Microsoft Announces New Xbox Controller

[manasecret]

Originally Posted by TheGame

Uh... They made it wireless with a ridiculously long battery life. I think that kinda defeats the idea that the cord is too short. You're kinda digging deep here to find something wrong with the controler. lol

But I guess for you the glass is half empty and for Typhoid it's half full.

The way I see it, if they gave me an 8 foot USB that I only use when the controller is charging, that'd actually be MORE of a problem. Since the controller is sitting right by the system every time it's charging. Now I'd have this massive wire that I have to wrap around the controler for no reason.

Why is it so hard to admit that including a 3 ft wire was a cheap decision? And like I'll repeat for the 3rd time now, it's not like it's a huge deal, but it was a cheap decision.

And the only reason it works for you is because you apparently keep the PS3 on at all times and so your controller is always charged. I don't leave it on. I think it's waste of energy. And so my controller isn't always charged, and I sometimes have to charge it mid-game and sit up close to the TV. That's not digging deep for something wrong, that's a fair criticism of the system as it comes. And thus this ties back into the stupid decision to not let the controller continue to charge while the PS3 is off.

Again, these obviously aren't humongous deal breakers. I'm not returning my PS3 because of it. But I have a hard time figuring out why it's so hard to admit that these are dumb decisions. I'm not arguing that the 360 controller is SO much better, or that the Wiimote is the best ever. I'm just talking about the PS3 controller and its small issues. That's it. Apparently you guys feel the need to come to the PS3's rescue and defend it from any criticism.

[TheGame]

Originally Posted by manasecret

Why is it so hard to admit that including a 3 ft wire was a cheap decision? And like I'll repeat for the 3rd time now, it's not like it's a huge deal, but it was a cheap decision.

And the only reason it works for you is because you apparently keep the PS3 on at all times and so your controller is always charged. I don't leave it on. I think it's waste of energy. And so my controller isn't always charged, and I sometimes have to charge it mid-game and sit up close to the TV. That's not digging deep for something wrong, that's a fair criticism of the system as it comes. And thus this ties back into the stupid decision to not let the controller continue to charge while the PS3 is off.

Again, these obviously aren't humongous deal breakers. I'm not returning my PS3 because of it. But I have a hard time figuring out why it's so hard to admit that these are dumb decisions. I'm not arguing that the 360 controller is SO much better, or that the Wiimote is the best ever. I'm just talking about the PS3 controller and its small issues. That's it. Apparently you guys feel the need to come to the PS3's rescue and defend it from any criticism.

I don't really care enough to keep defending it. I've yet to have an issue with it, if you're not charging the controler 2 hours for every 20 hours you play, then I think that's a personal problem lol.

And Duggler, I hope they don't change it. The controler's design is simplistic and it works well imo. I don't think they should fix what isn't broken.

[The Duggler]

Originally Posted by TheGame

And Duggler, I hope they don't change it. The controler's design is simplistic and it works well imo. I don't think they should fix what isn't broken.

That's what I hear from PS users all the time and if it's fine with you then OK. And me I couldn't care less, I don't buy playstations.

I know they gave you one hell of a scare with the boomerang, but you should give them another chance

[Typhoid]

I'm not returning my PS3 because of it. But I have a hard time figuring out why it's so hard to admit that these are dumb decisions.

Because those problems that you have such a big deal with don't bother me and The Game, because we charge out controllers when we aren't playing our system, opposed to you - who apparently never charge it unless playing.

I don't find the cord dumb because A) I'd much rather have any length of USB cable than a giant battery pack in the back B) It's never hindered my gameplay in any way. Has my controller died mid-game before? Totally. What did I do when that happened? Used my other, fully charged controller. Catastrophe avoided.

I'm not saying I can't see why people wouldn't like the USB cord. But personally, it doesn't make a single difference to me. I've never once thought "Damn this cord" or "I really wish I had a longer cord". Because I'd assume if I ever wanted a longer cord, I'd simply just purchase one instead of begrudgingly using the small one I hate oh-so much.

Why is it so hard to admit that including a 3 ft wire was a cheap decision?

What you call "cheap", I call "cost effective" and "efficient". You don't need a huge, long cord, anyways. The idea behind a wireless controller is to play it wirelessly. Therefore the length of the cord [in idea with the fact you don't play it with the cord in] doesn't factor into it one bit.

Half empty/Half full. We have different opinions on something entirely pointless that stems from our specific encounters with the system. And like you said, it's not a deal breaker anyways, so it's not even really important to be talking about anymore.

Also, my two cents on the design of the controller being the same - I think it's a good idea, personally. Why should you change up your controller every system? Why drastically change something that's worked for a decade, and everyone that buys your system is used to? Changing controllers needlessly is Nintendo's bag. Even Microsoft has never changed the Xbox controller, technically. You don't fuck with what works for you. Business rule 4.

The design is simple, light, and fits the hand perfectly. I'm curious though, The Duggler, what do you think they should improve and change on the Playstation controller? Make it fatter, wider, more buttons, lights and whirring noises? Maybe shift the location of every single button, and make the controller 100% different, so that when it comes out next gen everyone who's grown used to the controller has to start all over again. What can they possibly change? are 11 buttons [2 being pressure sensitive], 2 sticks, and a d-pad [not to mention an on/off for the system itself] not enough shit on a controller for you? How many more buttons do you want? Maybe it's the positioning of the buttons you find dumb. Would you suggest they make it more like the 360 controller, which essentially just has 1 joystick and d-pad switching locations with eachother? Is that the zenith of controller placement technology? Maybe all controllers should be gaudy things that take plug-ins and have wires and straps flapping around. Maybe it shouldn't have any buttons at all, but should slightly resemble a St. Bernard.

[TheGame]

I think it'll be good for backward compatibility to keep things similar too.

[Vampyr]

I think the dual shock and the 360 controllers are both perfect...hope they never change. I slightly prefer the 360 one though, because of the trigger design.

[gekko]

Originally Posted by Typhoid

What you call "cheap", I call "cost effective" and "efficient".

Really? Come on now, you can't possibly sit there with a straight face and say a shorter USB cable helps keep the price of PS3 down. Cutting costs is removing the backwards compatibility, leaving out rumble, removing accessories which used to be packaged in, etc. A longer USB cable costs pennies when buying in these numbers.

Even Microsoft has never changed the Xbox controller, technically.

They haven't made drastic changes, but it's definitely changed. Xbox shipped with a huge "thing" called a controller. Then they released in Japan with a radically re-designed controller. Then came the S in the US, which is the same basic shape as the Japanese controller, but the resistance in the sticks and triggers is different, and the buttons are a glossy plastic instead of a hard plastic (think DC buttons).

The Xbox 360 controller has changed a little bit during its life too. The D-pad on a newer controller is actually much better than the launch controllers, they just never advertised the change. They released a special edition controller for a soccer game where they improved the d-pad again, and now they have the limited-edition switchable d-pad which also modified the thumbsticks.

I will also say I don't like the PS3 controller. Nice for d-pad games, but those are a minority. Would like to see the left thumbstick move, and the triggers should be concave like every other controller ever made with analog triggers.