Redesigning the Modern
Gaming Controller
To design and develop an innovative gaming controller that
optimizes user comfort and ergonomics while effectively
utilizing all fingers for an enhanced gameplay experience.
Daniel Neve ID6 Spring 2024 Section 2
Are gaming controllers...
- comfortable?
- ergonomic?
- effective?
- reliable?
Past Gaming Controllers
NES Famicom 1983 SNES 1990 PlayStation 1994 N64 1996 PlayStation 2 2000 GameCube 2001 XBOX 2001
XBOX 360 2005 PlayStation 3 2006 PlayStation 4 2013 XBOX One 2013 Steam 2015 Nintendo Switch 2017 PlayStation 5 2020
Console Controller Matrix + Specs
- Average controllers
- No customizations
- Using 4 - 6 fingers
Nintendo Switch Joy-Con
$69.99
Price
- +
Nintendo Switch Pro
PlayStation DualShock 4 $69.99 PlayStation Dual Sense
XBOX Controller $64.99 $74.99
$56.99
Easy SMX
$28.99
PowerA XBOX
$29.99
Logitech G F310
$14.99
- Customization / Utility
Console Controller Matrix + Advantages
- Buttons on the back
- Custom button mapping
- Utilizing more fingers
XBOX Elite Series 2
$179.99
Scuf Reflex
$199.99
Price
- +
PlayStation Dual Sense Edge
$199.00 Steam Controller
Thrustmaster eSwap X Pro
$169.99 $269.99
Victrix Gambit
$79.99
- Customization / Utility
VR & AR Controller Matrix +
PlayStation VR2
Meta Quest Touch Pro $549.99
Pico 4 $299.99 *cannot buy controllers separate
$29.99 Meta Quest 2
$74.99
Price
- +
HTC Vive 2.0 Pimax Sword Button Layout
$199.99 $269.00
- Different grips
- Where do they put buttons?
- Wrist guard
- Functionality
Best Controller?
Competition Analysis
XBOX Elite Series 2 PlayStation Dual Sense Edge Scuf Reflex
$179.99 $199.00 $199.99
Pros Pros Pros
- Most Affordable - Customizable - Four back buttons
- Best back button locations - Comes in durable case - Customizable Look
- Most comfortable - Adaptive Triggers - Durable shell
Cons Cons Cons
- Not cross-compatible - Only two back buttons - Most expensive
- Durability concerns - Not cross-compatible - Not cross-compatible
- Connectivity issues - Heavy - Reliability
Trend Board
Sophisticated Sleek Soft Symmetrical
Why is that Important?
Research Infographics 35 years old
Average of gamers
3 Billion 80%
Gamers are over 18 y/o
Gamers in the world
38%
Of the world play video games $69.99
Average cost of a
video game
61% Controller injuries
Men
Carpal tunnel
30% De Quervains’s
Tenosynovitis
Women
$282 Billion
Video gaming industry
Social
- Gaming is culturally acceptable
- Gaming at an older age
- Community / gaming with friends
- Cultural shifts towards entertainment
Problem
Economics
- Investing in fun
- Disposable income
Opportunity
- Shift in spending focus
Gap
Technology
- Haptic feedback
- Modularity
- Advances in technology (size)
Survey & Interviews
33 Survey Responders, 5 Interviewers Quotes
“Thumbs are being overworked”
19 - 29 “Every controller feels the same
71.4%
Age of responders and in my hand”
Say their fingers are
interviewers
underutilized
What do you like
about your controller?
66.7% Male Buttons on the back
30.6% Female Simple / sleek
2.8% Non-Binary Holds a charge for a long time
Looks / style
85.7%
Durable Are interested in a
button redesign
What don’t you like
How often do you game? about your controller?
