Holy crap! Did anyone know the PS3 controller was this small

[dbiersdorf]

http://img276.imageshack.us/img276/5681/10176520ej.jpg

Yikes! Top off a horrible design with a horrible size, talk about butchering a controller. :/

[Kejoriv]

Those pics are not a final design

[Griking]

Those pics are not a final design

Well of course it's not final sinse the PS3 is still probably a years away but they must have made the one in the pic for some reason.

[atomicthumbs]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v89/atomicthumbs/ps3clooney.jpg

[PapaStu]

Right after the Tokyo Game show when Nintendo revealed their new controller that design went out the window. They immedately went back to the drawing board so to speak. If anything expect a smaller 'rang' look. Remember since Sony was sued over the Dual Shock useage with out permission a controller re-design IS in the works. It has to be.

[Johnny_Rock]

If the controller isint a final design will the actual PS3 still look like a George Foreman Grill?

[dbiersdorf]

Are you basing that off opinion or fact? I haven't heard any official word that Sony is creating a new controller.

[Oobgarm]

Are you basing that off opinion or fact? I haven't heard any official word that Sony is creating a new controller.

The new OPM(issue 100) has an interview with Kaz Hirai, the president of SCEA. His reply when asked about the controller's looks:

"That was a prototype that was shown, and it's a tall order that Kutaragi-san ran past the designers. We've gone through two consoles with essentially the same controller design, and it's time for a fresh approach. We're going to look at the form factor, but at the same time we want it to feel familiar. It's difficult to balance the two. It's a work in progress. We certainly want to make sure that when you hold it in your hands that you've come home to something familiar."

Take it for what you will, but I figure we'll see something that's more visually appealing, not to mention ergonomic.

[Chronodriftersx]

http://img276.imageshack.us/img276/5681/10176520ej.jpg

Yikes! Top off a horrible design with a horrible size, talk about butchering a controller. :/

Thats hot and I'm not even a Sony supporter, nice use of a glove too as if its like dry ice or something.

[InsaneDavid]

http://img276.imageshack.us/img276/5681/10176520ej.jpg

Yikes! Top off a horrible design with a horrible size, talk about butchering a controller. :/

Thats hot and I'm not even a Sony supporter, nice use of a glove too as if its like dry ice or something.

Often with display items (that are going to be photographed thousands of times) gloves will be worn to prevent fingerprints from being left behind that could be picked up in pictures - it looks unprofessional to do such.

At the TGS every PS3 rep in the house was stating that the PS3 controller was a design that's currently in development - a work in progress as Oobgarm stated. Everyone was up in arms about the controller design at E3. However many of us have seen the dozens of design models that lead up to the original PlayStation controller - some were crazy. Heck, even the design four prototypes before the original PlayStation controller was finalized was a big departure from what was eventually settled on.

[Slate]

http://img276.imageshack.us/img276/5681/10176520ej.jpg

Yikes! Top off a horrible design with a horrible size, talk about butchering a controller. :/

Thats hot and I'm not even a Sony supporter, nice use of a glove too as if its like dry ice or something.

I hope that isn't the actual size.. LOL

[njiska]

Hmm it's a micro. One more reason it'll be uncomfortable.

[Xizer]

Looks far more comfortable than the current PS1/PS2 controller.

[syd]

Doesn't look all that horrible to me. Besides, don't knock it till you've tried it! ;)

[comrade]

Sorry, double post. :P

[comrade]

I just found this on joystiq, its pretty relevant to this thread. I think the controller looks pretty comfortable, but hey, that's just me.

http://www.forz.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/boomerangdebunked.gif

[Captain Wrong]

I just found this on joystiq, its pretty relevant to this thread. I think the controller looks pretty comfortable, but hey, that's just me.

http://www.forz.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/boomerangdebunked.gif

See, that's what I'm talking about. I've defended this shape because I have an old third party PSX controller that is just like it and it is the most comfortable controller I've ever used, bar none. Sure it's ugly or whatever but who cares?

