Joystiq readers redesign the PS3 controller

82 Comments by Conrad Quilty-Harper Jan 25th 2006 3:00PM
Filed under: Hacks, Sony PlayStation 3

Since we started our latest redesign contest we've had an overwhelming response from you, our readers. Now we can proudly show you the winner of the contest, along with three runners-up! And the winner is...

Adam Portilla's (Chicago, IL) PS3 "Ball Controller" redesign!

Adam's design was an attempt to create a controller that could do everything the dual shock controller could do and more. At the same time he felt that it was important for it to stand out as something completely new and different. Innovations include a built-in microphone, bilateral symmetry (uh, the left side's the same as the right!) wireless capabilities and accuracte force feedback, made possible by its spherical construction. Most importantly the design was an attempt at simplicity and flexibility in terms of button placement. Well done Adam! Once you've sent us your precise address, we'll send off your copy of X3: The Reunion.

Our runners up include:

Einhanderkiller's remarkably accurate Playstation and Xbox 360 controller amalgamation. If Sony and Microsoft unexpectedly merged their next-gen console efforts, this is possibly what the controller would look like!

Charlie Tang's idea of tweaking the PS2's extremely popular Dual Shock controller was a very popular one. We got many entries including a picture of the Dual Shock under the heading "why fix what ain't broke?". Charlie went the extra mile with his Dual Shock tweak design. He took the number one complaint levied against the Dual Shock and set about fixing it. After speaking with friends he found that the main issue was the location of the left analog stick. So he moved it up to where the D-pad used to be and make the controller wireless. Nicely done.

Malte "Sagan" Sharupke's Lego brick inspired model really caught our eye because of its innovative "DIY" approach to controller design. Whilst the ergonomics are questionable (Lego bricks aren't the most comfortable things to hold!) the principles behind the design are excellent. As part of his design, he imagined that developers would be able to include their own parts for their own games. So if Nintendo doesn't bother to create one, you can build a sword to swipe at enemies in Zelda!

Thanks to all the people that entered the competition!

See also: Joystiq readers redesign the Nintendo DS

Tags: art, concepts, playstation

Source

(Page 1) Reader Comments

scott: Jan 25th 2006; 3:21PM

charlie shoulda won.
if it ain't broke don't fix it indeed - that thing would be perfect...

nick: Jan 25th 2006; 3:32PM

charlies is jsut like a gamecube becasue the joysticks and joypads are in the same place. the only thing different is there is no X and Y buttons.

J B Cougar: Jan 25th 2006; 4:07PM

I'm surprised none of the entrees had the boomerang controller in a wastebasket.

Greg2k: Jan 25th 2006; 4:08PM

The Ball Controller design is AWESOME. It could be hard to play some specific games with the awkward button placement, but it should be very comfortable to hold.

Sagan: Jan 25th 2006; 4:11PM

Gratz to adam: It looks great and might
just as well be possible.

Larger version of mine (Scroll down and click on free):
http://rapidshare.de/files/11826947/PS3ControllerSagan.JPG.html

boojiboy7: Jan 25th 2006; 4:38PM

I would like the ball controller. Oh wait, I already do like it, since it is pretty much the slime controller from Hori, with the addition of an extra d-pad that looks like it would only get in the way. I'm pretty much with the it ain't broke crowd, though I would like a slightly improved d-pad (no segments...one solid pad).

firerock: Jan 25th 2006; 5:10PM

Adam, I'm sorry, but I think your controller looks very similar to Dragon Quest Slime Controller.
http://www.moogle.net/archives/2005/01/peripheral_opin.html#comments

nunchuck: Jan 25th 2006; 5:19PM

i feel like hands would cramp after extended use with that ball controller. am i the only one who thinks so?

The ZeroCorpse: Jan 25th 2006; 5:22PM

Ball looks uncomfortable for anyone with a normal-sized hand. Also, just looking at the pic, the palm would accidentally hit the right-side control cross when trying to hit the buttons in the middle.

The second one is just a re-painted 360 controller.

The third is the best of them. It's a simple tweak, and something Sony should have done a generation ago (both wireless AND relocating that analog stick).

The LEGO thing is clever, but ultimately a bad idea. I've seen players mistreat their controllers, and it would suck to have to crawl around on the floor looking for missing pieces of your control pad so you could continue playing.

Why doesn't anyone make a joystick as the basis for a standard controller anymore? How about something that can mimic a keyboard/mouse without requiring a desktop?

