DualShock 4 Was Tested With Xbox 360's Controller's Analog Sticks Layout

DualShock 4 is different from its previous iterations in terms of design. Sporting a touchpad, a complete design overhaul and the much needed change in the triggers that now go up to avoid the slip of the finger from them. Sony's Toshimasa Aoki in an interview with Gamebeat stated that Sony tried each and every possible combination with the DualShock 4 controller before settling on the final design.

[Lalanana]

"Imitation is the best form of flattery"

seems sony learn to make its controller from the best one, the xbox 360.

Edit: I read the article..for sony to even consider the 360 controller says alot. :-p too bad they went with the pad.

I am not saying the ps4 controller is bad. Not at all. I just say we all have our preferences.

[Thatguy-310]

Ummm didn't you read the article? They didn't because the core user base is already use to having it the way it is.

[killcycle]

My personal annoyance of the Xbox pad has always been the sticks.
The left stick is higher then the right stick where the Ps3 pads are dead center beside each other. It's been scientifically proven that concentrating on 2 objects with similarities makes it easier because of your brains hand-Eye coordination functioning faster.

[darthv72]

hand dominance plays a part in comfort and control. Just because we each have symmetrical hands does not mean each one rests at the same natural position.

your dominant hand is more forward where as the non dominant hand is not. The comfort of the button layout and control layout are key to prolonged use of the controller. I can switch seamlessly between the styles of the xbox to the playstation to even the wii-u.

My dominant hand is the right but my eye to hand coordination is in my left. It comes from all those years of gaming and the different control schemes used. From the single button 2600 joystick to current, all of that controller experience has made me adaptable to changing controller conditions.

[Bathyj]

Darth by your rational Microsoft must think most people are left handed.

[MASTER_RAIDEN]

i think that even though the core userbase is used to the way it is now, a change in stick placement wouldnt have been anything anyone needs to get used to. the xbox controllers placement is very natural, but i could honestly go either way on stick placement. i trust sony to make a great controller just as they have for many years now. the fact that they actually passed up on a design similar to the 360s means that at least they believe in their current design choices.

[darthv72]

@bathy...yeah it does seem that way. However the eye to hand coordination (as far as control in a game goes) is the left which has been the dominant hand since the game pad first came out.

there were a few controllers that had it where you controlled the action with the right. The 2600 stick is one, the sega master system stick is another and then you had the colecovision and intelivision controllers as well.

when the game pad came out, it changed the whole dominant hand around. Now we were using our left hand to control the movement and the right controlled the action (jump, fire...). People who predominantly right handed for everything else (eating, writing...) use their left hand for directional control in a game.

Id say if i werent ambidextrous, south paws would have an edge because they are left hand dominant in everything including gaming.

[AlexanderNevermind]

I'm good with both controller designs as I play with Razer Sabertooth on PC. My only issue is getting used to L2/R2 for aiming/shooting I am stuck on stupid with L1/R1 (I play shooters on the PlayStation). Hope it does take to long.

[Pintheshadows]

You'll be using L2 and R2 on the DS4 as the triggers feel great.

[ShinMaster]

It's not the left stick that is important. It's actually the right stick with which we do all the aiming that is more important.

Hand-eye coordination is faster with a parallel design.

[scott182]

I'm so glad they used the usual design. I love the thumbsticks positions, not a big fan of the xbox controllers.

[The_Con-Sept]

Seriously.... If they went with 360 style pads I would switch to WiiU gaming just to stay away from it. But I am SO GLAD they kept the controller Symmetrical instead of stupid and uncomfortable like the 360 controller. Sorry but it isn't good for shooters, or fighters, or puzzlers, or anything that requires the d-pad for any purpose during a game.

[Oner]

Sorry, but I don't care for using L2 & R2 as the PRIMARY model for aiming/shooting (the same with an asymmetrical stick layout). I don't see how this will end up good for users (such as myself) who have become completely accustomed to the standard L1/R1 for nearly 2 decades....I really hope Sony does the right thing and make sure all games have the OPTION to choose L1/R1 or L2/R2.

[Brix90]

@Oner

Not up to Sony it up to the developer to give you a choice to change the scheme of the controls in game.

[Oner]

Sony can demand it as an OPTION for 10's of millions of dedicated PlayStation users who have used that configuration. It seriously can't be that difficult to code as it was the standard for sooooo long on PlayStation devices.

[majiebeast]

Except they kept their own superior design.

[B-radical]

Superior? Don't get to ahead of yourself son

[IcicleTrepan]

ergonomically, you put the most often used things right where the natural resting place for the thumbs would be. Microsoft took that approach. Maybe you don't like it but that is the truth.

