Home Gaming Sony reveals the DualShock 4

Sony reveals the DualShock 4

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The biggest problem with the PlayStation 3 is their cheap controller that has always felt like a child’s toy to me, granted that’s just an opinion but it is an opinion shared by many people in the industry. Sony looks to have solved that problem in a big way with the DualShock 4.

The new DualShock 4 is in essence the same as the DualShock 3 with the analogue sticks, d-pad, buttons and basic shape still all the in same configuration and place but there are some major changes.

Sticks and Buttons

First up the analogue sticks are concaved on top to increase grip and control during those all important FIFA or Call of Duty matches.

The triggers and bumpers have been slightly tweaked but still do not appear to be as comfortable as the Xbox versions but we really won’t know about that until we get some hands on time with the new device…

And now onto the brand new additions.

Share Button

The most surprising new addition is a new share button on the actual controller which showcases exactly how important the social aspect of the new PlayStation 4 will be.

Apparently with this button you will be able to upload video’s, screen grabs and other assorted things to Facebook and other social places with the click of a button.

Headset Port

Really they should just say “Thanks to Xbox for showing us this” as it really is quite logical but the new DualShock 4 now has a headset port on the controller so we are no longer limited to Bluetooth headsets. It’s a simple change but one that speaks volumes. With the SIXAXIS Sony tried to change the way gamers play while saving costs at the same time.

This time around they appear to really be listening to the industry and their customers. Yes there are better ways to hook up a headset but really that isn’t any reason not to cater for the simple standard.

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Touchpad

The PS Vita finally has a use, it has given its amazing back touchpad to its big brother and that amazing touchpad has now taken pride of place on the front of the new DualShock 4. How it is going to be utilised is still unknown.

But what is nice is that these additions are part and parcel of the controller and as such can be used or ignored.

DualShock4side

Motion Controller

The PlayStation Move was a complete failure. This is a fact. Technically it was brilliant but the implementation really left a ton to be desired. (Update: the Move will still exist but we are talking about the DS4 here and that is the only one that should exist)

However Sony has been incredibly smart and instead of throwing the baby out with the bathwater they have decided to embed the Move technology into the controller. The first thing I’ve thought off is a true motion controlled karting game where that leaning now really does make a difference.

Sony have also decided to finally dump that ugly PlayStation Eye and once again taken a page out of Microsoft’s book with a new Kinect like device that will track with DualShock 4 in full 3D.

DualShock4back

Speaker

Last and probably least is what appears to be a speaker that has been embedded in the controller, this time a nod to Nintendo who embedded a speaker in their Wii which was a great addition.

Conclusion

All in all it seems like Sony decided to climb off their ivory tower and look at what gamers wanted and what the industry was doing right. In doing so they have possibly made the best controller the industry has ever seen and the only thing I need to know now is that the controller has a bit of weight to it.

So what do you think of the DualShock 4, a great enhancement of the controller or have they lost the plot?

dualshock4sideon PS4EyePS4Eye2 PS4Eye3PS4eyetv PS4eyetvforward

What we don’t know

What we don’t know yet is whether it still works on BlueTooth for its wireless ability (I expect it to), whether it can have its battery replaced (doubt it) and the all important question around cost (I think expensive)

 

Last Updated: February 21, 2013

44 Comments

  1. Admiral Chief Erwin

    February 21, 2013 at 09:04

    The front view kinda looks, off, or something.

    The rest looks spiffy

    Reply

  2. Admiral Chief Erwin

    February 21, 2013 at 09:05

    I’d like to get my hands on it though

    Reply

  3. mornelithe

    February 21, 2013 at 09:10

    No, actually, Playstation Move is still going to be around Gavin. Media Molecule showed some kind of highly advanced artistic/sculpting ‘app’ where you could make clay sculptures with the Move, and create entire areas, and movies. So, while it’ll probably have less application for gaming, it’s clear Move is still going to stick around.

    As far as the controller….fucking badass. I love the front view with the blue light….the thing just looks mean.

    Reply

    • CaptainNemo42

      February 21, 2013 at 09:21

      It looks pretty cool to me too. It looks to be much more rounded and less angular. Also, I think it will have a bit more weight to it.

      I just hope it’s a bit bulkier than the DS3. Not overkill, but a bit more.

      Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      February 21, 2013 at 09:31

      ergh I can dream that the Move is dead can’t I?

      Reply

      • mornelithe

        February 21, 2013 at 09:44

        Hah, sure you can. But, then you’ll be all sad when someone tells you the truth! lol

        Reply

  4. Sir Captain Rincethis

    February 21, 2013 at 09:16

    Okay, now I can see it and it does indeed look rather awesome (still very much like the PS3, but a BETTER PS3). What I want to know, is how the fanboys are going to justify all their hate of the Xbox and its LIVE headset chat and how ‘useless and crap’ it is now that the PS4 has THE SAME THING. Looking forward to this console, very much so.

    Reply

    • mornelithe

      February 21, 2013 at 09:23

      Well, the problem with Live is how closed the chat application is. And quite honestly, I’ll probably feel the same way about the PS4’s voice chat capacity, especially if it’s as restrictive as live. Sony or MS should’ve bought Ventrilo or Teamspeak, or collaborated with them to allow it to run as a 3rd party app. I just expect more from voice chat, myself. And until Sony/MS loosen their sphincters on this one, I’m always going to have problems with it.

      Reply

      • Sir Captain Rincethis

        February 21, 2013 at 09:27

        What do you mean? What didn’t you like about it? I use the live chat feature every time I play and haven’t had any issues with it.

        Reply

        • mornelithe

          February 21, 2013 at 09:30

          I personally prefer having my own server, my own passwords, and giving them out to people I trust and know. There are too many total douche’s who play games these days, and quite honestly, I don’t want to hear any of them, let alone play games with them.

          I have a fairly large circle of PC friends, so it’s just what I’m used to, and what I expect from voice chat. Basically, 100% control, and with consoles, they just haven’t allowed that yet. Until they do, I’m always going to have issues with it.

          Reply

        • mornelithe

          February 21, 2013 at 09:30

          I personally prefer having my own server, my own passwords, and giving them out to people I trust and know. There are too many total douche’s who play games these days, and quite honestly, I don’t want to hear any of them, let alone play games with them.

          I have a fairly large circle of PC friends, so it’s just what I’m used to, and what I expect from voice chat. Basically, 100% control, and with consoles, they just haven’t allowed that yet. Until they do, I’m always going to have issues with it.

          Reply

          • Sir Captain Rincethis

            February 21, 2013 at 09:33

            Oh, I see what you mean. One is able to mute all the players in, say Halo, and then have team speak with only your friends. This not close to what the PC offers? Excuse my ignorance but never played with team speak on PC.

          • mornelithe

            February 21, 2013 at 09:42

            Well, with Teamspeak or Ventrilo, you can make your own chat servers, create different channels depending on what the topic of conversation is likely to be. For example, in WoW, we have the lobby, the raid channels (4 different raid teams in one channel would suck), dungeon channels, officers meeting channel, Do not Disturb (which was added by my request, so that I could talk nerdy warlock theory with the GM), there’s a PvP Channel, an arena channel, we also have a channel for Minecraft (I don’t play it, but it’s vastly easier to just move to another channel with a couple friends to discuss whatever game you’re playing),. You can mute people, absolutely, can also kick them, and ban them.

            You can set up accounts to have different privileges, you can stream music through it, I mean there’s an amazing amount of stuff you can actually do just with Ventrilo. And our Vent server for WoW holds at least 40 (which is why so many channels are necessary, though sometimes we all hang out and chit chat in one room also).

          • Sir Captain Rincethis

            February 21, 2013 at 09:56

            Okay, winner for the shizzle! Fuck MS and SONY chat 🙂

          • mornelithe

            February 21, 2013 at 12:28

            That’s what’s been so frustrating about this console generation for me, it’s not the popularity of them. That part, I love. What I don’t love, what’s been lost in the process…or at least, held back. Voice chat is one of them, and the app is tiny…6 meg installed on my PC, for one of the most robust VoIP apps there are.

            Likewise my angst with shutting down modding for consoles, not allowing different types of interface (mouse/keyboard), removing server tools and map makers, and this stuff was industry standard at one point…you know?

