The History of The Sony Playstation: Controllers

Throughout the life span of Sony's PlayStation, the controllers have always been recognized as an innovation that thoroughly improves game play. Through the history of different types of controller, the PlayStation's have developed their devices suitably for the change in our gaming future.

The first controller that debuted with the PlayStation. Featuring a directional pad (D-Pad) Start, select buttons. Triangle, Square, Circle and Cross buttons. Four shoulder buttons, L1/L2 and R1/R2. This controller first included the most amount of functioning buttons. Useful for games with specific types of play.

The PSX Debut controller feature and additional Analog button, that when pressed enabled two dual analog sticks to function. These new additions were primarily used for better navigation in most games such as First person shooters, adventures and racing games.

The Dual Shock 2 

. Includes all the buttons of the PSX controller, however this time includes an added 'rumble' feature. Enabling the controller to vibrate depending on the buttons pressed or action taking place within a game. This enhanced the experience of game play for the consumer considerably, making the player feel what happens in the game.

The Sixaxis

. Dual analogs, vibrating system and new to this PS3 debuted controller, a gyroscope sensor. Meaning when tilted from side to side, would determine the action of the game. The Sixaxis was also the first in the PlayStation range to be wireless. Freedom to have more space between you an the console and not to be constrained to leads.

The Dual shock 3

. Like the Sixaxis apart from the gyro sensor has been removed, making it unable to use tilt sensor controls. It is still a wireless device but this time includes the shoulder buttons L2 and R2 to have a larger trigger. This makes it more efficient for the shooting genre in video games, making the controls triggers and not buttons add to that sense of 'feel' when playing the right style of game.

PlayStation Move

. The new innovation in Sony's controls for the PlayStation. Featuring two handheld devices, The move controller and the navigator. The move controllers act as sensor recipients to the Eyetoy hardware, reacting through the colour lights at the end of the controllers. Using this system boasts full 3D recognized movement for complete control within specific games. The navigating control is used as the moving function of the controls, whereas the Move controller acts as the 'action' device. Each device is held separately in each hand and corresponds to that. If right handed, The Move Controller would be in your left, the Navigator on your right. Each device acts as your hands.

In terms of technological advancements, I believe the PlayStation Move lacks in innovation compared to it's rival counterparts in the market. The Nintendo Wii has already produced a wireless tracking controller that can function across every one of it's software titles. It has also produced the Wii motion plus, which now detects full 3D movement for enhanced play. Microsoft's Kinect has also breached the boundaries of innovation with complete device free control, where the player IS the controller. The sensor tracks 3D movement, voice recognition and facial expressions.

The Move controllers although advanced in the technology, provide not enough innovation for the interest in consumers. Especially when cheaper or more exciting alternatives exist. It's also down to the software titles available for the Move controllers that let it down. If there was more inclusion of the Move technology in bigger and better games, it would receive the audience it deserves.