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IS it just me, or have Sony been to complacent with their controller design?
The controller was meant to promise great things- analogue buttons meant that you could control games in a new way, the analogue stick would continue to allow precision control and the rumble came as standard. The problem is that none of these things have pulled off...
The analogue buttons are, in complete honesty, a disaster. Since the buttons only press in a couple of millimeters, then it's impossible to judge how hard you should be pressing them to get the required result. An example of how analogue buttons should work is the DC's analogue triggers that press in over an inch- allowing you to get the perfect pressure applied.
The analogue stick has remained the secondry control device- being in the middle of the pad just means that it is nowhere near as precise as if it had been placed infront of your thumb. Again, to give an example of a well implimented analogue take a look at the N64- it's placed right where your thumb lands. Don't Sony realise that the D-pad should be nearing obseletism?
Now, the rumble. This is actually an impressive standard feature, and something that other companies would do well to follow.
So, my overall point is: "Why have Sony kept the same controller design". Clearly the needs of gamers are changing, and with the PS2 Sony had a great opportunity to give developers the perfect tool for creating games.
When other manufacturers, like MS, designed their controller, they did hundreds of tests with developers to get it just right. Nintendo has their own in games department to demonstrate their controllers too, so why can't Sony go out and find out what developers want?
Sonic
The controller was meant to promise great things- analogue buttons meant that you could control games in a new way, the analogue stick would continue to allow precision control and the rumble came as standard. The problem is that none of these things have pulled off...
The analogue buttons are, in complete honesty, a disaster. Since the buttons only press in a couple of millimeters, then it's impossible to judge how hard you should be pressing them to get the required result. An example of how analogue buttons should work is the DC's analogue triggers that press in over an inch- allowing you to get the perfect pressure applied.
The analogue stick has remained the secondry control device- being in the middle of the pad just means that it is nowhere near as precise as if it had been placed infront of your thumb. Again, to give an example of a well implimented analogue take a look at the N64- it's placed right where your thumb lands. Don't Sony realise that the D-pad should be nearing obseletism?
Now, the rumble. This is actually an impressive standard feature, and something that other companies would do well to follow.
So, my overall point is: "Why have Sony kept the same controller design". Clearly the needs of gamers are changing, and with the PS2 Sony had a great opportunity to give developers the perfect tool for creating games.
When other manufacturers, like MS, designed their controller, they did hundreds of tests with developers to get it just right. Nintendo has their own in games department to demonstrate their controllers too, so why can't Sony go out and find out what developers want?
Sonic
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banned_Vamp wrote:
> i find the sony and DC controlers ok, the N64 one was cack it was just so big
> and bulky and i think the x-box is the same.
well at least they aren't as
> bad as the sega saturn joypads *shudders* they were cack and what about those PC
> joypads *shudders again*
errrr... you never used the 3D saturn pad did you? Although the normal saturn pad was just like a Mega Drive pad with 6 face buttons, Sega then released a pad with an analogue stick that became the standard. Not only did this occur a year before the N64 was released, but it was the most comfortable pad I have EVER used.
Sonic
> i find the sony and DC controlers ok, the N64 one was cack it was just so big
> and bulky and i think the x-box is the same.
well at least they aren't as
> bad as the sega saturn joypads *shudders* they were cack and what about those PC
> joypads *shudders again*
errrr... you never used the 3D saturn pad did you? Although the normal saturn pad was just like a Mega Drive pad with 6 face buttons, Sega then released a pad with an analogue stick that became the standard. Not only did this occur a year before the N64 was released, but it was the most comfortable pad I have EVER used.
Sonic
i find the sony and DC controlers ok, the N64 one was cack it was just so big and bulky and i think the x-box is the same.
well at least they aren't as bad as the sega saturn joypads *shudders* they were cack and what about those PC joypads *shudders again*
well at least they aren't as bad as the sega saturn joypads *shudders* they were cack and what about those PC joypads *shudders again*
I personally think the N64 anologue stick was attroscius and was hard for small handed people like me to reach it had a injoury from damaging a muscle while playing pilotwings the anologe buttons allow the little edge in gaming IE GT3 I won a race because I hammered my finger so hard down I just nicked it over the finish line and I agree I loved to dreamcast's pad but the triggers broke to easily
You make an interesting point about having 2 analogue sticks misaligned Wookie- I never thought of it like that.
You know, luigi's mansion uses both the GC sticks... and lots of people have said that this feels extrememly awkward at first, but you get used to it. In this respect, the PS2 controller probably is better.
But in most games you won't use both analogue sticks at the same time...
Anyway, it just struck me- the PS2 doesn't have analogue "sticks"... more like analogue "nuggets" in the same way as the DC. Which makes them excellent for racers, but not as great for RPGs...
