Sony explains why DualShock 4 dropped touchscreen

One of Sony's DualShock 4 prototypes featured a touchscreen, but this was ultimately scrapped in the final version in favor of the touchpad because developers didn't like the idea of having players divert their eyes from the main screen during gameplay, product planning manager Toshimasa Aoki has said.

[GarrusVakarian]

I agree with not wanting to divert attention from the tv screen, especially seeing how awesome the games on the tv are going to look!

Good choice in my opinion, still a touch sensitive add on but without the need to actually look at it to use it. That red/black controller is sexy too!

[Ripsta7th]

But if they had implemented it like the wii u, where u can play on that control screen, it would have been great. Ps vita gots you covered if you want to experience this,except itll be costing an extra couple bucks

[webeblazing]

it only matter when they say it matters lol. using vita second controller G.O.A.T. having a screen in controller when sony not wanted > yeah G.T.F.O.

I think they did this because they have vita and their gonna implement using it as a controller(MVC3). and when that happen people will change their toon again.

[gaffyh]

The main reason was probably cost. It would have made the controller cost more to make, and in turn cost a lot more to buy, pushing the price of the console up. It would also have had a devastating effect on the battery life.

[UltimateMaster]

2 reasons.
1-Cost
2-Eats battery life.
Cross-Controller with the Vita exist anyway.

[SilentNegotiator]

Total waste of resources. Wii U has it and not even Nintendo themselves have made very great use of it.

"I think they did this because they have vita and their gonna implement using it as a controller(MVC3). and when that happen people will change their toon again"

'I don't work for toons!' It's "tune" not "toon"
And we've already seen how successful PSP was at getting developers to implement it as a second screen. Developers work for the lowest common denominator. We are NOT going to see any significant amount of use of a handheld being used to control games on a game console.

[ShinMaster]

A replacement Wii U Gamepad is $150 and only 1 player can use it.

That doesn't sound like a good idea for the PS4.

[Ritsujun]

Teh Wii duUum?

[wsoutlaw87]

If you want a second screen, a lot of games are allowing the use of your phone/tablet. I dont see a need for it at all though

[badz149]

@Ripsta7th

You're saying it like the Wii U pad doesn't actually add to the total cost of the console itself. Nintendo is going to have a hard time cutting the price of the Wii U because of the pad. The pad is not even fully independent and not even multi-touch unlike almost everything else currently on the market. Without the pad, the Wii U could be priced at $250 and still make a profit and would still be competitive.

[Chrischi1988]

That people do not get, that the Gamepad is actually a must for Nintendo. They said themselves, they will make full use of it in the new Zelda. Oh, there was no use of it in a 2D Mario? What could it do there? Nothing important, agreed. Wind Waker did only simple stuff? Agreed, was a remake of an 10 year old game and so tied to its gameplay, so you couldnt add a lot.

It is funny, how people are not able to see, that the Wii U, of all Consoles, because of its motion controls and the Gamepad is BY FAR the best console, if it comes to games like MMOs, RTS and so on. Komplex games will be games for Wii U. Integrated Keyboard, touchscreen and so on

Take a game like WoW where your charakter has around 50 skills, which you have to use, not playable with a controller, but guess what, with the touchscreen you do not have this problem.

Take a game like Diablo3, where the console Version had to have a completely revamped interface to make it console playable, on Wii U, it could've stayed the way it was on the PC. Hell, Diablo3 skillsystem ruined the whole game and the system was only like that, because of consoles, so it is playable on console, with only 6 skills at a time, if there wouldve been the Wii U already, they couldve stayed with the old system, which is much more appealing.

Play a game like Oblivion on PC and then on Console, on console, for everything, you have to go like 10min into the menu, to change the spell for example, on PC, you make 2 clicks and done, on Wii U you could do the same.

Really now, that you PS4 fans are so blinded, when it comes to the PS4 and then even try to make the use of the gamepad seem useless, just shows, that you only are the consumer, not the thinker.

[Knushwood Butt]

Wii U gamepad is a big fail.

[DVAcme]

@Chrischi1988 You're basically saying that the Wii-U's controller is great for genres and games that are not being supported or released at all for the Wii-U. That's like saying that I'm the best velociraptor hunter on the planet. Unless someone clones a friggin' velociraptor for me to kill, I'm not proving jack. The touchscreen would be attractive if games in the Wii-U used it in ingenious ways that could not be replicated by other peripherals, but not even Nintendo themselves are supporting the touchscreen, so why would we care about a peripheral that not even the company that created it supports?