Now, if they make it as small as it is in that picture, forget I said anything. All bets are off. But if they keep it the size it's appeared to be all along, trust me, people are going to be suprized at how much they like it.

[drummy]

Is the PS3 font the same as the font from the Spiderman movies?

[Jumpman Jr.]

Naw, thats just a freaking huge hand

[Teknik_SE-R]

first thing, If you know anything about industrial design, things are often scaled down in very early prototypes. Then, a full scale model is created based on the small scale model. Sounds stupid to do for something as trivial as a tiny little console, but it IS common prctice in all industrial design centers. basically, a number of different small scale concepts are created; one, two, or three of these scale models are selected as the best, and a full scale models are made, and the design is then fine tuned.

because of the scale, I would deduce that this design is one of many early concepts.

secondly on ergonomics. if you get something that fits perfectly into the palm of your hand that you have to apply forces to in a precise manner, it can be extremely difficult. you cant control your fingers very precisely because you dont have any leverage to act against. so "extreme comfort" can actually work against you.

the design of a good controller will require the hand to have a bit of "preload" on particular muscles and tendons, so that the hand has some leverage when pressing buttons. BUT if you design the controller to put too much preload on the hand, or on the wrong tendons and muscles, holding the controller will induce premature fatigue.

if you designed a controller to allow the hand to be "extremely relaxed" and just make the buttons more sensitive, then accidental button pushing becomes an issue

ergonomics is a tricky issue, but I trust sony to have a decent grasp on controller design (no pun intended)

you might gripe about the ps1/2 design, but it is actually well done from an ergo standpoint. the palm grips could have been slightly larger though. game cubes controller is by far this gen's best design IMO

[norkusa]

game cubes controller is by far this gen's best design IMO

Yeah, until you want to play a game that requires more than 2 face buttons to play (like any sports title). Then it feels like crap.

[njiska]

Some more food for thought.

http://www.forz.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/boomerangdebunked.gif

Now what do you make of that?

[Xizer]

Yeah, until you want to play a game that requires more than 2 face buttons to play (like ANY sports title). Then it feels like crap.

Good thing sports games suck anyway.

[darknut101]

Is the PS3 font the same as the font from the Spiderman movies?

I don't know for a fact but I'm pretty sure it is. Sony Pictures put out that movie so I guess Sony Computer Entertainment felt it was ok to steal the font. I hope they change it though cause everytime I look at a PS3 photo I think of spiderman.

The controller does look oddly shaped and a bit small. I won't knock it till I get to try it though. I just like the original controller so much. Why not stick with what works?

[norkusa]

Yeah, until you want to play a game that requires more than 2 face buttons to play (like ANY sports title). Then it feels like crap.

Good thing sports games suck anyway.

It's gonna be a long wait until the new Zelda comes out, isn't it?

[Captain Wrong]

Yeah, until you want to play a game that requires more than 2 face buttons to play (like ANY sports title). Then it feels like crap.

Good thing sports games suck anyway.

It's gonna be a long wait until the new Zelda comes out, isn't it?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v119/kasseds_avatars/shiggy_whee_small.gif
Get down with the wicked bad burn!@!!!!!!

[Hiroshi Yamauchi]

Yeah, until you want to play a game that requires more than 2 face buttons to play (like ANY sports title). Then it feels like crap.

Good thing sports games suck anyway.

It's gonna be a long wait until the new Zelda comes out, isn't it?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v119/kasseds_avatars/shiggy_whee_small.gif
Get down with the wicked bad burn!@!!!!!!

LOL

You got own!

[Arkaign]

Man I think most people can actually realize that which controller is most confortable/precise/etc, is not only due to the design, but personal experience and preference.

Just look at all the current controllers, you have tons of people who either love or hate the EXACT same controllers.