When you grab something your thumb goes forward not out to the side. The dualshock controller's sticks are not at the natural resting place for the thumb.

To call one superior over the other.. it's kind of silly. Ergonomic design has a lot of science behind it, yet you dismiss it out of hand.

[GrandpaSnake]

@b radical, the one that sales more and last longer... yes the dualshock is superior

[XB1_PS4]

Whichever one you use most, you most likely like most. It's obvious. Neither controller is technically better, because it is up to opinion to determine that. Everyone is entitled to said opinion.

[Snookies12]

@IcicleTrepan - If that's the case, why doesn't the 360 controller have both analog sticks at the top of the controller? Both the 360's controller and the DS3 have good points, but neither are perfect. I gotta say though, I'm extremely looking forward to using a DS4. More so than the X1's controller. From what has been described, it feels amazing.

[kickerz]

Well said IcicleT
Never really thought about that way but yeah if you put your hands out in front to grab something thumbs naturally point upwards. If you put your elbows out wards like your gonna do the chicken dance then dualshock is better.lol

[BattleTorn]

That's why sooo many 3rd-party controller imitate the Dualshock's joystick positioning.....

Google "custom Xbox controller"

(you'll only find cool colored Xbox controllers)

Google "custom Playstion controller"

(you'll find controllers modded to the Xbox's joystick layout)

[SonyNGP]

>superior

LMAO

[black0o]

DS is so original .. i grow up with it feels natural to me

[SaffronCurse]

They enlarged the controller, that was the biggest complain from what I've got.

[boeso]

Its a troll. Leave it alone

[FlameHawk]

Yup, shes the MariaHelFutura of Xbox fangirls.

[itBourne]

I can see an argument for both sticks on top, especially for shooters, but why have a-symmetrical sticks, my hands are symmetrical and thus the controller should be. Works the same for fighting games too, the d-pad and face buttons should be symmetrical.

[darthv72]

symmetrical hands do not automatically denote symmetrical comfort. Each person has a dominant hand (right or left) as well as a non-dominant hand.

[BattleTorn]

Your hands may be symeetrical.

But how we use the joysticks is rarely, if ever, symmetrical.

The ergonomics behind the Dualshocks centered joysticks literally stops there: "my hands are symmetrical"

But, our use of them is not.
Don't you think that the very different application of the two joysticks matters more?

[itBourne]

Lol I knew someone would bring that up = P

Maybe I am just different because I am kinda both handed. But I bet you just typed what you said with both hands in the same spot, your keyboard is not split so your right hand can be different then your left.

Also if you are saying that hand plays a role then the 360 controller is backwards for 90% of the world, as it is left handed. Lefty grip is always left hand above right hand. But I dont think that matters here, jst saying by your argument.

[itBourne]

@Battle Torn

Very different applications of the two analog sticks? They are both used in unison to control your character, how is that very different uses?

[The Great Melon]

@itBourne

Actually the keyboard layout is asymmetric in the placement of the keys. The top row is offset by a quarter from the home row. This results in your fingers reaching always slightly to the left for keys. Stupid typewriters. *grumble*

[itBourne]

Lol damn u got me there, but for hand to hand it is symmetrical, they are not in two different locations. I think its all personal preference btw for controllers, I jst like debating = P and I am actually getting intelligent people <3

[Brazz]

to me both are good controls. what make diference in this PS360 generatio was:

1º) grip > this go to 360, think they have a grip a little bit better, 1 point for than.

2º) triggers > 360 have better triggers, the diference isn't that amazing, but it exist... 1 more point.

3º) concave analogic> this, alson, go to 360.. 0,5 points, the diference is very small...

4º) D-pad > This go hands down to ps3, 360 D-pad is a pile of !@#$!@#!/ 2 points for ps3, because the diference is realy big!

5º) symetrical vs asymmetrical > i go well whit both, but a realy think the symetrical is a bit better, no points here, it's a personal point.

Ps3 2 X xbox 2,5 > xbox have a better controller, but...

6º) energy > batteries are ass to use... i will give 0,5 to ps3, and call this a draw.

Dualshock 4 vs X1 controller:
only times know, but right now i'm puting 0,5 in favor of Sony, because X1 still use "f#E#@$" batteries in 2013!!!

[MysticStrummer]

"seems sony learn to make its controller from the best one, the xbox 360."

Thank Zod Sony didn't copy the XBox controller's analogs, successful marketing gimmick though they may be. I'm still waiting for the announcement that humans have evolved asymmetrical thumbs.

The triggers and tips of the analogs were better on the 360 controller. The placement of the analogs is nothing but a marketing ploy that apparently many people still fall for.

