Poll: Why is everyone copying each other?

[Harveypot]

All of the consoles seem to be copying each other. Kinect is a copy of the Eye Toy/Playstation Eye. Playstation Move is a copy of the Wii (but with a light bulb on the end!). The XBOX, Playstation and retro Wii controllers all look the same. Can it be that hard to think up a new controller? Even if the design is better than the original?

 

[More Fun To Compute]

Why no mouse & k/b option?

 

[GiantRaven]

None of the above.

PS2 all the way.

 

[sheah1]

None of the above.

PS2 all the way.

.......PS2 and PS3 have the same controllers......

 

[ZippyDSMlee]

There are only a limited amount of ideas, thus only a limited number of IPs.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Can it be that hard to think up a new controller? Even if the design is better than the original?

If it worked, IE, made money, for one company, it seems reasonable that it might do so for another. Hell, if IP laws didn't exsit, they'd be pumping out all but exact duplicates of each other.

 

[Harveypot]

Why no mouse & k/b option?

Yeah sorry my computer stopped working properly.

 

[GiantRaven]

.......PS2 and PS3 have the same controllers......

Do they? I'm pretty sure the PS2 controller doesn't have overly sensitive triggers that cause you to fire random shots (or whatever the trigger may be assigned to do) every single time you lightly brush it.

 

[sheah1]

.......PS2 and PS3 have the same controllers......

Do they? I'm pretty sure the PS2 controller doesn't have overly sensitive triggers that cause you to fire random shots (or whatever the trigger may be assigned to do) every single time you lightly brush it.

I've had every kind of crap that the PS2 controller brings, every kind of crap PS3 controller as well, and trust me, I've had to buy a hell of a lot less new PS3 controllers than PS2.

 

[crudus]

It is really hard to come up with a a design that is both unique/original and ergonomic. Look and all controllers. There are two groupings of "buttons". On one side there is the D-pad, on the other side: buttons. In effect you are asking

Spoiler: Why is everyone copying this thing?

If you are asking "Why is everyone moving to motion controls". The answer is closer to supply and demand. People seem to want motion controls (hence the Wii is selling) so competitors are trying to cash in on the market.

 

[DeadlyYellow]

Do they? I'm pretty sure the PS2 controller doesn't have overly sensitive triggers that cause you to fire random shots (or whatever the trigger may be assigned to do) every single time you lightly brush it.

Sensitive triggers? Never had a problem with that. The floating trigger design yes, but not sensitivity.

 

[Alssadar]

None of teh Above.
Gamecube controller.
I loved those things, especially the ones with the padded sides.

 

[GiantRaven]

I've had every kind of crap that the PS2 controller brings, every kind of crap PS3 controller as well, and trust me, I've had to buy a hell of a lot less new PS3 controllers than PS2.

Other than general faultyness (I mean, everything can break down), what problems that you had with PS2 controllers are comparable to the gaping design flaw (well, in my eyes anyway) that is the PS3 triggers? In terms of button layout and function etc..

 

[emion]

why does someone ALWAYS pull this stupid question up -o-
every console has its pros and cons but work perfectly for the job they are built for so why make yet another fanboy/girl fight over consoles O.-???

 

[loc978]

Depends on the type of game.

-FPS/TPS/RTS/RPG: keyboard and mouse.
-action/platformer: Playstation/XBox/whatever controller. Y'know, an evolution of the SNES design.
-Driving: Steering wheel and pedal setup.
-Flight sim/space combat: Full-sized joystick and keyboard.
-Gimmicky sports/party game: Wiimote/Kinect/Move. Seriously, quality doesn't fluctuate much between those three. They all do what they were designed to do just fine.

As for the frailty of PS2/3 controllers... I've never broken a PS2 controller. The actual Sony ones can stand up to a lot of abuse (ten years and three continents haven't damaged any of mine significantly). I've got a Sixaxis with a broken L2 button, but the Dual Shock 3 seems to be made of sterner stuff.

 

[Psycho Cat Industries]

The reason is that risks are dangerous.Just look at Spore

 

[sheah1]

.......PS2 and PS3 have the same controllers......

Do they? I'm pretty sure the PS2 controller doesn't have overly sensitive triggers that cause you to fire random shots (or whatever the trigger may be assigned to do) every single time you lightly brush it.

I've had every kind of crap that the PS2 controller brings, every kind of crap PS3 controller as well, and trust me, I've had to buy a hell of a lot less new PS3 controllers than PS2.

So you admit they are different controllers?

Reliability wise, yes, control scheme wise, no.

 

[sheah1]

I've had every kind of crap that the PS2 controller brings, every kind of crap PS3 controller as well, and trust me, I've had to buy a hell of a lot less new PS3 controllers than PS2.

Other than general faultyness (I mean, everything can break down), what problems that you had with PS2 controllers are comparable to the gaping design flaw (well, in my eyes anyway) that is the PS3 triggers? In terms of button layout and function etc..

Well my PS2 controllers were constantly breaking and had to be replaced, but that hasn't happened with my PS3 controllers, nor have I had any trigger problems, in fact, I've never even heard of problems with PS3 triggers.

 

[jhlip]

My guess is that companies are trying to balance two things: Familiarity and Safety. Say you buy the next generation console you wanted, and the controller was the most strange and alien thing you had ever seen. It would make the console less approachable and they would lose money. As for cost, well, why fix what isn't broken (the overall controller design, not its functionality, those are two totally different things). If there are no major complaints about a controller, then they won't stray far from it (usually). If there were to try to create a revolutionary new controller that has the best ergonomics to date, and can be used by all types of people, they would have to pay a fair amount for that attempt and there would be no guarantee that it would turn out successful.

 

[GiantRaven]

Well my PS2 controllers were constantly breaking and had to be replaced, but that hasn't happened with my PS3 controllers, nor have I had any trigger problems, in fact, I've never even heard of problems with PS3 triggers.

Hmm, maybe it was the one specific controller that I played with then. I don't exactly have much experience with the PS3. My dislike of the controller being a primary reason, hilariously enough.