Sony files patent for a universal gaming controller.

The simple idea used for universal TV remotes, why not for gaming systems? That is what Sony is doing, using only one controller to play our video gaming systems. The Sony patent was filed back many moons ago of August 2008 but was just ‘released’ to the internet, February 18th, 2010. The Patent reads,

“Just like remote controls, game consoles, and thus game controllers, are becoming widespread. It is not surprising to find more than one game consoles in a household, especially when competing game console manufacturers attempt to attract unconventional consumer groups in the gaming industry. As understood herein, it would be useful to have a universal controller that would be able to work with a variety of game consoles.”

The details of the control would include liquid crystal touch-LCD screen that will bring up controller layouts for the system you are playing. For example, if you wanted to play Nintendo 64, an Nintendo 64 controller layout would pop up on the screen. Also it would include other varying button layouts specific to differing current and classic hardware, and also the ability to mimic an alphanumeric keyboard. The controller also features a rumble feature system and a built in speaker system. The Patent lightens what I’m saying here,

“This document describes an adaptable or universal game controller which can be used to emulate the controllers of popular game consoles, such as, without limitation, the PlayStation.TM. made by Sony, a controller made by Nintendo, X-box.TM. game controllers made by Microsoft, Amiga CD-32.TM. controllers, Atari Jaguar.TM. controllers, Gravis Gamepad.TM. controllers, Sega controllers, and Turbographics controllers, one or more of which terms may be subject to trademark protection. For ease of exposition trademark symbols will not be further used herein.”

In all honesty and have been saying this for a while, finally some game company (that has money and is big) came up with the idea of an universal gaming controller. I’m pretty sick of having all these gamecube controllers, playstation 2 controllers and wii-motes taking up a lot of space in my game, collection drawers. But that is my opinion of course. For sure that there are sure tons of problems with this idea though. One being is lawsuits against Sony for making a remote that is compatible on an Microsoft system or Nintendo system. In reality, I honestly don’t see Microsoft or Nintendo getting on board with this idea by Sony. If Sony does this, we all know what Microsoft and Nintendo would do to compete with Sony.
Below is just an outline ‘doodle’ draft of what an idea it would look like with it’s included features.