The DualShock controller that’s been the mainstay of Sony’s home consoles since 1997 (it hit North America in 1998) might have reached the end of its legacy with the PlayStation 3. According to a “senior games studio source working on an upcoming Sony game,” as per CVG, Sony’s newest console features a controller design apart from the DualShock line.
CVG further muses that some rumors point towards a new Sony controller modeled after the look of the PS Vita. That means a touchscreen in the center and motion sensors packed into the device. They also suggest that Sony’s hard at work with adding biometric readers to their new input unit.That last bit has been rumored for a long time now.
Given the Bluetooth nature of the DualShock 3, I find it hard to believe that Sony’s potentially named PlayStation 4 would abandon the controllers entirely. I wouldn’t be surprised if the PS4 features a new line of controllers, but also allows for DualShock 3 connectivity specifically for the arena of backwards compatibility. Plus, gamers love options, and the ability to use classic DualShock controllers in new games would be a major selling point.
We’ll be following the PlayStation 4′s inevitable unveiling closely, and we’ll be sure to hit any controller highlights. The DualShock design, for a lot of gamers, is one of the best this medium’s ever seen.
[Source: TechnoBuffalo]