This was a group project in May 2012 that explored the usability of a new controller. Our team came up with a PlayStation controller that could be assembled differently for different game scenarios. It's interesting to note the similarities that this controller has to the current PS4 controller, mainly with the touch screen ability. Our team also analyzed a few games to showcase how the controller would be used in those situations.

1. Playstation Cerberus
A Controller Collaboration Designed by:
Zombie Generation
Jordan Grigsby
Wesley Miner
Orion Mitchell
Christopher Nelson
Deven Roberts
Game Usability

2. PS Cerberus Introduction
• Controllers are an integral component of the game industry. Controllers
are also vital to the player experience. The interface of a controller must
be designed perfectly for the player. Controllers must be designed so they
fit a player’s hand comfortably, allowing for long periods of play. As a
result, the buttons on a controller must be organized specifically on a
controller so that every button can be easily accessed. Controllers have
evolved a lot over the years because usability has become increasingly
more important in the game industry. Useless additions and cumbersome
properties have been striped and controllers have been refined to the
point of near perfection. With the PS Cerberus looks to go above and
beyond what’s expected, in order to reach true perfection.

3. Introduction Continued
•
The Sony PlayStation has been a long-time competitor in the gaming industry.
The PlayStation 2 was the most popular gaming console of its time, outselling
and producing the Xbox and GameCube. With the coming of the PS3, the
system has unfortunately fallen behind Nintendo and Microsoft. With the Wii
came the innovative motion controller and Microsoft took that technology
even further with Kinect. The PlayStation 3 needs a well-deserved change and
designers argue that the PS3’s controller is lacking. The PlayStation 3 needs a
revolutionary design that is able to compete with the changing world that is
the video game industry. The problem being, is that games today utilize many
different gaming styles. Some prefer motion controls while others want a
more complex physical controller. PS Cerberus looks to push the PlayStation 3
to higher standards.

4. Abstract
The Cerberus is the new controller being designed for the PlayStation 3
and can be used for future Sony systems. The controller implements a
touch screen interface while maintaining the traditional design of the
Dualshock 3. The controller can separate into multiple pieces for
alternate play styles for the casual and hardcore gamers. It also
provides additional room for future attachments. Cerberus is a
versatile controller that takes game to a whole new level with its
innovative attachments.

5. Design Inspiration
•
The gaming industry is evolving at a rapid pace. Developers and producers all want
to create the hottest content. Gaming, like everything in society revolves around
trends. Currently, the industry is seeing large amounts of motion control based
games being produced. In addition to motion, touchscreens and button-less
interfaces are fast become popular. Our team was set on the goal of creating a
controller that could incorporate these trends without compromising simplicity.
We designed a controller that could be used for the casual motion gamer while
also catering to the core gamer. Gamers now have the ability to mold the
controller the way they wish to play. There is a touchscreen for core gamers that
serves as a keyboard and menu interface for shooters and RTS games. For the
casual gamer, the sticks are used for motion controls, offering precise motion
tracking.

6. Design Assumptions of PS Cerberus
• With our design, we decided to revolutionize the controller industry by
attempting to implement every element of the controller, motion
control, a physical controller and an LCD touch screen. The controller is an
all-in-one design, and we assume that the design will revolutionize the
industry because there isn’t anything out there that could possibly
compete with its design. One of the assumptions that can be made is that
the touch screen would allow the possibility of players being able to
access the menus without interfering with the gameplay. Players would be
able to send messages to other players without having to pause the game.
The controller would add to the player’s experience. It would definitely
please the people whom are using it because it would be cheaper because
of the fact that it is an all-in-one controller. “Good game feel, then, is
when the controls of game feel feels intuitive, deep, and aesthetically
pleasing”. The design is extremely intuitive because of its unique design.
The design will ultimately push the PS3 ahead of the game because of the
fact that there isn’t a single other controller that exists like it.

7. Borderlands
•
Borderlands is an open world FPS that offers gamers both a broad range of customization as
well as an expansive world of exploration. Players take control of one of four treasure hunters
in search of the Vault, a location holding the universe’s most sacred treasure. In order to
survive, players must make use of the thousands of gun choices and hundreds of customizable
attributes available.
•
Borderlands works best with the touchscreen on the controller. The screen serves as a menu
interface for easy navigation. This menu is broken down into manageable categories.
Touching the screen will pause the game and bring up the item menu on the controller’s
touchscreen. Players can select an item from the menu and a diagram of that item will be
displayed on the television screen along with a brief description as well as performance
ratings. This attribute is superior to normal controllers because the once chaotic menu
interface in Borderlands is now easier and faster to navigate.

8. LittleBigPlanet Summary and Use
• LittleBigPlanet has long been a staple game for the PS3. It is an actionadventure platform and puzzle game that can be played with up to
four players both online or local.
• Our controller will be superior not only for adding a keyboard to make
speaking online more convenient; but will also work off the move and
making the user’s Sackman dance around. The control offline when
split apart will allow for comfort and flexibility.

