Playstation 4 DualShock 4 Controller - Specs & Design

PS4 Controller - DualShock 4

Introducing the DualShock 4
Along with the PlayStation 4, Sony introduced the fourth iteration of the DualShock at its February 20th unveiling of the console: the DualShock 4. While controllers over the life of the PlayStation brand have generally been the same on the outside, Sony has made some major changes to this iteration of the DualShock both inside and out.



The Hardware
The DualShock 4 displays the same general layout and buttons as past DualShock controllers, but now the controller offers additional features along with new buttons. The most obvious change is the inclusion of a wide touchpad where the Select and Start button were; those buttons are now replaced with an Options button instead. Sony has mentioned that the touchpad can respond to up to two fingers at a time, which expands the number of possibilities for input to those like you would see on a smartphone. In addition, the DualShock 4 sports a 3.5-mm headphone jack that supports surround sound along with both an accelerometer and a gyroscope, both reported to be better than what is currently included in the DualShock 3 and Vita. The two rumble motors can now have varying strength, a change from the DualShock 3 where rumble was either active or not. This will create a heightened sense of realism in all PlayStation 4 games. The DualShock 4 also includes a built-in speaker, meaning that sounds from the game can play through the controller instead of your normal speakers.

Atop the device is a light bar that can pick up and detect movement, making the controller something like a mixture between a DualShock and a PlayStation Move. According to Sony, the light bar can display one of three different LED colors to relay information; for example, if a player is low on health and may die in the game, the light bar may relay this information with the appropriate color. This could be a nice replacement to the current method most games use, such as tinting the screen red as the player loses health. The light bar will also light up corresponding to the player's controller: blue, red, pink and green corresponding to player one through four, respectively. Additional features the light bar offers include the ability to track players, even going so far as to reorganize the split screens in a multiplayer game when the physical order of the players has changed.

PS4 ControllerOne minor but welcome addition is the new analog sticks that sport ridges to keep your thumbs in place, a change from the DualShock 3's rounded off sticks. Sony has also improved the L2 and R2 buttons, making the buttons more comfortable and reducing "accidental button presses," as Sony claims. The DualShock 4 has also replaced the DualShock 3's analog buttons with digital buttons, claiming that "developers were ignoring" the feature. The trade-off is that the DualShock 4 has decreased latency over the DualShock 3.

In addition to replacing the analog buttons, Sony has also given the directional pad a small makeover: the pad is larger with more angular buttons, providing a better grip over the DualShock 3's directional pad and increased accuracy in games.

Sharing is Caring
The biggest change to the DualShock 4 is quite likely the biggest change to the PlayStation itself: the sharing feature. Much has been said about the sharing feature of the PlayStation 4 and the DualShock 4 is where the magic happens. By pressing the share button on the DualShock 4, you'll come face-to-face with a variety of options enabling you to connect with the PlayStation 4 community at large.

At its most basic, the Share button enables you to upload both images and video not only to your PlayStation 4 profile but also to a social networking service, such as Facebook. To take a screenshot using the Share button, simply hold the Share button down for a few seconds and you'll take a picture of whatever is happening on screen.

The Share button doesn't just stop with pictures and videos – it will enable you to watch a friend play a game on his own PlayStation 4 and even take control of the game for him, using your DualShock 4 to conquer a particularly tough part for him.

Leading the Revolution
With this design, the DualShock 4 provides familiarity for veteran PlayStation gamers but enough new features that show Sony's dedication to innovation. Sony has taken the criticisms about the DualShock 3 and not only improved it but added features that most gamers didn't even think they needed, like a new directional pad or improved motors. All of the PlayStation 4's new features seemingly begin with the DualShock 4, the natural evolution to a tried and true design.

For up-to-the minute DualShock 4 news, check this page often! The staff at PS4 Experts will ensure that you'll be the first to know about any breaking news.


Playstation 4 Concept Controller

Concept PS4 Controller by Darpan


April 30th, 2013 Update: Sony Looked To Developers For DualShock 4 Input

In a new video, Sony has spoken in greater detail about some of the improvements of the DualShock 4. Of special interest was that developers had input in what they wanted to see in the controller; Sony asked Naughty Dog, Sucker Punch Studios, Media Molecure, Sony Santa Monica and others about what they felt would work best in the DualShock 4, with the result being the controller described on this page.

