PS4 Controller Could Have Had an Xbox 360-Style Layout

[Steven Bogos]

PS4 Controller Could Have Had an Xbox 360-Style Layout

Early versions of the DualShock 4 had the d-pad and left analogue stick reversed.

They say imitation is the best form of flattery, so Microsoft must be pretty flattered to hear that the early versions of Sony's DualShock 4 controller had the d-pad and left analogue stick reversed - a precedent the former company set with the Xbox. Eventually though, the prototype and management team decided that having the two analogue sticks mirroring each other was "in the company's DNA", and thus how we got to the final version of the DualShock 4.

"For the analog sticks," Toshimasa Aoki, manager of Sony's product planning department, told Venture Beat [http://venturebeat.com/2013/10/21/the-playstation-4-controller-what-couldve-been-part-1-exclusive/], "We did test having [them] on top, since the Xbox has the left side on top [above the D-pad]. Especially from the shooter teams - we got feedback that that's what they wanted. They knew that consumers liked the 360 for shooters."

But you can't fight your nature, and Aoki admits that "[having the two sticks symmetrical on the left and right sides] is kind of in our DNA. The prototype team, myself, and also the management team really felt that having this look is the PlayStation look, and we had to keep that."

Aoki also talks about some completely "crazy" controller ideas they had in the prototyping phase. "So we made, I don't know, more than 20 prototypes. Some had no buttons, just touch panels. Some were rounded. All this crazy stuff." Makes you think back to the banana controller prototype [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FileS3_boomerang_controller.jpg] of the original Sixaxis, doesn't it?

Which control scheme do you prefer? Are you glad Sony stuck with tradition, or are you more partial to Microsoft's reversed d-pad? Or are you one of those crazy guys who prefers the Wii U pro controller's double-reversed analogue sticks [http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120718232911/nintendo/en/images/8/8f/Wii_U_Pro_Controller_%28Black%29.png]?

Source: Venture Beat [http://venturebeat.com/2013/10/21/the-playstation-4-controller-what-couldve-been-part-1-exclusive/]

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[Legion]

Which control scheme do you prefer? Are you glad Sony stuck with tradition, or are you more partial to Microsoft's reversed d-pad? Or are you one of those crazy guys who prefers the Wii U pro controller's double-reversed analogue sticks [http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120718232911/nintendo/en/images/8/8f/Wii_U_Pro_Controller_%28Black%29.png]?

I am not that bothered either way to be honest. I have never really struggled between the two in regards to location. The main thing that feels odd is the lack of a groove on the Playstation's analogue sticks after being used to the Xbox's (which from the looks of things has changed).

That, the trigger shapes and the X button being in different places are the only parts that throw me at times, the analogue placement isn't something I have ever been bothered by.

 

[MrHide-Patten]

I hope that guy was fired for the most stupid design decision ever. I would have bought an Xbox One in it's ORIGINAL STATE, as an act of defiance. Seriously the Xbox controller is disgusting, and it's why I never considered getting an Xbox.

 

[fix-the-spade]

Way back in 1995 when I was young and Playstations were brand new, I would have hated the Xbox style layout, when the Xbox came out I did hate that giant controller that made you stretch for the controls even though by that stage my hands were plenty big enough, it was a horrible controller.

Nowadays I'm not bothered, either position is perfectly natural.

 

[Andy Shandy]

While I love the Xbox 360 pad (one of the best controllers ever), I would still agree that it would be wrong for them to change to it. It would be weird having a Playstation controller without those mirrored analogue sticks (yes, I know on the very first Playstation there were those without them, but I always felt weird holding that too, since the first PS controller I had had them)

 

[MonkeyPunch]

Personally I really like the 360's layout. Feels more ergonomic to me. Then again I have s weirdish hand shape.
I'm not the biggest dualshock 3 fan, but the new PS4 controller looks pretty damn nice. I don't think the analogue placement will put me off it at all.

Captcha:adapt. improve

 

[The_Echo]

I'm so glad they didn't go with a 360-esque layout.

The way the 360's controller is, the D-pad is placed rather awkwardly, making games that use such controls extensively (platformers, fighters, an RPG with lots of menus) less natural to play. I think the PlayStation's classic layout does each button justice. Nothing on the controller loses any ease-of-use in my eyes, unlike the 360's controller.

And personally, asymmetrical sticks just looks really weird. Especially if I think of that as being on a PlayStation controller.

Bad decision, Xbox controller is objectivly better.

That's literally not even true.

 

[RicoADF]

And thank God they didn't go with the Xbox-like scheme. I always hated it with all my heart.

