Hi Everyone! It’s a special day at PlayStation, and I hope all of you had a chance to watch the livestream of PlayStation Meeting 2013 in New York, where we just unveiled PlayStation 4. One of the most exciting components of our next-generation platform is DUALSHOCK 4, the new wireless controller that combines with PlayStation 4 to deliver new gameplay experiences that have never been possible before.
I’d like to give you a tour of DUALSHOCK 4 and the features that will provide game developers the freedom to create brand new experiences that previously were limited to their imaginations.
Design
DUALSHOCK 4 adopts the familiar form factor of the DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller with some key enhancements:
- Motion control is enabled by a new highly sensitive six-axis sensor
- Dual analog sticks fine-tuned for better precision plus improved surface materials and shape for more delicate manipulation
- L2/R2 buttons on the top of the controller employ a curved design for easier, smoother interaction
- A new “Options” button combines the functions of the DUALSHOCK 3’s “Select” and “Start” buttons for operating in-game menus
New Ways to Play, Share and Connect
In addition to these features that build on the controls that you already know, DUALSHOCK 4 offers new features that enable new ways to play, a key part of the PS4 experience. One of the biggest innovations we’ve designed centers on the deep social interactions that will surround all games on PS4.
The “Share” button allows you to easily broadcast your gameplay in real-time through streaming sites such as Ustream, where fellow gamers can comment and even join your game in new ways. For example, if you’re stuck in a difficult level, your friends can offer health potions or special weapons that you can use during gameplay. You can also instantly upload images or video to Facebook by pressing the “Share” button. As both a developer and a gamer, I’m personally excited about the opportunity to get help from friends when facing a challenge, and I can’t wait to see what my friends are playing in real time along with videos of their favorite in-game moments.
On the front side of DUALSHOCK 4 is a light bar with LED that illuminate in various colors to match the color of the character in a game as a simple way to identify players. The colors can also provide useful information to players, such as when their character has taken damage during a game. DUALSHOCK 4 was developed alongside a second peripheral, a dual camera which can sense the depth of the environment in front of it and also track the 3D location of the controller via its light bar. The new camera incorporates four microphones capable of accurate sound detection and source origination, and it will support the PlayStation Move motion controller with more precision than ever before.
DUALSHOCK 4 also has a touchpad at the front of the controller as a new input method, offering more ways to interact with games. Additionally there’s a built-in speaker and headset jack to deliver high-fidelity sound effects from the games. A headset will be bundled with PS4, enabling gamers to chat with friends during online gaming and to hear sound effects from the controller.
There’s a lot built into DUALSHOCK 4, and the features were all thoughtfully designed with input from the development community (both our internal studios and third parties) and PlayStation gamers. Our goal was to give game creators an open canvas to express their ideas, and DUALSHOCK 4 combined with DUALSHOCK 4 will help us achieve the future of gaming that we at PlayStation see ahead of us.
What do you think? What’s your favorite new feature for DUALSHOCK 4?
PlayStation Meeting 2013: The Future of Gaming is Here with PlayStation 4
DUALSHOCK 4 Revealed: Pushing the Boundaries of Play
PlayStation 4 Developers: The Shape of Things to Come
Killzone: Shadow Fall Announced for PlayStation 4
inFAMOUS: Second Son Announced for PlayStation 4
Racing evolves on PlayStation 4 with Driveclub
Watch_Dogs Coming to PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4
Destiny Coming to PS3 and PS4, PS-Exclusive Content
The new controller looks great, hope the “headphone jack” is 4-pole and has headset support, wireless headphones are terrible. Very promising if I can plug in my tesla’s for single player, and then swap to my PC360’s for multiplayer without needing a mixamp or some other option.
For the first time in a LONG time I’m excited for a Sony product. The dualshock is the most awkward controller of all time, by far my least favorite, really nice to see a refresh here.
@95, sorry man, but 215k is less than 280k… The 360 has destroyed the entire console market for more than 2 years now.
