A Closer Look at the PlayStation 4 Controller Prototype

Earlier today we got a first look at what our sources have confirmed is a prototype controller for Sony's forthcoming console, the PlayStation 4. While the photo provides only a limited view of the new design, it represents the culmination of several persistent rumors over the last few months, including reports of an integrated touch surface and PlayStation Move support. But what else can discern from the photo? Read on as we take a closer look.

[mushroomwig]

I wouldn't pay too much attention to the design, just look at how the Vita prototype looked;

http://i.imgur.com/1rMvS.jp...

[LOL_WUT]

I haven't followed much of these rumors but can someone fill me in on the touchpad? If I remember correctly I thought the touchpad was going to be on the back?

[PirateThom]

All the rumours I heard were that it was on the front.

Probably going to be used for navigating the menu or something.

[BitbyDeath]

Social is supposed to be big this time around and this controller shows that with the speaker/mic and screen on front.

I think not only will the touchpad be used to show different buttons/menus but also may be used to display messages sent from friends so you no longer have to pause your game.

The final look may change but it is highly likely these features will be included in the final version.

[Thatguy-310]

Heard that the touch pad will also be click able. Since I can't see a share button maybe that's what will act as a share button.

[KaBaW]

Talking about a touchscreen, I think it would be cool if it was all touch.
Like, still take the shape of the controller, as they will but make it touch.
This way, you could like 'rearrange' the buttons and such to your liking.

:O Iduno, the idea sounds neat, though. :P

[Donnieboi]

Should have been in the back. I don't wanna have to take my thumbs off of the analog sticks/face buttons just for that. BUT if pad was on bottom, I can still use my ring fingers and pinky to use the analog sticks and face buttons. It would EXTEND the amount of things I could do all at one time. Like an L4 and R4 button(s).

Not too late for Sony to fix that, as i'm sure anyone with a Vita can tell u it is better behind the Vita. U can't use ANY face buttons while your thumbs are busy reaching for a FRONTAL touch pad....

[nveenio]

I don't think this leaked. I think Sony purposely leaked this in an effort to decide which prototype controller to unveil on Wednesday. With the PS3, they unveiled the WRONG design, and I don't think they want that again, because controllers are a big deal to gamers.

[Ju]

Nothing was said about a "screen". It's a touchpad (probably with feedback re "can be pressed") but has no screen - like the rear touch of the Vita.

[Hayabusa 117]

@ KaBaW

The problem with that is that you won't get the same feedback as using buttons. Sure, you could make the controller vibrate or what-not but devs as well as users will always pick a real button over a simulated one.

@ Donnieboi

Err, sorry, I prefer front touch, simply because I can actually SEE where my finger is going. I like rear touch as an idea, but in practice it's not as intuitive as front touch.

[nveenio]

There are controllers out there that are built modularly, allowing you to disassemble and rearrange the controller so that analog sticks and buttons are placed according to personal preference. But this makes for a bit clunkier design (electronically).

[KaBaW]

While, yes, that is true. Who knows what technology they could use?
Just because right now there could be a delay doesn't mean always will be.
I just think it sounds fascinating, cause you could set buttons how you want.
You wouldn't be restricted to how the controlled is laid out, necessarily.

@ inveni0 - I wasn't aware of that, but a touch screen would remove that.
The control wouldn't necessarily be clunky, at least I wouldn't think so.

[camel_toad]

Great prototype pic but geez I wish the 20th would get here already...

[fei-hung]

What's interesting is how nobody picked up or is speculating on the possible PS4 dev kit the controller is attached to in the photo.

It looks like it has 2 cameras built into it, one on each side. This is interesting as it would mean every PS4 will have a built in PSEye and with controllers having the move sensor built in, you will not need to a Move controller separately. It also possibly means you will not be able to stack the PS4 vertically and to make proper use of all it's tech, you will need to place it not to high or to low.

[Saigon]

fei-hung,

I agree I said the same thing, i figured that would have been the other key point of the picture.

I also noticed that there is 1 button on the left near the d-pad (which is obvious to see) but there is another near the actual PS button scheme (S,T,C,X)...I guess they are both share buttons? and if this is a touch pad, what will it be used for exactly?

[wastedcells]

Saigon. I'd say those are start select buttons. Share buttons are a retarded rumour.