Amen to that, the xbox style sucks, I grabbed a 3rd party controller (logitech) that has the PS layout so I could play with a gamepad on my PC, didn't want an anoying xbox/xbox style controller.

 

[eyu86]

They say imitation is the best form of flattery, so Microsoft must be pretty flattered to hear that the early versions of Sony's DualShock 4 controller had the d-pad and left analogue stick reversed - a precedent the former company set with the Xbox 360.

Umm.. correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't this precedent set by the Gamecube. Shoot, you could even say the Dreamcast had the analog on the left first.

 

[GundamSentinel]

I don't care much either way. I've never had a problem with the Dualshock layout. The XBox one always felt a little awkward to me. Plus, I sometimes go for the D-Pad with my index finger in a pinch, something I just can't do with the XBox type.

Doesn't surprise me that Sony experimented with the XBox layout. That's just what you do during the conceptualization phase of a design.

 

[Drummodino]

Growing up with Playstations, I'm glad they stuck with the classic style. Not that there's anything wrong with the Xbox controller, I'm just used to the symmetrical sticks. I think it looks better too.

 

[suitepee7]

Bad decision, Xbox controller is objectivly better.

i'll bite, where's this objective evidence? and saying "loads/the best players prefer it", because then it is still the opinion of the majority, not an objective fact.

personally it makes no difference to me at all. i use my DS3 hooked up to my pc for certain games, but won't be getting a new console. glad they stuck with tradition though, it's kind of their thing

 

[FoolKiller]

2 things folks...

a precedent the former company set with the Xbox 360

You're just wrong with this. The original Xbox controller had the analog stick placed in the upper left where it was easier to hold. And if you want to be completely correct about it, the Dreamcast controller had the analog stick there.

Especially from the shooter teams - we got feedback that that's what they wanted. They knew that consumers liked the 360 for shooters."

But you can't fight your nature, and Aoki admits that "[having the two sticks symmetrical on the left and right sides] is kind of in our DNA. The prototype team, myself, and also the management team really felt that having this look is the PlayStation look, and we had to keep that."

And well this is just how stupid Sony has been about their controller. They don't care what people like for a controller as long as it looks like a Playstation controller. Way to evolve Sony.

This is why I use a cross-adapter to use my 360 controller for the PS3.

 

[ryo02]

honestly I wouldn't mind having more than one official controller design being available Id buy a dualshock and a 360 style controller and play different types of games with each of them.

Id use the 360 style controller most often though its just more comfortable for me.

I don't see why there has to to be just one design available give us some options please.

 

[erbkaiser]

My poor thumbs lament this decision. Maybe for tiny Japanese hands having the two analog sticks symmetrical is a nice idea, but in my paws it has never been convenient.
Looks like I'll be picking up a third-party controller with the proper layout for the PS4 as well.

 

[Icehearted]

But you can't fight your nature, and Aoki admits that "[having the two sticks symmetrical on the left and right sides] is kind of in our DNA.

No it is not, our natural rested state is in our DNA, which for me is actually higher up than those things, basically inverting both sticks with the dpad and buttons. I just find the Xbox version of the layout a more agreeable compromise between nature and functionality. Since most games I've played have me using the combination of the left stick and face buttons, or both sticks, it stands to reason that an elevated left stick would have been better, and there is a reason why a lot of 3rd party marketers and consumers agree with this design more than others, and not it's not because "cawadoody"

The prototype team, myself, and also the management team really felt that having this look is the PlayStation look, and we had to keep that."

I think this is the more honest part. It's not about ergonomics, it's about looking different. Difference for the sake of being different is a poor reason to choose anything except for novelty reasons I guess.

I liked the idea more when there was talk of making them convertible. I can get why that has the potential for issues, but at the end of the day the Xbox 360 Controller layout was better for me. I have only one controller for the PS3, but should I get another you can bet it will be one that resembles the Xbox 360 controller; silly flipper aside I hate how my thumbs slide around or press together at the tips on those things.

 

[witmanfade]

I've never really been brand loyal, but the reason I have a PS3 over a 360 is the controller layout. I just couldn't get used to the asymmetry of the xbox controllers and its feel when playing.

 

[GoaThief]

After spending more time getting acquainted with the DS3, I still think it's very shit but I don't believe the problem stems from a symmetrical design but rather the stick positioning itself in relation to the grips and triggers. That and the design of the components themselves.

This seems to have all been addressed with the DS4 witg new sticks, triggers, grips combined with more room and slightly adjusted positions. It may not beat the 360 pad (although it potentially could, and it has a touch pad!) but it should place it on some kind of parity. I'm really looking forward to checking it out for myself.