The fact is that the PS4 controller's touchpad is less intrusive, easier to integrate and MUCH more battery- and cost-effective than the Wii-U controller's touchscreen. And like it's been said before, the PS Vita will be able to replicate the touchscreen functionality once things get rolling, and the upcoming Vita Slim and pricedrop will make it an attractive buy.

[webeblazing]

yo no matter what they gonna disagree and agree with sony. I like the control but a screen would of been better.

[FullmetalRoyale]

Would HAVE been better, "yo".

[saladthieves]

Kids and their grammar skills these days...

[iceman06]

Maybe...maybe not. I know it would have been a hell of a lot more expensive...which would drive the cost of the console up OR make Sony once again eat HUGE amounts of debt for each one sold.
It was a compromise, I'm sure. We would like to give them a scree, but can't afford it. So, touchpad it is.

[miyamoto]

When I was playing RE Code Veronica on my Sega Dreamcast looking down on my controller to see my health status in a middle of a zombie feeding frenzy is the MOST annoying thing ever!

Now playing with the trackpad to navigate the cursor on the TV screen is totally intuitive and practical.

I am really glad Sony takes the best approach when it comes to dual screen gameplay. Everything is optional and not shoved like the gimmicky wii u game pad.

Best of all you can remote play any PS4 with PS Vita no matter how far you are from PS4 as long as there is wifi.

[Abdou023]

I never have any problems witching between the controller and the TV on my wiiU, i think it comes down to the devs. And how they use it, Splinter Cell was brilliant, Wonderful 101 really defines the use of the touch screen, and i'm sure it's only getting better.

[n4f]

I think that a grammar nazi died by reading this.

[Concertoine]

@miyamoto
how is looking down at the VMU and seeing your health annoying? why else would you look at your controller? that was one of the coolest things about the dreamcast.

[webeblazing]

did I get all these disagree cause I said yo or because I pointed out something that always seem to happen on this site

plus im talking about a controller like the steam controller screen its not big at all. plus if devs use like maps, inventory, map, etc. I wouldn't see the point in always having to look at the map. you could look at it when its not a lot of action.

and yall are completely right about the price. its yall opinion and I respect it.

[warczar]

They gave you disagrees because your killing the English language.

[BallsEye]

I don't see the point of the touch pad. All I can see it do is some small minigames that would still be controlled better with a thumbstick. Small touch screen is what I would welcome, it could bring a lot of variety to the games...battery life would suffer tho.

[cell989]

you lack imagination, glad youre not a PS4 dev, so many things can come up with the touch pad, but you limit yourself when you only see it as a negative

[BallsEye]

@cell989

Please, tell me of any great usage of this feature other than minigames.ANything that will make gaming better and easier. Changing weapon by swiping your finger through the pad is just making it harder, you could simply press a button as it's faster and easier. Anything, and everything that this touchpad do, can be done by using the thumbsticks which is easier.

[rainslacker]

You could use it as a cursor input for games that work better with that type of input...say a RTS game. Touchpads are common on notebooks, and they work pretty well.

Since it's multi-touch, you could have features like you see in smartphone games for zooming in easier on maps, or swiping to control sub screens. You could map weapon selection to areas of the touch screen to quickly change weapons without having to scroll through them with a button press, pretty handy in a FPS if you ask me. In that vein, you can map commands that you would give your team mates in the same manner...say in Mass effect, which had a limited selection of commands you could give.

I've been playing around with a concept for a game I want to develop on phones which allows you to set up combos from a wheel-type menu by tracking your finger like you would do while unlocking your phone. It works pretty well, and is a step up from standard cascading menus select and click for what I want to do.

[BadlyPackedKeebab]

The KZ idea of sending off your robot flying thing seems quite a nice intuitive use of it.

throwing grenades in a direction thats not the cursor is another option.

Time will tell if devs can come up with intuitive ways of using it that dont feel bolted-on. I know the inFamous stuff sounds gimmicky.

[oof46]

I remember when the Dreamcast tried this with their controller. It was a bitch looking up at the screen and then down at the controller. I agree with it being a touchpad.

