual shock controller and software, and is in the appeal stage. So perhaps this is a move away from the dual shock design
master x 24 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
well if ninja gaiden 2 isnt on the 360 and is on the ps3 when u get mad and throw it atleast it wont break cause i broke an xbox controller when playing ninja gaiden one
PS3 News @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
Reminds me of one of the old Microsoft SideWinder joysticks...
Tesla @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
Glad you've had the chance to use the controller and give an accurate assessment of it.
I can't look at the link here at work but even in the joystiq post says "a Sony exec. has denied rumors that a redesigned PS3 controller would be unveiled at this Januarys CES in Las Vegas." Since when does not announcing something at a specific event mean they won't ever release an updated controller? Some people need to learn what context is.
I'm going to say that the final design will more than likely change since they specifically put the word "prototype" next to the controller when displaying it at previous shows. That's not even touching on the possibility that the controller might actually be great in its current form.
ZaBlanc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
Big difference #10.
You don't *hold* a steering wheel while using it. The PS3 controller, as seen, requires the hands off to the side and not underneath the controller...
As a DS owner, you notice this flaw when playing button/d-pad intensive games. Your hands have nothing to hold on to but the buttons themselves. It's an oversight on Nintendo's part and it's going to be a HUGE oversight by Sony as this is a console and thus there are far less restrictions than what a handheld like DS might need to overcome.
Obscene Truth @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
flame wars have started accross the internet thanks to this info, thanks joystiq. Seriously though, your last sentence is the thing everyone should pay attention to, maybe it rocks, but looks kinda funny.
DownloadingData @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
looks...eh...a bit funny.
That's all.
Rymix @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
Looks great and I expect it to be very comfortable.
Sean @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
"surely this can at least be looked at with an open mind before bashing it to hell."
Except that it's basically a dual-shock with longer palm rests. I hate the dual shock controller. The triggers (er... shoulder buttons) especially.
Plus, you can clearly see that the new controller doesn't have notched guards around the analog sticks so pressing accidentally pressing diagonal instead of up or down is going to continue to annoy me.
When Tony Hawk is telling you to do a heelflip and you consistently do a benihana, you can blame the controller. I don't have that problem with the wavebird.
Kamalot @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
Sony does NOT know what it is doing. It has copied every element of this controller from others in the past. They refuse to sacrifice symmetry for usability with the design of this controller. For example, the primary position of the left thumb should be on the analog stick, while the right thumb should be above the face buttons. Yet Sony is still treating the analog sticks as an afterthought, pasted on to the original PS1 controller (which in turn was based on the SNES).
Sony has gotten lucky copying other peoples ideas and being in the right place at the right time. All they know is that what they did in the past was successful, so theyll continue doing it until it fails or they can copy someone else.
O RLY @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
jeez! Joystiq is so far up Sony's ass its amazing. Look at the damage control. "we like a challenge so we'll say it: maybe sony knows what its doing" my ass.
If this were an Xbox 360 controller, it'd be in a bin next to the garbage chute that read "rubbish". . . . o wait, they already did that with the whole xbox360 itself.
Kamalot @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
And where are the variable resistance Analog triggers that are on the:
Dreamcast
Xbox
GameCube
Grudge @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
Kamalot, you do realize that is how 99% of the capitalistic world operates, right? Windows stole from Apple who stole from IBM. Apple's iPod was chosen as part of a design group's offering using all pre-existing parts. Not one piece of original design in that puppy, except for the OS. There's a very fine line between being derivative and being practically intelligent. I don't know which Sony is, but I don't think you can say for certain until people have had a chance to put it through its paces.
theUnknownGamer @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
the thing is just as ugly as a baboon's pooper. i do respect and love sony defiance when it comes to negative feedback about thier designs. i'll have to wait and see to be sure. i just hope they go with concave thumbsticks like the 360 controllers. i have a hard time keeping my sweaty thumbs from slipping off all the time. i do sense all of the 3rd party peripheral makers stock going up if they indeed stick with this design. time will tell.
eric @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
how hard would it be for someone to mock it up? i mean therte are a ton of photos from many angles with size comparisons, why doesnt ign or joystiq make one from clay and see how it feels.
Stakker @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
The only reason there has been so much negative feedback I can think of is simply the common fear some people have of anything new. To me it looks like an obvious improvement over the ancient torture device that is the Dualshock.
And it's not that new either... As somebody pointed out, it looks a lot like the old Microsoft Sidewinder:
http://nextstepcomputing.com/images/microsoftsidewinder.jpg
The Sidewinder is the most comfortable digital pad I know. I have one on my desk right now. I recently had to buy one extra from the finnish equivalent of eBay, because sadly they don't make them anymore :-/ What I especially like in the PS3 controller are the tilted d-pad and buttons. They are actually aligned to the direction of your thumbs, just like the pictured second Sidewinder revision. (The first revision had a straight d-pad & buttons, and it doesn't feel as good.) And I like the long grips.
What I don't like is that the buttons are still so damn small, just like in the otherwise excellent 360 controller. Why does only Nintendo make seriously smashable large buttons?
solomon_rex @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
We CAN comment intelligently, based on other controllers. This isn't rocket science.
The thin shoulder buttons and unaligned d-pad are exactly the same as the Microsoft SideWinder that I have at home that I hate. To be fair, it doesn't have the same squishy analog thingy that really sucked on the Sidewinder.
With more shooting games, you need less curve out, not more, the grip on this thing will be bad.