[Cueil]

I think the camera's will probably come separate maybe like the Kinect(it has mutipul cameras)... sit below or on top of your TV... or maybe on each side if they are separate... just speculating of course

[Sevir]

No its not, the share button wasn't a retarded rumor. It was featured and well talked about in the or is devkit documents that was leaked to Kotaku last month. And just about everything mentioned in that 60-80 page document was spot on and confirmed. Kotaku did say that the documents were about 9, months old and that the final specs they revealed from their source could change but very unlikely due to the nature of production and time schedules with launching this year.

KEEP in mind also that this picture of the "Or is" controller has been stated by more than one media outlet band their source that while this is a REAL controller, its also a very early iteration, and the final design will likely change. We don't know if this was the first or second or 3rd revision on the controller and it likely isn't the last.

For all we know this may very be old and the controller we see on Wednesday next week may feature the share button much like what was confirmed in the or is report documents for the or is devkits.

[Outside_ofthe_Box]

Well I wouldn't mind if the final build looks very similar to this design as this one keeps Dual Shock look, might as well call it the DS4 if it's going to look like that. All the rumors that were saying that Sony was abandoning the Dual Shock design made it seem as if Sony was pulling a 180 going with a totally different look.

[wastedcells]

Almost looks more like an LCD then a touch pad. Maybe for health bars and what not? But I can see a touch pad being cool for a pointer like a mouse I guess.

[supremacy]

I believe thats part of the idea.

The speaker there are mics for voice chat and voice commands.

The L2 and R2 from what i hear are triggers like those on the 360 which is why this seems bulkier than the current line of dualshock controllers.

The new dpad s for a more comforting experience with fighting games, but i feel this new look is rather cheap and almost makes this an alien to the tradional PlayStation designs. My hope is that they change this one tiny aspect back to the more tradional spaced dpad design most are familiar with. Would also be nice if the buttons where clear like those on the vita.

The touchpad isnt a touch screen but has multiple functions, like being a clickable button as well as a touch surface.

The new dual analog sticks look promising,but do these feel less loose like the ones on the 360 controllers? Now if they can nail that down then have something special in your hands Sony.

The glowing blu light is for move, but i guess we will know more soon.

[xtremeimport]

im waiting till the 20th before i make any judgements. lol

[Steadyhndz]

Development kit release rumors started almost a year ago as well, so even if this developer kit is real, and this controller came with it, even 3 months ago, Sony could have changed A LOT to it. Highly doubtful that this is the final product or looks anything like it.

[gluv65]

IGN missed the second button in the upper right near the buttons. I mean they say they zoomed in and if they did how did they miss it.

[IAmLee]

IT HAS ANALOGUE STICKS. CONTROLLER OF THE YEAR 2013.

[RogueStatus28]

Innovation.

[Allsystemgamer]

How?

[showtimefolks]

Only few more days, I wouldn't take this prototype very serious. The final controller will be a lot cooler

[ironfist92]

Thats the thing with protoypes, they show the desired function, but not the form. It looks low quality when compared to the DS3, but has some pretty interesting innovative features

Cant wait to see the final product, looks intriguing. If this is just the controller, cant wait for the console itself.

[GribbleGrunger]

Yeah, and Sony would NOT want that final form out there just in case a picture leaked... which clearly it has. It really is an exciting time to be a PS branded gamer. That touchscreen will probably be used in the same way a pad is used on laptops. Really handy for browsing the web, and if they can fit a little keyboard on there ...

[delboy]

Hope so
Can't come up with a good use with such a SMALL touch pad or touch screen.
I think it's more or less useless.

[Cueil]

I agree that it's much to short... assuming the dimensions haven't changed of the d-pad that's a tiny ass touch pad that my thumb will cover almost completely

[tachy0n]

its fake, take a look at how un-even the left grip is.

compare the overall round shape of the PS3 controller to it you will see.

last time i checked human hands are shaped the same. when have you seen controllers with grips that are different to each other?

i love the design though.

[ironfist92]

Do you understand what a Prototype is?

[tachy0n]

yes, but even cheap chinese rip offs get the shape right, sony being a multibillion dollar company how is it possible even if its a prototype.

[Ju]

A prototype is probably a custom mold not industrially made but in single pieces. Those things are often hand modeled. It's supposed to give you a rough idea how it feels and how it works. That's all. And it allows you to change things fairly quickly without the need to have a full production run. Also, final products require a large quantity to produce, otherwise manufacturing would be way too expensive.