[tigertom53]

seems like cost would be one thing but I could see it used like a second screen for maps and stuff...

[TechMech2]

Wii u controller is gimmicky. Sony also would get bad publicity, because people would think their copying Nintendo,

[marloc_x]

I navigate and type very quickly with my Gamepad. Have fun pushing a cursor DS4.

[Ps4Console]

What there doing is cutting costs simple .

[Tapewurm]

The only thing I would have really liked about this takes me back to when the Dreamcast was around. The screen on the controller allowed you...and ONLY you... to see your playbook and call on NFL 2K when you were on the couch with a friend playing a game....this was an awesome feature that made the game a lot more realistic and fun. Dying to get my PS4! The 15th can't get here fast enough!

[iamnsuperman]

I am glad they avoided it. Screens in controllers are really only suitable for one specific function which is off-screen portable play. The type of duel screen play works with the a device like the DS because of its close proximity. I don't think it works all too well on a larger scale.

[Shake_Zula]

They could have gotten pretty creative with it. Like making it a display for virtual buttons, battery level, or even time. I think it was a cost, and possibly a durability decision. Either way, the current design is still spot on.

[pyramidshead]

Agreed. The touch pad will add all kinds of functionality as a typical input device a lot like a mouse so it's way more practical.

[Dno]

WHY CAN'T I BUY THIS CONTROLLER!!!

[PlayStation_4]

Europe exclusive right now :)

That's what you get for getting the console 14 days earlier at a much cheaper price!

[Dno]

HOW CAN I IMPORT THIS!!!!!

[pyramidshead]

lol wonder if lots of people have just gone out and bought the controller and sat at home and pretended to play with the PS4. 100% childish I know but I guarantee one person in the world has! xD

[Boody-Bandit]

Me too.
Loving the red and black.
Can't wait until they are available in all colors. Collect them like Pokémon.

[LightofDarkness]

Good idea, I find the switching screens on the Wii U can be distracting and jarring/immersion breaking. It has sometimes even created a sensation of disorientation. It works with the DS because the screens are quite close together and both screens remain in your field of view at all times, so you can freely glance back and forth between them without feeling removed from either view.

Come on 29/11! I paid this baby off 2 months ago and now I just want to take it home.

[webeblazing]

you saying if they put a screen on the controller you will have to always look at the screen wtf. yall trying to hard. even some razer keyboards have screen. used for maps, loadouts, inventory, stats, etc. even a lot of up coming games are putting wiiU controller to better use. what you think they gonna use steam controller for and the screen is way smaller than the wiiU

[isarai]

Opinions dude, not everyone finds looking at two different screens in two completely different locations such a smooth experience. Also notice he said "can be" and "sometimes" as in not always the case.

[hellzsupernova]

I would not be a fan of that! A screen on my keyboard sounds horrible. What's wrong with a HUD?

[clouds5]

Just change the way you sit in front of the TV. I love the 2nd screen, I think map screens and inventory screens that pause the game every 10 secs are much worse. Personal opinion.

[Grimhammer00]

Really makes you wonder what Ninny was smoking? Though in there own way....they probably bullied there controller into final hardware.

They seemed hell bent on another gimmick - due to 2 factors. 1) unwilling to compete with the big boys
2) 7yrs behind in online infrastructure and systems.

But hey they have Mario....so it's all gooooood!

[JamieL]

If you're a gamer, and it provides fun GAMES!!! What’s the problem? Because they don't follow the "status quo"? You do realize they had great games on the Wii. Mario Galaxy was one of my favorites this gen. I also loved the New Super Mario Bros. in all its forms as well. I thought those gamers were much more fun than the common fodder of this gen. All I'm saying is Nin has its place, and as long as they provide fun games for GAMERS, what’s the problem? Do they threaten your identity? Why so bitter?

[SilentNegotiator]

Fanboys sure like to use the word "fun" like a curtain on a failed magic act whenever legitimate criticisms can't be negated.

Wouldn't it be all the more fun if they had the games that PS4 and Xbone had as well? Wouldn't it be all the more fun if the online infrastructure was up to snuff?