And let me say, the X360 controller is now my perfect controller, I used one at Target, it was awesome. Since this doesn't resemble that remotely (or the current ps2 design), I don't think I'll like it.
mo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
/back on topic
If Sony get the handles right (ie deep/thick like GC) this controller could prove to be very comfortable indeed.
In any case, I trust SCEI know what they're doing. After all, wasn't it them who originally designed the "controller with the handles" ergonomics which EVERY company since (including Nintendo) has copied?
I also seem to recall the reaction when the GC controller was unveiled for the first time: it looked like a cheap 3rd party knock-off. As it turned out, it feels like the best controller to hold so far. Shame about the button placement though.
mike @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
typical joystiq.com would pan the 360 is it was the other way round looks like they can do no wrong in this sites eyes.
hold on a minute siving sony the benefit of the doubt, shame you never do this for MS
Einhanderkiller @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
Hey. Let's not bash a controller you haven't even used.
The shape and look of it may be odd, but it could be very comfortable.
[See: Comment #30]
mike @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
Yep agree the 360 controller is Great but the Wavebird Is still the best , it fits perfectly in your hands and the analog stick is AMAZING !!, sony never made efficient hardware and never will, damn they're still keeping the D-pad as the primary control!!!!! it's so stupid,and Nintendo are in their way to perfect 3D VR control device , i beleive this time sony can't copy it because the big N patented evrything, enjoy your batarang if you;ll be a PS3 owner.
Vince @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
kinda pathetic how ppl are bashing it when it didnt even come out yet half of the bashing is by 360 fanboys = pathetic. Sonys new controller i must say looks very comfortable and yes im purchasing both 360 and ps3. It is actually smaller then wut u really think basically like the ps2 controller just longer.
Bastion @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
What if the controller has tilt sensitivity? It looks like it would be great for racing and flying games if that is the case. There has to be something that is special about it otherwise it appears to be bad in my opinion.
Jeremy Wright @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
Remind me again why I'd want a controller without triggers? Sure, I know the controller will likely be pressure sensitive so I get a little bit of acceleratin control out of the x button...
But, c'mon, triggers should be mandatory by now. Almost every game besides RPG's is better thanks to them.
Then again, I've never been a dualshock fan. Always felt like I was holding a little bitty brick, instead of having the controller rest in my hands.
I guess all that really matters is whether it's actually good enough for the folk who'll buy a PS3 (I'm still undecided).
M W C @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
I have an old PS1 ALps Interactive pad with the same configuration minus the analog sticks. It is the most comfortable controller I have ever used and I still use it to play games all the time. I can't wait to try the new controller as I have been looking for another Alps pad for years and have never been able to find it.
Grudge @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
Actually, Mike, Microsoft introduced a handheld wand type HID for PC's awhile ago. They just never did anything with it. All of this goes back to the same point - Nothing is original anymore.
Besides, you can get adapters to use your XB controller with your PS@. Or one to use your PS2 controller with your PC. The list goes on. Luckily, that's the cool thing about technology - there is ALWAYS someone who has though about an alternative.
bd (formerly b) @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
It's astounding how every PS3 article is full of 360 fanboys. When 'bad' 360 news come out "JOYSTIQ IS BIASED AGAINST 360 LOLZ", but when that happens for PS3, you still have to look for something that supports PS3 to be satisfied; retarded fans. You haven't even grabbed a PS3 controller, and you're all slandering about it, morons.
The funniest thing is: "THA 360 CONTROLER IS DA BEST LOLZ" and better yet "PS3 BANANA LOLLOLOLOLZ", when both are slight improvements of the last generation controller. Hell, at least Sony is reshaping it. The 360 controller went from the worst controller ever made to the best ever made (disregarding the fact that it still has the same shitty shape) just by (FINALLY!) making the two crappy buttons shoulder buttons? Hypocritical, because that's the way the dual shock was. Oh well, 360 fans.
C. Grant @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
I think saying we're Sony fanboys is a little premature, we've never touched it! And as far as not liking the 360 controller, keep tuned for the 360 ho' down this weekend to get our full impressions. Sneak peak: feels great. Better than the trusty and oh so comfy wavebird? Tsk tsk... wait for it!
michaelk @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
I'm sure it'll be comfortable to use. Sony seems to really care about style and ease of use. I also like way it looks.
matt @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
When I first saw the controller I thought WTHH NOOOO. But after thinking about it I actually think it looks like it will be very comfortable. I mean sure its not the most stylish controller out there...and I really dont like that color for the controller either. Plus I heard it was pretty small too which will be nice. So I am willing to give it a benefit of the doubt..besides ive read no where of someone saying it wasnt comfortable..nor have I read somewhere that it was unconfortable..only time will tell.
lunatech @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
you trust sony? i sure dont.
they lie about their hardware specifications on almost every platform.
they rootkit your computer.
maybe you should read what sony does to its consumers before you align yourself with them.
ThisControllerIsTheWorst @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
Actually #13, it's double-dong shaped for her and her pleasure.
Maybe you just toss this one to your girl and then she'll leave you alone to play games for a while with a 3rd party controller? Surely the current-gen dual shock controller will still work with the PS3, right?
Doesn't matter to me anyway. I've got hooks for hands, so I'm stuck with the revolution.
Seroth @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
No one's used the PS3's controller, so we can't really make judgment about it...unless you didn't like the Dual Shock's design. I didn't like the analog stick placements and it looks like I won't like it again here, but maybe the new shape will make them more comfortable. I dunno.
word. @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM
Coming just ahead of the Xbox 360 controler [which I just tried and loved] as the most comfortable controler I have heald is [get ready]...the Virtual Boy controler. It has the two handles, but was done nicer than this...