Sony shows off PlayStation's DualShock 4 controller, details what's inside

The Verge: One of the lone pieces of hardware that Sony decided to reveal at its PlayStation 4 event last February was the new DualShock 4 controller, and now the company is showing it off in person at this year's Game Developers Conference.

The controller looks quite nice in person — there's a nice matte finish to the hardware — and the light bar on the back gives it a real Tron vibe.

[adorie]

It looks like the design changed again.. Hmm.

[KShinigami]

How? No the design didn't change, it never did.

[adorie]

http://www.gamesthirst.com/...

then to

http://www.player.de/wp-con...

Present:
http://cdn0.sbnation.com/en...

Maybe the angle is throwing me off. But it looks like subtle changes to me.

[RememberThe357]

The last two looks exactly the same to me. Like you said, maybe the angle is throwing you off. But I'm high so...

[KShinigami]

The first image is a prototype I believe. Can't see any diff between the last two.

[Solid_Malone]

I hope they make the touchpad look a little bit more streamlined with the controller.

Similiar to their old design:

http://www.gamesthirst.com/...

And also change the R2 & L2 triggers design so they're less bulkier looking.

I wish they added backlit face buttons for triangle, square, circle and X.

I'm probably expecting too much :/

[gamefiles]

lol split screen

[gatormatt80]

No more analog buttons?? That's a shame, I'm gonna miss the pressure sensitive buttons.

[RedDevils]

I wish this is compatible for Ps3 lol

[Name Last Name]

How will racing games work without pressure sensitive buttons?

[WeedyOne]

The last 2 do not look the same, they have different textures on the bottom of the controllers.

I kinda like the design of the prototype only because it looks like you could see the light bar while playing the game. That way if it flashes while you shoot you may actually get to see. The newer controller kinda hides the light bar.

[Good_Guy_Jamal]

It should. The one at the reveal was/is just horrendous. Seems so unfinished.

[Blackdeath_663]

what? the one that was revealed in the playstation meeting is exactly the same as the hi-res photos on sony's website which is exactly the same controller your seeing here. what about it was horrendous?

[Reverent]

@Blackdeath, just ignore him. He's a really talented stealth troll who always gets away with crap talking anything Sony-related.

[Aceman18]

damn dude you are such a troll, like blackdeath said it's the exact same one we saw at the reveal, and from the photos on the sites.

[shutUpAndTakeMyMoney]

I agree. It's .2 inches wider. Can see it clear as day.

[Oh_Yeah]

As long as it's comfy and light..that's all that really matters.

[minimur12]

nothhing wrong with a decent bit of weight though, like the DS3 at the moment has a bit of weight..... maybe a little bit more give or take other than that too heavy/too light.

[Oh_Yeah]

@minimur12 do you live on a different planet that has more gravity? Lol, DS3 is very light imo, when I'm gaming it doesn't even feel like I'm really holding anything..and that's around the weight I'd like DS4 to be.

[360ICE]

Last two the same, first one prototype...

[blackyeti]

This is basically the boomerang controller.. Less boomer more rang

[BitbyDeath]

I was thinking the same thing, except it's a lot fatter.

http://img.engadget.com/com...

[NastyLeftHook0]

the go to controller. i like the finish.

[gedden7]

Same damn controller for 15-18 years lol

[KShinigami]

The controller may have looked the same for '15-18 years' but then again the shape of our hands didn't change so no reason to fix something that ain't broken and as tech did advance so did the controller by adding rumble, wireless or sixaxis. Just because it looks the same don't mean it is.

[Reverent]

"but then again the shape of our hands didn't change" Right there; that was beautifully well said.

[Ezz2013]

"but then again the shape of our hands didn't change"

BS... i have 8 fingers in my 3 hands

[Ritsujun]

gedden7 has serious eye problems.

[cryymoar]

@Ezz2013 Then you should use an N64 controller instead ;)

[cyberninja]

Go see a doctor, looks like you need to fix your eyes, lmao.

[Solid_Malone]

He needs an optician and some therapy or possibly surgery from a veterinarian surgeon :P

[tachy0n]

thats like saying "same damn human hands for millions of years lol".

