Sony patent application reveals universal, LCD-based game controller
By Donald Melanson 
posted February 19th 2010 1:02PM
posted February 19th 2010 1:02PM
Well, here's a bit of an odd one. A recent patent application from Sony has not only revealed an LCD-based game controller (which would be notable enough in itself), but an LCD-based, universal game controller that's designed to work with more than one game console. As you can see above, the touchscreen would be able to accommodate various buttons and layouts for different consoles -- Sony even curiously mentions consoles like the Amiga CD-32 and Atari Jaguar (for emulation, perhaps?), in addition to Microsoft and Nintendo -- and the screen itself would be housed in what Sony describes as a "game controller skin." Of course, this is still just an application for a patent, and we're pretty sure Sony is focused on another controller at the moment.
[Thanks, Anand]
[Thanks, Anand]
I think Logitech and a few other universal remote manufacturers beat them to this idea a while back.
@Vidikron That is no where near the same as this
@Extinction
How so? Because it's shaped like a controller?
@Vidikron The major difference is that we're actually used to using a remote (or a phone, for that matter) while actually looking at said remote/phone. So when you make the remote/phone keypad a LCD panel we have visual clues as for what we're doing and which virtual keys we're pressing.
When using a game controller, we're usually looking at the game screen, not at the controller. So we can't rely on visual clues to place our fingers on the keys.
Now remove the keys (ie make them virtual on a LCD) and we'll miss tactile feedback as well.
Sounds like a tricky and frustrating gaming experience to me...
Maybe Sony got inspired by the fact that several touchscreen gaming platforms out there already use onscreen controls. But there's still a usability gap between this and their patent application : playing on a touchscreen device, we're still looking at the controller (visual clues, hm?) as it's integrated within the game screen. Better than nothing, but already far from the comfort of regular controllers if you ask me.
Now I would love to see a similar patent adding some decent tactile feedback solution...
Hmmmm. Hell no Sony, keep the buttons, PLEASE.
@Raylon
I can't stand touch screen button-less controls (looking at you iPhone). No Thank!!!
I want a real controller (Xbox 360 preferably) that say the iPhone (soon the WP7S) clips on to FTW!
@Raylon
Agreed. The only way to make this plausible is to include some particularly convincing piezoelectrics to synthesize the feel of buttons.
@Raylon
The doom of the button with no less cramping, the worst of both worlds.
@Raylon
While I could care less about what sony does with regards to their game consoles as I refuse to buy them (hell, i dont think i own a single sony product), I would seriously hate to see the entire market move towards this format. LCD screens have zero tactile feedback, so there is no way to physically tell if you have actually hit the button you are looking to press.
I don't know about you, but I sure as hell make a lot more errors when I try typing on my iPhone without actually looking at it despite knowing the layout of a keyboard inside and out.
Touch screens don't work to replace buttons for twitch gameplay. You need to feel the edge of the buttons for anything faster paced than turnbased games.
@theblastizard
not only for twitch, but for being able to push buttons without looking at the controller. Also for being able to hold multiple buttons down at the same time, as well as the comfort and ergonomics of a curved controller. Even if this thing has a nice "skin" to hold onto, all the buttons are still on a flat surface.
I can't imagine this thing would be any good for anything but frustration while gaming.
unless the surface height can change to simulate real buttons, otherwise it will suck as bad as iphone controls
Even apple has done this your late to the game sony.
@jahaz118 really? apple has a universal controller that works for the PS3, Xbox 360, & Wii?
Damn... I was excited earlier this morning about hearing of this Universal Controller from Sony... but what a let down... TouchScreen?!?... are u kidding me?
Any real game needs tactile feel... dare I say....so does any real Smartphone that anyone will type on with....
FYI everyone, patent applications aren't made public until 18 months after they're originally filed. So Sony may not be as slow as you assume.
I was going to say: Unless they are planning some sort of tactile surface (one that adjusts to new layouts), such as the one Apple has patented, this just won't work.
Its like on "Pimp my Ride" they just throw LCD's wherever the hell they want, like 'I just installed a 22" widescreen underneath your rear axle so if you run some body over, the last thing they will see is Rick Astley.'
@coldgreentea
LOL!!!!
"yo dawg...."
I think this actually would have buttons on the "skin," with the screen simply being a way to cheaply have many controller types. In other words, make a skin with buttons anywhere you like, and the button will touch the screen in a specific location when depressed. People had a lot of concepts for Wii controllers based on changing configurations and touchscreen before we saw the motion controller.
@Ksult1 i was thinking the same thing
That's not good. Anyone ever try to play a game on the iphone that utilized virtual buttons? Not fun. Keep it tactile, Sony.
Save the buttons, save the world.
Oh, wherefore art thou, haptic feedback of lore? Vanquished in a hail of iphone...
Prior art: http://sites.google.com/site/neotechni/Home/hires#TOC-PocketStation-II-PS3-
oh Snap the Hip Hop Gamer was right!
He said Sony & MS was working on Controllers with LCD faces.
there was a reason why other companies like logitech never even bothered with this idea, yet even patenting it...... because it would be disaster!
Will it controll Project natal games?
I love this idea, possibilities are limitless :) it took me little while to get use to iPhone touch screen, but now i just too much love into it, i Can type faster, and play iPhone games with lot of fun...Sony go on with it!!!
I just hope this is one of those "lets patent this before anyone else can" kind of things.
now all that being said, a button and stick based controller WITH a small touchscreen integrated well, might be incredible...
:-S
Mmmm... I have developed something VERY similar some months ago....
Maybe SONY has copied me?? :-S
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rS-A0FIXsM#t=2m40s
Does this mean that sega dreamcast games are coming to the psn. Like the wii arcade and the 5 diffrent controls they have to play old school games with.
On an iphone u have to look at screen as u play. But when you're playing, say, Uncharted 2, u have to look at the tv screen to play. On a touch screen controller for a gaming device hooked up to a tv, you'd have to keep checking to make sure you're fingers are in da right place.
If theyre going to make a multi- platform game controller it should at least have some buttons, if not all. Plus, a touchscreen controller would probably cost around $75-100 a piece.