Gamepad attachment to future iteration of iPhones: Yes or No

[SpaceJunk]

Should the future iPhone have an option for an external gamepad (dpad, analog sticks, face buttons) that can be attached to the device?

All action-oriented games or any game that utilizes a virtual pad and buttons for that matter would benefit from this.

The key is to make its use optional for any game that supports it, because we don't want to carry the pad around everywhere like dorks.

[Osmiral]

I personally wouldn't buy it, I don't think it would add much to the gameplay, and personally I like the controls the way they are now. I guess some people might want a external controller but I say if you want that go get an xbox or something, something with better games and a bigger screen. Not to mention, youd also need somesort of stand for it, unless the controll attached to the itouch and supported it.

[kugi_igi]

at first, i really want to see one
but now,with all the games released this year
i think there is no need for that now
games that just needs those are limited
others can be controlled with touch controls well
anyway, if they do my idea to have separate sides
maybe it'll do ;)

[SpaceJunk]

Holy indifference

[Somerandomdude]

If anything, I'd like to see an attachable gamepad, not a built in one. Somewhat like the iControlPad if that ever comes out... It would make games with virtual controls that much easier, but having it come on the iDevice may take away some incentive to continue working on touch screen specific controls, possibly causing the loss of games that have been praised for controls, such as Spider.

[Kamazar]

I'm kinda leaning towards no. If a third-party instead of Apple releases one, it pretty much opens the floodgates for any other company that wants a crack at making a game pad. That means developers would have to choose which ones to support, and which not to. In a nutshell, no single game pad will be supported by all games. Secondly, who says devs will want to add in that support? They're use to just using the screen and accelerometer as controls. It's more work coding it so that game will work seamlessly with the controller. Everyone has a screen, that's pretty much a no brainer, but less than 30% will actually buy a game pad (most users serious about gaming'll just get a portable console), so what's the point?

Edit: Gah, I just realized I misread the question. Eh, my paragraph is still a decent, though slightly irrelevant argument. Realizing what you actually asked, no way would I want built in buttons. This is simple and sleek. With buttons, there's a greater chance that something'll get in the grooves or that something'll get just plain f***ed up. Happens with everything mechanical.

[Will090]

I wanted one until Gameloft made FPS work. However I would still be interested in one if it was thin and attached to the back of the phone and the buttons slide out. I could see myself using it for a "big" game on an airplane or car trip or something

[wootbean]

are there already some accessories being developed that will be connected through the dock connector?
I like the way the iPod looks on its own, really thin and sleek and shiny and simple

[DannyV]

I'd only use one if it was for home use only and if it had a receiver that connected the games to a big screen. That's the only reason I'd ever want a control pad on my Touch, otherwise, I'm good the way it is. I've never had any problems with how the games control.

[Outkast1]

i'd only be interested if it had its own battery and could charge the device. otherwise it's pointless... the iphone would run out of battery even faster and you probably wouldn't be able to charge with it on.

[iStephen]

I really hope that the iPhone never gets an attachment for games. I love the simplicity of the iPhone, and as previously mentioned by other people, Gameloft was able to make the virtual controls work awesomely in NOVA and Sandstorm.

Summary: No physical controls, please.

-My $0.02

[Outkast1]

I really hope that the iPhone never gets an attachment for games. I love the simplicity of the iPhone, and as previously mentioned by other people, Gameloft was able to make the virtual controls work awesomely in NOVA and Sandstorm.

Summary: No physical controls, please.

-My $0.02

Just to play devil's advocate here, why not have both? I don't think having a control-pad attachment would take away from the simpler games and apps, or those that utilize the iphones capabilities in the first place. I think there are enough dev's, games/apps on itunes, and enough different types of gamers that a control pad could easily co-exist with the rest.

[iStephen]

Just to play devil's advocate here, why not have both? I don't think having a control-pad attachment would take away from the simpler games and apps, or those that utilize the iphones capabilities in the first place. I think there are enough dev's, games/apps on itunes, and enough different types of gamers that a control pad could easily co-exist with the rest.