[Conzul]

A larger controller for a maturing audience.
Thank you, Sony. Maybe now it'll be easier to get my dad into gaming.

[Gamer-40]

Nice controller.

[pedja_srb]

Same damn perfect controller for 15-18 years.Btw.why change something that is perfect :) Just perfect.What else can be expected from Sony,than perfection.

[KrisButtar]

I liked the design better when the touch screen was flush with the controller. like shown in the link below

http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbul...

[Clover904]

I can picture a lot of accidental swiping when reaching for the options or share buttons if it was still flush with the controller. I'm really liking the touchpad the way it is now. Plus, if the rumors of it being clickable is true then having the touchpad protrude out a bit like a button is a must.

[KrisButtar]

"accidental swiping when reaching for the options or share"
I would have to disagree with that because if you think of holding the controller, your thumbs are what would be used to push options/share on the PS4, your thumbs would move up to the options/share from the sticks or your thumbs would move inwards from either the D-pad/or face buttons. leaving the middle on the controller untouched by your thumbs which is where the screen would be.

if the rumor is true about it being clickable, I agree it must protrude

[ziggurcat]

that thing looks slick.

[Arai]

Keep in mind it's still prototype hardware, PS4 won't go into production until August.
So the final retail version will look even more polished.

"Sony notes that these are simply "mock-ups" with the usual caveat that elements could change."

The touch-pad is really handy and I can see it being used in a lot of ways.

[C-Thunder]

How do you know when it will go into production?

[Donnieboi]

Sony really did say August for production.

[Lvl_up_gamer]

The controller looks very sleek and sexy. It's an amazing design however so long as the analog sticks are parallel rather then being offset, it will never be my go to controller. I wish Sony would allow for the controller to be interchangeable so that I could move the left analog stick to the d-pad and the d-pad down to the left analog stick position. It's been done with 3rd party controllers for the PS3, I don't understand why Sony wouldn't do that for their 1st party controllers. It would be an amazing feature and hands down the best controller on the market since it allows choice for everyone's personal preference in comfort.

Madcatz is doing it for the PS3.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[Arai]

I don't think it would feel pleasant that way when using the joy-pad for fighting games.
At least not for me, I like the current layout.

[itz_zombies]

@Lvl_up_gamer

Are your hands not symmetrical?

[Karpetburnz]

What the hell is the point in that? have you got deformed hands? Its much more comfortable to hold something with your thumbs next to eachother.

[boing1]

Proto DS4 feels awesome in hand. R2/L2 are now perfect. All I can say.

[Donnieboi]

Did u hold it? How would u know?

[boing1]

Yeah, I did. We have a devkit and SDK. We're under NDA though. Looks exactly like an early leak.

[xursz]

^ contacting site admins through federal law enforcement, this will take a sec to confirm identity.... .... .... .... ....

Jessy Hewit? You're being sued for the sum total of 50,000 USD for breach of contract in the way of unadministered discussion of private properties in a public forum. You're hereby stripped of developer privelages on all Sony PlayStationTM platforms for life or until you ask for appeal in which case we review your offense(s) and determine the complete nature of your intent, damage to our brand, and factors of skin color, muscle tone, etc. How do you plea? Silence assumes the role of the guilty. Prepare for the hammer of justice, punk.

[boing1]

Bubble+ for the effort.

[leogets]

lol what's up with people wanting non symmetrical thumb sticks? why would u want something so awkward to use. psh

[Bathyj]

Apparently xbox owners right hand is normal but the thumb on the left hand starts at the very bottom of the index finger.

It makes buying gloves a real b*tch.

[Rhythmattic]

Thanks Again..... Beer up through my nose...... What a waste.... :)

[AdventurelessHero]

omg! Dat D-pad!!!!!

[MultiConsoleGamer]

So comfy!

[JRH7783]

The main thing I noticed in these pics was the D-pad. The indentation in the middle seems like it would fit your thumb nicely.

[DarthBigE]

When he say's no more analog it now digital does that mean no more pressure sensitive x,o,square, and circle buttons?

