Let's design the perfect controller by combining parts from ones that already exist

[Sonic Doctor]

The perfect controller already exists. It's the 360 controller.

I agree totally.

Spoiler: Big picture is big.

if the replace the R1 and L1 with the playstation versions this would be my dream controller.

Ugh! That would be awful. I just picked up my 360 controller to see how that would work with my thumbs and it would be a nightmare. Holding it in the most comfortable way would mean that the tips of my thumbs would touch and that when I move one it would nudge and mess up the placement of the other. This also isn't because I have big hands and tumbs, I have very small hands and thumbs.

I believe Microsoft knew this as a possibility, and that is why they created the awesomeness of having staggered joysticks. Besides, I've never understood how people have had complaints about where the d-pad is, because it has actually been awesome having it below my left thumb and to the right and not above my left thumb and to left like one the PS controllers. When I use to have a PS2, I found the placement of the d-pad very awkward.

Other than that, why replace the bumpers of the 360 with the once from the PS? The 360 ones are more responsive, the same goes for the 360's triggers. The PS top buttons took way too much force to get them to register.

Last point about that picture, why replace ABXY with the shapes with horrible color differentiation. They are different shapes of course but the square and circle are so close in color that if players get a quick flash of a button on the screen and they miss the shape, there is a 50/50 chance that the players will get a guess wrong because the all they have to go on is color and pink and light red don't actually look that different.

 

[Sonic Doctor]

For everyone talking about the Xbox controller with a different d-pad.

Spoiler: feast your eyes

The d-pad is raised so it's easier to use. The only problem is that for some reason they removed the colors of the button.

The d-pad that the 360 controller has now is fine. The one in that picture would only work well for four directions.

The reason Microsoft when with the d-pad they have now, is because it works better for 8 directions.

With that picture, when trying to press in a diagonal direction, I bet it would be messed up because it would be easier to mess up and have too much touch on one direct vertical or horizontal edge because there would be nothing for the underside of the thumb to rest on.

The way the 360 controller is now, it has the raised but shallow d-pad that has the little curved groove sections. Those groove sections catch the underside of the thumb and make it easier to pull down or push up the d-pad in a diagonal direction.

So, I feel that the current d-pad would be easiest to use.

 

[lordlillen]

if the replace the R1 and L1 with the playstation versions this would be my dream controller.

A few problems with that.

1: The control pad is where the left stick should be.
2: Having the face buttons be random shapes makes them annoying to memorize.

1: no this is the PS layout and the Xbox is the only controller ever who changed the layout of the stick and it makes it harder for control.

2:do you actually look at the controller when you play, i dont remember the shapes i remember the layout of the buttons no need to remmember the shapes, and yes they show them in game but when i see triangle i dont think triangle button i think top button.

 

[madster11]

360 Controller with PS3 D-Pad, the throw size of the PS3 sticks (How far you can move them) and no stupid motion controls. Built in battery like the PS3, but charge it with a custom charging cable running 9v and make have it around 1/4th bigger than the PS3 one.

Maybe a touchscreen taking up the space from the xbox, start and select buttons that can be used for various little things in games and displaying info, like the Wii Us but not retarded big.
Give it a built in speaker and mic for chat.

Total cost should be under $100aud each.


Make it happen.

 

[The Lunatic]

Keyboard and mouse. =D


I suppose if you're looking for a "Controller" I'd have to go with something like...

The silver pannel is removable and can be used in either a typical PS3 style layout or an Xbox style. Also works with PC and PS3, however, Microsoft wasn't keen on joining the party and thus a separate controller was made.

 

[Vaccine]

The best controller doesn't exist, nor will ever exist, because it is a purely subjective "best".

As for me, I stick with a keyboard and mouse, or a PS3 controller, I hate the 360 controller because it just feels too big.

 

[Evil Top Hat]

A controller that allows you to control the game with your mind would be awesome. I'm sorry were these controllers supposed to be realistic?

I do think that a matrix game with that controller where you can control your character with your mind would be amazing. You would also have to be able to use your mind to manipulate the rules of the Matrix in the same way they do in the film to be able to pull off all those crazy stunts.

One day...

 

[Zantos]

The perfect controller already exists. It's the 360 controller.

Like!

Seriously though, why don't they just accept it's a weapon and start selling attachments to use it as such?

 

[Popido]

Waiting to see how this works.

Spoiler: Hydra

 

[shasjas]

The perfect controller already exists. It's the 360 controller.

I agree totally.

if the replace the R1 and L1 with the playstation versions this would be my dream controller.

Ugh! That would be awful. I just picked up my 360 controller to see how that would work with my thumbs and it would be a nightmare. Holding it in the most comfortable way would mean that the tips of my thumbs would touch and that when I move one it would nudge and mess up the placement of the other. This also isn't because I have big hands and tumbs, I have very small hands and thumbs.