Sore thumb
Palm ache
48.6% Very Frequently Wrist pain
28.6% Occasionally
17.1% Regularly
Hand cramps
Too big and too small 91.4%
5.7% Rarely Not ergonomic Open to a completely
Stick drift new controller design
User Task Environment
- Adults ages 18 - 35 - Gaming for an extended period - Living room, bedroom, basement
- Avid first-person shooter Video - Sitting or laying down - Social gaming events
Gamer - Gaming with friends - Food and drinks present
- Enjoys hanging out with friends
- Disposable income
Persona Jonathan Moore
Male, 26
About
- Lives in Plymouth, Minnesota
- Renting
Profession
- Machine Learning Scientist
- $105,000 Salary
Relationship Status
- Married
- No Kids
Hobbies
- Is a competitive first-person shooter
video gamer
- App Developer
Design Criteria
- Fit Different Hand Sizes
- Durable Product
- Include Brand Elements
- Be Comfortable
Mood Board
Joystick Trackpad
PlayStation 5 2020 Steam 2015
Pros Cons Pros Cons
- Familiarity - Limited precision - Precision movement - Learning curve
- Versatility - Limited movement - Durability
- Stick drift - Innovation
Ideation
Clay Ideation Final Directions
Concept 1 Concept 2 Concept 3
Revised clay models took shape from the initial batch.
I came up with 3 final concepts. Next I needed to test
these out to see what people thought of the ergonomics.
User Testing
Conclusions
- Best angle of the track pad
- Larger buttons for different hand sizes
- make sure the track pad isn’t too concave.
User Testing Results
Best Looking Most Comfortable Best Track Pad Data
1 2 3
Best Looks
Grip Comfort
Thumb Pad Layout
Track Pad Shape
Resting Thumb Angles
Best for all Hand Sizes
1 2 3
Button Location
Overall Shape
Most Potential
- Elegant ‘shell’ design - Thick controller felt the best in the hand - Best curved track-pad
- Looks the most like a PS5 Controller - Buttons were too close together - Adjust grip for smaller hand sizes
- Adjust angle of track-pad - Start buttons felt unintentional - Form looks incomplete
- Space the buttons better - Track pad directions were confusing - Standing by itself was a nice addition
Final Direction
Multiple iterations from the clay models to
the final CAD and 3D printed models.
SolidWorks Model
Touch pad for middle,
ring and pinkie finger
LED surrounding
Thumb Pad
SolidWorks Dimensions
Final Model
Made from 3D printed parts that were primed and painted.
Packaging
Sold online at Amazon, Target, Best Buy, etc. and in
stores in boxes like these.
Color Material Finish
Textured White ABS Plastic
Injection Molded
Reflective Thumbpad
Gloss Black ABS Plastic
Injection Molded
Smooth Edges
Satin White ABS Plastic
Injection Molded
DUALSense evo
Thumbpad
How does the
thumbpad work?
The thumbpad design offers enhanced
precision and control. With a concave touch-
sensitive surface, it detects finger movement
across a wide area, allowing for finer in-game
actions. This durable, non-mechanical design
ensures longevity and ergonomic comfort for an
immersive gaming experience.
DUALSense evo
Touchpad
How does the
touchpad work?
The touchpad redefines input versatility by
incorporating the middle, ring, and pinkie fingers,
like a laptop touchpad. Each finger’s interactions
corresponds to distinct inputs. A single finger press
triggers one input, two fingers activate another, while
simultaneous pressure from all three fingers initiates
a third output. This intuitive system expands control
possibilities, offering seamless transitions between
actions for a more immersive gaming experience.
DUALSense evo Digital Button
Dual Triggers The smaller digital buttons serve as triggers
that lack the adaptive resistance. The
button is either on or off. This is essential for
precise control while gaming.
Adaptive Trigger
An adaptive trigger dynamically adjust the
resistance based on in-game actions and
scenarios. This means that when you’re
drawing a bow in a game the trigger will
provide tension similar to the real-life
experience. This adds an extra layer of
immersion when gaming.
DUALSense evo
LED, Speakers, Buttons LED Ring
With both aesthetic charm and practical
function, this LED can be used as a timer,
directional guide, or just enhance the
immersion in every game.
PS Button
Popular on all PS devices, the PS button
allows you to switch between games, adjust
settings, and connect with friends.
Speakers
Built in high quality speakers improves the
clarity of the in-game sounds and voice chat
audio for an improved user experience.
Mute/Fn
Quickly mute your microphone or who whole
system with the gray mute button. The Fn
button allows you to access, modify, or
Options/Share
quick-swap different controller profiles, as Serves as a command center for fine-tuning
well as adjust the game volume. settings and managing in game menus.
How does this solve the Problem?
- Thumbs never have to leave the controls
- All fingers are utilized for button control
- Fits in with PlayStation design language
- Comfortable to hold
DUALSense evo
Wireless Controller
Thank You!
Works Cited
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