Ever since Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One Elite controller - essentially a more expensive, customisable Xbox pad aimed at invested users - PlayStation gamers have been wondering whether Sony intends to produce something similar for the PlayStation 4. We've always thought that it'd at least be nice to have the option, and the Japanese company would probably make good money off such a product if its quality was up to scratch.
However, according to PS4 architect Mark Cerny, Sony simply isn't interested in creating such a controller. Speaking to The Verge, Cerny states: "we want to keep PlayStation 4 as a single unified audience [...] we need to be quite careful to the enhancements we add to the controller."
Cerny's comments will no doubt come as a disappointment to some of you, but as is the case with the PS4 Pro, Sony's clearly keen on building and maintaining a player base that new products aren't going to fragment. We're not sure a more expensive DualShock 4 would have such a negative impact, but hey, we're not Sony.
Would you buy an 'elite' PS4 pad? Press some buttons in the comments section below.
[source theverge.com]
Comments 26
"we want to keep PlayStation 4 as a single unified audience [...] we need to be quite careful to the enhancements we add to the controller."
The VR and Pro "add ons" don't really gel with that "single unified audience" statement, surely a improved controller is less divisive than a better/worse version of a game? It's no different to playing VR games with Move sicks over a pad.
Good, providing advantages to people just because they have the money to afford them over everyone else is such bs.
@RPE83 "The VR and Pro "add ons" don't really gel with that "single unified audience" statement, surely a improved controller is less divisive than a better/worse version of a game? It's no different to playing VR games with Move sicks over a pad."
This argument that alot of people seem to want use is stupid, Pro will use the same network and devs have gone on record to say that multiplayer will only be affected by looking slightly better compared to PS4 therefore no advantages are being provided to them and no non-VR game has the option to use VR in multiplayer either so it's just nonsense.
I'd probably get one if the build quality is better. Been through 2 standard controllers since launch
Can't understand the need in them personally and never will.
I laughed at his quote as well COUGH Pro COUGH
weird decision considering the xbox one elite was sold out for months everywhere. and that certainly didn't split the userbase o_O
@viciousarcanum
Sony has a PS4, PS4slim, PS4Pro , PS4VR. Will PSVR titles have different performance options on Pro to Regular, for example?
My point was that Sony say they want a single unified audience but are already providing a "mix and match" range for all budgets and tastes in the "PS4 experience" on hardware alone, I don't see how letting some people drop extra money on a fancy pad, if they really think it will make a difference to their skill level, or they just like the feel of it, is anything different to what they are doing with hardware where you can now pay extra cash to join the PS4Pro "Master Race" for fancier graphics than mere "Slim Peasants".
I don't know whether "better pads for deeper pockets" is right or wrong, I don't really have an opinion on it either way truthfully, but for me it's no different to the "better visuals for deeper pockets" they are already planning with the Pro if you take the statement "single unified audience" , I can't see how it's any different under that statement.
It's also not much different to people buying expensive joysticks to play fighting games back in the day or steering wheels for driving games to me, it was something for enthusiasts.
Regards.
Terrible response from Cerny. Just say you don't want to do it if you don't want to do it.
They're leaving money on the table.
I bought the Elite controller for the Xbox One and its by far the best controller I have ever owned. Regardless of your preference for layout, you can't argue with the build quality of MS's Elite. Whether you want the optional Paddles or not, the brushed metal and quality velvet plastic and rubberised grip feel really well put together and also feels built to last.
As someone who plays a lot of FPS and Action games - which are very heavy on the left thumbstick in particular with all the clicking to run and wear that occurs by constantly grinding against the circular hole the thumbstick sits in, I have a LOT of plastic dust and 'grooves' worn into my standard controllers. In over a years use, My Elite is still as good as new. In that time, I have also gone through a DS4 and my 'relatively' new one is starting to feel a bit loose.
MS as well as 3rd party customisers Scuf have proved that there is a demand for these 'enhanced' controllers and that they do not affect the user base. They have no impact on the core users at all - not like other peripherals like Kinect, Move or VR which require specific games to utilise. Virtually every game (apart from those specifically made with the fore-mentioned peripherals and even VR games can use a controller) requires a controller and these 'Elite' style controllers are no different in essence from a standard.
