Topic: PS4 Controller what do you think?

I don't know if its my controller or just the game(s) I plat but I do find 'running' (clicking down and pushing forward on the left thumbstick) to be a bit hit and miss and often stops. This is quite frustrating in online MP games - particularly the fast paced ones like CoD! Does this happen for others too?

@BAMozzy: Yeah L3 to run has never been an ideal solution. Sometimes it's tough to tell if they are stopping because you've released the button or if the character has run out of stamina. I quite like games that use L1 or L2 to sprint.

@kyleforrester87: Games like Destiny and CoD:BO3 though don't have the issue of 'Stamina'. Its almost as if the 'click' works intermittently or has to be forced down really hard to work which causes my thumb to ache after a very short time. Its not helped by the position of that thumbstick (I know I may get hate for this) but my thumb naturally falls where the d-pad is (or where the thumbstick is on an XB1 controller) and so feels like I am having to stretch my thumb over to reach it properly. I have weirdly jointed thumbs anyway and as you rarely take your thumb off the left thumbstick and a lot of games require you to keep the thumbstick pressed down to run. It could be the fact that I release the pressure a bit because of the positioning or it could be the fact that my controller isn't working as well as it could. It could be down to some other reason like software or interference between the wireless controller and console, hence I was trying to see if others had similar issues.

@BAMozzy: Yeah I appreciate they don't have stamina, but when it just stops mid-sprint I find it's a bit confusing and sometimes you have to remind yourself of that fact.

I like the controller although not as much as some people that make it out to be like the definitive controller. As others have stated the battery leaves a little to be desired (love that I can use my phone chargers for it), and I still miss my Select and Start buttons, but it feels sturdier than the PS3 controller and I love the colors.

I think the DS3 was a better controller because of better battery life and no annoying light

I have found out why my controller is not working properly when it comes to running (or any other function that clicking L3 does). Essentially its 'broken' as the Left thumbstick has become depressed (and medication won't help ) - by that I mean that the Left thumbstick has sunk into the slot meaning it doesn't 'click' properly. It requires a gentle pull to get it back into its working position but every time I 'run', it sinks back down again.
Having read quite a few articles, this is happening to far too many gamers to be a coincidence or just unlucky. Its definitely not the standard I would expect from a Sony branded product. I understand they use the same parts (essentially) as other similar controllers (namely Xbox) but I have never had this issue on any other controller. My DS4 hasn't had that much use (comparatively to my other controllers (DS3, XB1 and XB360) and is less than a year old and they are not exactly 'cheap' to replace either. I hope my new replacement I have ordered (Gold Ltd Edition version) has addressed this issue and now use better quality.

@BAMozzy: I agree if there is one thing that is wrong with the PS4 it's the DS4 imo. The design of it is great the feel of it is nice but the durability just sucks. I have had to replace one launch day one (the one analog stick was off always acting that up was up and to the left) and the other the rubber coating on my right stick is pretty much gone. And I agree it wouldn't be a problem if they weren't so expensive to replace.

@Tasuki: My 'gold' one looks like it has different sticks - well the top of them is different anyway. It doesn't appear to have the 'rubber' around the top. I used 'Orb' thumbcovers (cheap for 4 - 2 bobbled dome and 2 convex but slightly taller) 1 of each with the domed on the left to protect the 'rubber' from wearing off.
I am concerned though that the same problem (getting stuck down and so not 'clicking') will happen with this one too. Considering the cost is around £40 if you hunt for the best prices but can be a lot more - particularly for the ltd edition versions, its a lot of money for something that doesn't last a year (well for me but I do game a lot) which isn't great. Sony products (not just games consoles/peripherals) were always considered well made and reliable - I know there is always the odd one that has a 'fault' but traditionally Sony products were reliable and well made. They were often higher priced than similar specced products but people were happy to pay that 'extra' because of the reliability.
I do feel that Sony have made compromises on the DS4. I know it can't be cheap to incorporate the touch panel and the lightbar (although in the majority of games, these are mostly redundant and don't serve a purpose - certainly not something that couldn't be replaced. Same with the speaker too. I do think that Sony may well have endeavoured to keep its costs down by scrimping on other areas like the thumbsticks and the 'switches' underneath these. Maybe on the battery too as it doesn't last that long although that could also be down to the extra power consumption the lightbar, speaker and touchpad use. I do think it feels a lot better than the DS3 in a lot of ways but I also think it feels more 'fragile'. I don't mean that I feel its going to break every time I press a button or move the thumbsticks, but I do think it feels less 'solid', less substantial, thinner plastics.
I hope that the switches have been improved as well as the change to the actual thumbsticks but time will tell...