Week 09: Game Technology

ERGONOMICS!!!! Damn that word! it appears to have made an appearance in nearly every modern day product specification. It comes under the point of 'must be ergonomically pleasing to the target audience' or from what i was taught in graphic design last year it is!! Ergonomics and aesthetically pleasing products are beginning to take over the market. However there are some exception to how good some things look. At a glance, the new PS3 controller doesn’t look comfortable, it looks futuristic and strange. What was wrong with the old controller? The supposed new 'sleek' design is supposed to appeal to all people. But in reality, even though the aesthetics of a product are important, the looks might not change somebody’s mind. Its probably more a case of its the PlayStation, they have always been good consoles, ill buy the new better one. We all know the superbly well-known good reputation, which Sony have don’t we. Style and looks can sometimes be put before comfort and practicality. To me, this doesn’t seem right. I would rather hold a comfortable controller even if it didn’t look good. I mean don’t get me wrong; the PS3 controller could be the comfiest thing ever! Who knows! But it just doesn’t look it that’s all.

The soon to be released Wii have created a small, rectangular wireless controller. XBox released a wireless controller with the 360, but it didn’t hugely differ from the original. The Wii however looks more like a slightly bigger iPod shuffle! obviously with a very different purpose. Controllers and consoles are constantly changing. What happened to the good old fashioned joystick! i remember using one of those...*reminisces of simpler times when a PC and Sega Megadrive were the best things around* I love the xBox and the controller. Ok so the original console isnt the best looking thing around! (it has been described as a doorstop in the past by dear old Joey...she has since changed her opinion!) but the 360 changed the initial look of the console. The controller to me is sooooooooo comfortable! The way its laid out is just right for the positioning for somebody to use and reach all the controls. Even me and i have small hands!! It was easiest to use in my opinion. But I have to say, PlayStation wins the looks contest! it gets sleeker every year! I like the idea of wireless controllers too.......what will they invent next eh......