First Look At Google's New Video Game Controller Leaks

A new trademark filed by Google may have just revealed what its controller will look like if and when the massive technological company enters the gaming space with a console.

[Jin_Sakai]

This looks super uncomfortable.

[Cyb3r]

Yeah it kind of reminds me of the Ouya controller

[PlayableGamez-]

Ouya controller looks better.

[Gaming101]

They will create moulds and have people playtest them, so the final design won't be this or anything uncomfortable. It's not the days of the N64 and first xbox controller, a smart company like Google isn't going to repeat the mistakes of its competitors.

The question is, will Google be able to create something innovative that blows all of our minds, like cloud computing? Or a Netflix gaming subscription with all the latest games in a Games as a Service model that actually works? Maybe the end of consoles will be eminent if Google can stream games right through your tv on an app. If they just try to copy what is already out there and compete for the same market share, they are just going to spend a giant pile of money and get a small portion of the already existing pie, rather than going after an untapped pie.

[Saigon]

@Gaming101

Your question is actually what they are trying to do. Google is supposed to be present their concept design and project capability at GDC this year. Many are wondering how they will implement cloud gaming among a few other things. Google is trying the same concept as MS, this Netflix for gaming idea.

I think it is the future, but the future isn't now. I say that because we have been talking about this the last 2 generations in whole and no one has yet to come out with anything legit. However, there are great devices out now that can fully stream games but not everyone is capable of using them to their full ability. I believe, from the concepts that were developed this generation, next generation we will have something a little more consistent but nothing will be ready, fully implemented, until the generation following the next.

[StormSnooper]

I’m not going near their console. I don’t think we need another paywall.

[Maybay]

Microsoft and Sony must be worried. Google has the money to compete (buying studious and exclusives). Nintendo, not so much because they don't rely on third party's as much as the other two.

[Jin_Sakai]

“Microsoft and Sony must be worried. Google has the money to compete (buying studious and exclusives).“

Money doesn’t solve all problems. Hence the reason Sony and Nintendo put out some of the best and most polished games in the industry.

[SuperSonic91]

MS has all the money in the world yet it did not solve its problems with the gaming public.

And Nintendo knows mobile gaming has taken a huge chunk of its once captured market. That is why they are bringing their exclusive games to mobile a platform where they make more money compared to Switch hardware.

PS4 is okay because it has games experiences amd a captured market that can not be replicated in mobile gaming. Nintendo's casual and kiddie market and kiddie style of games can easily be replicated on mobile that is why Nintendo needs to act fast and get inyo mobile before Google have a huge lead.

[Sgt_Slaughter]

Another day, another SuperSonic91 comment where they obsess over Nintendo and over exaggerate to make a non-valid point.

[mark3214uk]

i think it will be a streaming only console

[sampsonon]

God Of War, The Last Of Us 2, Days Gone, The Order, Horizon, GT, Detroit, Dreams, Infamous ss, UC4, Ghost Of Tsushima, The Show, Bloodborne, Spider-Man, Death Stranding.

right, Nintendo released exclusives like these and more right? lol

and the reason i added Spiderman, bloodborne, and Detroit is that non of these devs will be bought out by some company going into gaming for the first time.

in the future please try to put Nintendo to the side, because they make children's games that never really change.

Sony is a beast and could care less about streaming only services because they know what the real gamer wants. a good AAA games that you unwrap and stick into a player.

blasphemy

[No Way]

Jin_Sakai - You're correct; however, Google certainly has the money to let devs take their time and do what they need to do. I'd say they are also more likely, than some, to let devs have keep their creative freedom.

[blackblades]

Lol was thinking the same thing like literally exact same thing.

[Fist4achin]

Yes it does.

Hey Google, instead of getting into gaming, how about spreading the option of google fiber elsewhere so i dont have to stay with Comcast as my internet provider?! Im tired of their high prices and crappy service.

[Twinblade]

Like most controller concepts, this isn't going to be the final controller design.

[No Way]

"Now, it's worth pointing out that in the patent itself Google outlines that "no attempt is made to show structural details in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the disclosed subject matter and various ways in which it may be practiced." In other words, this isn't what the final product will necessarily look like, it simply is an illustration to provide a foundational understanding of what it will generally look like and what functions it will perform."

Let's hope that is true.

[n1kki6]

Apparently nobody understands what a utility patent is. There is little to no chance that the controller looks like that. It was concept art based on the utility patent. The design patent, if they file one, is where you describe and show the actual design. The most basic understanding of business is lost on the gaming community.

[yellowgerbil]

What are they parenting? It looks like there is nothing new here. Looks like an off brand 360 controller.