Any advantages from the paddles are minimal - they only offer an alternative to pressing a button -instead of pressing 'X' to jump or 'O' to crouch, you can assign these to a paddle. Yes it may save micro seconds between moving your thumb from stick to paddle - although can take a while to get used to - its hardly game changing or given players a unfair advantage. Its not cheating or breaking the game like 'modded' controllers do.
Its a shame that Sony are not looking into making an 'Elite' style option for their controller - instead leaving their user base to go to companies like Scuf if they want a 'paddle' style controller. These are already in the hands of many PS4 players and they haven't 'fractured' the user base!
@RPE83 "think it will make a difference to their skill level"
That rightt there is the problem, people take issue all the time when you can pay-to-win with DLC and an Elite controller is essentially the same thing. Sure you can say it's a preference thing for people to customise then the way they want but in the end it will makes easier for themselves but harder for other people.
I don't care about the elite controller, but give us the option to make our own custom controllers like Xbox did and I'll dance at your wedding.
@viciousarcanum
Yep, appreciate that part, but on a wider argument look at sports like Golf, Cycling, you will see people dropping hundreds and thousands of pounds on "top gear" for a slight improvement, but they will still get beat by someone pretty good with borrowed worn out clubs from their step dad's shed, or an cheapo bike from halfords.
Fancy gadgets and top equipment only augment skill you have in most cases, they aren't a magic path to excellence. If you have the disposable income to spend on toys and gadgets to get a slight boon over the rest of the mediocre herd, so what?
DLC "pay to win" is just awful awful game design though, but if the goal is to make money , maybe it's sadly just too good business sense because people pay it every year like Fifa Ultimate Team.
@get2sammyb Reminds me of the EA Access stuff. We know whats best for you, deal with it.
I mean even the Switch reveal showed from the go you have a choice in your controls. And that was Nintendo for gods sake. Come on Sony, its free money, but you just think you know whats best.
This is a bit bizarre given just how many different pieces of hardware PlayStation are bringing out this year:
3 different console variations, 2 headsets, 2 cameras, a new controller with an additional light-bar, VR, a repackaging of 5 year old move controllers, and more.
And yet they don't want to split their "unified audience"? Really?
That said it's worth noting that I'm actually really happy with the DualShock 4 anyway. The battery life is a bit of a pain sometimes but I don't usually game for really extended periods anyway and have the charging dock which is very useful. Comfort wise the controller is great and I've also (touch wood) never had any problems with the analog stick rubber breaking as many others have had.
Non crumbly and brittle resistant would be just fine. Get on it please.
I mean... I guess I can almost see the logic... but it's such flawed logic. Third parties already sell fancy modded controllers (that cost nearly as much as a console!).
It's not even always for an advantage.. individuals with injuries could really benifit from paddle'd buttons.
Oh well, I guess I'll just have to settle for my unified experience on PS4 Pro with better resolution/framerate, OS performance, and share features compared to all of the unified PS4 users.
I do want a better dualshock4 pro with 2x battery capacity
That is one of the lamest responses I've ever read. Not surprising though. It'd be a player choice if they want to buy one and we can't have that.
@get2sammyb But there's also the argument that Sony doesn't want to release too many pieces of hardware. Two PS4's, VR, new camera and reboxed Moves. Adding a more expensive controller on top of that would be stretching things thin.
The PS4 doesn't need one as the DS4 is already an excellent controller. Whereas the Xbox needed one I cannot tell you how many issues I had with Xbox One controllers connectivity and build quality it was shocking.
At least give us better battery life. Simply put, the DS4 sucks.
I talked to a dude who got one of those xbox controllers, he loves it but he got it with the system and admits he wouldn't buy it alone at the $150 price.
if you want a PS4 elite controller, scuf already make them (probably better than sony could), for around about the same price as the xbox elite controller - https://scufgaming.com/s/infinity4ps/ . as somebody who's played 1500+ hours of FPS (though more than half of that is destiny), my original DS4 is still working perfectly. the only issue i had with the PS3 controller was that it didn't bounce off walls very well. i absolute hate asymmetrical stick layouts, so unless an xbox controller is configurable to the degree where you can align the sticks, i'll never own one.
@RPE83 PS4 and PS4 slim are the same its just a smaller version....
@Flaming_Kaiser
Yep, my case was that it's still technically two new design variations of the same thing if you are being pedantic. Which I was
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