Are half the people right and half wrong? Nah, people just like different styles. And of course you'll have some fanboys and haters screwing up the count as well.

Personally, I wish that they'd standardized the blasted things by now. That way you could use whichever controller you wanted, in any console you wanted.

On the PS3 controller design, I can see it being great as long as it's not that tiny :) I'm almost 6'4", and I have 'basketball' hands, it's tough to come to grips with tiny stuff. If it's about the same size as current-gen controllers, then I'm sure it'll be just fine.

[Teknik_SE-R]

Man I think most people can actually realize that which controller is most confortable/precise/etc, is not only due to the design, but personal experience and preference.

Just look at all the current controllers, you have tons of people who either love or hate the EXACT same controllers.

Are half the people right and half wrong? Nah, people just like different styles. And of course you'll have some fanboys and haters screwing up the count as well.

Personally, I wish that they'd standardized the blasted things by now. That way you could use whichever controller you wanted, in any console you wanted.

On the PS3 controller design, I can see it being great as long as it's not that tiny :) I'm almost 6'4", and I have 'basketball' hands, it's tough to come to grips with tiny stuff. If it's about the same size as current-gen controllers, then I'm sure it'll be just fine.

agreed, on all your points, but i prefer the term "banana hands"

I can see a few problems with the design besides the size.

if you look at the gif, it looks like the the button and dpad config could be rotated to a better position (an even better reason to make d pads rotatable +/- a few degrees, someone mentioned this in another thread, and I thought it was a good idea)

and how are you supposed to push the up and trianangle buttons without mashing the down or x buttons?also I could image it being awkward to hit left or circle especially for someone with beg hands

the button and d pads whould have been angled towards the user and not away, (notice how your thumb faces slightly towards the ceiling when you put your hands in a controller holding position)

where is the leverage coming from to hit the shoulder buttons? your thumb? I hope not, that'll kill the use of your thumb when having to press one.

[Arkaign]

Interesting thoughts Tek .. I should hope they have some guys like you giving input on the ergonomics

'SE-R', are you a Nissan fan?

[Xizer]

Yeah, until you want to play a game that requires more than 2 face buttons to play (like ANY sports title). Then it feels like crap.

Good thing sports games suck anyway.

It's gonna be a long wait until the new Zelda comes out, isn't it?

Not really, no, considering I've got hundreds of games to collect for roughly 20 systems.

As far as the GameCube goes, I own about 25 games...

Then of course, there's also these titles I still need:

Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix
Eternal Darkness
Geist
Kirby Air Ride
Lego Star Wars
Luigi's Mansion
Mega Man Anniversary Collection
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Mortal Kombat: Deception
Pikmin
Pikmin 2
Pokémon Colosseum
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within
Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones
Resident Evil 0
Resident Evil
Resident Evil 2
Resident Evil 3
Resident Evil Code: Veronica X
Shadow the Hedgehog
Skies of Arcadia Legends
Sonic Adventure DX
Sonic Adventure 2 Battle
Soul Calibur II
Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy
Star Wars Rogue Leader: Rogue Squadron II
Super Monkey Ball
Super Monkey Ball 2
Viewtiful Joe
Viewtiful Joe 2

(a rough list)

[Sylentwulf]

My biggest concern with the ps3 controller hasn't been mentioned.
Why the hell are they keeping the d-pad in the primary position, and leaving the analog stick down below in the secondary position?

There's just no reason not to have the left analog stick down bottom still.

Also, in that mini-video.... noone noticed that guys thumbs grow about 3 times their size when they're shifted up?

[kevin_psx]

since Sony was sued over the Dual Shock useage with out permission a controller re-design IS in the works. It has to be. No it doesn't. Sony just needs changed the vibrator motor - not the external appearance.



Why the hell are they keeping the d-pad in the primary position, and leaving the analog stick down below in the secondary position?

Symmetrical sticks are better for flying or space sims. Leave the sticks as they are.

