Sony Surveying Gamers on the DualShock 4

I would not mind a smaller one and a bigger battery or a option for different sizes. The rest is perfect for me personally.

I say get rid of the touch function of the touch pad and instead divide into 2 touch pads type buttons (basically looks the same but each left and right section clicks independently). I can't remember a game that utilizes this or when last I used it.

1) I'd like a controller without a pathetically short battery life (seriously, the DS4 is almost as pitiful in that department as the Wii U GamePad, and that had an entire friggin display built into it!)

2) Make the share/options buttons actually protrude from the controller, and make them slightly wider. They're annoying to press.

3) Shrink the touchpad. Seriously, most games only use it as a select button to begin with. It hogs a ton of room in the middle of controller and I almost never use it.

4) Shrink the lightbar, and allow us to push a button and turn it off. It's pointless, annoying in dark rooms, and is probably eating up energy that could be used to keep the stupid controller alive longer.

Otherwise, I really love the DS4. Aside from the forementioned issues, it's an incredibly comfortable controller with a great D-Pad, comfortable analog sticks, and wonderful triggers.

I just want better battery, at least same endurance as dualsohock 3.

@zimbogamer I believe ds4 touchpad already can click independently, in diablo 3 we can open different menu depending if we click the left or the right touchpad.

I find the sticks annoyingly slippery. I have no problems with that on any other controller. It's not due to wear either, since I just got the console and controller like 10 months ago, and have always had that problem.

Plus, the battery is pathetic.

Bigger battery for sure. Maybe raise the options and share button up a little so they're more pronounced.

Im not going to say it is pretty much perfect, because otherwise we would never have seen an evolution from the start and select buttons, to the options and share functions that have been so integral this gen

However, having owned every sony console to date, I can confidently say that the ds4 is the best controller they have produced so far. It maintains the iconic design, but the tweaks to the triggers and dpad are great. I also like the indent on the thumb sticks. The weight and size is perfect and it is extremely comfortable to hold.

The biggest issue is the battery life, which is extremely poor imo. The touch pad is a bit of a strange one, and I am yet to really be convinced by its inclusion in any software - other than in tearaway

The light bar situation is silly given how few devs use the motion element, even if it does look cool. There should be nothing to stop people turning the light bar off for 90% of games. I groaned when I booted up infamous SS only to be greeted with yet another uninspired attempt to shoehorn in the motion control functionality

Why does so many people complain about the lightbar? First you don't even notice it unless the room is dark...and second it's pretty f***ing dope when you play GTA in a dark room and you get chased by the cops! I think the light bar is a cool little plus of style for the controller, and I particularly like the little front light in the new controllers

My only complaint is the price for a new one... Otherwise I'm perfectly happy with it

I would like to see R3 and L3 as buttons like some "pro"controllers have them. Overall I think it's a solid controller.

@KirbyTheVampire so In other words, ds4 is basically a poor mans Splatoon?

@hadlee73 The first gen ds4 battery (the launch one) is bad, the second gen (classic ps1 se) is better, and the last one (the one with the pro) is the best version. Still, ds3 battery is way better.

My problem with ds4 is the touchpad is too big so it's hard to reach the option or share button.

@ellsworth004 That's probably the most accurate description, yes.

1. Longer Battery Life
2. Improved Thumb Sticks, or maybe a non-slick material for sweaty hands for the thumb sticks. After long hours of play I noticed my fingers start slipping off the sticks.

Hmm, not really sure what else. I also still like the touchpad, wish more developers would use it more, instead of using it as one huge button. You could map different sections of the touchpad for Inventory, Character Sheet, etc for RPG games. Not sure why they don't do that instead of hitting Options on the controller to bring up the menu, it could be a shortcut click on bottom left, top right etc.

(I also have the first gen DS4, but I have put a thumb grip over the sticks so it doesn't wear out fast. But the material is still making my fingers slip unfortunately.)

I like the idea of what @Ralizah has. Make the Options and Share button protrude a bit, and be a little wider.

@b1ackjack_ps Agreed, I think they should add a little resistance to it. I feel like I am going to break it some times, I'm always cognizant of how hard I am pressing it down.