Einhanderkiller: Jan 25th 2006; 5:26PM

It's "Einhanderkiller", not "Einhandkiller".

Lots of people seem to spell it that for some reason (especially in Warcraft III)... hmm...

Coltron: Jan 25th 2006; 5:36PM

The ball design is ridiculous.
First of all, if it was sized so that the buttons were comfortably laid out, it would weigh too much.
Second of all, it would feel awkward after a while.
third, If I lay it down,it's going to roll away.

Cool concept asthetically speaking, but hardly production worthy.
I think Charlie should have gotten the win, definately a well thought out concept there.

simon: Jan 25th 2006; 5:37PM

from boomerang to a ball?

XD!! it would be hilarious...so much material..

sotik: Jan 25th 2006; 5:47PM

The ball 'Looked' the best, its new and some thing diffrent, but when it comes to game play I just have a hard time seeing people using that hours on end. The dual shock control is a good idea, it has already proven to be a good control and moving the joy stick and making it wireless would be best. The lego idea I just have a hard time see that work with all the wires and things that will need to be in it, was a good thought 'make the controler you want' but doubt it would work.

portnoy: Jan 25th 2006; 5:48PM

Nice Job guys. These are all great!

Micheal Mullen: Jan 25th 2006; 6:19PM

I'd like to see a remake of the classic Sega Saturn Nights into Dreams controller to replace the cresent PS3 controller.

http://www.geocities.com/rabidsmily/Hardware/Sega_Saturn/nIghts-controller.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.geocities.com/rabidsmily/Hardware/Sega_Saturn/SegaSaturn.html&h=520&w=650&sz=45&tbnid=jus_dP_y8f68kM:&tbnh=108&tbnw=135&hl=en&start=1&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnights%2Bsaturn%2Bcontroller%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26hs%3DGKt%26lr%3D%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN

mofomojo: Jan 25th 2006; 6:19PM

The lack of Hi-Res images makes this a pointless read, also would've like more runner ups.

:/

KK: Jan 25th 2006; 6:20PM

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b37/mikecuesta/sony.jpg

Is this what the boss will look like?

KK: Jan 25th 2006; 6:22PM

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b37/mikecuesta/sony.jpg

bd: Jan 25th 2006; 6:31PM

I think that both the "Playstation 360" controller, and the "Charlie Tang Dual Shock" should be offered by 3rd parties, not as standards. Personally, I really like the new controller, and nobody can say anything about how comfortable it is (and even if you can, it wouldn't be a fact, sorry) until you play with it.

The Sphere and the "Build your own" are pretty nice ones. I wouldn't mind if the Sphere controller was the new standard.

Maxi: Jan 25th 2006; 6:38PM

I love that ball controller. I can just imagine playing games on that thing. Absolutely awesome and innovative :P
Stick a few LEDs on it and it also becomes a desktop (or bedside) ornament :)

Conrad Quilty-Harper: Jan 25th 2006; 6:46PM

KK, that's naughty...

Adam: Jan 25th 2006; 6:51PM

Try This:

http://www.math.grin.edu/~portilaj/mockups/ps3controller.jpg

Feedback's great, everyone. Regarding a few comments above:

I was invisioning a small flattened area on the bottom so that you could set it on a flat surface and not have it roll away.

And I did think long and hard about the hand-comfort thing. I sat there staring at a ball in my hands for quite a while wondering if it could possibly work. It's a very different sort of grip then the classic controller. It's really not a grip at all. You just cup it in your hands. Hopefully people would figure out that you don't need a cramp-causing death-grip to hold a controller.

Really I was just going for something different and unique that piques your curiosity. I think it'd be a good idea for Sony to at least do something that really stirs the pot.

Adam: Jan 25th 2006; 6:54PM

ehhh, wierd formatting.

http://www.math.grin.edu/~portilaj/mockups/ps3controller.jpg

Charlie Tang: Jan 25th 2006; 7:04PM

Wow, the feedback has been great. To tell you guys the truth, I really didn't think I'd even make it to be a runner up! Although I agree with many who think my design should've won (for the sake of usability), but Adam sure beats the heck out of mine for a totally different design. Congrats to Adam and the other runner ups. This is fun. Joystiq should do more events like this to get readers involved.

tb: Jan 25th 2006; 7:09PM

hey, know wat i think would be really cool?

