For what? Once it comes out, Sony is sticking with whatever design came in the box. That's why they need to slightly change the controller before release. The touch-panel makes more sense in the back since we wont need to take our thumbs off of the analog and face buttons just to use it. If they leave it in the front, then it would be nearly useless for games since the only fingers i'd have freely available (after extending thumbs to use a frontal touch pad) will only leave me with the ability to use shoulder buttons only. If u ever played a vita, u would know that the BACK panel is a great addition because u dont have to stop using analog's/face buttons just to use back panel at the same time. So it's like having even MORE buttons. But putting it on the front ruins that. Also, using it in the back is just as intuitive as being in the front when it comes to navigating menu's.

I once heard a guy on n4g say he wants panel in the front because he wants to "see" where he's pressing on it: but he failed to realize that u are only FEELING your position on the pad, as "seeing" it is useless because your eyes will be fixated on the tv screen (the front panel displays no extra images). Using it on the Vita shows that it's usefull most in the back. But in the front it's less usefull. Look at the Keyboard QWERTY mini pad attachment that goes in the same area of the front of the ps3 controller that sony sells. That got notoriously bad reviews on Amazon and other sites BECAUSE extending the thumbs out that far is hard for the thumbs, takes your eyes off the screen, and renders the analog and face buttons useless when diverting your thumbs to the center of controller.

How about this: if the cost of touchpad is dirt cheap, then put a panel on either side (both). But if it's costly for sony to put two panels, then only go with one in the back, as it could greatly improve games like FPS games. But I doubt it is costly since even the Ouya controller has a touch panel and yet the controller is kept relatively affordable. So two panels likely wouldnt raise price much more at all

History repeating itself? Sony needs to reconsider the value of putting the pad in the back as opposed to the front.

Edit: also, I see some disagrees, but no intelligent counter arguments. I get blasted for sharing my opinion, but no one has their own. Gotta love the n4g community.

"The touch-panel makes more sense in the back since we wont need to take our thumbs off of the analog and face buttons just to use it. If they leave it in the front, then it would be nearly useless for games since the only fingers i'd have freely available (after extending thumbs to use a frontal touch pad) will only leave me with the ability to use shoulder buttons only."

I don't know about you Donnie, but I can comfortably hold both analog sticks and use the D-pad/start select/face buttons with my index fingers with no discomfort and minimal stretching. I do it all the time in borderlands and battlefield.

A touchpad or screen will never be able to replace analog sticks. With analog sticks you automatically know what position it's in. I've played quite a lot of games on my phone that emulate an analog stick or d pad. It simply doesn't work as well even after practice. The physical feedback can't be emulated on a level surface.

I don't see protruding outside edges as a viable solution either. It would be better compared to a completely smooth surface like a phones touchscreen. But it would still be near impossible to do more precise movements compared to physical analog.

I agree that i too like the physical feel but we have seen so many bad emulations on touch devices that why would it be hard to imagine (even for a momemt) that we get one that is done to perfection.

All Im saying is dont count the idea completely out until we have seen it done right. It takes many times to get something right and the evolution of the PS controller started off without the sticks.

I know how integral a part of their controller they have become which is why I think them evolving the controller into something that can offer more diversity in how its used instead of what we have come to expect.

That is usually how it works. You get so many failed attempts that tend to turn people off until something comes along and does it right. then it isnt so bad and more ideas can come of it. timing is the key and in this day and age of touch everything it just makes sense that sony would offer a better touch control interface than what people are accustomed to.

No matter if they do twin touch or a single touchpad like in this controller, it looks like they will be adding touch regardless. People need to be more open minded to how something could be used not closed minded that it simply exists.

I'm not completely against touch surfaces, but analog sticks are too important and pretty much perfect at what they're supposed to do. Don't fix it if it's not broken. A controller has plenty of other viable places to put the touchpad, I don't see any reason why it should replace a tried and true mechanic which everyone is used to over many years of gaming.

One game that Sony payed $200 million for. lol
Also, you sure were quick to get triggered. Maybe your the one who needs a hug?

War is causing gas prices to rise. Transport of everything requires gas so the prices of those items go up as well. So it does have an impact

The blockage of the Straight of Hormuz due to the US-Iran war has affected raw components used in semi-conductor manufacturing such as bromine, aluminum, and helium. Iran had attacked the liquified natural gas (LNG) plant in Qatar which is a large producer (1/3 globally) of helium which is used in semiconductor etching. So it's the both the war and the RAM crises.

The gaming world would be

Yes very much so

Nah, I never said first-party was enough. I said it’s the ‘best way’ to drive gamers to your platform. 3rd-party is a free-for-all and there’s no guarantee that gamers will use your hardware to play the game. If you want to push your own software and/or hardware you need first-party, or at least exclusive deals with third-party studios.

How can you even see him being "emotional" in that comment?

If anything, you're the emotional one, constantly trying to go at anyone that says anything against Microsoft. So when you call him emotional, it comes off as deflection

No, its dead...

I own an XBSX & I can say it's becoming irrelevant out of the 3 current consoles.