The DualShock 4 isn’t looking to flip the controller script and blow its users away with creativity. Yes, the device that will guide PS4 games works and feels better, but Sony knew that it couldn’t change things up too much for its loyal fans. The basic design is similar to past models, but one major difference lies in the included touchpad. Instead of using a big screen to add a new look to the hardware, Sony is incorporating a small, clickable pad that should add plenty of new features to your average game.
However, according to Killzone: Shadow Fall director Steven ter Heide, players shouldn’t expect too much from the functionality in launch titles.
"Initially, I was skeptical about the touchpad,” ter Heide told GamesBeat in a recent interview. “You’d have to lift your thumbs off of the sticks to control it, so what kind of things could you do with it? Would it feel gimmicky? How responsive is it? How accurate is it? Is the area large enough?”
For a core shooter like Shadow Fall, the addition didn’t make too much sense. But down the line, ter Heide sees plenty of potential for the surface.
“I think it’s one of those features that’s very forward-looking,” ter Heide said. “We can come up with things that work right now, but maybe a year down the line, people will come up with more exciting uses and even better functions. They’ll integrate it even better into their games. It doesn’t feel like it’s something gratuitous or that shouldn’t be there.”
The PS4 will launch on Nov. 15.
