Behold The PS4 Controller Prototype

For those who have not seen it already, which has been making the rounds online like something fierce, the above is the supposed prototype of the PlayStation 4 controller.

No word on how Destructoid was able to get ahold the photograph, though according to their sources, it is indeed the real deal. But because it’s a prototype, there stands a good chance that the final thing might look different. Perhaps dramatically so.

Though as is, it definitely conforms to what we have been told to expect. At the very least, it definitely appears to have what looks to be a touchscreen in the middle, which had been rumored.

Are there biometric sensors on the grips? It's impossible to tell, though that certainly looks like a speaker grill in the middle.

As for the design as a whole, word on the street was the Sony was going to retire the Dual Shock design completely. And that’s clearly not the case here. Instead, it’s simply been tinkered around with.

Which, to some is a bit of a relief. The last tine Sony tried doing away with the venerable Dual Shock look and feel was via the horrendous looking boomerang-shaped input that was supposed to ship with the PS3.

It also looked extremely uncomfortable, hence why everyone was elated with Sony changed its mind and stuck with what had worked. But after three systems, perhaps its time for something new, and the PS4 prototype controller at least doesn't look too unmanageable, despite also looking a tad bit chunky.

But it's work in progress after all, and might be slimmed down in time for show time. Which is soon; the PS4 is rumored to be unveiled in New York City next week.