Menu Close

PS4 Controllers Evidently Hit Canada Early

Ben-Dutka 10 Comments

Does this mean you'll be seeing the Dual Shock 4 in a store near you well before November 15?

According to a Reddit user (as cited by Polygon ), controllers for the upcoming PlayStation 4 are already hitting game stores in Canada.

The pic you see through the link clearly shows a bunch of Dual Shock 4 controllers in an EB Games outlet. We can't really tell if they're immediately available to purchase (they're not in the US just yet), but you can definitely see that touch pad in the middle. Still not sure about that feature… Anyway, here's hoping there's enough supply to meet demand in November, when the PS4 launches. Most GameStops around me said they were only going to get a small number of Dual Shock 4s on launch day, and couldn't even guarantee my extra pre-ordered one at that time.

Therefore, if those controllers aren't already spoken for in that pic, maybe it means the supply will be okay.

Read more →

GameStop: “We’re Getting Dual Shock 4 Controllers Early”

Ben-Dutka 21 Comments

Yesterday, we heard a story about how a Reddit user spotted the Dual Shock 4 controller in an EB Games in Canada.

To follow up on that, I checked in with several GameStop locations nearby, and I learned that they're expecting their shipments of PS4 controllers early. Three stores confirmed as much although none could give me an exact number.

I also found out that the controllers are not street-dated so if you wanted to pick one up (or nab your pre-order early), you're free to do that. At the store closest to me, where I have an extra Dual Shock 4 pre-ordered, they told me to just keep checking back over the next week or so, and I might be able to snag it soon. Of course, there's not much I can do with the controller without the PS4 but hey, it's nice to know. And it's a good sign in terms of availability, too, don't you think?

Remember, that's the same store that told me when I initially pre-ordered the controller, that I might not get it on launch day. I think they were only getting 12 at the time. Now, though, the situation seems to have changed for the better. Got yours pre-ordered?

Read more →

Sony Considered “Drastically Changing” The Dual Shock 4

Ben-Dutka 17 Comments

The new Dual Shock 4 controller for the PlayStation 4 features several upgrades and changes in basic design.

But actually, it's not as drastically different as Sony had originally planned. For instance, did you know that the prototype controller boasted a touchscreen? Yes, really.

Product planning manager Toshimasa Aoki told GamesBeat they ultimately scrapped the idea because it would distract players from what was happening on the TV screen:

"A touchscreen was another idea that we had. We actually tested it, but [besides cost factors], our game teams felt like having to look down at the controller is not what they want to do. They want to have the consumers concentrated on the big picture that they show [on the TV]."

Aoki also said that at the start of the design process, Sony considered "drastically changing" the standard concept of the Dual Shock controller. This included trying out "new devices" and "changing the form factor" and in the end, Sony actually created over 20 prototypes. Some had no buttons at all, just touch panels, which doesn't sound appealing in the slightest . They even took inspiration from the competition:

"For the analog sticks, we did test having the analog sticks 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."

Sony further tested other analog stick placements, including one that Nintendo ended up using: Putting the analog sticks at the top of the Wii U GamePad or Pro Controller. Said Aoki:

"When Nintendo came out with that, we were like, 'Wow, that's just like our prototype!’ That surprised us."

The team concluded, however, that this wouldn't work because it would have a negative impact on a player's muscle memory, which is probably true. In the end, they delivered what you've seen detailed as the Dual Shock 4. I still say we didn't need the touch pad (just a gimmick) but other than that, it's pretty sweet, right?

Read more →

PS4 Controller Prototype Image Shows Off Headphone Jack

Ben-Dutka 18 Comments

At least this seems more feasible; the one without the analog sticks was just ridiculous.

Digital Foundry has Tweeted a new image of the possible PlayStation 4 controller.

It looks a lot like the standard Dual Shock, only with what seems to be a headphone jack built in and that front touch pad, which may function much like the rear touch-pad on the PlayStation Vita. The images we've been seeing have been dubbed prototypes so the final design might look a little different; hopefully, it looks sleeker and a little less…cheap. Maybe that's a bad word to use when describing the pictures we've seen thus far, but even the believable ones look like a slightly fancier gamepad from the 16-bit days.

It just doesn't scream "next-gen" to me, you know?

Read more →