Early DualShock 4 designs close to Xbox 360

According to a recent interview with Sony Computer Entertainment's Toshimasa Aoki, the DualShock 4 controller which will accompany PlayStation 4 when it launches next month, has undergone several revisions.

In an interview with Gamesbeat, Aoki admitted that initial designs were actually close to those of the Xbox 360 controller: "For the analog sticks, we did test having the analog sticks on top, since the Xbox has the left side on top [above the D-pad]. Especially from the shooter teams - we got feedback that that's what they wanted. They knew that consumers liked the 360 for shooters."

He later added: "The feedback from the user test team said that we needed to test this version, the Xbox version, and this version. [But having the two sticks symmetrical on the left and right sides] is kind of in our DNA. The prototype team, myself, and also the management team really felt that having this look is the PlayStation look, and we had to keep that."

One thing that the Xbox controllers don't have is a touch pad, which is a prominent part of the DualShock 4's design: "The developers love the touchpad, but only as the secondary input," added Aoki. "Of course, as it evolves and people get used to the touchpad, it may become more primary."

The PlayStation 4 is set launch in the UK on November 29.