The next-gen joypads: a true evolution?


Recommended Posts

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-next-gen-joypads-a-true-evolution

 

 

The design sports a gentle outwards tilt that catches the bend of each finger, narrowing to a finer point. It's difficult to eulogize the effectiveness of this approach; while not quite a full hook in the style of the rival pad's, it works wonderfully well in securing each finger, and the tension needed to drive it down once again feels equitable to Microsoft's solution.

Tightened dead-zones make games like DriveClub eminently easier to control, but the bigger change here is in the friction of the sticks - increased to bring it closer to the pressure needed on the Xbox One's. The old PS3 sticks with their convex grips are often criticized for feeling a little too delicate in travel

Overall, it's striking how similar both controllers feel in this department, as if the houses of PlayStation and Xbox both independently honed in on the very same sweet-spot for grip and required pressure.



Looking to the buttons, the Dual Shock 4 boasts a more tightly packed d-pad than usual, using a silkier matte texture that tapers off towards the center point.

On the right side of the pad, the 8-bit precision analogue face buttons of the last controller are swapped out for digital versions, largely due to their lack of practical use in games, but also to improve communication speeds with the PS4 console.



It's clickable like a regular laptop mouse pad, and even light touches to its surface are quick in response - in theory, an RTS game based around pinch-to-zoom and panning gestures could find a comfortable home on the platform in future.

 

 

Dual Shock 4 and the Xbox One controller: the preliminary verdict

All in all, both Microsoft and Sony have clearly taken note of the shortfalls in their current-gen controllers and make amends without over-stepping the mark - inevitably arriving at a similar middle-point in ergonomic design. Microsoft is no stranger to the process of evolving its pad design with every generation, going from the mighty Duke on the original Xbox, to a minimised S version which formed a basis for the more streamlined 360 pad. The Xbox One continues that tradition of refinement with gentle tweaks across the board - plus the addition of rumble features which make a surprising difference - though the result is one that should be warmly familiar to existing Xbox fans.

Meanwhile, Sony's DualShock 4 shows a more radical departure from the Dual Shock form factor it's held onto for the last three generations. With the revelation that neither the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One offer compatibility for current-gen pads, it's just as well that these new controllers bring enough incremental tweaks to every facet of their designs, each adding up to a broader sense of overall improvement than we'd expected going in. Certainly, controller comfort will always be a strict matter of personal taste, but between the two, the balance between conservation and evolution has been judged with care.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just read that a little while ago. It seems both have made some really good improvements, which is great for everyone.

 

Since I'm eventually switching to the PS4 I was especially glad to hear that the new DualShock has made a lot of changes to bring it up to par with the 360/One controller. Though I'm still hoping the analog positions grow on me.

 

The force-feedback in the triggers is cool addition to the One's controller.

 

Good stuff all around. (Y)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Can't wait to get my hands on both of these. Especially the PS4, just to see how much of an improvement it is.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just hope we don't get too many touch-pad related QTEs. It's one of the more annoying features on the Vita. Doing charcoal rubbings in Golden Abyss, for example.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just read that a little while ago. It seems both have made some really good improvements, which is great for everyone.

 

Since I'm eventually switching to the PS4 I was especially glad to hear that the new DualShock has made a lot of changes to bring it up to par with the 360/One controller. Though I'm still hoping the analog positions grow on me.

 

The force-feedback in the triggers is cool addition to the One's controller.

 

Good stuff all around. (Y)

I can never imagine Dual shock is "fixed" until Sony does something with the sticks. I can get used to them if forced but the sticks just feel uncomfortable.

On the Xbox side, I am glad to see that the trigger rumble is not a gimmick and actually works magic.

 

Yikes: just noticed that this is in MS forums. Time to buzz a mod.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I really don't like the look of the X1's controller. It looks far too flat & top heavy. I do like the sound of the feedback triggers and I hope they have recoil in FPS type games. Oh and the buttons/font are fugly.

 

Haven't been a fan of the dualshock since I was 12 years old. The current DS3 is far too small for adult hands (well at least mine), the triggers are terrible and only marginally better with Real Triggers. The Sixaxis was far too light but at least when they added rumble back it was better. I think the new one will be an improvement but the stick placement will never suit me. It just doesn't work for FPS/3rd person action.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Both controller do look great..

I'm still not sure about the touch pad on the DS4 though...

I can see a lot of accidental touching from people with larger hands...

The D-Pad on the DS4 is beautiful though...

And looks much improved on the X1 as well...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.