This could definitely happen. However, (obviously this is just my opinion) the iPhone's elegance comes from its simple form factor. Why add confusion? I can't believe i'm saying this but just buy a PSPgo if you want buttons. :)

[Outkast1]

yeah the sleekness and elegance is what I really like about it too. I'm happy with it the way it is but I know a lot of people really want that console experience or tactile feedback for platformers, etc. I don't think it will really hurt anything. I do think we'll be seeing them one day, whether the iControl Pad or something else, so I think it will be interesting to see how it turns out and what games adopt it.b

[iStephen]

yeah the sleekness and elegance is what I really like about it too. I'm happy with it the way it is but I know a lot of people really want that console experience or tactile feedback for platformers, etc. I don't think it will really hurt anything. I do think we'll be seeing them one day, whether the iControl Pad or something else, so I think it will be interesting to see how it turns out and what games adopt it.b

Agreed.

[kugi_igi]

wow, i misread the question too :D
of course the next generations of iPhone should not have buttons
that's a crap idea
maybe iControlPad will do(the first design not the current :p)
but as i said,iGaming is for touch controls for a unique gaming experience ;)

[Random_Guy]

No! It would probably too expensive anyway.

[MexicanJesus]

It could be fun, say if it attached through the dock and supported the back of the phone and located the pad dropped down from the screen in landscape. Almost like a ds if it did t fold or have a bottom screen. But only way I think it would work well is if say, gameloft made it and intended on making it work with all thier games. It would be fun and only way I could see it being more than a novelty item. But I believe apple would only let it work if apple made it.

[your personal robot]

Physical keys are sooooo yesterday ;)

[ImNoSuperMan]

Instead of a gamepad, what I`d like is that the touch screen extends beyond the visible screen portion of the iDevice. That way we can have onscreen dual analog sticks (or buttons) which arent visible on screen, saving precious screen space and making sure that the fingers dont block the screen too much.

Palm pre uses this type of extended touch screen but apple applied for such a patent way before pre (and even iPhone itself) was announced.

http://images.macrumors.com/article/bezelipod.png
http://www.macrumors.com/2006/10/26/video-ipod-patent-pictures-and-touch-sensitive-bezel/


This patent image shows the complete bezel as touch screen. But I`ll be more than happy if they just extend it to the top and bottom only ;)

[your personal robot]

Instead of a gamepad, what I`d like is that the touch screen extends beyond the visible screen portion of the iDevice. That way we can have onscreen dual analog sticks (or buttons) which arent visible on screen, saving precious screen space and making sure that the fingers dont block the screen too much.

Palm pre uses this type of extended touch screen but apple applied for such a patent way before pre (and even iPhone itself) was announced.

http://images.macrumors.com/article/bezelipod.png
http://www.macrumors.com/2006/10/26/video-ipod-patent-pictures-and-touch-sensitive-bezel/


This patent image shows the complete bezel as touch screen. But I`ll be more than happy if they just extend it to the top and bottom only ;)

Simply not practical. How do you want to hold this thing?

[ImNoSuperMan]

Simply not practical. How do you want to hold this thing?
The patent image shows the upper and lower part as extremely thin (patent images are always messed up intentionally). While on the iPod and iPhones we have quite a bit of space beyond the screen on top and bottom. I think it`ll work nice enough especially in those games which opt for floating analog sticks instead of fixed ones.

[Mew2468]

Wow, I would have expected the votes to be weighed a lot to one side, but they're pretty even.

The only way I would get one is if most games (that would benefit from it) were compatible with it, and if there was an option on those games to play without it (touch/accelerometer controls). I don't want a game that can ONLY be played with an external device; it should at least play well without it so that when I'm out and about (without the controller with me) I could still play the games.

[Asphyxiation]

No, it's stupid and pointless.

My battery runs out fast enough as is.

[str1f3]

I'd buy a controller if it could:

-have its own battery power or even charge the iPhone while playing

-could use it as a Bluetooth controller for this rumored tablet. Since it's supposed to have a 10 inch screen, I'd seriously doubt that you'll be able to play these fps's and racing games holding a screen that huge.

[MidianGTX]

I think a gamepad attachment would only go to fuel the notion that the iPhone is trying to do things it's not supposed to. iPhones and iPod Touches should be for touch and accelerometer based games, adding a controller attachment simply makes the device look like a failed PSP clone and greatly emphasizes the fact that games such as FPS don't control well enough.