Symmetrical thumbs FTW

[dboyman]

Thank Zod?

[sic_chops]

My symmetrical thumbs are gonna fit nicely on those symmetrical sticks.

[Dante81]

If they're imitating then why is d-pad so good?

[PlayStation_4]

Do you have some sort of retarded, asymmetrical thumb?

[JackStraw]

another tard who didn't bother reading the article.

[Chevalier]

Yeah and you've used the new remodelled PS4 controller so you can actually compare?

[koolaid251]

Xbox 360 controller is the best for shooting games.

[Animal Mutha 76]

Agree. Lol at the number of disagrees. I guess the majority here like the Sony layout.

Like you say it's about preferences. I've used both controllers already and there is no reason not to like either. DS4 is a big improvement as are the changes to the Xbox pad. The rumble triggers on the X1 pad are really good imo.

It's sensible that Sony considered all options. Personally I still prefer the Xbox pad layout but choice is good :)

[Volkama]

Symmetrical or asymmetrical isn't what made the 360 pad better than the PS3 pad. Comfortable positioning of the sticks made it better. The DS3 positioning just required a horrible angle on the thumbs relative to the natural grip on the pad. If the left stick was swapped with the d-pad it would have been more comfortable, but the right hand still would have sucked.

Ignoring the differences in input method, were your hands more comfortable DS3:
d-pad + stick (asymmetrical)
d-pad + buttons (symmetrical, higher)
stick + stick (symmetrical, lower)

For me d-pad + buttons is by far the most comfortable grip on that pad. Symmetrical, just moved.

The DS4 is probably going to feel great to me because they've addressed this problem. It also stands to reason that people who were genuinely more comfortable using the DS3 may not like the changes.

[Droid Control]

I prefer the 360 setup with the offset analoge sticks. Question: Why can't Sony sell an official 360-like pad separately?

That way everyone stays happy/

[Thatguy-310]

Thank god they didn't. Each to their own but my preference is the way the controller is currently layed out.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Tradition is a terrible excuse to keep an outdated design.

[neoMAXMLC]

Outdated *superior* design.

[Kalebninja]

360 and gamecube controllers are way better than ps controllers and im not hating i've played with them and those triggers are just terrible i always hated them nintendo was smart and copied with the pro controller and if ps4 had one it would be perfect

[XB1_PS4]

Hahaha, you guys crack me up..

[neoMAXMLC]

Gamecube?!

That controller was terrible!

[Hicken]

And with so much knowledge at your fingertips, such ignorance should be a crime.

[iamnsuperman]

And how is it outdated? There is no difference between the analog layouts. I can pick up a 360 controller and it feels fine even when I predominately play on my PS3 as the layout is a minor point people blow out of proportion. There is no benefit one way or the other except for brand identity

[PSN-JeRzYzFyNeSt]

true but if it was to be like the 360 i can hear there fanboys saying Sony copied Microsoft!

[Snookies12]

I love how people will say things like "this design is inferior, or this one is superior". Lol, it comes down to personal preference. There is no right and wrong way to go with how you like to control your games. If you want your analog up top, go 360. If you want them both on level, go PS3. If you want to wave a remote, go Wii. If you want a tablet control style, go Wii U.

It's not hard to grasp. These are opinions. Opinions cannot be weighed in value. So words like inferior or superior don't apply to them.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Which is probably why it's a new design......?

[Dante81]

That's awesome, bro. Have you ever that opinions are like ass-- well I did.

[Brix90]

Outdated more like classic. I rather they keep it the same way it is rather then copying.

[WeedyOne]

I always thought the 360 sticks are not symmetrical because they didn't want to completely copy Sony or break any patents...

I mean look at a 360 controller and then look at a ps3 controller they are almost the same as far as button placement goes, the Dpad and analog stick just switched places!

[GentlemenRUs]

I don't understand why they did, Strange...

[hellzsupernova]

I'm fine with the design. My biggest problem was the grips were not ergonomic they have fixed that, stick position does not matter

[McScroggz]

I'm very happy they kept the analog stick layout. It's the most sensible to me.

[ABeastNamedTariq]

"MY preference is fact! MY preference is the best! MINE, MINE, MINE!"

That's how some of you sound.

[MajorAly]

Console war is serious business, we're the mercenaries with our preferred choice of weapons.

:p

[MikeGdaGod]

could you imagine the stories on N4G if they switched?!?!?!

[pyramidshead]

Been using symmetrical sticks since the PS1. Still no problems. My hands are symmetrical so it feels right so asymmetrical is purely preference and nothing more.

