Current Events > Do you think modern Game Controllers needs More/Less buttons?

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/0/5/8/AAAFvAAAD8sy.jpg
The current modern controller paradigm has:
2x Analog Sticks
1x 8-way D-Pad
4x Face Buttons
2x Extra Buttons
2x Analog Stick Buttons
4x Shoulder Buttons (Optional 2x Analog Triggers depending on System Support)
OPTIONAL:

• Motion Controls
• Touch Pad w/ Click button built into the Touch Pad
• Extra System Menu Buttons

Do you want the controller paradigm to change?

What would you change, how would you change it?

Is anybody sick & tired of the current controller paradigm?

What do you want to see change in future Game Controller design?

We need more Nintendo 64 style controllers for people with 3 arms.

I think back paddles would be useful, but as buttons that can be mapped to existing inputs rather than adding more inputs to control schemes

Antifar posted...

I think back paddles would be useful, but as buttons that can be mapped to existing inputs rather than adding more inputs to control schemes

Why wouldn't you want back paddles to be built in as default input options?

More buttons
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/0/6/5/AANMlfAAD8s5.jpg

I think the current amount is mostly fine. I never run into games where I feel the controller is limiting. Couple back buttons to use with your middle fingers could work, but feels like it would impact comfort.

IronChef_Kirby posted...

More buttons
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/0/6/5/AANMlfAAD8s5.jpg

Now that's just being a parody of a controller.

At least the GameSir G5 tried to be different.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/7/2/AAAFvAAADiKk.jpg
4x Face Buttons that can double as a Touch Controller with 8x extra buttons on the outter edges.

That's experimental, dedicated to a specific game type (MOBA's).

I think it is good how it is

Kamen_Rider_Blade posted...

Why wouldn't you want back paddles to be built in as default input options?

I think the current number of buttons is fine, and the addition of more risks unnecessarily increasing the physical challenge for younger gamers and those with disabilities.

Antifar posted...

I think the current number of buttons is fine, and the addition of more risks unnecessarily increasing the physical challenge for younger gamers and those with disabilities.

I obviously think differently.

I'm of the camp that we can add in more buttons without it being difficult for younger players to adapt to.

The PS4 made dogs*** use of it, but the touchpad is awesome. Its great for unimportant mouse movement and macros on PC games and emulators.

Beyond that, I think 2 buttons on the legs of the controller are all youd really need. Most pro gamer controllers have them

discodancer77 posted...

The PS4 made dogs*** use of it, but the touchpad is awesome. Its great for unimportant mouse movement and macros on PC games and emulators.

Beyond that, I think 2 buttons on the legs of the controller are all youd really need. Most pro gamer controllers have them

The TouchPad was definitely a control interface that I didn't expect Sony to add at that time.
It was definitely "Interesting choice" of interface.

That being said, there are so many "Other Interfaces" that can be added to the modern controller to give you more variety IMO.

two sticks, eight paddles

Questionmarktarius posted...

two sticks, eight paddles

Where would you place the 8x Paddles?

I've used the Steam Controller for 2 years until i gave it away.

Back buttons are amazing value.

If you bind each to sprint and dodge in an action game, it allows you to keep on moving both analogue sticks and while leaving fingers for other crucial inputs like attacking and what not.

Also feels natural for gear changing in racing games.

I find myself squeezing my dualsense from time to time.

Rear paddles would be good to have as optional input. Other than that they're good.

Just needs to attach to the side of your head for neural inputs

This many buttons is just about right

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/1/1/7/AAZi_FAAD8tt.jpg

Kamen_Rider_Blade posted...

Where would you place the 8x Paddles?

on the back.

I kould do with 2 more face buttons. Sega Genesis and Saturn had A/B/X/Y but also C and Z buttons. Original Xbox had the black and white buttons. Bring back the 6.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/1/3/0/AAPDLMAAD8t6.png
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/1/3/1/AAPDLMAAD8t7.jpg

The_Korey posted...

