Topic: Sony getting hit Hard lately

[TJ Spyke]

It takes me about 5 seconds to adjust, it's no big deal to me (or my friends that have both).

[ThePerm]

i love the xbox 360 controller so adjusting isn't a big deal.

[Mop it up]

It's funny how people rag on Nintendo for doing something different just for the sake of being different, and that's exactly what Sony did with its controllers and their shapes instead of letters...

[ThePerm]

[Sarail]

They stole that from Nintendo, too! I knew it!

[Chozo Ghost]

Sony should redesign their controller to have a four-leaf clover button, heart button, and a horseshoe button.

But in all seriousness, it would have done wonders if the buttons were actually shaped like the shapes that represent them. For example, the square button should be square, and the triangle should be well, a triangle... why the hell couldn't that have been done? That way you wouldn't have to look, because you could physically feel with your fingers exactly what button you were pressing.

[noname2200]

Sony should redesign their controller to have a four-leaf clover button, heart button, and a horseshoe button.

But in all seriousness, it would have done wonders if the buttons were actually shaped like the shapes that represent them. For example, the square button should be square, and the triangle should be well, a triangle... why the hell couldn't that have been done? That way you wouldn't have to look, because you could physically feel with your fingers exactly what button you were pressing.

For starters, pressing an X-shaped button would be awkward.

[Mop it up]

Then make that one a different shape. Rectangle? Octagon?

[noname2200]

Rectangle would be confused with a square if it's too small, and would be both ugly and more prone to accidental contact if it was made big enough to make a difference.  The octagon would be confused with the circle.  Additionally, I think pressing the triangle would feel awkward and jaggy on the finger, so it's probably not a good shape either.

[Mop it up]

If Sony cared about comfort over appearance, they wouldn't have created a symmetrical controller with a "disconnected" d-pad, and buttons designated by shapes instead of letters.

[noname2200]

If Sony cared about comfort over appearance, they wouldn't have created a symmetrical controller with a "disconnected" d-pad, and buttons designated by shapes instead of letters.

I'm actually pretty convinced that those decisions, along with the grips and extra shoulder buttons, were done primarily to avoid a lawsuit with Nintendo.  "See your honor?  Shapes, not letters!  Not-really-a-D=Pad!  Moar buttons!  Not a patent infringement at all!"

[BlackNMild2k1]

They could just make every button a triangle and point them all in different directions.

< ^ v >

That would be pretty easy to feel around with out having to look down.

[Chozo Ghost]

Sony should redesign their controller to have a four-leaf clover button, heart button, and a horseshoe button.

But in all seriousness, it would have done wonders if the buttons were actually shaped like the shapes that represent them. For example, the square button should be square, and the triangle should be well, a triangle... why the hell couldn't that have been done? That way you wouldn't have to look, because you could physically feel with your fingers exactly what button you were pressing.

For starters, pressing an X-shaped button would be awkward.

Not really. You could feel the x-shape with your finger and not have to look down at it. What would be awkward about it? It would be less awkward than it is now where the buttons have the same shape and size.

ETA: I think I can see what you mean if we were talking about a skinny stick-figure type X button, but it doesn't have to be like that. It could be a thick fat X.

[Chozo Ghost]

If Sony cared about comfort over appearance, they wouldn't have created a symmetrical controller with a "disconnected" d-pad, and buttons designated by shapes instead of letters.

I'm actually pretty convinced that those decisions, along with the grips and extra shoulder buttons, were done primarily to avoid a lawsuit with Nintendo.  "See your honor?  Shapes, not letters!  Not-really-a-D=Pad!  Moar buttons!  Not a patent infringement at all!"

True, but the layout is the same. They basically took an SNES controller and addred grips, disconnected the D-Pad, and named the buttons after Shapes. But if you put those changes aside, its pretty blatantly a rip-off of the SNES controller. Then right after the N64 came out Sony ripped off the Analog stick concept and tacked them on in the most un-ergonomic positions. The Playstation controller hasn't changed at all since then, except for the addition of wireless and SIXAXIS. In every other respect its the same (oh, and the home button too).

[DAaaMan64]

I'm not sure how you can consider the PS3 d-pad worse than the 360.  The 360 is barely usable.

Correct. And I used to think the 360 controller was better then the DS. But after switching between both versions of GTA4 I must say I feel like I am significantly more comfortable with the dual shocks analog sticks than with the 360.

I suggest trying it for yourself and seeing if you agree. However, the shapes are real retarded.

[TJ Spyke]

I don't get the problems with the d-pad. It may not be the best one i've seen, but it is more than good enough.

[DAaaMan64]

I don't get the problems with the d-pad. It may not be the best one i've seen, but it is more than good enough.

The 360 one? Almost think its dependent on the controller. I think maybe there are just faulty ones out there, however, the design isn't as nice as the Nintendo d-pad or the Sony pad.

[Pale]

The 360 d-pad, i believe, is an 8-way d-pad.  8 sounds better than 4, but combine that with how it's designed, and it's next to impossible to reliably press one direction, without accidentally pressing the diagonal near by.

[NWR_insanolord]

The PS3 d-pad is great for navigating the menus, but I wouldn't want to play a game with it. The 360 d-pad is just plain terrible. I've finally gotten used to the positions of the shapes on the PS3, but I still can't stand how it feels in my hands; they really didn't consider ergonomics at all when designing it.

[Guitar Smasher]

In my opinion, the worse aspect of the Dualshock controller is the handles.  They're just incredibly uncomfortable for me.  If we're comparing it to the SNES pad of which it's inspired, it actually provide less grip.  The best analogy I can conceive is it's like hugging an anorexic chick; you just wish she'd put on weight so there'd be something more to hug.

[nickmitch]

The 360 d-pad, i believe, is an 8-way d-pad.  8 sounds better than 4, but combine that with how it's designed, and it's next to impossible to reliably press one direction, without accidentally pressing the diagonal near by.

I've had that problem with the 360 controller. I think it's just the positioning though because I have the same issue with the PS3 controller.

[Peachylala]

I find the DualShock D-Pad great for 2-D games (<3 <3 <3 Braid), AWFUL for fighting games. I can't play Marvel Vs. Capcom with that fricking D-Pad. At all.

[Mop it up]

The 360 d-pad, i believe, is an 8-way d-pad.  8 sounds better than 4, but combine that with how it's designed, and it's next to impossible to reliably press one direction, without accidentally pressing the diagonal near by.

Isn't every D-pad 8-way?

[Chozo Ghost]

I don't get the problems with the d-pad. It may not be the best one i've seen, but it is more than good enough.

My main gripe is that its in the wrong spot. However, the fact its a detached D-pad is also a cause for criticism.

[TJ Spyke]

I was talking about the 360 one, I don't like the PS3 one.