Sony’s DualShock controller set to change after 16 years

The old faithful Sony PlayStation DualShock controller, synonymous with PS consoles, could be at the end of its day. What has over the last 16 years become the iconic, almost worldwide, picture and design of a game console controller, could be changed for the upcoming PlayStation 4. Shock and horror. Yes that does sound a little over-the-top-romantic, but this game controller has been the only one of its kind to not change much over the years, being appreciated for its comfortable design and even winning an Emmy award for ‘Peripheral Development and Technological Impact of Videogame Controllers’ in 2007.

The controller has not changed much over the years, with a few minor design changes and the inclusion of pressure sensitive buttons on the PS2 version, with the later PS3 version ditching the
“trip-wire” USB cable for Bluetooth and limited motion control.

With the upcoming PS4, Sony has apparently opted for the Nintendo Wii U route, with a new controller utilizing an LCD touch screen and biometric sensors on the grips, according to a senior games studio source working on an upcoming Sony game.

Biometric tech, in particular, can function as a heart beat monitor, and is something companies such as Valve have been very interested in. As reported by computerandvideogames.com, a second source who works for Sony, said that developers are “trying to emulate the same user interface philosophies as the PS Vita.”

But there is a possibility that the “older” PS3 controller will still be able to interact with the new PS4, much in the same way that the Sony remote control was able to interact in gaming mode with the PS2 and PS3. So maybe it’s not the end yet.

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