Sony is going places with its brand new DualShock 4 controller for the upcoming next generation PlayStation 4. A number of changes and new alterations have been made to the revamped controller. Additionally, Sony has revealed that it is currently replacing the pressure-sensitive buttons of the controller with digital buttons for the DualShock 4.
In a recent interview with VentureBeat, Sony’s Manager of Product Planning, Toshimasa Aoki, revealed that the new changes to the buttons will be the first time the company has moved away from the native DualShock buttons and introduced something new.
“With the DualShock 3, we were able to get analog data, which games didn’t really use,” Aoki stated. “For DualShock 4, we deleted that, and now it’s all digital. The mechanism inside is a little different, and the data that games get is different.”
The new button introduction to the DualShock 4 came up after it was stated that although the buttons on the new controller feel the same, they don’t behave similar to its predecessors.
“Older controllers can sense how hard or soft you’re pressing the front four buttons to provide a limited range of input, not just ‘on’ or ‘off.’ For example, maybe a firm, forceful push of the X would cause you to accelerate faster in a racing game than if you just lightly tapped it,” the report added.
Additionally, as far as the controller’s shape is concerned, it was revealed that that formerly bulging shoulder buttons in the back row, L2 and R2, have now been curved inward, and this makes them trigger-shaped similar to the buttons on the Xbox 360 controller. And this, of course, is in tune with Aoki’s previous revelation where he confirmed that the new controller almost ended up looking like the Xbox 360 controller.
“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,” he stated at that time.
“Two sticks on the bottom, like current PlayStation controllers. Two sticks offset, like with the Xbox 360. Even two sticks on top, mirroring what Nintendo’s doing now with the Wii U GamePad and Pro Controller.”
Sony’s PlayStation 4 is currently scheduled to release on Nov. 15 in North America and Nov. 29, 2013 in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.