[Sylentwulf]

Why the hell are they keeping the d-pad in the primary position, and leaving the analog stick down below in the secondary position?

Symmetrical sticks are better for flying or space sims. Leave the sticks as they are.

And better for me to use the d-pad on my RPG's, but it still makes adventure games more difficult than they should be. Now if they had the analog and d-pad on a rotatable little turny thingy, life would be good :)

[Necromutant]

My biggest concern with the ps3 controller hasn't been mentioned.
Why the hell are they keeping the d-pad in the primary position, and leaving the analog stick down below in the secondary position?

Couldn't agree more on that one... I used to like the Dual Shock alot, but the more I use the Type S the more painful it becomes to go back to using the DS.

[Zing]

I played on an Xbox for a few months before I sold it and bought a PS2. The first thing I missed from the Xbox controller was the analog stick in the primary position. I still find the analog sticks on the Dual Shock to be slightly awkward, mainly because they are so low on the controller. It looks like the PS3 design will help alleviate this and might even be as good as primary analog.

When are we going to see a controller without a directional pad? It is already being relegated to performing "c button" type functions. I think a solid analog stick could easily replace the d-pad, even for fighting games.

[XianXi]

Doesn't look all that horrible to me. Besides, don't knock it till you've tried it! ;)

Very true. When I first saw the PS1 controller I was like "Thats weird looking". I was so used to my SNES pad. But it is now my favorite controller, maybe the new one will be my new fave. Only time will tell.

[Teknik_SE-R]

Interesting thoughts Tek .. I should hope they have some guys like you giving input on the ergonomics

'SE-R', are you a Nissan fan?

I would think they do. most industrial designers have to have at least some ergonomics training in their studies in college. I would imagine moreso than an ME like me

As for the SE-R thing, I own a 98 sentra SE (with a SR20DE)

[CartCollector]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v89/atomicthumbs/ps3clooney.jpg

This is now my avatar.

[Anthony1]

If they still come out with that dumb ass controller, I'm going to be one pissed off individual. I don't see a chance in hell of it happening though. The reaction at e3 will be enormingly negative and Sony will release something much closer to a new and improved 2006 version of the DS

[xmagxus]

Let me preface this by saying I have not read any of this thread at all I merely looked at the picture and am talking about my feelings on the future of this gaming generation.

Well keep in mind every company that has been in the power position usually has the best support in games but is usually not the strongest hardware.

If I recall right the genesis was a bit stronger than the snes but nintendo was still in the power seat and later lost that to sony.

No company stays at the top forever.

If sony is going to lose its slot as number one it will likely happen by the end of the playstation 3's life. Sony still has a tight grip on the market and casual gamer base but with this new controller design (yes i know it couldnt be helped that they had to make the new controller) and the fact that their online support isnt moving towards the xbox live style direction sony could end up losing its edge.

They have their priorities screwed up - I dont know about you guys but while I may play on an HDTV no way in **** am I ever going to be hooking up two high priced TV's side by side on the ps3 just to experience one of their most "elite" features.

No one can say which console will be the best next generation yet, we can speculate PS3 will get the most support cause its likely so, but if sony makes enough big mistakes and has their priorities screwed up, microsoft could bridge the gap between the two consoles a bit (though not totally overtake them this generation)

The whole user interface with the 360 is great, I really cant see ps3 doing a better job.

Even though the ps3 supports 1080p we will see maybe 2-6 games that utilizie it by the time the ps3 dies - much like the xbox 1 has like 6 1080i releases total.

I really think sony is losing sight of whats important in a console for this coming generation.

Dont get me wrong I cannot WAIT to play that system and there will be a ton of amazing games I just have a lot of concerns for the future of the ps3.

As far as I am concerned microsoft has proven itself in regards to the 360 to me - despite whatever the nay sayers might say.

[Teknik_SE-R]

I have to agree with you there, but I'm rooting for the resurrection of the Empire N