[porkChop]

It's a trademark, not a patent. And the controller has a voice/search button, which implies a built-in mic. I'm not sure if any console has ever had that before.

[yellowgerbil]

Read the article the picture is a patent, you don't trademark a design, you trademark a name or logo

[KwokXi]

Seems like the Nvidia Shield controller that has a mic in it, it is actually a pretty great controller

[sprinterboy]

You do realise that's just gonna be a Google assistant BS right with some chat support. Hardly revolutionary.
ie Netflix play, youtube start, play tlou pt2 oh wait.

[porkChop]

Weird. The article starts by saying Google filed a new trademark for the controller, and then mentions a previous patent that was filed in October.

[Cobra951]

More like an off-brand Dual Shock, because of the layout.

[thexmanone]

More like a PS controller, Looks no where near a 360 controller. The analog sticks were off set on the 360 controller.

[Sirk7x]

That controller is basically a carbon copy of a Playstation controller.

[Sly05]

Apparently it's not a streaming device and will be more powerful than the XB1 X.

Could be a real competitor to the big 3.

[porkChop]

There are two Google projects. A streaming service that will be available on many devices, and the actual console. And yes, more powerful than the X.

[BlueBlue]

It should be able to compete with next generation consoles, not only be more powerful than the X.

[rainslacker]

Google will make an interesting entrant into the console market if that's their goal. They could go a couple routes, either traditional console, or some weird paradigm thing that will likely cause them to fail.

I just hope if its the traditional, that they have the support, and some first party lined up, because I don't want to see another party just coming in to buy up properties and be just another 3rd party device to play games on.

[sprinterboy]

Could be the end of MS in the console space tbh.

[rainslacker]

@Sprinter

I think Google would have to specifically target the same market that MS is to force them out of the console business. As it is, MS is diversifying it's Xbox brand into a service, and the console is going to play a key part of that. Google is already primarily a service provider, but they actually have a broader reach than MS because of Android. Unfortunately, mobile and console alignment, and the games that appear on both, have been disparate and spotty at best.

But, Google does now have that streaming game service, which could be adapted, and it's apparent that Apple may not be opposed to these services on their platform with Sony now having remote play on the iOS. This leaves Google with a rather sizable target market, and the console for them can be similar to what MS is also trying to do.

However, as I said in my prior post, Google will have to either go traditional, or offer up some new type of console. New types of consoles haven't really taken off. Steam and Shield being the only real contenders, and any mobile based platform has pretty much failed miserably. But, if Google can leverage newer smart phones to have TV out, with controller support, then they could have an easily accessible console, even if it's just through streaming. I think Google would have to hit the ground running though, and to make it more appealing, internal game support through 1st party, and certainly 3rd party support would be extremely important.

If they also have, or go the traditional console route, they could possibly put more pressure on both Sony and MS, but then they will need to have more internal support, because as of now, Google just isn't a strong gaming brand. People play games on Android, and their streaming service seems to work well, but Google isn't known as a hardcore platform. Targeting the more casual mobile type market isn't consistent enough for a traditional console, as many failed attempts have proven. So, they have to actually go after the traditional console market if that is their goal.

The interesting thing in all this is is that Google has quite a few options, and signs have been around for a while that Google wants to get more into gaming. Same with Amazon, who may also throw their hat into the ring. But I believe Amazon may take a different approach. Google has options though, and it'll be interesting to see which route they take, which partnerships they make, and most interestingly, which market they're going after, because once they make that known, it'll either ignite a new variation of the console war, or be mocked among all gamers with a united voice....as we've seen so many times in the past.

It's almost a shame that the entrance fee to get into the console market is so high. Because I think there are several companies who could bring fresh ideas to the market. But, despite the popularity of console gaming, and it's rather unexpected growth this gen, there is still a limited market to do well. On top of that, the industry itself isn't really interested in supporting more, because it means more resources have to be expended, which means more risk. Unfortunately, for the traditional console paradigm to work for devs/pubs, less options is better, and more unfortunately, there isn't a singular API for any of the consoles. A singular API may be desireable but at the same time, it can cause restrictions on the hardware, and allow one company to gain too much control, or force the console development paradigm to be more high level, which reduces the effectiveness of the hardware. There are just too many balances that have to be worked out.

[Dark_Knightmare2]

No the big three are too entrenched this won’t be successful

[PhantomS42]

Just like the Ouya was going to be a competitor to M,S,N? lmao okay.

