Teiyo Goto at it again: Explains how SIXAXIS came to be

We know you like industry tidbits like this so here’s another one: the other day, Sony‘s console designer Teiyu Goto has explained the reason why they stuck with the Spider-Man font on the PlayStation 3 (PS3). Goto also talked about the controller’s design in the latest issue of the Official PlayStation Magazine (OPM).

It can be recalled that the prototype controller was quite prominent when it was presented during 2005’s E3. Comments on the boomerang-shaped controller were rather harsh, as people started saying that it looked like Batman’s boomerang. Goto admitted that this shape was the result of then-President Ken Kutaragi wanting something that was different. He shared,

President Kutaragi wanted something different for the controller. Quite frankly, we had set aside the ergonomic aspect in favour of the image it conjured up. We wanted to present an avant-garde model for the show, running a risk of being criticized.

The new controller, which we now know as the SIXAXIS, ended up retaining the look of the PlayStation 2’s (PS2) Dual Shock 2 controller. Teiyu Goto commented that the proposed “avant-garde” model was dropped because so many players were used to playing with the Playstation controller. In other words, the legacy of the Playstation brand was stronger compared to the desire for change. Goto explained,

The slightest change to the controller could annoy players and the risk wasn’t worth taking. Also PS2 and PS3 provide backwards compatibility; the ergonomics should be the same when you play games from the previous generation but without having to bring out the ‘wired’ controllers.

Via CVG

We know you like industry tidbits like this so here’s another one: the other day, Sony‘s console designer Teiyu Goto has explained the reason why they stuck with the Spider-Man font on the PlayStation 3 (PS3). Goto also talked about the controller’s design in the latest issue of the Official PlayStation Magazine (OPM).

It can be recalled that the prototype controller was quite prominent when it was presented during 2005’s E3. Comments on the boomerang-shaped controller were rather harsh, as people started saying that it looked like Batman’s boomerang. Goto admitted that this shape was the result of then-President Ken Kutaragi wanting something that was different. He shared,

President Kutaragi wanted something different for the controller. Quite frankly, we had set aside the ergonomic aspect in favour of the image it conjured up. We wanted to present an avant-garde model for the show, running a risk of being criticized.

The new controller, which we now know as the SIXAXIS, ended up retaining the look of the PlayStation 2’s (PS2) Dual Shock 2 controller. Teiyu Goto commented that the proposed “avant-garde” model was dropped because so many players were used to playing with the Playstation controller. In other words, the legacy of the Playstation brand was stronger compared to the desire for change. Goto explained,

The slightest change to the controller could annoy players and the risk wasn’t worth taking. Also PS2 and PS3 provide backwards compatibility; the ergonomics should be the same when you play games from the previous generation but without having to bring out the ‘wired’ controllers.

Via CVG