How curious. A patent has been dug up by Internet sleuths that suggests Sony may be working on a universal controller that would work with the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii. According to the patent, this controller would be a fully-fledged gaming device and would feature an LCD touch-screen displaying commands for the latest consoles.
A game console controller includes a hand-holdable housing and a touch sensitive liquid crystal display (LCD) on the housing. The LCD is caused to present, depending on what type of game console a user has selected, a controller key layout for a first type of game console or a controller key layout for a second type of game console. A key layout includes plural keys selectable by a user to input commands to a game console.
Of course, a patent is no guarantee that the idea has progressed beyond the theoretical stage, but it's still interesting to note. It would make sense from a business perspective, too. Sure, you are effectively producing peripherals for your rivals, but at the same time, those rivals won't be able to sell their own first-party accessories if you're providing a catch-all alternative with superior functionality ... in theory.
Rumor: Sony is Developing a Universal Gaming Controller For Use With Xbox and Nintendo Consoles [Gizmodo via GoRumors]
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
Likes
PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3
Meet the rest of the team
| BBcode help |
| [b]Bold text[/b] |
Bold text |
| [i]Italic text[/i] |
Italic text |
| [url]http://www.dtoid.com/[/url] |
http://www.dtoid.com |
| [url=http://www.dtoid.com/]Web link[/url] |
Web link |
|
| [img]http://www.example.com/robot.jpg[/img] |
 |
Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:
Comment with Facebook
Click connect and comment instantly!
|
Comment with Dtoid
New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds
|
29 comments | showing # 1 to 29
|
Comment with Facebook
Click connect and comment instantly!
|
Comment with Dtoid
New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds
|
Comments policy
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
8:00 AM on 02.19.2010
| 
Still, good idea Sony, support this 100%.
So the game itself can program a different interface on the controller. Much more interesting
But then maybe they just filed the patent to block out someone else doing it and have no intention of making this product themselves (can patents work like that?).
You wont be able to rest your thumb over the buttons then, but rather be forced to permanently suspend your fingers in mid-air like when using the iPhone. So annoying.
I do enjoy the feel of the 360 controller, but pick up a Gamecube controller. Makes you wonder why Nintendo ever left it.
I think your right but there is no reason i can think of why the device couldn't not use a usb receiver that gets input from the user wirelessly.
In before lawsuit
Sounds like a great idea in theory but it seems like a lot to over come before we see a universal controller made by anyone.
Even thats the controller on the bottom of my list^^. I love my little cube but the controller is way to minimalistic for me. I need more Buttons^^. Also its kind of a random button arrangement. Since Ps1 iam a little spoiled with where wich kind of button has to be.The 360 controller is for me like a better version of the ps1/2 controller, not to slim and not to big(xbox1).
If this was compatible with Wii and Xbox 360, then Sony's gaming department must be in much more serious financial trouble than they let on. No healthy first party would create 3rd party hardware for their competitors. In fact, the only way this would be made is if Sony left the console market altogether.
Incidently, I don't know the laws concerning unlicensed software, but I do remember that third parties used to have the legal right to make unlicensed games back in the Atari and NES days. To my knowledge the only reason all third party software is licensed is because of the necesary disk format the first parties use to run the games, not due to any illegality of third party unlicensed software. In theory, Sony can make and distribute that controller without a second thought to Nintendo or Microsoft.
yeah, they can do that... i hope they don't do a dick move of that sorts though, since this actually sounds pretty cool.