[JamieL]

@ silent
Maybe, but does it have to be just like everything else to be fun? I mean I didn't start gaming on the 2600 for the "online infrastructure", or the .000006KB of ram, I started gaming because I liked the fact that when I moved that stick I got a reaction on the screen, and because the reaching objective was FUN. I game for the fun, period. I'm not going to miss out on a fun game because a certain system can't do what another system, which I own by the way, can do. You can, and have every right to feel the way you do, I'm not trying to "convince" you of anything, I’m just sharing mine as well. To me my argument makes a lot more logical sense to me, but I am very objective and try not to get caught up in any "politics". I just can’t understand the logic in missing out on a fun experience, just because every systems not the exact same.

LOL, and I love the way you start by calling me a fanboy, because I don’t share your opinion. What am I a Wii fanboy? I’ve owned every console I possible could since the 2600, that includes the NES, SNES, Genesis, Sega CD, Gameboy, Gameboy advanced, N64, PS1, Dreamcast, PS2, GameCube, Xbox, Xbox 360, PS3, PSP. I didn’t get the Vita or WiiU because I lost the use of my right arm and can’t physically play them (super unfortunately), but my point is I’m a gamer. I’ve always liked fun games, and hated it when I’d miss out on one due to not owning the hardware (Neo-Geo, CDi, etc.) So for my unbiased, fair opinion I’m a fanboy? I don’t have to look too deep into you history to see you’re not exactly innocent of what your accusing me off.

So to you

Me, likes to play fun games on any system= Fanboy

You, extremely bias towards all but 1 company= Real Gamer

Makes sense.

[SilentNegotiator]

Downplaying legitimate concerns with terrible argument = fanboy

I don't care if you've owned every console.

[JamieL]

That really didn't matter, and I saw your response.
Let me get this straight, I'm a "fanboy" because I like games not consoles, and you are not only LOVEING one company? Do you even know what Fanboy means? You are a joke of a person with nothing support your views other than opinion; you are what’s wrong with the world. You believe whatever who you like tells you, and close your mind to anything else. People like you are the reason there are countless people being slaughtered around the world by the elite trying to line their pockets. The saddest part is you’re this way about a toy. Do you even know what’s going on around you in the world? Your pretty nice safe place is literally disappearing around you making you a slave, and you’re in here telling me I’m a fanboy for enjoying any game for what it is. Get over you sense of entitlement and supreme view of you own self-importance. You need to get over the MS vs. Sony vs. Nin ridiculous war, and spend some of that energy looking around you and seeing what’s really important. I’m almost embarrassed to even try to reach you, because I’m sure your response will be. “Sony 4 Life, screw this fanboy, but you are exactly what you think I am, I take that back, you are worse, you’re a total Sony Jihadist. Be proud to follow the crowd.

[The_Villager]

So the Wii U gamepad is a gimmick but that 3 inch touchpad on the DS4 and built in Move isn't?

LOL OK.

[R00bot]

You don't have to look down to use the gamepad screen either, it's optional to have anything displayed on there. If the devs wanted to they could make it function in exactly the same way as the touchpad.

The fact that they don't means that the devs obviously prefer touchscreens to touchpads.

[webeblazing]

what that's dumb they should of did this love touch pad but screen would of been way better. even if you not playing portable. everyone that played on wiiU know what I mean. glad steam is going to have it.

[AbortMission]

Who even plays on the Wii u in the first place Lol

[The_Villager]

4 million people do Lol

[SilentNegotiator]

Wow! An entire 4 million?! At this pace, Wii U will almost sell about as much as Gamecube!

[Globox2012]

I have a Wii U and I find it frustrating to say the least.

Zombiu with the controller is hell.

[R00bot]

That's the idea. It's meant to be frustrating in ZombiU.

[Pancit_Canton]

Cause they have Vita and don't want to kill it by implementing this feature. This feature should just remain optional not mandatory. Remote play is good enough interaction between PS4 and Vita. Also, Sony knows that any device that has LCD drains and requires a lot of power. Gaming for 2-3 hrs is not sufficient enough for most people especially hard core gamers.

[ChristopherJack]

I think a second screen would make a great replacement pause, inventory & stats screen. Some hud elements need to be viewed at all times such as ammo count or timer count downs but there are specific times within certain games where the second screen can work quite well.

Fighting games certainly won't play well with a second screen in-game but if the screen is decent enough you could perhaps use that for all the menu options such as match type & character selection while having all the nice flashy animations on your tv. Maybe if you're hosting a large team you could use it for hot-swapping between characters.