[SolidDuck]

I don't get the offset joystick thing. So naturally when u grab a controller your right hand thumb rests to the side, why wouldn't your left hand then aswell, for some reason that thumb naturally rests up top. Common since says both thumbs would naturally rest the same, either up top or to the side. What happened is the 360 controller had better triggers and a more comfortable grip, and most importantly people got used to it. The original xbox also had offset joysticks, no one was saying how much better they were then the ps2's. The fact is offset joysticks make no since, and should be on the same plane, either up top or to the side.

[TheOneEyedHound]

360 layout?! You mean Gamecube layout ignorant motherfuckers.

[Lboogieskells]

aka the Dreamcast lay out.

[KillrateOmega]

I'm glad they kept the symmetrical design. I'm used to it.

[Kayant]

I think comfort & functionality are more important and having looking at the DS4 they seem to have fixed my complications with DS3 which were the analogs being too close & tall and also the size of the controller so I think it should be great now. Layout is much less of an issue imo if the controller isn't comfort & functionality which is why I preferred the X360's to the PS3's.

[SolidDuck]

Kalebninja--- please don't say the GameCube controller is one of the best, it's c button yellow joystick, is literally the top of an Allen wrench that they painted yellow. They didn't even put a pad on it, it's a square joystick. And the rest of it seems like it was designed by an 8 year old, well let's see, people press the A button the most, oh I know let's make it twice as big as the others. I'll give u that it felt comfortable to hold, but had poor design.

[swishersweets20031]

glad they kept the same layout. i'm not a fan of the xbox layout.

[SilentGuard]

Why can't Sony come out with a second controller design using Xbox controller stick layout and sell it as an accessory? Give some options and allow those that prefer the asymetrical stick layout of the Xbox the ability to buy a DS4 with it.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

I find myself being able to go from 360 controller to DS3 with no problems. The DS4 is even better so no problems here.

I like that they looked at all the controllers before deciding. You can tell a lot of time and care went into the DS4.

[XboxFun]

Anyone with the least of motor skills can go from one to the next. You'll only find the sony fanboys complaining about ..."symmetry"...and how the 360 controller isn't anatomically and ergonomically correct. (lol)

It truly is hilarious to see some of the excuses. It's as if the left thumbstick is so far away that your thumb is unable to navigate while your right thumb presses buttons.

@BathyJ

Sorry Bathy but its not the Xbox fans who tell everyone this but its definitely the SDF complaining a lot about symmetry and blah blah blah.

I too agree that it should be up to preference so that is why I do laugh when I see folks on here saying your thumbs weren't made for the 360 controller. As if the millions of 360 players complained about that.

[Bathyj]

No one is complaining because we are clearly happy with our controller the way it is.

We only hate when Xbox fans tell us our controller is wrong somehow, or continue with "better for shooters" (is there any proof of this) myth.

Its simple preference. I like red more than blue and no one can tell me blue is scientifically proven to be better than red. You can only say you like it better.

Play with your offset sticks of thats what you like, just dont make out like thats how it has to be.

[isarai]

yeah i mean i get preference, but how can you spend so much time playing games and not be able to adapt very easily to a little 1/2inch thumb adjustment, yet people on here make it sound like one or the other are completely unplayable.

[isarai]

Good, i like the classic better, don't get where people get this "360 is ergonomically correct" BS. when i grab something and rest in my two hands my thumbs set symmetrical from one another, not at different heights. I don't have an issue with either controller, but i prefer the location of the dualshock's D-Pad for fighting and 2d games as i grew up with controllers like that, it just feels weird playing them with the D_Pad offset

[YodaCracker]

Your thumbs should sit symmetrical from one another on the 360 controller. The left one on the analog stick and the right one on the face buttons. This is the neutral position putting no stress on your thumbs.

For decades, our fingers have rested there on our controllers. The D-Pad used to be the primary input. The left analog stick is now the primary input, so Microsoft placed it where the D-Pad used to sit. The PlayStation controller still has the D-Pad in the neutral position despite its lack of use in modern games.

I can still get used to either layout quite easily, but the Xbox layout just makes more sense to me.

[Hicken]

"despite its lack of use in modern games."

And yet, in FPS games- arguably the most popular genre on consoles right now- you don't use the face buttons as much as the right stick, so why didn't Microsoft move the right stick up? I mean, since we're talkin about natural use and all, and most games have us using both sticks more than the face buttons, why not have them both up top?

This argument never fails to fail.

[SilentGuard]

Well said, Sony fans are smply to stubborn and proud to realize this.

[iliimaster]

@hicken ummm not really you dont make sense

[MadMen]

Agree Xbox controller by far is better, its the one thing I never regretted when switching up systems.