Ah well, there has to be some compensation.
Sonic
You know, luigi's mansion uses both the GC sticks... and lots of people have said that this feels extrememly awkward at first, but you get used to it. In this respect, the PS2 controller probably is better.
But in most games you won't use both analogue sticks at the same time...
Anyway, it just struck me- the PS2 doesn't have analogue "sticks"... more like analogue "nuggets" in the same way as the DC. Which makes them excellent for racers, but not as great for RPGs...
Ah well, there has to be some compensation.
Sonic
In my opinion, the Sony pad is ideal. No, I haven't held a Gamecube or Xbox controller, but simply from the photos, I don't think I'll find them as comfortable - though the GC controller looks better to me than the Xbox one.
I definitely *don't* like the idea of having the two analogue sticks mis-aligned. While maybe there won't be many games using both at the same time, I imagine it will feel extremely awkward if you do need to use both. My immediate impression is that this makes the pad is 'unbalanced'.
I have used both an N64 and Dreamcast controller, and I found them both uncomfortable in different ways. I have large hands, and find the DualShock design to be by far the most comfortable of all that I've used.
As for the analogue buttons, I like them. I use them for GT3, MotoGP and Dropship, and I get on with all of them just fine. Sure, it takes some getting used to, but so does any new controller. Okay, maybe you can't be 100% accurate, but most games simply don't need you to be, so it's not really an issue in my eyes.
You mention the research that both Microsoft and Nintendo have done for their controllers - and it's no more than Sony did with theirs for the original PSone controllers all those years ago.
Over all, it's not really an issue. There will always be third-party controllers available for all of the machines, so if you don't like a controller, you can always buy another.
I think it speaks volumes for the Sony design that most magazines and other independent sources still agree, that no third-party controller yet created for the PlayStation consoles comes close to the official product, either in terms of build quality, design or comfort.
I definitely *don't* like the idea of having the two analogue sticks mis-aligned. While maybe there won't be many games using both at the same time, I imagine it will feel extremely awkward if you do need to use both. My immediate impression is that this makes the pad is 'unbalanced'.
I have used both an N64 and Dreamcast controller, and I found them both uncomfortable in different ways. I have large hands, and find the DualShock design to be by far the most comfortable of all that I've used.
As for the analogue buttons, I like them. I use them for GT3, MotoGP and Dropship, and I get on with all of them just fine. Sure, it takes some getting used to, but so does any new controller. Okay, maybe you can't be 100% accurate, but most games simply don't need you to be, so it's not really an issue in my eyes.
You mention the research that both Microsoft and Nintendo have done for their controllers - and it's no more than Sony did with theirs for the original PSone controllers all those years ago.
Over all, it's not really an issue. There will always be third-party controllers available for all of the machines, so if you don't like a controller, you can always buy another.
I think it speaks volumes for the Sony design that most magazines and other independent sources still agree, that no third-party controller yet created for the PlayStation consoles comes close to the official product, either in terms of build quality, design or comfort.
Natbuc wrote:
> well actual i think all of nintendos controllers have been chaep and
> plasticy....hard to hold......and when i hold a PS2 controller my thumbs land
> neatly on the anologue sticks......ggo back to your nintie forum and stop taking
> obviouse insults towards PS2.
I used to be able to hold the Nintendo 64 really well but when i try to hold it now the thing is too hard to hold. Sony did not change the way the Controller looked for one simple reason. It is perfect any way they dont need to change the design because it fits my hands perfectly. Im just waiting for the colours like Blue and Yellow to come out. I would love a see through Blue one.
KR
> well actual i think all of nintendos controllers have been chaep and
> plasticy....hard to hold......and when i hold a PS2 controller my thumbs land
> neatly on the anologue sticks......ggo back to your nintie forum and stop taking
> obviouse insults towards PS2.
I used to be able to hold the Nintendo 64 really well but when i try to hold it now the thing is too hard to hold. Sony did not change the way the Controller looked for one simple reason. It is perfect any way they dont need to change the design because it fits my hands perfectly. Im just waiting for the colours like Blue and Yellow to come out. I would love a see through Blue one.
KR
Resevilfan wrote:
The PS2 pad is
> the best around and the only thing I'd like to see on it is force feedback on
> the analog sticks but Other than that it's the best around!!!!!
Now if they get force-feedback on the analogue sticks I'll be very impressed. I just don't think that the size of the controller would allow anything powerful enough to drive it.
Then again, who would have thought that a controller the size of the PS2/One could have a built-in rumble?
The PS2 pad is
> the best around and the only thing I'd like to see on it is force feedback on
> the analog sticks but Other than that it's the best around!!!!!