[Axonometri]

Yet everyone is creating second screen apps for other devices.

[isarai]

and not everyone likes them, people are allowed to not like things you know

[Lunarassassin]

Your disagrees say otherwise.
No but seriously i like the idea of simply streaming the tv screen to the Vita and maintaining that one screen, but alternating between 2 simply removes my feeling of emmersion. Not just that but if you ever smash that screen you'd have to buy another controller and with the screen included would be at an increased price plus the lesser battery life.

[isarai]

Good, controllers are expensive enough as it is, and i agree it can be distracting, though that's not ALWAYS the case.

[feraldrgn]

I'm glad they chose to drop it, I don't like looking down, then up, then down, then up etc.
It strains my eyes & I wouldn't get to enjoy what was happening on the big screen as much.

[GryestOfBluSkies]

i think if developers want to implement second screen they should just have an optional vita functionality for it. i liked in guacamelee having the map on the screen at all times. thats all that it was used for and thats all that it needed

[WeAreLegion]

Good choice. However, there is one game that will make the Wii U's tablet completely worth it.

Pokemon Snap 2. :D

[buynit]

Good choice especially if you have or are considering the psvita.. So we still get both if devs take advantage, we'll I do anyway since I already have a vita and just waiting for the 15th..

[Wanderlei777]

Sony backing out of promised features, typical.

[Lunarassassin]

How was touch screen on the controller in any way promised?

[GoldenRimz]

Enjoy your crappy Xbox One.

[iceman06]

When did Sony promise a touchscreen??? The only promise that I remember, controller-wise, was that it was an improvement in every way on the old DS3 and people would be surprised by how good the DS4 felt.

[LOL_WUT]

Good decision besides that's what the vita is for ;)

[KingKevo]

O, it's good they did not do that, but in the picture Sony is drawing of other developers, where exactly do the second screen elements come from then, or did they not ask Ubisoft and other tripple A publishers or did they want their own apps and not be forced to use the DS4? It's kind of a weird statement, especially when looking at games like CoD or Watch_Dogs, etc..

[KontryBoy706]

This is another example of Nintendo's error of not consulting developers when making the Wii U. "Developers didn't like the idea of having players divert their eyes from the main screen during gameplay"

[BigDuo]

The touch screen isn't a problem, and developers don't have to use any of the GamePad's bells and whistles if they don't want to. Nintenodo has made that completely clear and optional because they don't want to tell third parties how to develop their games out of respect. The touchscreen isn't a hindrance in most Wii U games, and if it is, then it is due to an individual developer's inability to use it effectively, and that is what we refer to as being a game design issue and not a hardware issue.

People tend to forget that Off-TV play and displaying content on the touch screen for things like inventory, map and HUD removal, are a big part of Nintendo's plans for traditional games utilizing Wii U's GamePad in a more practical manner. Not every game is supposed to be completely based around more unique uses of asymmetric gameplay. In fact, with multiplatoform games being the main business model for third party publishers, it makes more sense to do it this way, otherwise third parties would have to invest more time and effort into implementing the GamePad features into their Wii U ports. That would inconvenience them and provide more incentive to not develop for Wii U because of the controller.

From what I hear, this new updated port of Deus Ex is best on Wii U because the developer took the time to properly implement GamePad features to enhance the experience in ways the original version couldn't because it was developed for consoles without a touchscreen on their game controllers. Wind Waker HD also makes good use of the touchscreen in a similar traditional manner because it does things like streamlining menu systems and other things like sailing navigation.

[KillrateOmega]

Yeah, a touch screen just wouldn't have worked as well as a touch pad. Let me break it down:

1) In order to make the visual aspect of a touch screen worthwhile, they would have to do something with it that would require players to actually look down at the touch screen.
2) Looking at the touch screen would require players to not look at the main screen, their TV.
3) The touch screen would have to be significantly bigger in order to replace the TV, thus making it more expensive and energy draining.

A touch screen might also be less durable than a touch pad.

[UnHoly_One]

It would have been silly of them to put a screen on the controller.

That would just take away a reason for people to buy the Vita.

I really think a LOT of people would not like the 2 screen idea, anyway.

[PurpHerbison]

Touch screen is an unwanted gimmick. Good job.