I kould do with 2 more face buttons. Sega Genesis and Saturn had A/B/X/Y but also C and Z buttons. Original Xbox had the black and white buttons. Bring back the 6.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/1/3/0/AAPDLMAAD8t6.png
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/1/3/1/AAPDLMAAD8t7.jpg

I'm with you, I think 6-buttons is highly under-rated.

But we could do more & add even more "Face Buttons".

Bump

The Perfect Controller doesn't exis........:https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/5/1/9/AABxOHAAD8z_.jpg

On one hand, more buttons would be great. On the other hand, more buttons = more potential mechanical failure.

more.

i fucking hate the analog stick buttons

Three buttons is the best. More efficient to press two or three buttons at the same time than to have eight or more separate buttons.

Nacen posted...

On one hand, more buttons would be great. On the other hand, more buttons = more potential mechanical failure.

That's why you need High Quality manufacturing to minimize that risk.

masterbarf posted...

Three buttons is the best. More efficient to press two or three buttons at the same time than to have eight or more separate buttons.

You must LOVE the OG Sega Genesis Controller.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/6/4/7/AAAFvAAADkrH.jpg

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/5/3/6/AAAFvAAAD80Q.jpg

remember steel battalion

every game should come with a custom input device designed specifically for that game

AlephZero posted...

remember steel battalion

every game should come with a custom input device designed specifically for that game

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic, I can't hear the tone of your voice over the text you write on the GameFAQs message board.

Seems like mostly bad game design if you need so many independently mapped options.

Maybe like 4 more at the back

I remember i played a game where you had to toggle a button ti get to a 2nd set of buttons. So the same button could do multiple things. I cant handle that lol. Bring back A and B only -_-

Kamen_Rider_Blade posted...

You must LOVE the OG Sega Genesis Controller.

Most of the games I play use 8-way movement so I use arcade stick. The Genesis controller was good though. I'm also spoiled by Virtua Fighter which uses three buttons including every combination of pressing them simultaneously. It's just so effortless to play like that. I wish more games would use that system.

masterbarf posted...

Most of the games I play use 8-way movement so I use arcade stick. The Genesis controller was good though. I'm also spoiled by Virtua Fighter which uses three buttons including every combination of pressing them simultaneously. It's just so effortless to play like that. I wish more games would use that system.

I think good fighting games can get by with 3x levels of attacks.
Weak / Medium / Strong
And use a mixture of combo buttons for throws / Supers / Modes.

It's sad that it isn't more popular.

Street Fighter over complicates it with 6x Attack buttons. 3x for Punches, 3x for Kicks
KoF uses 2x for Kicks/Punches.

Tekken uses a slightly different layout with Left Punch/Kick & Right Punch/Kick to map to the human body. Which works for the type of fighting game it wants to be.

But most basic fighting games, like alot of the Anime-Types can get by with 3x levels of Attacks & use the D-Pads as modifiers for those attacks.

Theres something about modern controllers for me that its not comfortable to rest my index and middle finger on the two shoulder buttons to use them optimally. I typically get by using my index finger for each or even curling my thumb up if I need to use both simultaneously. Not sure if this is an ergonomic issue or just the double shoulder buttons dont click in my brain.

HudGard posted...

Theres something about modern controllers for me that its not comfortable to rest my index and middle finger on the two shoulder buttons to use them optimally. I typically get by using my index finger for each or even curling my thumb up if I need to use both simultaneously. Not sure if this is an ergonomic issue or just the double shoulder buttons dont click in my brain.

Could it be your finger length & size relative to modern controllers?

Modern controllers have gotten larger then previous gen.

They really need to make a "Small / Medium / Large" size controllers for people of different hand sizes.

Kamen_Rider_Blade posted...

I'm with you, I think 6-buttons is highly under-rated.

But we could do more & add even more "Face Buttons".

Kan't see myself wanting more until 6 becomes normalized and I still find myself playing stuff that kould do with more functionality.

But in terms of wanting even more, my greed has me eyeing PS4 having a touchpad on the front and Vita having a touchpad on the back. I don't want to over do it and Nacen makes a good point about failure when kontrol stick drift is running rampant in moder day hardware, but I kan't just not fantasize about things being better.

