Yep, it really does look next to useless. I hope I eat my words, but cannot see it being used for anything other than right side for start and left side for select.
Only decent thing they could do with it is use it to manipulate maps. Even then it is a bit on the small side.
I think developers can do some exciting things. Just like you, I'm not sure whether or not it is going to be used a lot or whether or not it is even useful
but we can see quite a lot of changes if these pictures turn out to be accurate:
- New, moderner design [taste, you like it or you don't]
- Bigger, longer handles too [something a lot of people have been asking for]
- Improved controls: analog sticks improved (more Xbox 360-like, better grip), not visible in picture but there are claims it has better (L2/R2) triggers, more spacing between the famous four PS-buttons (for those with bigger hands)
- Improved d-pad: more Vita-like, which gamers really seem to enoy
These are just some of the improvements I immediately see. It's what people have been asking for: not something entirely new, like that boomerang-controller we saw with PS3, but definitely an improved dualshock 3.
Then there are also some things that catch my eye:
- Headphone jack
This generation, headphones for gamers have become more and more popular. The cheap ones usually have to plugged in somehow and the more expensive ones are usually wireless, but experience more lag. An integrated headphone jack allows you, as a gamer, to connect it with your gaming-headphones without long, sluggish cables.
- Speaker (+ microphone?)
I have doubts if developers are going to use this, but if integrated correctly, it can add to the experience
- Touch
pad
Well, as some here mention, we should wonder whether it is going to be useful. That said, I am really excited Sony is actually trying out improved or new ways of input for gaming. It means Sony is trying out new stuff, looking to improve games. This touchpad might be used by developers a lot - or maybe not. To me it indicates that Sony is at least trying to innovate; trying to improve the
gaming experience.
- Integrated move functionality?
Again, questions here. Is it going to be useful? And do we want to have a glowing controllers in our hands all the time? I don't know, but let's not forget we're talking here about a prototype. Again, we don't know whether or not it is going to be useful, but to me this indicates Sony is trying to improve the gaming experience.
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I see potential for the touchpad. I see potential for the integrated speakers. I see big improvements on the d-pad, sticks and over-all design.
It's a prototype, but Sony is at least busy trying to somehow
improve the
gaming experience. I'm excited, and we'll see what next week's event will bring.
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I didn't realise it was quite as late as 18:00ET. I was thinking it would be more along Apple's schedule so it would be on at around 17/18:00 here in the UK, so I could watch it whilst eating me t...
Anyway, I'll be sat here at 23:00 watching on the iPad via Engadget or Joystiq I assume.
European customers are more loyal to brands. That is why, even though the Xbox 360 launched almost 1.5 year sooner, the PS3 has done better in Europe then the Xbox 360 (with, however, the notable exception of the UK).
Sony needs to get the American market back. Also, let's not forget Sony is a Japanese company. I believe this event is perfectly timed for Sony: a late-afternoon event in the United States (so enough time for the media to talk about it the entire day), while in Japan the event starts at 8 AM - just when a regular day is about to start. Again, enough time for media to talk about it all day.
In Europe, the event will take places at 11 PM UK time or 12 AM Central European Time. It doesn't really matter if European customers are sleeping when they are livestreaming the event, because media outlets will talk about it in the morning and, again, European customers are more loyal so there is no real _need_ for an all-day hype.