            I understand that Sony and Microsoft wouldn’t just open the floodgates on something like mods without fully investigating the ramifications, or if it can somehow be abused. But Server tools? I mean…why WOULDN’T you want someone to be able to do that? It provides longevity for your IP, and it also denotes the use of multiple consoles for that one purpose. Wouldn’t it make sense to encourage that kind of activity? Sells games, sells hardware….win-win???? Dafuq??

            I really hope they open up to mods this time around, and hopefully server tools.

  5. Skyblue

    February 21, 2013 at 09:30

    And Sony see the light by adopting concave analog sticks and more curve on the L2 and R2 triggers. I had to go buy those as add-ons for my PS3 controllers to make them usable. Testament to how good X360 controllers were designed (except for the crappy D-Pad).

    Does look pretty sweet.

    Reply

    • Sir Captain Rincethis

      February 21, 2013 at 09:33

      Said, like a SIR! *Hands glass of Bells.

      Reply

    • Juan

      February 23, 2013 at 04:23

      Yet still, Sony doesn`t seem to know that the left analog stick should be where the D-pad is (which by the way doesn`t have much use with modern games). Pretty much all modern consoles have the left analog up, and the D-pad down.

      Reply

      • mornelithe

        February 23, 2013 at 04:51

        By which you mean the last 2 Microsoft controllers, right? Because the Wii and Wii-U don’t have that layout, nor does the PS2, PS3, PS4, PSP, or PS Vita. So really, the majority have it differently. Though, to be fair, I only grudgingly play FPS’ on console…IF it’s an exclusive., hopefully the PS4 supports keyboard/mouse across the board.

        And oddly enough, this is a first for me. I’ve never heard anyone complain about the location of the analog sticks. The R2/L2 shoulder buttons, sure. The Concave analog sticks sure. But the location of them? Nah.

        Besides, changing that layout would alter the design of the controller, as well as remove from it’s CLEAR supremacy in the fighting game department. Though, that’s a smaller part of it, the real difference maker is individual directional keys. The all in one d-pad joystick is turrible.

        Reply

        • Juan

          February 23, 2013 at 05:38

          Wii has the analog in the nunchuk. It doesn`t count. Wii U has that layout, check it out. So does the 3DS. Nintendo use this layout since the days of Gamecube, so it´s not only an Xbox thing. The layout maybe a minor detail, but it makes a lot for comfortability. And Sony could do a new design. It won´t hurt them to change a bit…

          Reply

          • mornelithe

            February 23, 2013 at 05:55

            Actually, yeah I was wrong. The Wii U does have that layout (I apparently only looked up the Wii controller), however, you were wrong the Wii does have that layout. The analog nunchuk wasn’t the only interface they released as it wasn’t as versatile as a the picture below. Motion stuff, yes, rudimentary racing games, yes. Everything else, it’s doable, but not as convenient.

            http://www.freewebs.com/djfizzyfizz/wii_controller_screen001.jpg
            (You can’t use the Wii U’s secondary controller as an example, and not include the Wii’s)

            Yeah, it would hurt Sony, because their fans prefer the layout as it stands, with the minor adjustments to the DS4.

            NES, SNES, N64, Sega, Wii, PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4, PSP, PS Vita vs Xbox, Xbox 360, Gamecube. So yes, the majority do it the way Sony does it. And I prefer it that way, so no complaints on this end.

          • Juan

            February 23, 2013 at 06:13

            Ahh, you meant the classic controller on the Wii. Yes, that one has that layout. But mostly because it served for Nes, Snes and Sega games on Virtual Console, which of course used the D- Pad (you can use the analog too, but its a little akward as those consoles did not have it back then). As a result is better to have that layout if you are going to play games from older systems. For new games, I prefer the analog placed up. But, as you say in your last comment, it`s a matter of preferences.

          • mornelithe

            February 23, 2013 at 06:26

            Well, the Wii U’s standard controller doesn’t have this layout either lol. It may come with both (does it?), but the primary controller is the tablet, correct? Would seem like a big waste if it was only meant for occasional use, ya know?

            Absolutely, it’s a matter of preference, and I’m glad Microsoft gives you what you prefer. However, I’m also glad that Sony doesn’t LOL, cause it’d screw things up for me *chuckle*

  6. Brian Van Der Merwe

    February 21, 2013 at 09:30

    I like it

    Reply

  7. Major Commodore 64 Darryn B

    February 21, 2013 at 09:34

    Hell, that is one sexy looking controller, I’ll be honest. Love the blue Cyclops eye in the middle.