[BitbyDeath]

Yep. So now they'll just be normal buttons.
Racing games were probably the only ones using it and even they are often now using sticks or L & R buttons.

[DarthBigE]

Yea, but do they take up room in the controller or cost a lot more to do? Even if they were barley used they were still used. It shouldn't be removed. I can just imagine "Darn it, wish sony would have kept analog buttons now we have to find a new way to make this work in our game..." i think you get the point lol

[BitbyDeath]

I read on GAF that removing the pressure sensitivity reduces the latency. (Likely cost is a factor as well, not that we'd notice with all these other extra functions added)

[Bathyj]

Whats with the no analogue?
Granted, it was barely ever used, but still, it should have been.

[G20WLY]

I wondered the same - see bitby's post just above yours for possible reason :)

[DwightOwen]

Not sure I'm liking the switch from analog to digital buttons. You're taking game design options away from developers.

Also, what's with the change from six axes to three axes for Y and X? Or is it the same as PS3 and you just add them and that's where the Sixaxis name comes from? Anybody know?

[Sevir]

Gyro sensor than what was present in the Vita and PS3 dual shock.the expanded axis gives more degrees of motion sensitivity, allowing for more subtle and precise movements. Sony's Mark Cerny confirmed that the DS4 improves on its motion. So people who use the DS4 will notice how much more suited and natural it will be for racing and Flight Sims..

Evolution Studios was actually tapped for guidance so using the DS4 for steering via motion control would be more intuitive than on PS3. And we all know how well or not the sixaxis motion was implimented in Motorstorm and Wipeout and Lair.

[porkChop]

They switched to digital because only a handful of PS3 games even used the pressure sensitivity. Switching to digital allows them to lower the latency of the controller which will result in smoother controls/gameplay as well as reduce the cost of producing the controller. Options are good, but if no one is using a certain option then there's no reason to keep offering it, especially if it's costing you money.

[DivineAssault]

i love this controller.. Im wondering how well it works if using the touchpad as a cursor.. I would love to play command & conquer or other games that i like on PC with it

[stragomccloud]

Looks really great. Sony finally got on board with the ergonomics train! Can't wait to get a PS4~

[Droid Control]

Its an improvement over the PS1.2.3 pads, but I would ave preferred the analogue sticks to be offset.

[Rhythmattic]

Your opinion, But to me off-set sticks is like a steering wheel on the right side Circular , and on the left Square... (see ASCII fig 1)

Fig 1 [_)

No thanks.

[LKHGFDSA]

WTF!?!?! No touch sensitivity!?
How is this an improvement?
Even the PS1 controllers had that.

[PS4isKing_82]

Actually no they didn't, that started on ps2. And one of the first games to use it was gran turismo 3 a-spec.

[josephayal]

I don't really care about the new Dpad or the touchpad, I just want to know if the Triggers are going to suck again or not

[Ashunderfire86]

That LED color change feature is already in Alienware Desktops and Laptops, but it's nice to finally see it on a console.

[Sevir]

Controller. It's been on consoles for quite some time now

[Funky Town_TX]

I hope the analog sticks are tighter than the DS3. The fact that they are not round on the contact points is a plus. I was hoping for offset analog but that would have made it perfect IMO and nothing is perfect.

[lovegames718]

Yeah Good_guy_jamal always has residue from Sony milk on the corner of his mouth lol

On that note i love the look and what it offers.

[RE_L_MAYER]

0w0
_

Looks like 2 dildos connected by a mini grill in the midlle
I bet who designed this uncomfortable diarrhea never even played videogames on console

[TheObserver]

Why do people wants offset on the left analogue? You don't even aim with the left so precision is moot. The D-Pad is now less versatile at the bottom position. If you are a lefty, the Dual shock is ambidextrous. The D-Pad is relatable to O X Δ □ respectively. The off-set lay out is not ambidextrous. Aiming with the left stick will be different. Symmetry in most natural. Beauty is also found in symmetry.

[Relientk77]

I want this controller

[itBourne]

What is the point in getting rid of analog buttons for digital? How do you control your passes in madden now? lol