PS4 to ditch trusty DualShock controller in favour of touchscreens and biometrics?
The PlayStation consoles across the ages have been well served by the trusty DualShock controller, first released back in 1997. But a new report suggests that Sony may be putting the gamepad out to pasture with the release of the PS4.
CVG are claiming that a senior source from a development studio has loosened its lips and revealed that Sony have been working on a number of different controller designs for the next-gen console, and none that resemble the DualShock.
The unnamed source has hinted at the inclusion of both touchscreen and biometic controls, the later of which may monitor a gamer’s physical state, such as heart rate, temperature or perspiration. It’s thought that Sony are trying to bridge the gap between their forthcoming home console and portable PS Vita console with a control system that emulates “the same user interface philosophies as the PS Vita”.
The Vita, which has struggled to gain traction in the gaming market, uses both a front-facing touchscreen and a rear touchpad to control some elements of games, as well as traditional analogue sticks and hardware buttons. It’s thought that by closing the gap between both machines’ control methods, cross-platform play will become more prevalent and improved than what’s currently offered by a paired PS3 and Vita handled.
Excitingly, the source also claimed that the PS4 will be unveiled in a “matter of weeks, not months”.
It seems then that before the Spring is out we may be losing a much-loved controller, but welcoming a next-generation gaming powerhouse too.
Via: CVG