While I probably wont use the share feature or USTREAM, It’s a welcome addition. I’m sure DICE will come up with another way to spot enemies, so I won’t miss the mostly useless select button AT ALL. Guess they could easily let you choose the button function in the options.
Also, I really hope there is software mixing for the audio channels to mix in chat at specific volume, etc…. if the headphone jack is for voice only I’d consider this a large step backwards from a standard bluetooth comms headset.
— continued below
Last, but not least… MAKE PLAYSTATION PLUS REQUIRED FOR ONLINE GAMING! The “free online play” is a nice feature, but it HAS NOT HELPED YOU GAIN ANY TRACTION AGAINST XBOX LIVE. Charge the money (even if it’s only $20 a year) and use that to improve the service and the software! This will also help “keep out some of the riff raff”.
I’m a 360 guy (though I obviously own a PS3), and I WELCOME COMPETITION. As much as I love gloating over how much better the 360 is (in my opinion), Next generation I’d love to see them on a more playing field… I’ll own both again and I’d love to have 2 amazing consoles this time around.
SONY MAKES A TON OF SUBPAR AUDIO GEAR, TOSS IN A HEADSET FOR EVERYONE, IMPROVE THE ONLINE EXPERIENCE. Microphones on the camera/controller/etc are not the answer.
And before you flame me, I was a Playstation fan long before I was an Xbox fan, and I sure hope I continue to do so.
also, less whining about triggers and fighting games, If you’re playing SF without a stick, you’re doing it wrong.
All we need to know? I don’t see why it would have a touchpad on the front, and I certainly don’t see why you guys would replace start and select with options and share buttons. That’s really lame. I also prefer analog sticks without those inward curve things, hopefully there’ll be revised controllers in the end. Still getting the PS4 on day one, but the controller certainly confuses me. I hope it has a larger battery to make up for the fact that the light on the top’ll undoubtedly drain it a little faster- my Move controller does NOT last very long compared to my DS3.
Still, totally hyped. I only just got my first PS3 a few months ago, got a Vita at launch and I’m totally getting the PS4 on day one. Now I just need to invest in a nice 1080p projector…
halt_hammerzeit, the monthly fee requirement of Xbox Live is the reason I will never own an Xbox. Sure, charge for the cloud gaming features of the PS4 but if they start to charge for online play(essentially punishing players who don’t pay up), I most likely won’t get the PS4. Simple as that. I don’t care that it’ll be the best gaming platform in the world or that I already pay a yearly fee for PS+, I think it’s unacceptable to punish customers for not paying some useless monthly fee and am unwilling to throw my dollar vote at companies that would pull something like this off. Also, Sony does not make subpar audio gear, they’re one of the best audio companies on the market by far. Also-also, fighting sticks suck, even when I was a kid playing in arcades I couldn’t stand them. Directional buttons all the way.
Also, typo in the article: “and DUALSHOCK 4 combined with DUALSHOCK 4”
I really hate the design. Oh please :(
Awesome event and the controller looks sweet.
@supvic and Nineduce12, I’m pretty sure the devs will just making spotting with the touchpad, or map it to another button, and move the other feature to the touch pad (like toggling on and off a flashlight attachment for example).
yeah really excited about ps4 and all but controller looks ugly as hell … and too much stuff added especially adding to facebook is the worst part of it
the controller looks really great.
@1: The camera resolution is 1280 x 800, so it is 800p XD
for those who dont care about social features, just dont use them. I dont have a face book account so it does not matter to me.
The controller looks great. I love the coloured LED, and I’m curious as to what other colours will represent other players.
I can just picture several months from now, late night gaming sessions in the dark, the light of the best next-gen games on my screen, a blue light piercing through from my controller, and the soft glow of the Christmas tree over in the corner. I’m a kid again.
