Game Informer: Dualshock 4 prototype hands-on

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Dualshock 4 prototype hands-on (some new in-depth info, some we already knew):

- Some components are still being refined (like the d-pad and overall weight)

- Deadzone on the analog sticks has been greatly reduced.

- Both sticks feature stiffer resistance.

- Thumbs bumping into each other is no longer an issue, the analog sticks are spaced farther apart.

- Analog sticks have a ridged concave top that prevent your thumbs from slipping off.

- Stuck with symmetrical design because the assymetrical design would cause more dificulties to interact with the touchpad without unintentionally bumping into the left stick.

- Touchpad is multi-touch, replaces start and select buttons.

- Ridge at the end of the triggers grasps at your fingers instead of letting them slide off.

- There is a small speaker above the ps button, below the touchpad.

- Lightbar works in conjunction with the ps4 eye to track your position and adjusts the split screen accordingly.

- Controller felt comfortable and sturdy.

- Got input from Bungie (and a bunch of first party studios) for designing the DS4, Bungie really wanted to make it a controller that worked great for fps games.

- Writer of the article says the controller is a big reason for gamers to be excited for the console.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=555494

Sounds like a great improvement!

[The Laughing Man]

"- Thumbs bumping into each other is no longer an issue, the analog sticks are spaced farther apart."

Never once had this issue, and I have rather large hands.

[nrjperera]

Replacing Start and Select buttons with a touch-screen could be a little bit annoying because who likes to look a the controller every time when we have to select something. Other than that everything looks great.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Replacing Start and Select buttons with a touch-screen could be a little bit annoying because who likes to look a the controller every time when we have to select something. Other than that everything looks great.

The touchpad has a resolution of 1920x800, so I'm sure it'll just come down to pushing it at left for select, right for start.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Ridge at the end of the triggers grasps at your fingers instead of letting them slide off.

It's back :)

[TheLegendOfMart]

Every time I see pictures of it, it makes me want one for my PS3, looks really comfy to hold.

[spacer]

Stuck with symmetrical design because the assymetrical design would cause more dificulties to interact with the touchpad without unintentionally bumping into the left stick.

Got input from Bungie (and a bunch of first party studios) for designing the DS4, Bungie really wanted to make it a controller that worked great for fps games.

Two completely contradictory statements. Seems like Bungie lost the argument.

[ESC@PE]

Replacing Start and Select buttons with a touch-screen could be a little bit annoying because who likes to look a the controller every time when we have to select something. Other than that everything looks great.

Certainly agree. The "Share" and "Options" buttons should be on the touch screen instead - the "Start" and "Select" buttons should have stayed right where they were.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

"- Thumbs bumping into each other is no longer an issue, the analog sticks are spaced farther apart."

Never once had this issue, and I have rather large hands.

Seriously who the hell was having this issue? The Hulk?

The touchpad has a resolution of 1920x800, so I'm sure it'll just come down to pushing it at left for select, right for start.

I am having a hard time grasping how this is going to work, guess will see it in action. But I have gotten very adept at not looking at pressing either the start or select button as I am sure any regular users have, so hoping it is not to different with the touchpad, which I just have mixed feelings about overall TBH. Almost feel it will be to small to be effective and will just wind up being one button.

[fusi0n]

Seriously who the hell was having this issue? The Hulk?

I LOL'd..

They seemed to good controllers.. I much prefer these to play NCAA games over the Xbox.. but prefer the xbox controller for racing games..

Favorite controller was the Wavebird :D

[spacer]

Like others have said, I'm interested to see the touch pad in action. Can it display images/colors on the pad? I was under the impression that it was touch only and not a touch display.

[Kreuger]

- Deadzone on the analog sticks has been greatly reduced.

- Both sticks feature stiffer resistance.

- Thumbs bumping into each other is no longer an issue, the analog sticks are spaced farther apart.

- Analog sticks have a ridged concave top that prevent your thumbs from slipping off.

- Ridge at the end of the triggers grasps at your fingers instead of letting them slide off.

All of these things are a non issue.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Seriously who the hell was having this issue? The Hulk?

Play Katamari Forever and see :p

In that game it's because of how you need to rotate both analog sticks. If you pick up a DS3 just now, and push the left stick all the way to the right, and the right stick all the way to the left your thumbs may be touching.

Or alternatively rotate one stick fast counter clockwise, and the other fast clockwise, there's a lot of that in Katamari.

Not really a widespread issue though, most games do not need such control input.

Has anyone also considered that start/select may somehow be combined now? Or pushing the touchpad brings up a new kind of menu? It's also only touch, not display to clarify.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

- Analog sticks have a ridged concave top that prevent your thumbs from slipping off.

- Ridge at the end of the triggers grasps at your fingers instead of letting them slide off.

- Both sticks feature stiffer resistance.

All of these things are a non issue.

Couldn't disagree more!

[TheLegendOfMart]

Two completely contradictory statements. Seems like Bungie lost the argument.

How are they, asymmetrical pads doesn't automatically mean good for FPS, I have no issues with using the DS3 for FPS games.

[The Laughing Man]

Seriously who the hell was having this issue? The Hulk?

My guess its to justify its newly implemented touchpad because of its given size. If the touchpad was any smaller then it would be awkward to use most likely.

[The Evil Overlord]

My guess its to justify its newly implemented touchpad because of its given size. If the touchpad was any smaller then it would be awkward to use most likely.

I must admit that is probably more likely

[shakey]

Seriously who the hell was having this issue? The Hulk?

I am having a hard time grasping how this is going to work, guess will see it in action. But I have gotten very adept at not looking at pressing either the start or select button as I am sure any regular users have, so hoping it is not to different with the touchpad, which I just have mixed feelings about overall TBH. Almost feel it will be to small to be effective and will just wind up being one button.

I AM THE HULK! HULK SMASH!

No seriously... I constantly have this issue with games that require quick movements on both sticks. I have long fingers and thumbs though, where as plenty of friends have never had the issue.

[Dotdot]

It's back :)

Thank God!! Honestly, Ive not once this gen been able to sit down and get lost in a PS3 game without getting worked up and ****ed off at the triggers. Honestly one of the worst iterations ever of a trigger!!

[Sentron]

Every time I see pictures of it, it makes me want one for my PS3, looks really comfy to hold.

I agree with you, too bad PS3 has no games.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

I agree with you, too bad PS3 has no games.

Yeah, the PS3 has no good games. How old are you? 12?

[compl3x]

Memes from 2007. Awesome.

[spacer]

How are they, asymmetrical pads doesn't automatically mean good for FPS, I have no issues with using the DS3 for FPS games.

"works" and "works great" (as Bungie suggested) are not the same thing.

[LaP]

Yeah, the PS3 has no good games. How old are you? 12?

He is just one of those countless teens who think any new generation Call of Duty is the b3st g4m3 EV4R!!!

[LaP]

I always hated the Dual Shock.

This new dual shock looks better imo. I'm looking forward to try it but stiffer resistance and ridged concave top are definately a welcome change. Shoulder buttons look far better too.

I don't think next gen the Dual Shock will be a reason i avoid the playstation 4.