it should be two separate controllers, both wireless, one for each hand. they would be shaped like the handle of a pistol, but curved slightly to fit your hand more(think of a joystick for pc or somethin) and to be able to tell them apart. the analog stick would go on top at an angle, so you could use them with your thumbs(they should be convex, to give batter grip. the button would be along the side towards the front, right where your fingers could reach them(perhaps the controller could come in different sizes, because not everyone has the same length fingers). analog triggers would be on the top, right where they would be on a gun. it would be really cool if it could have a light gun built in, to play shooters. there could be more, smaller triggers at the bottom, to replace L2 and R2. they would of course have force feedback. they could even have built in gyroscopes so that you could hold them up and use like a steering wheel in racing games.

how cool would it be to play games with these, especially shooters?

Adam: Jan 25th 2006; 7:16PM

That's some hot photoshopping there Charlie.

I wonder if Sony would take more or less heat for going back to a Dual-Shock frame.

And congrats to you as well.

tb: Jan 25th 2006; 7:17PM

ooops... lol
better*
buttons(x o tri, sq.)*
along the inside*

Connizzle: Jan 25th 2006; 7:24PM

What i'm wondering is where will the L and R buttons be on the circular controller?? Because i'd like to play socom 3, i think it would be an interesting experience, but if u go to jump and reach over with your left hand or something, you might hit the joystick and end up running or looking somewhere u didn't want to, but it's a great design, but it may be a pain to play with.

Conn: Jan 25th 2006; 7:47PM

Charlie's design is good, but I think the controller needs larger handles.

kevinchai: Jan 25th 2006; 7:48PM

The Xbox 360 lookalike... yeah, Sony never makes anything new. Microsoft does a few things new, but Nintendo is just way creative. And I'm serious!

Adam: Jan 25th 2006; 7:59PM

Yeah, it's got 2L and 2R buttons. Check out the link on post #20 and look at the sketch in the top-right.

I made em long and skinny so that all-sized hands would reach them without having to adjust your natural hold on the ball.

Rare Hare: Jan 25th 2006; 9:38PM

i totally agree with Einhanderkiller's, except that i'd switch the analog stick back to the bottom position.

the xbox 360 controller is SO comfortable, and everything about it is right.. except the uneven analog sticks ;-).

Shawn: Jan 25th 2006; 9:43PM

Actually I think the reason why they have to redesign is due to that lawsuit with Immersion, the in controller vibration guys. Because everyone and thier mama knows the DualShock is probably the best controller we've ever seen.

Victr: Jan 25th 2006; 9:50PM

Love the ball. I would drop the d-pad on the right though. Nice to add but getting rid of it would simplify it just nicely. And hollowing it out would give it an extra "ooo" factor. Sweet design though. It would make an awesome controller. *hopes*

ElohimFetus: Jan 25th 2006; 10:41PM

THE BAAAAALLLLLL!!!!!

Adam, just put two trigger buttons on the other side and it's ready go. This is the most innovative idea and if sony does not pick it up a third party should. Really, I am looking forward to buying this in the future.

I like Charlie Tang's idea as well. It's classic, simple, and we know it works. This model appears to be flawless in terms of comfortable game play. Sony should offer this as an accessory as well.

The 360 controller is not an option. What ever you do don't rip off Microsoft. That's corney.

Darkshadow: Jan 25th 2006; 11:29PM

Amazes me that every time new controllers/controller concepts are made, they look ALOT like the gamecube controller....
examples:
look at xbox original controller when it got "redesgined" into the s-controller... extreme resemblence to NGC controller...
now look at the controller by Charlie... looks even more like a NGC controller.

Charlie, im not criticising ur work or anything, its amazing, i mean ill never be able to do somthing like that, but im just saying as a general comment.... new controllers mainly look like NGC controllers...

Will: Jan 25th 2006; 11:33PM

For Nick of Comment No. 2:
Do realize that Sony has stolen Nintendo's ideas before, what will stop them now?