[annus]

Yeah the whole left side is off! Must have been a faulty machine! Either that or the photo was simply taken slightly toe the right of the center so the perspective is off.... Look at the analogue sticks, it's obvious.

[RogueStatus28]

Hmm, I don't recall a response this positive when the Wii U prototype got revealed, that was gimmicky though, this is hype.

[r21]

Basically all the next gen PS controller rumor have been saying it'll be the same old lovable dual shock design, just with a lil touchpad in the front. So for all the PS fans, this isnt much of a change compared to lets say a huge screen in the middle of a controller.

[Gamer-40]

It is not nice controller, prototype or not.

[BeAGamer]

you have bad grammar, hooked on phonics or not

[Relientk77]

Haha, nice

bubbles

[Gamer-40]

Maybe it's true.
This controller "made in vietnam" and cheap feeling. Prototype or not.

This nice and cool? Man, your eyes wrong.

[r21]

Now this design i like. Unlike that other design reported yesterday.

[panbit86]

Many claim that it's actually a touch screen not just a pad... maybe a touch keyboard for messages can be displayed there like in phones!

[Oh_Yeah]

Great design, my fingers slip off the current sticks from time to time, glad to see the concave impressions. Also the touch pad for easier typing+. The move sensor to use as an option for steering or aiming+. Slightly bigger for added comfort+. Sony got this.

[Skate-AK]

Idk why they keep calling the button on the left the share button. Is it that hard to believe its a Select button? Controllers have had a Select button for decades.

[BitbyDeath]

Doesn't even look like a button to me...

[torchic]

but you have to admit it's a very useless button.

wouldn't be surprised if Sony chose to let go of it.

[Xer0_SiN]

i actually like the dualshock controllers. but then again, i dont really play shooters where the shoulder buttons are make or break.

[akaakaaka]

PS4!!!!!!
4 U
4 ME
4 THE GAMERS

[Dogswithguns]

So much for the Feb 20th surprise.. (

[izumo_lee]

I do hope they keep the original design for the D-pad cause they were excellent for fighting games. Or at least make it similar to the Vita's D-pad. The semi-seperated feel of the Vita's D-pad makes all those complex moves in fighting games very easy (coming from a guy who played a lot of Blazblue).

People have complained that the Dualshock over the years is too small for many gamers so if the dimensions of this new controller is bulkier it looks like Sony listened to these complaints. Also the convex nature of the analogs are a welcome site.

Interesting to see the final model of this new Dualshock, the 20th is gonna be an epic event from the way things are turning out.

Oh does anyone else believe that since this new controller has been leaked that on Feb 20th we may actually see gameplay from PS4 games instead of just video trailers?

[Godchild1020]

I agree the D-pad is great for fighting games. I use my Vita now more than ever and I would love to see them use the D-pad on the Vita on the next PS controller if they decide to change anything.

I will welcome almost any change, as long as it doesn't change the placement of the analog and face buttons.

If we see trailers, it might be in-game footage and not CGI. Like what we have seen from The Last of US and God of War: Accession. At least this is what I hope.

[Kidmyst]

Maybe we'll find out for sure next week what it looks like as the final design.

[Ripsta7th]

The Unknown port is porbably to connect a mic, kind of like what Ms had with the 360. Ithink the ps4 will come bundled with a mic

[Rainstorm81]

Maybe the charge port is there, that also isn't visible in this pic

[Ripsta7th]

Yeahh maybe ur right, if they put the move sensors on top then dey probably had to change the charge port to the bottom :)

[TotalHitman]

Have you ever wondered why the select button is named 'SELECT'? I always have. The select button is generally used to bring up a map or stats in a game. Anyway, I'm glad to see that button gone.

[marcoskids]

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
SHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTT!! !

[RememberThe357]

If thats the D-pad on the final controller, I'm gonna be pissed.

[Horny]

Don't be too worried. This looks like the vita d pad and its actually more comfortable than the dual shock d pad yet has a similar feel.

[teedogg80]

Yeah the Vita d-pad is one of the best.

[RememberThe357]

Thanks, I was about to be hella butthurt lol

[Evil_Ryu]

Move 2 looks so crap kinect 2 is gonna blow it out of the water.