@39 I think your totally true.The controller is to stacked with crap and there is no use to it.I think it would be cool if they made a small screen to display the status of your controller and construct the the triggers like the third party did on the ps3.In my preference, having a controller like the WII with annoying sound from the it and disorienting flashes of light I’m am going to end up with a seizure because of trying to see what the lights do, and of looking at the screen.All controllers should be transparent and i shouldn’t have to wait three years until target has a custom red-holo.I say they should make it completely ergonomic,keep it simple (like previous controllers) and provide a nice grip pattern the control(not with rubber, remember as comfortable as a gun grip).their should be some sort of replaceable batts, so if there life ends we don’t have to buy an extra control, take it apart, and further replace the battery.Also on that note EXTEND battery life!If your going to be running,extra leds,headphones, and screens them you NEED MORE AMPS!Apart from that, I now need to look at the system…
This controller looks amazing and better than I expected! Kudos to Sony for listening to your fans!
Looks good! I like the re-designed L2/R2 buttons. Hopefully, the analog sticks aren’t as floppy as the DS3s..
The real question, though: How well will it hold-up? I don’t want something that needs to be babied.
I’m kinda eh @ the controller but I’ll reserve judgement til I play it
oh, please, PLEASE don’t listen to @101
“MAKE PLAYSTATION PLUS REQUIRED FOR ONLINE GAMING! ”
WTF man?! This would be the stupidest move ever!
Give 50 Dollars to sony and you’ll get a new free game every week for a year.
Give 50 Dollars to microsoft JUST TO GET ONLINE.
Its abusive and you’re basically asking us to use PC as main gaming device.
Please, again sony, you’re on the right track. Ps Plus is awesome (even when I don’t like the free game of the week). Don’t listen to this guy because he clearly don’t know what he is saying
hopefully the analogue sticks are made from better materials cos the amount of controllers i have bought is ridiculous
Must say Duelshock 4 does look nice, hope the LCD or what ever screen it is in the middle is useful on other games, mayve used as a mini map or inventory(good for Resident Evil or games like that). I am quite impressed with the new controller :).
That SHARE button…. a dream come true!
Loving the adjustments, my DS3 feels vintage already :'(
But it looks good, first step away from the original PlayStation DualShock design but its not so far away its unrecognizable. It’s for the best. I thought the select button was useless in most situations, but even if necessary we have a more versatile touchpad now.
Yes Sony, I LOVE IT! My money I don’t have is here waiting for you to take it.
Looks Awesome. Want It ASAP With Infamous:Second Son. Really Looking Forward To What The PS4 Has In Store.
@101+ halt_hammerzeit
You CLEARLY did not read the article.
“A headset will be bundled with PS4, enabling gamers to chat with friends during online gaming and to hear sound effects from the controller.”
And make Plus a requirement? GET OUTTA HERE!!!!!!!
Microsoft is charging you for XBL and I promise you that money is going nowhere but their pockets. You still have ADS on their gold service I hear, advertisements, something I don’t have to encounter on my PS3, so you are paying for NOTHING with XBL gold, just handing them your money blindly.
“Will dualshock 3 work with ps4?”
Does your super nintendo controller work with your N64? Does your PS2 controller work with PS3? Does your Xbox controller work with XB360? I would think that there are too many new features on the system and controller to worry about allowing you to use your old controller…plus then they wouldn’t make as much money…but honestly, I don’t know.
Also, Watch Dogs looks incredible. Is it fall yet?
ima miss the old Star/Select
So this new Controller has a micro fone jack and the PS4 is bundled with a headset out of the box. Please Sony, i hope you know what you are doing in terms of cost?
Starting with all the advances made to this new DUALSHOCK 4 controller and everything else announced last night .. Sony & PS4 will again dominate the gaming world. The PS controller has always fit a real gamers hands perfect! I love the new contour analog sticks, the Vita-style touchpad (I LOVE MY VITA). I’m glad Sony finally found a way to incorporate the PS Move functions.. I was disappointed when they gave the Move a big push then it dropped off.
Nintendo is for kids who have not reached puberty and heXbox is for sheep who do what they are told. We all know Sony & PS systems are superior.. think of how much many Bill Gates dished out after he had his cry-baby fit and had PS exclusive games ported over to his inferior system! ! LoL
Don’t like the share button? Don’t use it.