The DualShock 4 is described as an evolution of all PlayStation controllers before it, keeping the same basic style players are used to while adding new features without compromising the aesthetics.

We can't wait to get our hands on the controller when the PlayStation 4 launches!

Update by - Joshua Phillips
Insert Date: 4/30/2013

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Comments

PS4

Awesome :D

Dualshock 4

As original p.s. fan i got an xbox cuz a buddy of mine was a hardcore xbox fan. but im thinking about getting a ps4 after doing some research i love the xbox controllers is the dualshock4 larger than dualshock3

Xbox Controllers vs the PS Controllerss

It all depends how well your hands has been adjusted for one thing for a long
time

Like i have been a Playstation owner and my hands were used to a PS Controller
same thing for a Xbox owner

But if i Playstation Controller move to a Xbox one it will take some time for it to get adjusted and then after sometime I would be able to decide which one is better PS controller or Xbox one

amazing

i think that every thing is amazing and i cant wait until it comes out i love it ecspecialy the controuller but i hope they show us the consul soon

PSN: IXI-SLAYTON-IXI

I have been playing Playstation for a few generations now, and every generation seems to have gotten better.

PS3 is an excellent system for sure - rumble, wireless, sixaxis, rechargeable, pressure sensitive buttons (especially love the L2 R2 triggers), L3 R3... just lots of good leaps in gaming.

Few simple things needed to sell me on the next one - simple but serious things...

Seriously, you need to look at making the controller more comfortable - and I'm talking the standard controller not some second rate knock off. I'm tired of gripping this tiny piece of hard plastic. C'mon already - make room for all my fingers. Make it just a bit bigger - you do know adults are mostly playing this right? After all - the most popular games are mature rating - you know this. Also, put some comfortable grip on the thing - matter of fact, turn the whole controller into a had grip. Who do you think is playing this? Robots? Maybe that's the idea huh?

Move the L2 R2, or the L1 R1 apart more - that way we can have fingers on both triggers. I'm not saying make an Xbox controller - i'm saying, take a page from there book and make something more comfortable.

A touch pad, a light, a "share" button (whatever that means) headphone jack. Fine, whatever. sounds neat.

A few new buttons is a definite must - but they could just be plane old buttons, or switches on the back like you did for the sensitivity switch COD controller.

Every1 is soooo obsessed with "touch pad" this or "touch screen that" blaaa.

The dual shock 3 is an absolute triumph as far as a leap from dual shock 2 - just make it more comfortable and you got a win.

Ignore the comfort factor, and pursue some lame touch pad that I will barely use - and I'm jumping ship from playstation. Just saying...

1 more thing, make it easier to message people while gaming otherwise you're wasting my time.

Just yesterday my PS3 got the "YLOD" - not even kidding. I'm seriously up in the air about what my next console will be.

SIDE NOTE
PS to activision (if you care): COD black ops 2 SUUUUUCKS! SERIOUSLY! WHY IS THERE CHEATING? THIS SHOULD BE YOUR TOP CONCERN OTHERWISE COMPETING IS POINTLESS!!! WHY IS THERE SO MUCH LAGGING? WHY IS THERE SO MANY GLITCHES? IF IT'S TREYARCHS FAULT... SCREW THEM TOO - IM DONE BUYING YOUR HALF COMPLETED, DLC DEPENDENT GARBAGE.

I miss the old days of N64, when you knew what you were getting. Hey, I still got mine - AND IT STILL WORKS LIKE A CHARM LOLOLOLOLOLOL

Better bring it, Sony! Better bring it.

Here is a bit of marketing advice - on the house from yours truly...
Allow PS3 gamers the ability to "trade up" there system to PS4 - this will ensure your customer base stays with you, hence more PS4 sales, and a quicker return on investment.
As you can already tell from just this thread, many new PS3 owners out there - that's not to mention (I am though) me, and pretty much every one of my PS friends who are refusing to purchase the new system.

Don't bull s*** a bull s***er, the economy is going DOOOOWWWWWN, and there isn't some miracle that will convince me PS4 is the answer.

Cry about it.

Cry about it.

Ok, so I've taken a harder

Ok, so I've taken a harder look at the specs and a few other videos about the controller - this guy doesn't do the controller justice in this short clip.