[Nicaragua]

Thats nice dear, now run along and try not to say anything else stupid.

[LakerGamerEnthusiast]

what's with all this bad grammar? like, seriously. lol

[ufo8mycat]

God the design is attrocious

Still using outdated stick placement

DPAD STILL in Primary/Natural position - Hello SONY the Left analog stick is used MORE then the DPAD, therefore the left analog should now be in the top/natural position.

Still poor wrist support - handles too short

This has bad ergonomics written all over it.

[BitbyDeath]

I'm guessing you forgot to add sarcasm tags??

[stage88]

I don't know about you but my hands are symmetrical. Who would want offset sticks on a controller causing all that hand strain, not to mention it would look ugly as sin.

[Pantehr0]

The natural thumb position on a dualshock is actually right in between the buttons and the sticks, so neither feel more uncomfortable than the other.

[JAMurida]

Rumor or not, I wish they would just stay with the Dualshock 3 or at least give an option to use the DS3, if this new controller even looks slightly like that.

[KaBaW]

Can someone enlighten me on how or where I can watch what Sony will show on the 20th?
And, also, while at it.. how or where can I watch (or read?) Bungie's announcement.

Thanks!(:

[theDECAY]

I think it will be streamed live via a few sites. Maybe playstation.com.

[KaBaW]

Alright, thank you, I will have to check it out.

[NeXXXuS]

"99% sure"
so they're not sure. lol

[imt558]

Btw. one information!! These analog sticks are not just like on X360 gamepad. It's like on DualShock fo PS1. Remember this???

http://www.axess.com/twilig...

[kingPoS]

Going back to the basics...

They might be on to something here. I just hope they keep the main buttons analog. Most people wouldn't know it, but the D pad on the DS3 isn't digital.

[imt558]

"but the D pad on the DS3 isn't digital..."

You mean : DUALSHOCK 2 gives greater gaming control and a more compelling interactive experience. Each button has 256 different levels of pressure....

Yep, this is true. The stronger you press X button in GT4, car goes faster.

[kingPoS]

Much like the dualshock 2 all of the dualshock 3 buttons are analog except for start select L3 R3 & PS. Though I'm not sure if the DS3 shares the same sensitivity as the DS2.

Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. I can only hope that Sony keeps the buttons in the ps4 controller analog.

[Lifebanisher]

This controller is gonna be an eye killer in a good way and a bad way. added features in a product is always good, but people who has blurry eyes from playing alot wouldn't like it if the screen on the touch pad lits, plus there is also the move sensors on the shoulder of the controller those stuff are on too. i wish they implement an option to decrease the light of the screen and the move sensors light too. so that concludes that this controller is going to be a triple eye killer.

[CRASHBASHUK]

hmm so PlayStation control + move control + mic? that be very cool
sonny and PlayStation all ways make u save money I mean the first ps3 was cheaper then the first Xbox 360 when having the same hardware if I remember right and look at cross buy

[tweet75]

as long as the controller has the feel of a dualshock controller. Thats the primary reason I choose playstation over xbox because of the controller. I have never felt as comfy with an xbox controller as a dualshock. The dualshock to me is the perfect controller.

[cleverusername]

I've seen that controller before, in a different article last year!!

[Kennytaur]

There's another button on the right side of the touchpad, so it's not the infamous share button.

[soraalam1]

I hope they use the old PS3 D-Pad. It's perfect for me and I don't want them to change to a hard button style like the Wii Remote or 360.

[level 360]

Closest possible prototype I think. Do like that Sony has finally appropriately upped the size.

This prototype also looks more grippier to hold.

Redesigned larger D-pad and analogue sticks are a plus.

Overall it's a very conservative ( safe ) design.

[supremacy]

Agreed, but the d pad needs to remain the way it currently is on the dualshock 3. Its one of with he few things that distinguishes the playstation controllers from the rest.

Everything else is fine by me.

Like your avatar by the way.

[PFFT]

It kinda reminds me of the Wii U gamepad but in a smaller scale. And well with Move integration. It doesnt look all that bad to be quite honest.

[claud3]

it looks so weak of a design

[sandman224]

I hope the controller ends up being thicker than the dualshock 3

[ratcop22]

These are all rumours speculations and fakes. JUST WAIT FEB 20! On my b-day :]

[SkyCrawler]

Is it healthy for me to squeel this hard?