Ideas for next Gen Controllers

[Mushroom 118i]

My idea of next-generation controllers: Make the entire thing open-source. Bundle the controller with a DVD containing drivers for all operating systems, the full source code for those drivers, hardware description language implementations of the chips in the controller, and the full schematics of the device.

Way to scare off the casuals, dude. People are scared off by the amount of buttons on current gen controllers, and you think having to set up drivers and including schematics to look at before you can use a controller won't?

 

[Wushu Panda]

I try to use words like cute to be coy, yes. You try to use words like "noob" and "getting wet" like somehow they validate your argument. I'm far from being a hardcore gamer. I have too many games, mostly old and a few new, to be a dedicated hardcore gamer. And when did this go from an idea to an invention? in fact, when did I say I was making jack? Its a gimmick, just like the Kinect is still a gimmick. It will always be a gimmick. It was created and tagged on to the new 360 unit, and shut out owners of the original 360 from access. That's a gimmick. Is it a fancy gimmick? Yes. Hell, the 3DS is based on a Gimmick, and I love that thing to death. Maybe one day it won't be a gimmick. Maybe one day, instead of being an attachment you can buy and then use only once in a while it will be the core of the system. Maybe it'll be a full body setup. Maybe it will evolve well beyond what it is. But its a gimmick now. However, I will agree with you on Call of Duty as a franchise. It has gone to shit. They copy past it and have made the engine to such specifications that they can produce them annually and maximize profits by on slightly upgrading the graphics. The multiplayer also never changes. According to the reports of someone who worked on the third game, the engine is so well polished by now that he referred to it as a 'Porsche,' and not a single line of code obstructed another. Because of its ordered nature they're easier to make. After all, the base engine has been in use since CoD2. I was legitmately let down when MW3 sold well. I thought I heard the industry shoot itself in the foot.

When did this go from idea to invention?

Now, you honestly think I wouldn't take into account the twisting motion being done accidentally? Its called a prototype...

You referred to your "prototype". I suppose I shouldn't be surprised because you've been throwing around quite a few words of which you do not know the actual meaning. A prototype is a physical model, the first model you base production on.

 

[GeorgW]

The future of controllers already exists, the N64. Think about it, it's designed to be used hundreds of years from now when we've all grown another arm!

As for more recent designs, grip is important, but the 360 has that covered rather nicely. I don't care much for built in motion controls like the PS3, it hasn't really been utilised so far, so why should it be now? I guess some sort of tablet like the WiiU is pretty nice, but I'd much prefer something smaller. Perhaps just a little screen with output, but no input, too expensive.

 

[WarCorrespondent]

In my opinion, the perfect controller will come about when Nintendo spends some serious time an thought figuring out everything that was wrong with the GameCube controller, then updates it. Wireless and token but EXTREMELY non-essential motion controls can come too.

 

[Roxor]

My idea of next-generation controllers: Make the entire thing open-source. Bundle the controller with a DVD containing drivers for all operating systems, the full source code for those drivers, hardware description language implementations of the chips in the controller, and the full schematics of the device.

Way to scare off the casuals, dude. People are scared off by the amount of buttons on current gen controllers, and you think having to set up drivers and including schematics to look at before you can use a controller won't?

I never said anything about requiring people to look at the schematics before using the controller. Please pay more attention to what you're reading.

Regarding drivers, I had to install Windows drivers when I bought an Xbox 360 controller to use with my computer. I don't see any reason why users of other operating systems shouldn't get drivers for their OS of choice.

 

[Conor Hildebrandt]

So, I was playing Skyrim on my PS3. As many of you who own it know, the circle button opens the menu. Well, perhaps it is only because my controller is damaged beyond repair, but I noticed that if I twist it the right way on the right side the menu opens. So then, I had a thought: What if this could be incorporated into a next gen controller? Think guys: to open the menu no longer takes a button. Merely twist either side of the controller. That means every button can be used for an action, thus optimizing the players experience. What do you think? And do you guys have any other ideas?

This already exists my friend, it's called the Razer Hydra. I use this for Skyrim right now and the it's nice for navigating menus because you can just hold the left bumper then tilt your hand to go to whichever menu you need (Tilt up for level up, right for inventory, left for magic and down for map) and there are several other gestures for various actions such as jumping, crouching and sheathing your weapons. It's still early in development and most games you have to use the beta control schemes that sixense releases themselves but when they finally update it so you can update control schemes on the fly it's going to be the best controller for most games out there. It's hard to believe a motion controller can rival a mouse in precision but the hydra honest;y does.

I love you right now. So very much. Is there a link? Can i see it sir? No, don't bother: I SHALL GOOGLE IT AT ONCE.

Now it merely needs to work on the PS3. Can it? Please say it can.

Unfortunately no, Razer said that theoretically it is possible for it to work on the PS3/XBox 360 but they would need Sony and/or Microsoft's support to actually implement it and that's doubtful considering they want to sell their own motion controllers

 

[him over there]

The only thing I can think of is having varying pressure for a few buttons like the gamecube controllers triggers. Press lightly to something, press until it clicks to do a variant of what lightly does.