I have to ask, why do people say the touchpad is too big and gets in the way?? What is it getting in the way of?? What else would you put there?? If it were any smaller what would you replace it with? More plastic? Confused...

Copy the Switch Pro Controller, it’s perfect in my opinion with an unbelievable battery life and a nice heft to it.
Keep the light bar but include an option to turn it off.

I am playing shadow warrior and the touch pad in that game is implemented perfectly meaning with a bit of thinking it can be useful.

Also with psvr that I recently purchased it is useful.

Dualshock 4 is very good in my opinion

Longer battery life, option to completely turn off lightbar. That is all.

More juice in the battery otherwise I think it's a fine pad. Quite durable in those fit of rage moments, too.

Im with everyone on the touchpad. It is just used as a humungabutton. Its not even half decent to be used as a touchpad in any capacity so ditch it! Replace with 3 buttons to help media stuff like play, pause, fast forward.

For me a taller design which would probably make it ugly would be a great option, I get cramp in my index fingers when required to use the L1 & R1 buttons. I am 6ft tall and average in build so I don't think I am an extreme edge case in my requirement.

& Battery like everyone else said... Hopefully with VR they can drop the need for the lights.

Replace the micro-USB port with a USB-C port.

Option to turn the light-bar off.

I like the touch pad though, more games need to support it. But I also think that more games need to support gyro aiming...

i'd like the ability to be able to turn the light bar off in games where it's not required. don't see why they can't actually do this from the PS4s o/s in the same way that i'm able to turn off the rumble/vibrate.

the battery in mine lasts for ages. if they ever change the position of the analogue sticks, i'm out.

Add a couple of paddles and put these vastly overpriced, so called pro controller makers out of business.

get rid of touch pad put a solar panel on there when the sun shines it will be charging

I like it as it is but the battery life SUCKS.

I like the touchpad. Option to turn off the light thing would be nice to save on the crappy battery...

Battery life and change to USB-C port. Outside of those 2 I have no issues with the dualshock 4 at all

Only the battery life is my complain, the rest is perfect and I like the light-bar!

Better battery life please. And I don't mind the touch pad, though I'd be perfectly fine with it being removed.

Better durability, battery life and a longer USB charging cable.

"but to what end?"

To make it better, because the DS4 sucks. Analog sticks slip easily, the touchpad was only ever used as secondary start/select buttons, and that battery life is the worst.

just curious, how long does the battery last for people complaining about it? it lasts 12hrs+ for me, which to be honest, longer than I'd ever use in a single session. i always leave it plugged in with the PS4 on standby.

personally i think it's fine as it is, just needs a longer battery life

I'd like a better d-pad, like on model 2 Saturn controllers (or the Japanese ones). Those are still the best. Also I find the handles too bulbous, kind of uncomfortable against my palms, so perhaps if they were smaller or flexible (rubber?) it would be better to hold.

@XurAgentofthe9 yeah,paddles and an extra pair of shoulder buttons.That would be amazing.

I really hope someone asked about the good old prototype! Do you remember it? You could throw it out of the window any time you want since it'd always come back!

The DS4 is my favorite controller ever I think.. the only thing I would change is the location of the Options button!

Cup holder or no buy.

Replace the touch pad with £ sign button. So I can send EA a nugget mid game.

The controller is almost perfect, I just hate how short the battery life is.

Sony! Please fix the sharp edge underneath the L2/R2 triggers! And straighten out the angle of the "handles" a bit. Thank you.

@leucocyte about 8hours at the most for me, so if it isnt fully charged Im in trouble

The controller is fine. I wouldn't mind them adding back Paddle sticks as standard like those customisable controllers. Biggest gripe for me though is shooter games not utilising the gyroscope functionality. And it would be nice if surround sound can pass through the controller too when using advanced headsets. Yea and please improve the dual stick rubber and battery life

@zimbogamer Dark Souls or Bloodborne?

@GarySan I prefer Bloodborne

Just let me use the Switch Pro Controller with the PS4. Used to love the DS4, but it's a distant 2nd place now.
But seriously... battery, lose the touchpad, and either offset sticks or both on top like the ol' Wii U Pro Controller. Also battery. There's no excuse for that battery...