-Will Cookson
ps (basically my first thought about third place was GameCube too)

D: Jan 25th 2006; 11:39PM

WOW and they all still look worse and more uncomfortable than the boomerang.

szimm: Jan 25th 2006; 11:46PM

ball controllers? oh yeah.

and if you had your ps3 in the upright position, and two ball controllers lying next to it on the table? what would you get?

i'll take the boomerang anyday over one of these profanities.

gbnmd: Jan 25th 2006; 11:54PM

how bout redesign the atari 2600 controller add three buttons and there you have it but I know if Sony tried that they would screw it up and make it look like the Jagaurs with 30 buttons and half aren't used

Squeegie: Jan 26th 2006; 12:22AM

Haha, yeah I guess ya'll don't know why Sony can't go back to the Dual Shock design. The original designer of the dual shock tech is pissed for all the success of his controller that was illegally taken from him basically. Sony didn't pay him for his troubles or anything, to a long time to get the case into court, but just in time to screw up the ps3. This is a really vague explaination and not totally accurate(but only so the average reader here can understand the information). Research it more if you want to know the whole story behind it.

Pixels for my people!

Oh yeah and by the way, the ball thing is kick ass, but I can see my hands cramping in a fps with that set up and the button placement, but it kicks ass to see a new idea.

Roomba: Jan 26th 2006; 12:25AM

I think the round controller would be the best. I would also like to see somthing for the leftys. My budy who is not right handed has a hard time with the right hand cntrolers.

Charlie Tang: Jan 26th 2006; 12:28AM

I'm not offended at all Darkshadow. Frankly, I have never even touched a GameCube controller, but I know where you're coming from. It's perfectly understandable how one simple little change could mean that you're copying another thing. It's probably hard nowadays to get a decent unique controller design out there that will please the masses and at the same time offer ease of use. So where will companies turn to to make everything perfect? The answer: Each other. To me, they're all practically copies of one another to a certain extent. In fact, you could pretty much say that all controllers are pretty much the same/similar if we want to get technical.

Charlie Tang: Jan 26th 2006; 12:31AM

Here's what a left-handed controller looks like based of my simple design change (for comedic value, I opened it up in paint and did the best I could):

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/3981/lefthanded9pn.jpg

finefine: Jan 26th 2006; 12:38AM

I can see the ad tagline now...

PS3: Got Balls?

Dead Kennedy: Jan 26th 2006; 1:07AM

I really don't like the idea of having two analogs at different heights like that. I was always glad the Dualshock still has the D-pad in the central location like that, reminds me of a SNES controller (which are still awesome). I haven't really played the X-box or Gamecube much, but I must admit, it feels strange for me to have the two analogs on different elevations like that when you really have to use the both of them.

One neat tweak or 3rd party could be switching the location of the D-pads and face buttons for the analogs. Since in a lot of first-person shooters or action games you only use face buttons to switch weapons or input less critical commands, I could see that working. You're using the shoulder buttons for most things anyway. They'd be more like option buttons then, and your thumbs wouldn't have to reach to the centre of the pad like the current Dualshock for the analogs you're using as the primary controls. Hope someone tries that someday, I'd pick that pad up for sure. Anyway, just some thoughts.

metaly: Jan 26th 2006; 1:25AM

The ball is a nice-looking design, but, like firerock said, it's very remniscent of Hori's slime controller, which is maybe the least ergonomic controller I've used. When you have to grip and cradle something that large and awkward, it's difficult to apply pressure naturally to the buttons, especially when they're all sloping away at weird angles.

I'd have no problem with the Xbox 360 lookalike, as the 360's controllers are extremely comfortable. The Gamecube swapped stick/dpad one intrigues me as well, although I don't really have an issue with where the left stick has been for the PS1&2. I'd like to try it out, though.

Mostly I just want Sony to improve the Dual Shock's grips. If the boomerang ends up being really nice to hold, then I'd be all for it, despite it looking ridiculous. For now, I'm going to stay skeptical.

Psygnosis2097: Jan 26th 2006; 1:29AM

The best redesign in my mind would consist of:

1. Einhanderkiller's killer-"redesign"
(with a more colorful PS logo ;-)

2. Replace the crippled joystick on the right hand side by a notebook-style trackball for actual precision.

3. Remove the ridiculous D-Pad and place the ministick right in the middle of the former two..

(I actually don't think the original Dual Shock controller would be more ergonomic by changing the left analog stick's position.
(If you seriously compare any Xbox controller to the dual shock configuration, you might agree with me.)

Charlie Tang: Jan 26th 2006; 1:34AM

I feel like I'm posting too much in this, but since the other guys posted higher res images of their mockup, I might as well put mine up.

1704 x 1229

http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/3414/hiresps2mockup4fx.jpg

Dan Choi: Jan 26th 2006; 2:44AM

"1704 x 1229" Ooh, high res... Thanks for the great 'Shop mock-up, Charlie! =)

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