[sprinterboy]

Nobody knows what it is, my guess is. Alittle amazon fire style box to play and stream there service with a controller and a subscription service of 3rd party games and indie titles.
However over time I think they'll venture in to AAA titles of there own also in the coming years and they'll go big with AR/VR in the future.

[rainslacker]

I think VR will be part of their plans. They're already in that field and have had modest success in that market. Nothing spectacular in terms of games, but the basis is there. If they could stream games to something like Google Cardboard, and people could use their own phones, it could be kind of impressive, especially since faster phones with higher resolution screens are getting to around the $500 mark for new ones.

[Spurg]

With 0 significant studios in Google's portfolio, I don't know what the appeal will be. I don't think they are going to compete with SP or MP games we want instead they will cash in on the free to play model with Fortnite, Apex and other being center points. Not even Amazon who has 40% of the cloud install base has any studio of significant under their wings.
With the value and games on Gamepass,12 studios(and more to come) and range of IP there isn't a doubt that Ms has already secured the crown for the best streaming service. MS have made their intentions known for a streaming gaming service with an pc, console, and devices echo system.

[yarbie1000]

This is not a leak, it's literally a mock-up

[plmkoh]

Yeah not sure how a patent document available to the public can be considered a leak.

[Double_O_Revan]

It doesn't. But you clicked the link and therefore the author did what he intended, bait people into clicks.

[WickedLester]

more like a fu_k up.

[SierraGuy]

Looks like something from Souljah boy.

[Gwiz]

I just took a leak as well.

[SegaSaturn669]

One thing that I think Xbox got right was the positioning of the left analog stick. Wish sony and others would follow suit.

[Jin_Sakai]

No thanks. I like the DualShock 4 symmetrical sticks better.

[SegaSaturn669]

Really? I find it kind of cramped that way.

[SierraGuy]

I like them too just wish they'd move them a millimeter or two apart so my thumbs never touch.

[No Way]

SierraGuy - Exactly.. my thumbs are always bumping into each other using the PS style layout. Quite annoying, at times.

[Jin_Sakai]

“Really? I find it kind of cramped that way.“

It feels just right to me. That’s coming from someone who couldn’t stand the DualShock 3.

[Cobra951]

Yes. In fact, I often wish the right stick was closer to my right hand as well, though I'd have a long adjustment period if the R stick and the face buttons switched places. Depends on the game. Many use the face buttons, but very few use the D-pad as a main input device anymore. So the layout of the MS pads is more ergonomic most of the time.

[Atom666]

Switch Pro controller got it right too.

[SegaSaturn669]

I just noticed that. You're right. Nintendo has their bases covered.

[Profchaos]

Terrible

[Kumakai]

this thing is going to fail.

[Blu3_Berry]

Hard to say if this is legit or not.

Not really sure how I feel about the shoulder buttons and the grip, looks very blocky and uncomfortable.

[campofmusic]

Looks like Ouya 2.0

[ibrake4naps]

they might make it super powerful with a good game lineup since they want to make a good first impression in the industry. Keeping an eye on this...

[FanboysKiller]

Rushed.

[Malice-Flare]

that looks designed by an AI...

[knickstr]

With Microsoft starting to make the transition to be a publisher only maybe Google can take their place in the console market.

[victorMaje]

Please stop, my eyes!!
This thing looks like it was made for robots :)

[Einhander1971]

Nintendo kiddie market who is this idiot. It takes more than money to make things click. Microsoft have found that out. Sony and Nintendo deliver quality games time and time again, can google offer that quality and beyond very doubtful.

[TheGoodestBoi]

Still a better console than Xbox

[Sophisticated_Chap]

Said nobody ever....

[chiefJohn117]

Sony and MS like "f**". I don't expect the 1st generation to do all that well but the 2nd will take a decent portion of the pie even if it's only 10-15% that's money out others pockets

[GravityMilk]

worst controller in the history of Gaming XD

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Nope try harder Google

[mark3214uk]

it is just a ps controller without the rounded bottoms

[Sophisticated_Chap]

Google is one company that I will never sign up for my gaming needs. They are probably the least trustworthy company on the planet.

[rainslacker]

In many ways yes. Despite all the good things they do, they do a lot of crappy things as well.

[thepatientgamer]

Lol. First time I saw this I thought it was a joke.

[QuePasa87]

The grip parts of the controller look too wide to be comfortable to hold

[ajax17]

Ugly as sin

[william_cade]

looks like crap. probably not their final draft.

[EpicFruityPie]

Tbh I wouldn't trust Google at all

[Jurat]

Yes, that definitely looks like a controller designed by Google.

[Profchaos]

Burn it with fire

[FanboyPolice]

Why would Google do a controller, geez