PS4 Touchpad. How Would You Use It?

If I were I dev, I could probably assign at least 2optional/additionalhotslots/items for the touch pad for "basic" usage.

(Divide the touchpad into two: left and right inputs)

Might be great for MMO/RPG games (but ofc, not limited to).

 
For the more "advanced" usage and/or users, maybe 4 or more skills/items based on gestures (swipe up for item 1 /skill 1, swipe left for item 2/skill 2, etc.) -above/additional to what items or skills you've already mapped on the traditional button layouts.

Technically, it could revolutionize console gaming for the lack of buttons.

BUT it's probably never going to happen. Why? Because MS may "not allow" such with their "protect" consumers policy -if true:

Microsoft reserves the right not to allow content on the Xbox 360 if it isn't as good as versions on other systems, is kicking the "living crap" out of publishers.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/112785-Sony-Exec-Blasts-Microsoft-for-Content-Policy

Maybe less "artificial" barriers like forcing you to carry only this or that skill/item, the rest are a hassle to access for having to keep on digging into menus. Something tells me games are also designed with the input limitations in mind (traditional controllers).

As for the VITA, (w/c is capable of such).. I guess developers are just much more leery from it and much scared to place "daring new inputs" for some "core" titles because of its "situation" and maybe such input may be more demanding on its SoC.

I highly doubt the PS4 will go the route of the niche VITA.

id rather not mems_1224

Like the game tells me to.Granny_Spanked

It'll get some cool uses, that's for sure. Like the Vita's back touchpad, it's ultimately a huge gimmick, but can add some things to some games.Blabadon

Most likely a coaster.TheOwnerOner

As long as buttons are the main thing .. I dun mind the touch pad .... Its gonna be fun mixing both

I fear it will be used more for stuff like QTEs

But I like some of your ideas

I'd like to see it used the Vita rear-touch screen.

Stab the Killzone man in the throat with it. Such a gimmick

Stab the Killzone man in the throat with it. Such a gimmick

Samus3D

Stab the Killzone man in the throat with it. Such a gimmick

Samus3D

So what does that make the Wii U's touch screen?

like this

like this

 

stereointegrity

There are some games that support move and not Kinect, so i dont think 3rd party games would make a choice or have to leave out feature support next gennavyguy21

[QUOTE="Samus3D"]

Stab the Killzone man in the throat with it. Such a gimmick

PhazonBlazer

So what does that make the Wii U's touch screen?

like this

 

stereointegrity

That's really gimmicky. It's also pointless and cumbersome. Why use two thumbs to do what 1 finger can

[QUOTE="stereointegrity"]

like this

 

seanmcloughlin

That's really gimmicky. It's also pointless and cumbersome. Why use two thumbs to do what 1 finger can

So that another button can be used for something else?

You swipe your finger against the pad to pull out the guy's phone, why not just press square? Playstation developers will continue to praise the useless feature regardless.

It's the Sixaxis 2.0 barely going to be any game support for it. 

[QUOTE="PhazonBlazer"]

[QUOTE="Samus3D"]

Stab the Killzone man in the throat with it. Such a gimmick

Samus3D

So what does that make the Wii U's touch screen?

I have created a topic like this ever since the controller was introduced and i have concluded that gamers are dumb when it comes to creating ideas for the input, most still refer to it as a gimmick. When infact they prob use touchpads on their laptops quite alot, from the top of my head i would imagine as you have said that soon we would have weapon wheels in games like GTA, Red Dead mapped to the touchpad, also as seen in that Infamous footage, mapping energy replenish to the touchpad frees up the R2 (what was used before) button for something else, also i would imagine in tactical games, it could be used for quick command orders for squad mates and you also have those mini game hack sequences that can also be done with the touchpad, the possibilities are plenty yet gamers think ''impulse triggers'' is less of a gimmick than a touchpad, SMH for creative minds

[QUOTE="seanmcloughlin"]That's really gimmicky. It's also pointless and cumbersome. Why use two thumbs to do what 1 finger can

PhazonBlazer

So that another button can be used for something else?

It looks way too awkward to use in intense scenes in games. If there was a lull in gameplay, it might be okay to swipe here or touch there to do x,y and z.

But I can't see it being implemented well in a high octane game like Battlefield, where you'd have to sacrifice your fingers for the touchpad, instead of you know, shooting or moving the analog stick. It just appears way too cumbersome having to move your fingers to the centre of the controller, essentially waiving your ability to press any other buttons simultaneously.

