The lights are on
Would you entertain the idea of ditching your ever-growing pile of gamepads in favor of one universal controller that works with all your consoles? If Sony moves forward on a patent the company recently filed, you may soon have the option.
Like the Logitech Harmony 1100 universal remote, Sony's proposed controller would replace the traditional gamepad layout in favor of a touch-sensitive LCD screen. Using touchscreen technology as the primary input method enables the controller to display a different key layout for different consoles. According to the document filed at the Patent & Trademark Office, the controller would "emulate the controllers of popular game consoles, such as…the PlayStation, a controller made by Nintendo, Xbox game controllers made by Microsoft, Amiga CD-32 controllers, Atari Jaguar controllers, Gravis Gamepad controllers, Sega controllers, and Turbographics [sic] controllers." The filing also claims the controller can store up to three control configurations at a time. The LCD could also display a keyboard for alpha-numeric data entry.
As this diagram shows, the LCD touchscreen runs across the center of the controller, with shoulder buttons housed along the top of the unit. No mention is made of analog sticks in the document, which is a strange exclusion considering it's the primary input method for most contemporary games on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. This could indicate that the universal controller is being created as an all-in-one solution for legacy systems as opposed to a replacement option for current generation consoles. The controller connects to the consoles via a receiver, which could mean it will use a wireless signal.
I love the idea of a universal game controller, but as an owner of a Logitech Harmony remote with an LCD touchscreen I know the shortcomings of removing tactile buttons. It already feels awkward hovering my finger over the flush play button while fast-forwarding using the remote, but now they expect me to effectively press flush buttons in frantic gaming situations where precision is paramount? I'm not sure it will work. What do you think?
[via GameSpot]
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i like the idea of a universal controller as long as it doesn't suck.
I don't think it'll ever be developed. And if it did it would be cool having a touch screen controller but anyone who has played a FPS on the iPod or iPhone know the importance of having real buttons and analog sticks
Touchscreen controller in it's self sounds cool. But there are ideas out there for everything.
I personally prefer actual buttons and analog sticks over the touch-screen controls. It feels more better when playing games.
First of all, if we are going to have one controller for all consoles, I sure don't want it to be a Sony controller. There's a reason Microsoft makes the bold claim of having the best game pad ever made. It is easily the most comfortable and well laid out(aside from the d-pad of course, but how often do you use that?). Secondly, there's no way a touch screen is going to give as good of control as a "real" controller. It'd be even worse than motion control for precise inputs... or at least equally bad.
a universal controler sounds cool but if its small like the psp it will make my hands cramp up.
nope. i need to feel the button yo find it.
I like the concept but i doubt it will be affective.
Epic Fail
This will not work out unfortunately. Its the same problem I have with most the games on my iPod Touch. Using a joystick on a touch screen is no where near as accurate as a tactile joystick. Your thumb runs off the joystick without you knowing or you reach to use another "button" and your thumb never really gets bak to the center of the joystick.
Not to mention that I already do not like how a PS3 controller fits in my hands so I don't think I would want a universal controller from Sony when I don't like the ones they already have.
I'd be afraid of button mashing my screen till it broke, repeatably.
It's a good concept, but they need to include traditional analogs.
Ok, the idea of the universal controller is good. But, touch screen...u have no feel for the buttons. I dont like it at all. I'll mess up sometimes pressing the wrong button in a game, but i can feel around to the right button. You cant do that with touch screen.
Universal Remote= Great Idea
Touchscreen= Not so much...horrible idea
????
I know I sent a tip in on this a few days, but it was a different source article I linked.
W/e
Anyway, I like the idea of a universal controller. However, I'm not a fan of the idea of a touch screen for gaming. It works to some extent on the iPhone/iPod touch, but you're staring at the screen when playing the game. I can imagine the mess it would trying to play a fast paced FPS without looking at it.
I love the idea but no analog stick and a touchscreen hmm. I will have to wait and see ho it works in game play.
No thanks Sony. As long as new consoles continue to ship with the controller the manufacturer intended us to use, this just isn't necessary. Also, touchscreen = fail.
This would be AWESOME!
If they seriously make this, I'll laugh. It'll probably fail like the PS3 when it first released.
I love my controller; I'll probably stick with it
I am not too sure about this concept, though I would be interested in a way to use my 360 controller with my PS3.
sounds iffy