Just hope Sixaxis/Move has an “Off” option, for everything, for us disabled folk. Don’t make Nintendo’s mistake.
Honestly, i was expexting somenthing better from the outside of the controller, looks the same controller of ps3 to me.
Are DualShock 3 controllers compatible with the PS4? I don’t really want social features, motion controls, or a touch pad. I think those things will get in the way of me playing traditional games. I’d rather just use my DualShock 3 on the PS4.
Also, is that camera mandatory? Does it need to be plugged in and turned on in order to play games (even if they don’t utilize the camera)? I can’t see myself ever using it.
PS4 <3 Awesome
Shall I expect 3D video chatting from the dual cams?
I really like it because it still looks like the Dual Shock pads of old but more futuristic :P + it’ a shame there is no OLED screen on it. But hopefully i can play all PS4 content via PSVita via Remote Play? That would be ACE!!! :P
I honestly dont think the controller needed a change. Why break what isnt broken? The touchpad in the center steals from the ouya i think and some of what they discussed last night seems like they are trying to stamp out the other system before it releases
I agree that having both “Select” and “Start” buttons is useless moving forward, but what if I want to play any of the MGS games on the PS4? Would pressing “Options” give me the option to either go to the start menu or codec/select?
Looks pretty cool, can’t wait to get my hands on one!
I’m impressed…that’s one controller I want to get my hands on now…..
great job!!!
looks comfy, i have no choice but it buy a ps4 this year.
to**
Can somebody tell me where the hell is the start/Select?
I love the design. Nice and sleek without reinventing the dual shock wheel.
AWESOME I CANT WAIT (^____^)
And nater22487,
-Gamecube controllers work on Wii.
-DS1 works on PS2 (some games)
-DS2 works on PS3 (with USB Adapter)
-I’ve used A XBOX1 control on a 360
So, DS3 on PS4, possssible
I love the decision to bundle EVERY PS4 with a headset. It was something I had hoped Sony would do at some point for the PS3.
The DS4 looks awesome – far better than the prototype shown earlier. I can’t wait!
so glad you didn’t include a dinky bright display flashing in my face :)
i hate flashing lights while gaming, it’s rude and inconsiderate.
As i said on jacks post…..not liking the controller…your trying to do to much with it and are warping the reliable controller we’ve come to know and love over 3 generations now…….If it aint broke dont fix it.
Ill give it a chance adapt in time im sure.
What i wanna see from the playstation of the future isnt all this new lights and sounds [although they are a hell of a perk] i wanna see you guys step up beyond microsoft and nintendo and improve QA.
Lately it has been a joke, look at games like Ac3,dc universe online,fall out,skyrim. All have had terrible game breaking bugs at launch and caused a lot of resentment and hate. I know its mostley the developers fault but as the company and power behind the game you should require higher standards.
You guys have gotten to into the “sell it then fix it later with a patch” trend. Sure it works most of the time and you do fix it but the problem is thats gonna bite you in the rear end in a few years when you stop making ps3 games. It will fall behind its big brother like the rest have done but what of the patches and fixes?…i buy a ps3 ten years from now and wanna play some games…im stuck with those broken games with no hope of fixes. your not gonna keep the server up forever are you? my email is same as one listed under my psn just remove the 2. id be very interested to talk to someone about this….sorry for two post but you limit us here.
I’m hoping you can play ps3 games but on the controller is the jack a 3.5 mm jack? Can you use regular ear buds for in game sound/ mic functionality also stick with Bluetooth capability and I like the idea of getting a headset with the ps4 and the touchpad was a awesome addition to the controller but on the share button will it save and send the video and snapshots or send the snapshots at that time and lag out players who still have DSL internet connection,
And the controller joysticks and L2 / R2 renovation was a nice touch of genius.
Woooooow it’s awesome I will buy it !!! It’s better than the Xbox 360 …I like it
Wow wow wow it’s awesome …I like it
that controller looks horrible it looks like the xbox controller.will the dualshock 3 work on ps4 and what is happening with my ps3 digital games will they work on ps4.