I imagine there'll be a 10% adoption rate, most of the titles being 1st party. It's a gimmick of course, but it could be alright in some games.

Well I play Kerbal Space Program on my PC...

Sony annouced Unity support at Gamescom

Play KSP with a pad for docking/manual control and use the trackpad for interfaces... brilliant idea

Like the game tells me to.Granny_Spanked

This lol

I think the TC brought up some great examples, here's another one I thought of that could be very useful:

Team based games - Chat Wheel

If you've ever played Dota2, then you know the chat wheel. I think the touch pad could be used as a quick and intuitive way to give commands or relay information real fast on the go in a team based multiplayer game, for instance Battlefield 4. Sure, a mic would be preferable, but this has it uses. You could use it to mark an opponent, to give squad commands that everyone can see, and are updated immediately on the minimap/map. It could be very useful!

EDIT: Also, while on the topic of the chat wheel, it could also be used as a quick and instant access weapon wheel! for instance, you could have 8 points mapped on the touch pad. Top, bottom, left, right, top left corner (L+R), bottom corner (L+R). All you would have to do is swipe in the desired direction and the game would automatically equip whatever weapon you have mapped there. This would take away the limitation in console games where u either have only 2-4 weapons equippable at once, or you have to use the weapon wheel which pauses the game and/or is cumbersom. This would give u quick access like the number keys on your keyboard.

I wouldn't.

current ds4=60 dollars small capacity Li-on battery, useless power sucking Move light/sixaxis/touchpad.

My ds4=35 dollars large capacity Li-on battery, no Move light/sixaxis/touchpad.

It'll get some cool uses, that's for sure. Like the Vita's back touchpad, it's ultimately a huge gimmick, but can add some things to some games.Blabadon

Would use it to aim aoe skills which would be much more accurate and faster than analoguesilversix_

So, before I got my hands on a prototype DS4 and a Orbis, I used to think that the touchpad was a huge gimmick. In fact, I thought the controller looked silly. I couldn't have been more wrong. So, the touchpad essentially maps very similarly as an input device to the way a mouse works. Expect it to be supported in almost EVERY title that has a PC version.

The touchpad itself is GREAT for UI navigation. Going through inventory, menus, and making selections is so intuitive I can't imagine a console controller without a touchpad now. Part of what makes it so amazing is that the touchpad itself is a button; you can press the touchpad in when you hover over something, just like a mouse click.

If you guys were watching the PS4 UI reveal at Gamescom, I want you to know that all of the navigation he did was with the touchpad, including that silly message he wrote at the end. The controller has a cool way of vibrating when the cursor moves over a new object. It's a gentle thing, that way you don't feel like you have to keep looking down at the touchpad and up at the screen. I think many of you are going to be impressed with the touchpad features when this thing comes out. Trust me, it is no gimmick.

It seems completely unnecessary to me, even for swiping so we can add "more skills and items" we already have an interface for that, it's called a weapon wheel. The biggest drawback for MMO/RTS games is the lack of a mouse not the lack of buttons. bobbetybob

I'd use it sparingly if at all.  The Vita makes some decent use of the touch screen, but it has to since it's 4 buttons short (no L2, R2, L3, R3).  I just can't honestly see a use for it in games like shooters or racing games.  Maybe sports games, RPGs, or platformers could make use of it.

RTS games could benefit tremendously from it.

So, before I got my hands on a prototype DS4 and a Orbis, I used to think that the touchpad was a huge gimmick. In fact, I thought the controller looked silly. I couldn't have been more wrong. So, the touchpad essentially maps very similarly as an input device to the way a mouse works. Expect it to be supported in almost EVERY title that has a PC version.

The touchpad itself is GREAT for UI navigation. Going through inventory, menus, and making selections is so intuitive I can't imagine a console controller without a touchpad now. Part of what makes it so amazing is that the touchpad itself is a button; you can press the touchpad in when you hover over something, just like a mouse click.

If you guys were watching the PS4 UI reveal at Gamescom, I want you to know that all of the navigation he did was with the touchpad, including that silly message he wrote at the end. The controller has a cool way of vibrating when the cursor moves over a new object. It's a gentle thing, that way you don't feel like you have to keep looking down at the touchpad and up at the screen. I think many of you are going to be impressed with the touchpad features when this thing comes out. Trust me, it is no gimmick.

Shensolidus