The lights are on
In a tweet to a follower, Shuhei Yoshida revealed that the PlayStation 4 controller's light cannot be turned off – even to save battery.
The light sensor is used in conjunction with the PlayStation 4 camera to detect movement. Some developers also plan to use the sensor for game mechanics. For example, Killzone: Shadow Fall will use the sensor to display the player's health.
While initial reactions to this news has been negative, it is worth noting that editor Matt Helgeson had a favorable experience with the new Dual Shock in his hands-on preview.
[Source: Twitter via Gamespot]
Our TakeThe Dual Shock 4 light sensor's "always-on" policy is leaving some gamers wondering what to do in the case of reflective TV screens. After all, a colorful light can show up as a distracting, reflective glare. And how energy efficient can the controller be with a large light endlessly using up power? The real question is, since the PlayStation 4 camera doesn't come standard, what's the point of keeping the light sensor on at all times? Whether or not Sony reconsiders adding an option to turn off the light is a question that will be answered this holiday season.
I feel a Motel6 promotion coming.
THAT'S THE FINAIL STAW I'M CANCELING MY PS4 RESERVE RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!F U SONY!!!!!!lol
What is going on with this upcoming generation?! Do they really think so little of us?
I'm getting both systems and the lack of the eye in every box will cause developers to not fully utilize the new controller not really cool with me but hey. Like don't advertise all these wonderful things your controller can do and then make me have to buy something else in order to make that a reality they should have just included the camera and made the price 459.99.
Lol really? This is an issue? People are gettin' to be a bunch of whining lil' beaches xP
I fail to see how this is any worse than not being able to turn off the Wii remote without opening up the back and actually removing the batteries. In fact, it's still way better since I won't have to constantly be buying batteries.
My response to this headline...so what,I'm still getting one and I'll enjoy every minute it's wasting it's battery power.
I'm seeing a lot of comments worrying about glare from the light on the TV, but honestly if you're getting glare from anything you're using at all while playing games you're probably sat way too close to the TV.
It's a glowing blue strip not the flash from a camera.
Why do Sony and Microsoft keeping doing these face-palm moves.
One piece of electrical tape later and the problem is solved. For the TV screen that is, It would be nice for the thing to have an off switch if the eye is not included however.
This is probably a non-issue. Microsoft has turned the term "always on" into a big brother negative. I'm sure the light turns off when the console is off.
Well since this works with the camera, I guess this peripheral was going to be included with the system at launch, or at least I can assume. I guess when there was backlash over privacy and the camera always on, sounds like someone did some backpedaling. Everyone needs to stock up on batteries, that light is going to drain enough to fill a landfill.
Sony so should have said that during their E3 presser it would have been hilarious! When the time came to level with everyone they should have said "yes the PS4 will have to always be on...the controller light that is."
Pfft.
I would like to add my voice to the many who opine: This is extremely silly and has no reason to be a hardware feature.