Now if they get force-feedback on the analogue sticks I'll be very impressed. I just don't think that the size of the controller would allow anything powerful enough to drive it.
Then again, who would have thought that a controller the size of the PS2/One could have a built-in rumble?
===SONICRAV---> wrote:
The analogue buttons are, in
> complete honesty, a disaster. Since the buttons only press in a couple of
> millimeters, then it's impossible to judge how hard you should be pressing them
> to get the required result. An example of how analogue buttons should work is
> the DC's analogue triggers that press in over an inch- allowing you to get the
> perfect pressure applied.
When a pressure bar is on screen telling you how hard your pressing you'll be surprised at how well it works, GT3 for example.
The analogue stick has remained the secondry
> control device- being in the middle of the pad just means that it is nowhere
> near as precise as if it had been placed infront of your thumb. Again, to give
> an example of a well implimented analogue take a look at the N64- it's placed
> right where your thumb lands. Don't Sony realise that the D-pad should be
> nearing obseletism?
The sticks are in perfect position and symetrical too unlike both the GC and Xbox controllers, perfect in my opinion. and the D-pad is ESSENTIAL for perfect prisision is many games!!!!!!!!
so, my
> overall point is: "Why have Sony kept the same controller design".
because they asked people if they wanted it changed and the majority of people said they wanted the same design, "if it aint broke don't fix it"
> Clearly the needs of gamers are changing, and with the PS2 Sony had a great
> opportunity to give developers the perfect tool for creating games.
They have and the Playstation has had 2 analog sticks for a long long time, other formats are just adding them to their systems and using the great system dementrated in red faction, timesplitters etc
When
> other manufacturers, like MS, designed their controller, they did hundreds of
> tests with developers to get it just right. Nintendo has their own in games
> department to demonstrate their controllers too, so why can't Sony go out and
> find out what developers want?
Developers don't use the pad, As I said Sony asked many gamers and came up with the same thing, to build on the old design which they have done!!!
The PS2 pad is the best around and the only thing I'd like to see on it is force feedback on the analog sticks but Other than that it's the best around!!!!!
The analogue buttons are, in
> complete honesty, a disaster. Since the buttons only press in a couple of
> millimeters, then it's impossible to judge how hard you should be pressing them
> to get the required result. An example of how analogue buttons should work is
> the DC's analogue triggers that press in over an inch- allowing you to get the
> perfect pressure applied.
When a pressure bar is on screen telling you how hard your pressing you'll be surprised at how well it works, GT3 for example.
The analogue stick has remained the secondry
> control device- being in the middle of the pad just means that it is nowhere
> near as precise as if it had been placed infront of your thumb. Again, to give
> an example of a well implimented analogue take a look at the N64- it's placed
> right where your thumb lands. Don't Sony realise that the D-pad should be
> nearing obseletism?
The sticks are in perfect position and symetrical too unlike both the GC and Xbox controllers, perfect in my opinion. and the D-pad is ESSENTIAL for perfect prisision is many games!!!!!!!!
so, my
> overall point is: "Why have Sony kept the same controller design".
because they asked people if they wanted it changed and the majority of people said they wanted the same design, "if it aint broke don't fix it"
> Clearly the needs of gamers are changing, and with the PS2 Sony had a great
> opportunity to give developers the perfect tool for creating games.
They have and the Playstation has had 2 analog sticks for a long long time, other formats are just adding them to their systems and using the great system dementrated in red faction, timesplitters etc
When
> other manufacturers, like MS, designed their controller, they did hundreds of
> tests with developers to get it just right. Nintendo has their own in games
> department to demonstrate their controllers too, so why can't Sony go out and
> find out what developers want?
Developers don't use the pad, As I said Sony asked many gamers and came up with the same thing, to build on the old design which they have done!!!
The PS2 pad is the best around and the only thing I'd like to see on it is force feedback on the analog sticks but Other than that it's the best around!!!!!
MR.COATES wrote:
> PS2 controller is not perfect. Not by a fair margin but part of keeping the
> design the same was due to the backwards compatibility issue. Which of course is
> understandable.
I loved the DC controller for driving games. F355 and MSR
> were a joy to play like that.
I miss my DC.
Sniff.
me too:( I had to sell mine to afford a PS2! Now all I have left is a Scart cable sitting on my desk:(
Sonic
> PS2 controller is not perfect. Not by a fair margin but part of keeping the
> design the same was due to the backwards compatibility issue. Which of course is
> understandable.
I loved the DC controller for driving games. F355 and MSR
> were a joy to play like that.
I miss my DC.
Sniff.
me too:( I had to sell mine to afford a PS2! Now all I have left is a Scart cable sitting on my desk:(
Sonic
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