I believe Microsoft knew this as a possibility, and that is why they created the awesomeness of having staggered joysticks. Besides, I've never understood how people have had complaints about where the d-pad is, because it has actually been awesome having it below my left thumb and to the right and not above my left thumb and to left like one the PS controllers. When I use to have a PS2, I found the placement of the d-pad very awkward.

i have never had any of those problems in my life with the PS controller layout. and testing on my ps3 controller right now, for me at least, you would have to be controlling the analog sticks using the joints half way down your thumb for that to happen.

so the above pic would also be my perfect controller.

 

[fingerbang143]

I would say an XBOX360 controller but with the same analog sticks in the same position

 

[DaHero]

There's this thing called a keyboard and mouse, best controlling device in history. Using the mouse to turn eliminates the keyboards swerving issues.

 

[Phisi]

I'll be going with the PS controller layout but it could be a nicer fit in one's hands. Oh and to all those saying keyboard and mouse, using a mouse to play Cthulhu Sleeps on Audiosurf is a very bad idea.

 

[funguy2121]

Um, wasn't this done a week ago?

 

[Sonic Doctor]

Argh, have to snip.

i have never had any of those problems in my life with the PS controller layout. and testing on my ps3 controller right now, for me at least, you would have to be controlling the analog sticks using the joints half way down your thumb for that to happen.

so the above pic would also be my perfect controller.

Why did you remove my spoiler edit of lordillen's picture? I'm trying to keep the thread reasonable, medium and bigger pics should be spoiled, posting so many large pics in a thread is frowned upon on this site.

Now to my regular response: I didn't mention about how I had problems with the PS controller because the sticks were next to each other on the same height line on the controller.
I said I had a problem with the position of the d-pad on the PS controllers. Other than that, the sticks were spaced fine on the PS controller and I didn't have problems with my thumbs.

The reason is that if you compare a PS controller and compare to how the d-pad and the right stick on the 360 controller are spaced, if the left stick in the 360 was placed where the d-pad is, the left stick and the right stick would be closer together than compared to how separated the sticks on the PS controller are.

The PS controller is a longer controller horizontally and the sticks are farther apart compared to that modified picture of the 360 controller. That is why the modified controller in the picture wouldn't work, even with my small hands. As I said before, that is why Microsoft designed their controller to have staggered sticks. They didn't want a controller that is as long horizontally as the PS controller. Instead of bringing the hands too far apart like the PS, the 360 isn't as long and is fat and rounded on the handle sides. Because of that the 360 controller's shape fits better, practically melding perfectly with the palms and under-fingers of each hand.

 

[funguy2121]

It also uses the crappy little nub sticks from the 3DS.

I'm unsure of that. Most of the journos who demo'd the controller said that they're not the "crappy little nub sticks" from the 3DS, and that they're more like the older analog sticks but without the tension that builds up when you have to hold your thumb against the spring pressure in a certain direction for prolonged periods. In fact, all of the reviews I've read from people who actually used the controller were overwhelmingly favorable. Now IGN is saying that they do use the same circle pads as the 3DS, but even IGN are very excited about the new controller.

Not accurate, not comfortable, and incredibly gimmicky.

You haven't played with the thing, so unless you're referring exclusively to the circle pads (and I would ask if you're a 3DS owner), I wonder how you came about this info. I have spent some time with a 3DS and the circle pad is very accurate and very comfortable. As for the rest of the controller, please tell me you're not joining the other posters who judged "uncomfortable" based on a photograph and against the advice of the entire gaming journalism community, who have collectively assured us that the controller is very intuitive and very comfortable. And gimmicky? When did it become a debate gimmick to use the word "gimmick?" Let's discuss some Nintendo gimmicks from the past. Analogue sticks. Gaming in 3D (not "Avatar" 3D, polygonal 3D). Rumble. Local multiplayer support for 4 players. Intuitive, tactile button layouts.

Probably the farthest you can get from the perfect controller.

And yet, when Microsoft and Sony emulate some of its features in the next couple of years, the complainers will still be on board.

 

[PureChaos]

as far as i'm concerned, the GameCube controller is pretty much my ideal controller. all the buttons are easily within reach and it works really well

 

[Feylynn]

Pressure sensitive keyboard with a macro-able mouse.

Sorry have to represent my favorite, but I'll tell you what, I vote on an actual controller and you hypothetically back me up when I tell console designers to let me use my control scheme.

Dual Shock 3 but maybe have a bit of a click to the marshmellow triggers before the pressure sensitivity kicks in. Just so they are harder to bump and have more feedback.