9. Star Craft II Wings of Liberty
• Star Craft II is a Real Time Strategy game or RTS. In the
game the player takes on the role of Jim Raynor the
leader of a separatist group. Then the Zerg, an alien
life form attacks, and the story get interesting.
• The game involves managing
resources, building a host of
different troops and
vehicles, and the construction
buildings. The player controls
groups of troops as they
engage and defend against
enemy forces.
http://browse.deviantart.com/?order=9&q=star+craft+2&offset=72#/d31vhpb

10. Star Craft II and the PS Cerberus
“The one great advantage that the Cerberus will have over it’s competition is
that it can bring RTS games to the console system.” ( Orion Mitchell, Personal
communication, June 22nd, 2012)
One reason RTS games have failed to
translate to the console system is a
lack of hotkeys. The Cerberus allows
hotkey action through its touch
screen keyboard interface allowing
players to easily select troops and
send them into the fray against the
Zerg.
Touch Screen Mini Map Defeat in an RTS is usually due to
players not being able to get to
trouble areas quickly. Utilizing the
touch screen players can instantly
touch and move to locations of the
map. Utilizing the touch screen as a
Touch Screen Keyboard
hand held mini map
For Hotkeys

11. Schematic #1: PS Cerberus
Touch Screen, with Touch Screen Keyboard
Right Bumper
Left Bumper
D-Pad
Top Down View FIG 1
Action Buttons

12. Schematic #2: PS Cerberus
Top Down View FIG 2
Start
Select
Play Station Button
Left Thumb Stick
Right Thumb Stick

13. Schematic #3: PS Cerberus
Top Down View FIG 3
USB Connection
USB Connection

14. Schematic #4: PS Cerberus
Top Down View FIG 4
USB Male Connection
USB Female Connection
The controller comes apart, at the USB ports, allowing the player to
switch out components to enhance their style of play. Allowing
different controller add-ons to be utilized and future control schemes to
be created, designed and sold

15. Schematic #4: PS Cerberus
USB Connector
Connector cross is used to
connect both halves of the
controller together to form a
more standard dual thumb
stick controller.
The USB cable is used to
connect the controller
together but allow
independent movement with
each hand.
USB Cable

16. PS Cerberus Controller Prototype
• The Prototype made up
of air dry clay consists
of five parts. The left
and right controls can
be connected via the
touch screen
controller, by a USB
wire, or by USB
Connector. The testing
procedure varies from
form to form.
• Cerberus Broken-down
Figure 2

17. The Three Forms of PS Cerberus

18. PS Cerberus USB Wired
• The left and right controls
of the Cerberus can also be
connected via the a USB
Wire. This adds a different
way to use a controller that
has only been seen with the
more primitive controllers
of the Wii Mote and
Nanchuck. The Cerberus has
all of the buttons that the
PS3 controller has while
providing a new
comfortable way to play.

19. PS Cerberus USB Connector
• The USB Connector
allows Cerberus to
transform into a more
stereotypical PS3
Controller. The USB
connector is a thin
connector that has two
male USB connectors
which connect into the
female USB slots of the
left and right controls.

20. PS Cerberus Touch Screen
• The Touch Screen for PS
Cerberus can be inserted via
the two male USB
connectors on the sides of
the touch screen into the
female USB slots of the left
and right controller. The
touch screen can act as a
inventory screen, a
navigational map and also
switch to a keyboard for
multiplayer games over the
internet.

21. Discussion of Findings and Results
• The Cerberus is a versatile controller that has the ability to transform into
the ideal controller for the user. It takes some of the best ideas from some
of the most innovative controllers.
• The Touch Screen reminds users of the PS Vita. Players are able to keep an
extra screen open to enhance single player game play by allowing the
player a place for stats, maps, and inventory. The Touch Screen enhances
online multiplayer games by providing a map to show teammate
locations, and a keyboard to chat via message to one another.
• Connecting via the USB wire may make the user feel they are using a more
advanced version of the Wii mote/Nun chuck. The inner motion sensors
allow for use of the six axis as well as prepare the PS3 for more motion
control games.
• While the Cerberus is versatile, sometimes the user prefers to use a
controller more akin to the original PS3 controller. By using the USB
Connector they can turn the controller into an old fashion PlayStation
controller that players will enjoy .

22. Conclusion
The Cerberus controller works well with all the games tested in
this project: Borderlands (FPS), LittleBig Planet (Platformer), and
Starcraft II (RTS), and is expected to excel in other game genres.
The detachable design allows for a wide variety of players of all
types. The design also allows for future peripherals to be
attached if desired. The touch screen implementation adds an
extra depth to nearly any game. It can display the map of the
current area, shortcut actions, a shortcut to the inventory
screen, and a keyboard for text communication.

23. References
•
•
•
•
•
Ryckert, D. (2009, October 19). Borderland review.
Retrieved from:
http://www.gameinformer.com/games/borderlands/b/xbox360/archive/2009/10/19/borderlandsreview.aspx
Norman, D. (1988). The design of everyday things. (pp. 3168). New York, NY: Basic Books.
Schaffer, N. (2008). Game usability. (pp. 271-389).
Burlington, MA: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers.
Images from:
– http://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi
– http://www.littlebigplanet.com/images/assets/shared/screenshots/potc_screen7.jpg
Wcomix, (Digital Artist). (2010) Star Craft 2 [Digital Art] Retrieved June 22 nd 2012, from
http://browse.deviantart.com/?order=9&q=star+craft+2&offset=72#/d31vhpb