As we mentioned in our recent hands-on article, the PlayStation 4's controller is an outstanding refinement over the DualShock 3. However, platform holder Sony trialled a number of ideas before settling upon the current configuration – including a device that detected your stress levels based on how much you’re sweating. Sounds sort of gross, doesn’t it?
Basically, the concept was to include a couple of sensors on the unit capable of reading your galvanic skin response. As Stuff magazine points out, this is a measure of how conductive your flesh is at a given moment, which varies depending on how much you’re sweating. In most cases, you’re likely to be more stressed when you’re excreting additional fluid, so this data could then be employed by developers.
"We had a long research project where we looked at pretty much any idea that we could think of,” lead architect Mark Cerny explained. “Would it help to measure the galvanic response of the skin? We tried out a tremendous number of things – and then we went to the game teams to ask them what they thought they could use from the controller.”
The so-called stress sensor didn’t make the cut, but other new additions such as the touchpad did. And Cerny added that he’s delighted with the response to the device. "I haven't heard a negative comment about it yet," he beamed. "For a controller with a very different form factor, that’s just amazing to see."
But don’t just take the industry legend’s word for it – you can read our first impressions on the peripheral through here. Are you looking forward to wrapping your fingers around the DualShock 4? Let us know in the comments section below.
[source stuff.tv]
Comments 7
Sweat sensors would have been great for horror games. Just imagine The Last of Us 2: Even Less of Us - obviously fake, but the guys over at PS Lifestyle are hilarious - utilizing the sensors to spawn more runners and stalkers, based on how stressed you are. High stress: spawn Stalkers, low stress: spawn Runners.
I could see them being useful in shooters and sports games, as well. Although some uses would be more gimmicky than what I described.
I have a bad case of sweaty palms. So wouldn't that end up as a bit of a problem if it misreads?
Well not that it matters anyways, I poo myself when anything remotely scary happens. >.<
So hot humid summer days im scared but cool dry winter days Im not? I usually get sweaty about an hour in regardless of the game or climate.
I would much rather have built in inductive chargers. Set it and forget it.
My black 2 wiimote Duracell charger is very stylish.
I would think the purpose of that is for a notification to show up on the TV suggesting to take a break. That sounds awesome (I really like high-technology, especially this), but I can't blame them for deciding to get rid of the idea.
It sounds neat on paper, but I think there are endless problems and things that can go wrong in a game with this idea. I'm glad they scrapped it.
Now they just need to find a proper use for the LED, my only concern about the controller, as I have ZERO interest in the camera and/or move gameplay it really will just be a light hopefully not illuminating so much as I can see a reflection in my screen.
"Biometrics... Crap!" - Raiden
Yeah, it's a good idea, but maybe it got saved for PS9. It could get a baseline reading from before you launch the game or something. Just not yet. Like break-apart controllers
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