For Shooters hands down.

[isarai]

for shooters yeah, but try using that d-pad, UGH! they could have done better

[Bathyj]

I'm glad they kept it basically the same with just a few refinements.

The shark has barely changed through millions of years of evolution because its already the perfect design. While I'm not suggesting its perfect, I think of this when I think of the Dualshock.

[FungalPsychosis]

Why doesn't Microsoft/Sony make a controller based on this?

http://www.cyborggaming.com...

or this?

http://gearmedia.ign.com/ge...

Don't get me wrong, these controllers are far from perfect. What I'm referring to are the swappable positions of the D-pad and left analog. Everyone would be happy.

Maybe it gets in the way of the motors in the controller?

[mhunterjr]

Man, the Xbox controller takes the basic layout of the original playstation controller, and replaces the dpad with a thumb stick. If you are are playstation fan, there is no argument that the xbox's left thumb stick is in the prime location for the primary user input.

The Xbox controller falters heavily when the joystick is not the primary user input.

Try this:
When you hold a ps3 controller and relax, your thumbs will cover the dpad and the face buttons.
When you hold the 360 controller and relax, your thumbs will cover the left stick and the face buttons.

The items placed towards the center of the controller are better suited for secondary functions. It's been so many years since the dual shock debuted, that folks are simply used to playing that way. But symmetry has nothing to do with it being a better design. It's muscle memory.

[AceofStaves]

The DS4 is the best fit for me, since I don't play shooters. I've used that design since '97, and I have no reason to switch now.

[Mr_cheese]

....Just passing through ....

[kingmushroom]

the Dualshock is legend. better than that retarded xbox controller

[SoulSercher620]

Thank God they didn't go with that layout. The 360 layout is downright terrible.

[mydyingparadiselost]

I'm one of the few people that really dislikes the 360 stick layout, I'm glad Sony didn't go with that design.

[imt558]

Thank God that the layouts are still the same.:-)

[Rageanitus]

I find the xbox 360 controller better for certain style games vs the ps3, and vice versa.

But one thing for some some fingers would get number on the 360 during long periods of gameplay vs the PS3. Again this might be my hand and it could be totally different to another person.

To this day I prefer the design of the gamecube controller.

[MAULxx]

Never was happy with the 360 controller. I always modified the d-pad to make it more usable. I like the location of the d-pad better on Playstation controllers. I also am not a fan of the left stick placement on the 360 pad. I've got short thumbs :)
The triggers are really the only thing that it offered that I liked better than the DS3. Well, I do like the hard start & back buttons on the 360 pad over the soft & mushy start & select on the DS3.
All in all, I think I'm going to love the DS4 as long as the size & shape feels good in my hands. Looks like they fixed my peeves with the DS3 by adding some triggers & removing the start & select buttons.

[USMC_POLICE]

I don't even like the 360 layout for racing let alone using it for shooters. It honestly for me killed games. Then I got an adapter to use a Ps controller on 360 and I was owning on halo. Negative kd with 360 controller positive on Ps. I know that's true because I had bf3 on both systems and only sucked with a 360 controller. Been using Ps style since 98 I believe why change? Yea 360 may have science on its side but the Ps controller has the test of time!

[ilovefatgirls]

glad they kept them the way they are i find the 360 controller very clunky to use, takes alot of effort for me to move to the d-pad or do any fancy shoulder button work..but then i dont have shovels for hands
just for the fact the ps pad is that little bit smaller its preferential

[buynit]

I don't care i can game on both of them with no problem and Im really looking forward to the ds4 since its bigger that's the only thing that bothers me about the ds3..

What i would love to see is these des start to let us lay out the button controls as we want, if i want r1 instead of r2 as my shoot button wtf can't i make that Happen? I should be able to customize my buttons to what i feel comfortable with same with music... Why can't we customize our own music in Game in the same way that music works with the released game, you know like the music cuts out at scenes and back on when its over. I would like more control of the games on a level that doesn't ruin it..

[Thomaticus]

The Xbox controller makes it difficult to play 2d fighting games. They got killed instinct but they can't enjoy the game because the position of the dPad makes it hard to pull off moves. The Xbox controller is great for FPS games primarily. I like the dualshock controllers because they work very well with every type of game.

[sephiroth420]

i wouldve like the option to have both styles, some people would prefer the classic style and some would prefer the DREAMCAST styled one, sony should do this, it'd show they cater to all mother fuckers.

[captain_slow82]

yep the ds4 has the sticks in the natural position and not off set so thumbs up sony :D

[sAVAge_bEaST]

The controller is a beast... Totally redesigned, in a greatness way.