PlayStation 4 Controller Unveiled (Update)

Update 2: Another trusted industry source has confirmed to IGN that the controller is indeed real, however it’s an early prototype, so it’s likely that it’ll be tweaked between now and when the console launches. 

Update 1: Kotaku’s now reporting that the controller is actually a real prototype, in other words the final product should look very similar to what you’re about to see.

Original Story: We finally have an actual picture of what the PlayStation 4 controller looks like.

 

The picture was first sent to Destructoid. Now, it’s unclear if the picture’s actually real, so although it looks like the real deal, this story will be labeled as a rumor. Sony has refused to comment.

And industry source familiar with the new console says the  photo is the real deal. However keep in mind, it may not represent the final form of the controller. Kotaku points to the official Orbis documentation that was shared a few weeks ago, which noted that the controller would feature a two-point multi-touch capable “pad” similar to the one on the back of the Vita. It can also be clicked for an additional input. Curiously, this prototype seems to not include a “Share” button, despite that button being described in the documentation.

PlayStation 4 controller analysis, courtesy IGN:

The analog sticks look to be a bit further apart, though they remain level, unlike the Xbox 360 controller’s unevenly placed sticks. However, the sticks themselves are concave, like the Xbox 360’s. PlayStation 3’s controller includes convex analog sticks.

The much-rumored touch pad – a la the back of PlayStation Vita – appears at the center of the controller. There’s a small, mystery button to the left of the pad, above and to the right of the d-pad. Is this the rumored share button? Or is it a start or select button, both conspicuously absent from this version of the controller?

Meanwhile, there’s a glowing “something” on the top of the controller – most likely PlayStation Move-related – as well as a PlayStation button seemingly identical to the one on the PS3 controller. Above the PlayStation button appears to be a speaker, and what looks to be an audio jack is underneath the controller, perhaps used to plug in a headset.

Here’s a big picture of the PS4 prototype controller. Here’s a magnified view.

Developing…