The_Korey posted...

Kan't see myself wanting more until 6 becomes normalized and I still find myself playing stuff that kould do with more functionality.

But in terms of wanting even more, my greed has me eyeing PS4 having a touchpad on the front and Vita having a touchpad on the back. I don't want to over do it and Nacen makes a good point about failure when kontrol stick drift is running rampant in moder day hardware, but I kan't just not fantasize about things being better.

https://www.ifixit.com/News/60702/sega-solved-the-drift-issue-almost-30-years-ago-heres-how

Sega Introduced Drift-Proof Sensors in 1994
Those of you here in 2022 might still remember Segas Saturn. A scrappy gaming console from 1994/95 aiming to compete with the Sony PlayStation (yes, the original PlayStation). And even fewer of you might have enjoyed the game Nights into Dreams on the Sega Saturna game that came bundled with a revolutionary controller dubbed the Saturn 3D Controller.
That special controller was the basis for the standard controller on Segas Dreamcast when it was released in 1998 in Japan (one year later in most other countries). The special thing about those controllers was not only the presence of a joystick as an alternative input method to the D-pad but also the use of a tech called Hall effect sensors.
Sensors in the controller detected the movement of the trigger buttons as well as the position of the joystick. Back then, engineers knew Hall effect sensors arent as prone to wear and tear as the standard potentiometers. As weve explained before, a potentiometer relies on sliding part of the controller against a sensor to read resistance to measure the position. The more the wiper travels, the less reliable the center point becomes. With the Hall effect, and the magic of magnetism, theres no physical contact between the button and the sensor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JluAuIJ-tSY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BL93btOz1Y

Controller manufacturer got so "Cheap" that the Potentiometer based Analog Stick created piles of controller E-waste.

Spending a bit more on your "Halls Effect" based Analog Stick turns your Controller into something that will last DECADES.

It's the whole (How much money are you willing to spend / save).

We know what direction the 3x major console makers went, CHEAP, and that created the Analog Stick Drift debacle that they won't acknowledge.

They REFUSE to spend more $$$ on quality Analog Stick sensor tech like Halls Effect because it would make your controller last ALOT longer.

God forbid you don't waste money and create more "E-waste".

Alot of Hardcore gamers are DIY-ing their own controllers to use the more expensive "Halls Effect Sensors".

It's worth it if you want a controller to last a VERY LONG time if you seriously use your game pad.

The back paddles on the Xbox elite controller are great. Would be great if more controllers had them. Too bad some patent trolls hold a patent to it (that's in part why the elite controller is expensive, Microsoft pays money to the patent holders)

YellowSUV posted...

The back paddles on the Xbox elite controller are great. Would be great if more controllers had them. Too bad some patent trolls hold a patent to it (that's in part why the elite controller is expensive, Microsoft pays money to the patent holders)

And in 20 years since the patent was created, it'll become public domain, which means everybody will have it.

Kamen_Rider_Blade posted...

And in 20 years since the patent was created, it'll become public domain, which means everybody will have it.

The patent for it shouldn't even exist in the first place. The N64 Z button is a clear example of prior art, and that controller is well over 20 years old.

YellowSUV posted...

The patent for it shouldn't even exist in the first place. The N64 Z button is a clear example of prior art, and that controller is well over 20 years old.

You can go take it to court and contest the patents if you want.

Until that happens, it still stands.

2 buttons and a joystick are all we really need. (Not counting a start/select button)

bo_danvers posted...

2 buttons and a joystick are all we really need. (Not counting a start/select button)

Gangster.

bo_danvers posted...

2 buttons and a joystick are all we really need. (Not counting a start/select button)

So, basically D-Pad + 4 buttons.

The same amount would be fine. More would be better. Fewer would be worse.

bo_danvers posted...

2 buttons and a joystick are all we really need. (Not counting a start/select button)

In all honesty, your desire for so few inputs, would've been easily satsified by the Genesis 3-button controller.

It meets all your requirements of 8-directions + 4 buttons in total in a "optimum ergonomic" layout from a controller of that era.