It DOES look more comfortable (bigger), it DOES appear to have a more comfortable surface on the back side. These were my main concerns.

I'm hesitant to judge the touch pad - we'll see about it's functionality.

There are several things I do like about it, the concave thumb sticks, the D-Pad, the R2 L2 DO seem to be farther apart, and I like the overall look of the thing.

Also, I like the standby mode idea.

I don't take back anything I said before, but after some thought - I give the controller a pass - Sony, you may proceed.

IXI-SLAYTON-IXI

Sweet ideas

I do like the ideas and im waiting for it to cheaping down but i really think the controller in the vid would be the one for me as its got a motion sensor and thats the lightbar i think but it works out and i hope they move to a like kinect controller just like xbox kinect since it would turn out to be liked by PS4 fans since they wont need to by xbox kinect they should think of this

combined virtual games

i think that it would be cool if the playstation company and the Xbox company combined and they were able to create a whole different kind of video game world, for instence what if they could make a virtual reality video game where you are the controller instead of just staring at a screen for hours. ex(Black ops)if they could make black ops a virtual reality game then there3 franchises would go of the hook and earn a whole new reputation

Looks nice :D

Like it. Like it alot :D

The controller

The controller seems like a good idea but I feel Sony is kind of missing the point on it. If the system is going to come with a bluetooth headset why put a headphone jack on the controller, and the touch pad is in a horrible place. Above the joy sticks is a no go, below them is the best placement so you wont interfere with the joysticks. But what Sony should do is have a little touch screen instead. Think about it you can display more important information either about the game your playing or system info like DL/UL or looking for music to play while you game. The speaker on it seems ok I can honestly see that doing some good. The L1,L2,R1,R2 dont need to change they are just fine the way they are now. As for the camera tracking system, which will be included as well, im in the middle I dont have a move system for my PS3 nor do I feel like its something I need so I cant give too much of an opinion on it.

in my opinion

if you are a hard core gamer if you are willing to pay $1000 or more get a dell gaming desktop

dualshock 4

Is it just me, or are the start and select buttons missing?

THE BUTTONS

Oh the start and select button is there don't worry that's what option and and shear button is for. It's the new start and select button Don't get confuse now.

PS4 release date and prices

Hey guys,I was on the ps4 offical website and the lowest price ps4 is $500 the next lowest price is $600 and the highest is $700 and the ps4's will be coming out in December,2013.

?

why is everyone complaining ??? you couldnt do any better so shut your mouth and enjoy or just shut up everyone of you guys or girls do not know what you are talking about

I think I could do better

I think I could do better

not cool dualshock

this controller is a step up and down at the same time. first the headphone jack is a pointless piece of nonsense, headphones that do not use a mic have a wire that would either be limited by its length or too long and result in getting in the way of the player- while gaming headsets plug directly into the system and tv which works quite well. the L and r2 buttons are now pointed, why may i ask would you make that button smaller but longer?? horrendous design there. the touch pad is simply taking up too much space for no useful reason. the L and r1 buttons are now practically semicircles, those buttons needed just a slight growth in size and the same shape would have been great. the light bar is going to be very inaccurate and in turn cause loads of annoyance so there was really no use for it to be there making the controller larger. the ps button is in a weird spot i should have been left alone as well. finally i'll get to what i like, the share and options buttons- long have i waited to record and share my matches on battlefield without buying an expensive piece of equipment, and the options button finally gets rid of the pointless select button to make room for the share button. the joysticks.. im in the middle on them. so to conclude, get the heck back to the drawing board because this is garbage.

Stupid

How is the headphone jack pointless? the ps4 is supposedly coming with a headset so I don't think Sonys gonna package one that will get in the way and developers said they like it and that it's very useful. Next why does it matter that the R2 and L2 are pointed? Everyone who's used the controller said all the R1, R2, L1, L2 buttons and the whole controller in general feel very comfortable and good for shooters. And why in the world wouldn't the light bar on it be accurate looking at the specs for the camera and controller I'd say it should be very accurate and useful. I also really like the share button and am happy the options button is there and the joysticks are concave and further apart. The fact that the controllers bigger should make it more comfortable to hold as well and I don't really care for the touch pad either but it seems like they'll make it useful, I don't really see it as a downside for the controller. Overall I think it's much better than the ps3 or Xbox controller and am very happy with it!

legit

the picture on the top right with the picture of the two controllers is the legit controller and behind the top controller in that pic. is a dev. copy of the playstation 4

keep original controller

i really think that keeping the original controller is the bes way to go other than that i think it just needs light up buttons for nightime gamplay.