[R00bot]

You act as if something being a "gimmick" is a bad thing. The definition of gimmick is "a device used to attract business". If you're calling a touchscreen a gimmick, you may as well call the gaming industry as a whole a gimmick.

I have a Wii U, and the touchscreen is definitely better than the Wii remotes were (practicality-wise).

Don't knock it until you've tried it. Once you have it in your home is when you really realise how great a feature it is.

[PurpHerbison]

Didn't read your whole comment but Sony has never needed gimmicks to deliver core gaming and they never will.

[Soldierone]

I think it'd be a good option to have. It doesn't need to be for in game things either. For example choosing a play in sports, or re-doing your strategy on the fly so the 2nd player can't see.

Strategy things in racing and shooters work too, heck you could have perks pop up and select them for Call of Duty.

I understand the issues with "diverting your eyes" but I still think it would be some good options, hopefully some things are implemented with Vita.

[Sketchy_Galore]

I'm so glad they made the right decision in the end. I was saying it here for weeks before the controller was actually released that my biggest fear for these new systems would be a screen on the pad. When I play I tend to turn out all the lights and even cover up any lights on stuff like the wireless hub in my living room, just so I can be fully immersed in the world the game is taking me to, having some little screen right under my eyes while playing would have been the worst most distracting thing for me.

[TechMech2]

What about the ds4 light? I've heard its pretty bright.

[Hicken]

Not by much. And since it's not facing you, it's easier to deal with. The glare rumors that keep getting passed around are overblown, at best: try holding a light in your hand at the same height you hold your controller, and point it at the TV.

Odds are you're not gonna get nearly the level of reflection that those reports indicate.

The light from a touchscreen would be far more annoying. Like having your cell phone shining in your face in the dark while you play.

[TechMech2]

@Hicken
I guess you're right. Im sure Sony knows what their doing with the controller, and with the amount of planning for the new system, they wouldn't have messed up anything as simple as the light. I'm sure those rumors were just from websites trying to start negative reactions against the ps4

[HighResHero]

I don't want a touchscreen on my DS4 controller, that's one of the reasons I bought a Vita.
Just like I don't like playing games on my phone, so I have a Vita for that.
It's good to have options.
Multiple technologies can coexist people!

[FlyingFoxy]

This could've potentially made the Vita TV hub thing compatible with all games instead of just select games.

[AKR]

I find it interesting how everyone is saying that this was a "good move" on Sony's part.

Now, I wonder; let's say they DS4 did include a touchscreen - what would the reaction be?

[LOL_WUT]

You'd probably be first one boasting about how they copied Nintendo! lol ;)

[AKR]

And you'd be the first to call it a fantastic innovation and how N's version is in-superior.

Try again.

I still don't know how a troll like you has 6 bubbles...

[pete007]

smart glass??!!anyone??
sonyfanboy:
-Oh!! glad they didnt put that screen on ds4, i hate to distract when i play games,
-not to mention that a second screen is a gimmick!
-yeah, nintendo takes a 150$ just to replace a controller, shhhht, thats a looot of money for a gimmick!!
-hopefully we have a VITA for that!!
-it works wonderfull as a second controller
-besides spending 650$ on a console with a second controller, if it comes from sony is nothing cause they re here cause they love us gamers and evberything they do is awesome!!!

[Nintenja]

Man I called it.

Sony in typical fashion is letting down it's customers as launch creep closer.

[R00bot]

It's better than Xbox One, it doesn't even have a touchpad on it's controller.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Spin.

Cost > all other excuses.

Same reason they dropped the camera.

[chasegarcia]

The PS Vita should have been the controller.

[DoggyBiscuit]

Sony dont need to add a touch screen to the dual shock 4 they got the vita

[Thomaticus]

Touch pad is more than adequate. The goal is immerse players into the game... make us forget about the controller and focus on the action. Good gameplay and a good device can make that happen.

[GamingKurd]

Dualshock 4 running on PS3 with battlefield 4 http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[VTKC]

thank goodness they scrapped that idea. I cant imagine the price of controllers had it carried on.

[PS3n360]

this will make web browsing on a console way more usable. the thumbstick cursor control is frustrating. hopefully they use it for that.

[porkChop]

The screen would have been too small to have really been useful. A touchpad is better for this reason, and also for costs and battery life.

[thebudgetgamer]

Good, who wants to pay a hundred bucks for a second controller.