Since I won't use it you can really do whatever you want but I'll note that I don't like the way an xBox controller is held, with handles that slant inward, I like the parallel handled controls of the GCN, PS, and N64(Though yes the rest of this controller can burn in controller hell).

Maybe a controller with free form handles that can lock into a few different angles to suit the PS and the xBox users?

 

[funguy2121]

You haven't played with the thing, so unless you're referring exclusively to the circle pads (and I would ask if you're a 3DS owner), I wonder how you came about this info. I have spent some time with a 3DS and the circle pad is very accurate and very comfortable. As for the rest of the controller, please tell me you're not joining the other posters who judged "uncomfortable" based on a photograph and against the advice of the entire gaming journalism community, who have collectively assured us that the controller is very intuitive and very comfortable. And gimmicky? When did it become a debate gimmick to use the word "gimmick?" Let's discuss some Nintendo gimmicks from the past. Analogue sticks. Gaming in 3D (not "Avatar" 3D, polygonal 3D). Rumble. Local multiplayer support for 4 players. Intuitive, tactile button layouts.

(1) A mouse has to be a part of the overall control scheme in order for it to be considered "perfect," or anywhere near that, really.

(2) As for being uncomfortable, I CAN tell that just by looking at it. No matter how light it is or how well it sits in your hands, it's not something I'd want to hold for long periods of time, simply due to its bulkiness. Same reason the original Xbox controller sucked.

(3) Lastly, I don't remember anyone calling analog sticks or 4-player support gimmicks. Maybe you do. (4)But the virtual boy was very gimmicky. (5)As was the Wii. (6)And a touchscreen on the controller for a home console? Gimmick overload. It will allow games to be played in a different way. But not a more accurate or intuitive way. (7)People will have to spend a lot of time learning the intricacies of each game's controls on the WiiU. (8)And that's why it's a gimmick. (9)Also why the WiiU will have very little third party support, like the Wii. The rest of the industry will be moving on in a year, and Nintendo will be taking a back seat as usual. Had they released this console instead of the Wii at the same time as the PS3, then maybe developers would have had a chance to give a shit. But that window is long past.

(1) This is a PC gamer perspective. If you want to be able to turn and aim with superhuman speed, then you're right. If you want a setup that feels and functions more like the way that people moving about in the real world do, a good controller is more precise.

(2) It sounds like the fact that your hands will be a couple of inches farther apart is what's really bothering you. Do you really think this will make the controller uncomfortable? Did you read the text that you quoted? All of the journos said it's very comfortable, even after they've used it for a while.

(3) Anytime a company like Nintendo (or their competitors, for that matter) try something different, a whole bunch of fanboys cry "gimmick," usually without even qualifying it. To this day, people still talk shit about the N64 controller, even though we have it to thank for the analog stick and rumble support. And fanboys still talk shit about the system itself, even though with a much smaller catalogue it still had a great deal more 3D games than its jaggie-fied competitor, the PSOne, and had out-of-box 4-player support. That's what I was saying.

(4) This isn't exactly a bold statement. Almost nobody purchased the Virtual Boy and almost no one thinks that it was a well-advised idea.

(5) The tens of millions of consumers who bought a Wii in lieu of an XBox or a PS3 disagree with you, as do the creators of the XBox and PS3,, who designed peripherals to emulate the Wii. Also, the gamers who appreciate what the IR pointer has done for control, especially in FPS shooters, and can't go back, disagree with you.

(6) How does allowing new kinds of games to be made equate to a gimmick in your mind? And how does having to pause to combine and then use potions, equipment, weapons and spells, and pause or obscure part of the main screen to see the map, mean "precise and intuitive" to you?

(7) And a brand new gamer would have to spend a good deal of time figuring out how to use the controller for the N64, X-Box, Gamecube or any one of the Playstations. Is not learning to play a new way part of the fun? You know what? Scratch that. I took for granted that your assertion was accurate, which of course it isn't. Being able to pause the game but not having to do so to look up inventory or map details or use a tracker or cam chat with NPCs won't have much of a learning curve, and if it does, you can pause the game. How is having a touch screen going to confuse gamers?

(8) That's not the definition of a gimmick.

(9) Remember that you said that in a year, when Tecmo, EA, Sega, Ubisoft and all the rest keep on making games for the new system.

 

[Twilight_guy]

As an effort to end console vs. PC hate I have to say a controller that emulates the precision of a mouse and offers the ability to have the buttons of a keyboard. (Anything that requires a keyboard is usually poorly design on the controls but this is just to stop the bitching). Not sure how you can do this but a more precise motion control might offer this kind of control. Also, isn't it odd that we're trying to cobble together existing tech to make a controller then coming up with new technology. This is a theoretical discussion and I know that current technology is no-where near any sort of peak so shouldn't we be coming up with better stuff then what exists?