O.K.

O.K.? SURE, what ever you say.

That would actually be really nice.

Yeah; people memorize where the buttons are, but it would be a nice looking accent.
It would also help whoever isn't use to the PS system controllers to know where the buttons are without bothering other people, constantly.
"Why would they be playing at night? That's just stupid."
I seem to have extremely stupid luck.
"Why would you let them play?"
I'm too nice for my own good.

They need to light up the buttons? NO!

Everyone who plays Playstation automatically memorizes where the buttons are so why light them up?

What are you talking about i

What are you talking about i hold my controller underneath the blankets i have a light up one also and it does no difference if your looking at the controller while your playing the game something is wrong lol

Ps4

i bet ps4 controller is going to be same as ps3 controller but improved

Controllers

i like the idea for new controllers for ps4 becuase you know how new it is for the world but what is the point if you have to reach across your controller with your fingers just to press somthing i mean take the wii u controller for example that thing is huge and you cant even reach over to the touch screen without letting go of your controller and i mean imagine playing a game like black ops 2 or mw3 or black ops 3 or 4 somthing like that and how are you supposed to do anything quick enought if you reaching across your controller to press somthing you get killed i think that they should stick with old ps3 controller theres nothing wrong with it and its been pratically the same thing for ps1 and 2 i mean theres nothing wrong with it theres 12 buttons to anolog sticks that have r3 and l3 i mean theres allready enought buttons as is we dont even use all of them most of the time and all its gonna do is make the controllers more expinsive i mean there allready around 50-60 dollars in some areas i mean think if you add a touch pad to it or more buttons thats gonna just boost the cost higher and the ps4 is probably allready gonna be around 500 to 600 dollars for a small amount of giga bites i mean just keep the old controllers theres nothing wrong with them they have stayed for a while no one has had problems with them i mean they have added motion to the controllers so you can use them without buttons at times but really like the old saying says dont fix somthing that doesnt need to be fix your just gonna end up breaking it when it was perfect as is what i think sony should do is just you know add like a new fucntion or somthing but nothing to big like make it have more vibrations or have like a heart beat detector put in it so you can play games with your own heart beat stuff like that just dont change the controller its good how it is and always will be

Should have a micro-sd port

Should have a micro-sd port on controller for expansion. You wouldnt even notice it under a rubber protector.

XBOX+PS3=...

it would be pretty cool if xbox and playstation started working together and made a consolle called x station or something then u could play with aaallll your buddys and plus people wouldnt be argueing over which is better playstation or xbox
but for the record ps3 is much better played em both i thought ps3 was better so i got 1!! :)

True

if ps3 and xbox worked toghther wow just like halo would get sold like crazy god of war all the games that are just for the one consle will go off the market like crazy

That "button overload" design is a lie

the button overload is such a lie some stupid person just took a picture of the ps3 controller and copied the picture of the buttons and put them all over the place and even if they were going to do that it would be impossible to play with without pressing a button and you would have to be pretty smart to remember what button does what and there is not even enough actions in a videogame to be able to use them plus i would not even buy the ps4 because of that controller if that was the only type of controller.

You know the controller was

You know the controller was legit right? Just saw it 2 days ago at the playstation meeting.

???

Nothing wrong with ps3 style controllers. It's already the perfect design. Maybe add 1 button in the middle back like the N-64 had, but other than that it's already fine.

N-64

I love the N-64 controller!

look at the top pic

how would that work like if im playing a first person game how would u move

psp controller

they should have a close looking psp as the ps4 controller

PS3

keep the PS3 for at least one more year b4 ps4 because ps3 hasn't evolved fully and it is very popular

Keep PS3 Controller

I really liked the PS1,PS2, and PS3 controllers I think Sony should keep the same controller as is. I have heard rumours of these glass controllers and I can only think this is stupid. I get pissed at my games a lot and end up rage quiting and wiping the controller across the room and with a glass piece of s***. I wouldn't even lightly hit the thing without it braking into a million pieces so Sony keep the same damned controller and just change the system I won't be throwing that....

Hell yes

Keep them the same

The same with a few additions.