[Rageanitus]

I am sure it was the COST and battery life.

I am not a fan of the WIIU, but I can see games that require alot of MAP's or RPG elements use the touch screen.

[Max-Zorin]

The controller price would have been high as hell.

[ChickenOfTheCaveMan]

Nintendo should have made the same decision...

[marloc_x]

next gen is not pushing around a cursor through menu after menu after menu..

[Bakkies]

edit: nevermind, I'm an idiot. Btw, touchscreen will cost oodles of money.

[clouds5]

Yeah and if they did a touchscreen everyone would have praised and loved Sony for their innovative blah blah. ;-)

I own the wii u since one year and the touchscreen is simply great. Browsing the web, typing, maps & inventory, off TV. It's amazing actually.

[R00bot]

It makes your whole experience much more streamlined, doesn't it? You never have to use another controller.

I can turn on the TV, the Wii U, and the DVD player with the controller, then change the input on the DVD player to HDMI, and change the volume of the TV to suit the game I'm playing, log in (with a password that doesn't take hours to type), get into the game super quickly thanks to the touchscreen's quick navigation, and be in a game. All with one controller, and still much faster than it would have been with all the controllers you would normally need.

[larrym]

Man, if that had of been on the Xbox One, there woulda been a whole lotta shit talking on the Sony Cheerleaders part. But it's ok, Sony can do stuff like that, cause they love us gamers and they never lie.

[alexkoepp]

I'm a big advocate on a touchscreen display on controllers... you dont have to make game gummicks and whatever, if you gave me a customizable touch screen that at a touch of a button let me access my friends list, favorite website, took a picture of the room, invited friends to my current game, accessed my achievements/trophys list... etc, etc... I think that would be fantastic on whatever console... it is a mistake by not including this functionality by both companys... though i think in the lifetime of the consoles it'll come to both

[SynestheticRoar]

Copy Nintendo then. No they went that route with the Move, and that had even more precise technology than the Wii. It didn't help much. Better they came up with their own idea. Sounds reasonable enough.

[Gaming_Guru]

You realize that when something works other companies will follow. Sony started the dual analog sticks which at first many people hated, and now pretty much every controller has one. Same thing with online, once a game perfects it, other games will follow because a standard design.

[Gaming_Guru]

Besides cost, power usage, and implementation I see many ways how a screen on the controller would benefit greatly over no screen. It would even be better if it was a touch screen even more possibilities. In the end I would take a reworked design that enhances interaction over muscle memory.

A second screen you can pull up menus in online matches without obstructing the view, and many other multitasking choices. The only reason I see them not doing it is because of the Vita compatibilities depending on what the second screen was used for when only using the Vita without a TV.

[Picnic]

I absolutely 100% fully support the PS4 having a touchpad rather than a touchscreen. In fact even a touchpad seemed to me to be a nice gesture- it's something to counteract the fact that the Move is not everyone's idea of having a natural controller experience.

Having a touchscreen could have just have increaed the cost of the PS4 slightly and unnecessarily confused matters when the Vita could serve to do touchscreen. Yes, it's in Sony's interests not to harm their handheld division but it also makes life easier for everyone including the gamer.

It would have been a silly over try for the PS4 to have bothered with a touchscreen. You can sometimes put everything but the kitchen sink in a console and no only do your best intentions end up getting mostly unused but developers may feel like they have to shoehorn in some touchscreen mini game just to have that as a 'feature'.
The PS4 has enough potential, on its own or with the Vita, not to have to do that. The message has been clear- it's about making life much easier for developers and yet coupling that solidly good graphics in the console with the most raw power, sharing gameplay and indie games as well. It doesn't need to be a pseudo WiiU to try to win that argument, the PS4 is supposed to be intuitive - you shouldn't have to look at your controller unless you really want to via your Vita. There's time for touchscreens on the controller in future if required but it was never useful to the ethos of the PS4 to add this in to the pan. And if it was only going to be a small touchscreen it's Dreamcast VMU territory- some love it but it still feels like it should always be regarded as a bit niche.

[hollabox]

Sony should have went with the offset analog sticks. I always hated the PS DS controllers for FPS. I get hand fatigue using my PS3 DS when playing shooters, everything else it works great.

[coolasj]

Christ almighty I thought it said Touch pad