    Reply

    • mornelithe

      February 21, 2013 at 09:43

      Eff yeah man!

      Reply

    • e1ace

      February 21, 2013 at 11:56

      And we going to be able to change the colours!

      Reply

  8. umar bastra

    February 21, 2013 at 09:35

    I think the design is a bit off putting. the control itself is really good, I think they on the right path with this control, in terms of it’s functionality. the triggers still look a bit flimsy. thing with triggers, which Xbox nailed, is it needs to be solid,and needs to be a consistent shape. ps3’s triggers had a some what slim body with a thick head (hush now dirty minded people) and it seems the ps4’s control, has a slightly smaller head and more consistent shape, but it still seems a bit loose if that makes sense. the general aesthetics are quite ugly IMO, I can’t say I know what needs to be done to make it look more appealing, it’s only my opinion but, it looks ugly to me. still hype for phantom guardian!

    Reply

  9. Gareth Breydenbach

    February 21, 2013 at 09:50

    Any indication of how long the battery can last on a single sit down?

    Reply

  10. TechniKyle

    February 21, 2013 at 10:00

    They should call the new controller “The Personality,” because it’s only pretty on the inside…

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      February 21, 2013 at 10:13

      lol love it.. .I actually like the new look of the controller but that’s still a classic line

      Reply

      • mornelithe

        February 23, 2013 at 04:44

        Yeah, I like the look of it also Gavin.

        Reply

  11. FoxOneZA

    February 21, 2013 at 10:02

    Oh look it’s the Ouya controller 2.0. Looks to plastic and much of an after thought. I’m glad they inverted the triggers but they look flimsy and flappy. I hope there’s enough tension in the triggers to properly balance the accelerator halfway through a bend.

    Reply

    • Guest

      February 21, 2013 at 11:14

      Lol. How sad is it that you cannot even look forward to a new console. You hate life don’t you? Man, grow up and be happy for a change. Look forward to new things. If you have childhood issues, get help, please!

      Reply

      • FoxOneZA

        February 21, 2013 at 11:18

        How sad is it that this is the only upcoming next-gen console. I hope you’ve learned the meaning of sarcasm as a child. The candy in the front is not always the sweetest neither is the one at the back but there isn’t just one stick of candy to choose from 🙂

        Now you can get back in line for the Blackberry Z10 🙂

        Reply

        • Guest

          February 21, 2013 at 11:39

          Dafuq??? Hahahaaahaha…great retort. Clearly childhood issues. Mommy didn’t love you and daddy loved you a little too much?

          The console is bullshit because SONY! Assballs for life… Great argument. Guess what, I choose CANDY, fuck what kind of candy. I’m just happy that there is more than one kind of candy to choose from.

          Yah for candy!!!

          Reply

          • Sir Captain Rincethis

            February 21, 2013 at 14:19

            Shit bro, chill. Sarcasm may be the lowest form of wit, but it is also the most used.

      • umar bastra

        February 21, 2013 at 11:50

        hmm that’s quite harsh. there is sarcasm in his comment but he makes a valid point about the controller, nothing quite wrong with that, certainly not deserving such a rude reply. Why not keep it civil?

        Reply

        • Guest

          February 21, 2013 at 11:55

          I apologise. Sorry FoxOneZA, my comment was uncalled for.

          Reply

          • FoxOneZA

            February 21, 2013 at 12:15

            No need to apologize dude. We have our right to freedom of speech and yay for candy!

  12. DieJason

    February 21, 2013 at 12:26

    Looks great, but if a “cheap controller that has always felt like a child’s toy” costs R700 – R800 over here, how much will the DS4 cost?

    Reply

    • mornelithe

      February 21, 2013 at 12:29

      Not sure yet, we’ll have to wait for pricing, sadly.

      Reply

  13. Banana Jim

    February 21, 2013 at 12:32

    I have to admit, when the prototype pictures were leaked I thought “meh”, but having seen the “proper” controller last night, it’s certainly one sexy beast. And it looks so damn sturdy.

    Reply

  14. Dualshock3 lover

    March 2, 2013 at 12:48

    Yea cool I can pay 200 dollars for an extra controller now

    Reply

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