The controller should keep the same layout, with the addition of a touch screen in the center of the controller, and two extra buttons like the black and white buttons on the Xbox controller.

Keep em they worked for ps1,ps2,ps3, and soon ps4

I love the ps3 controller and i want the same shape but this idea seems nice

I believe Sony should keep the same idea for the controller sense the PS. BUT they could add what people have said. a portable controller (to sign in and view trophies ect. ect.) and they could add a flip out screen from the back. For example: your playing the new Mw4 or Bf4 and you want to go get a drink, but you don't want to loose your kill streak, so you slide a switch (like the flip cameras) and a tiny mobile screen comes from the back of the controller! So you keep your kill steak without risking the better chance to die, and you don't have to wait till the end of the round or die to get a drink/food. I personally think this wold be great, and you could go to your friends house without needing your Ps4 (unless you want a different game XD) and you can get your trophies and stay signed in and play. And you should be able to move your buttons around for comfort: how its the D-pad left, first analog, then second analog; it would be great because if you had a friend over that plays Xbox and you got a Ps4 he could pull out the D-pad and the first analog and switch, and there is a Ps4 Xbox styled controller for Xbox players. And they need to add cross game chats like Xbox and playable music on games like Xbox because it will help the player from having to switch songs on their Ipod to suit the game, so they could hit a button on the controller to easily switch songs.

I hope Sony reads this and they pick up on this idea

No because.....

Then the controller will cost more than the console

1Grand!!!

WTF. Do you not know where money is heading? The dollar is becoming more and more worthless all the time. if anything 500 is OK.

how much?

Wuuuuuu PS4!!!!!!! I bought my ps3 one month ago and now the ps4? Ima save my money but whats rhe cost?

About 700

About 700

Nope

Its gonna be around 400-500 dollars for the cheapest one.

Keep them the same

keep the controllers the same they are perfect battery life i can play for 3 days and not have to charge it (i forget to turn off controller a lot

What

people the point of a new console is for it to be better than the one before so why do you care about ps3

What they should do.....

I believe Sony should keep the same idea for the controller sense the PS. BUT they could add what people have said. a portable controller (to sign in and view trophies ect. ect.) and they could add a flip out screen from the back. For example: your playing the new Mw4 or Bf4 and you want to go get a drink, but you don't want to loose your kill streak, so you slide a switch (like the flip cameras) and a tiny mobile screen comes from the back of the controller! So you keep your kill steak without risking the better chance to die, and you don't have to wait till the end of the round or die to get a drink/food. I personally think this wold be great, and you could go to your friends house without needing your Ps4 (unless you want a different game XD) and you can get your trophies and stay signed in and play. And you should be able to move your buttons around for comfort: how its the D-pad left, first analog, then second analog; it would be great because if you had a friend over that plays Xbox and you got a Ps4 he could pull out the D-pad and the first analog and switch, and there is a Ps4 Xbox styled controller for Xbox players. And they need to add cross game chats like Xbox and playable music on games like Xbox because it will help the player from having to switch songs on their Ipod to suit the game, so they could hit a button on the controller to easily switch songs.

I hope Sony reads this and they pick up on this idea

What they should do.....

I believe Sony should keep the same idea for the controller sense the PS. BUT they could add what people have said. a portable controller (to sign in and view trophies ect. ect.) and they could add a flip out screen from the back. For example: your playing the new Mw4 or Bf4 and you want to go get a drink, but you don't want to loose your kill streak, so you slide a switch (like the flip cameras) and a tiny mobile scree comes from the back of the controller! So you keep your kill steak without risking the better chance to die, and you don't have to wait till the end of the round or die to get a drink/food. I personally think this wold be great, and you could go to your friends house without needing your Ps4 (unless you want a different game XD) and you can get your trophies and stay signed in and play. And you should be able to move your buttons around for comfort: how its the D-pad left, first analog, then second analog; it would be great because if you had a friend over that plays Xbox and you got a Ps4 he could pull out the D-pad and the first analog and switch, and there is a Ps4 Xbox styled controller for Xbox players. And they need to add cross game chats like Xbox and playable music on games like Xbox because it will help the player from having to switch songs on their Ipod to suit the game, so they could hit a button on the controller to easily switch songs.

I hope Sony reads this and they pick up on this idea

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