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Introducing Backbone One – PlayStation Edition, an officially licensed controller for PlayStation

Draugoth

Gold Member

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I am thrilled to introduce Backbone One – PlayStation Edition, an officially licensed mobile controller for iPhone users.

The look and feel of the Backbone One – PlayStation Edition was brought to life by our design team in collaboration with the brilliant minds at PlayStation. The elegant colors, materials, and finishes are all inspired by the design of the PS5 console’s DualSense wireless controller, all the way down to the transparent face buttons and its visually distinctive, floating appearance. It feels right at home with the other products in the PS5 lineup, like the Pulse 3D headset, which you can connect directly to the Backbone One – PlayStation Edition.

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Introducing Backbone One – PlayStation Edition, an officially licensed controller for PlayStation


Backbone One is the gaming essential for PlayStation on iPhone. If you have access to broadband internet and a PS5 or PS4 console, plug an iPhone into the Backbone One and instantly start playing your PS5 and PS4 games with the power of the PS Remote Play app—whether that’s out and about or even elsewhere in the home*. See the PlayStation Remote Play website for more information: https://www.playstation.com/remote-play/

Backbone One also works wonderfully with App Store games and other game streaming services that support controllers, including Genshin Impact, Fantasian, Call of Duty: Mobile, and more. Players can download the Backbone App for a customized PlayStation experience. Inside the app, you’ll see various PlayStation integrations, such as custom glyphs representing the iconic PlayStation shapes and the ability to browse hundreds of game titles.

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Players will also find a dedicated row inside the Backbone App with new releases and updates from PlayStation.

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Backbone One is powered by your iPhone device, so charging is not required. For more information about Backbone One – PlayStation Edition, please check out: https://playbackbone.com/playstation.

We are thrilled to release Backbone One – PlayStation Edition and can’t wait for PlayStation fans worldwide to get their hands on it. The Backbone One – PlayStation Edition will be available in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom at launch, with more countries to follow. We hope you’ll enjoy it.
 
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Rykan

Member
I know it's just a design change of an existing controller, but it's funny that the controller has asymmetric thumbsticks
It's just a lot better. The only reason Playstation keeps using the symmetrical layout for sticks is because its iconic.

And for the inevitable people looking respond with "Symmetrical sticks are better!" I want you to know that you're wrong and it makes me very upset.
 

ANDS

King of Gaslighting
Topic title is pretty awkward. Makes it seem like this thing was for the PS5/4. My first thought was "How the hell can you remove the functionality and still get SONY to sign off on this." Seeing it is for the phones makes sense. It's also slick as hell looking.

It's just a lot better. The only reason Playstation keeps using the symmetrical layout for sticks is because its iconic.

And for the inevitable people looking respond with "Symmetrical sticks are better!" I want you to know that you're wrong and it makes me very upset.

I'm not calling you a disgusting, degenerate liar (just thinking it), but I'm genuinely curious why that is. The only thing I can think of is a design-space choice (just picked up the Pro Controller and Dualsense and I can see the PC seems to put less stress on hand muscles - feels like you're pulling your thumbs together on the DC).
 
It's just a lot better. The only reason Playstation keeps using the symmetrical layout for sticks is because its iconic.

And for the inevitable people looking respond with "Symmetrical sticks are better!" I want you to know that you're wrong and it makes me very upset.
If im honest, it sorta makes no difference to me. But if im more hyperbolic.. It does feel slightly stupid, and it looks DISGUSTING.
 

Bojji

Member
It's just a lot better. The only reason Playstation keeps using the symmetrical layout for sticks is because its iconic.

And for the inevitable people looking respond with "Symmetrical sticks are better!" I want you to know that you're wrong and it makes me very upset.

It's pretty much the same... I can play on PS5 and switch to Xbox (or vice versa) and i don't see much difference in my ability to comortably play games. Dual shocks 1-3 were fucked up because sticks were to close to each other but DS4 fixed it.
 

Topher

Gold Member
It's pretty much the same... I can play on PS5 and switch to Xbox (or vice versa) and i don't see much difference in my ability to comortably play games. Dual shocks 1-3 were fucked up because sticks were to close to each other but DS4 fixed it.

Same. I move between DualSense and Xbox controller all the time and don't even think about the thumbstick placement.
 

Rykan

Member
I'm not calling you a disgusting, degenerate liar (just thinking it), but I'm genuinely curious why that is. The only thing I can think of is a design-space choice (just picked up the Pro Controller and Dualsense and I can see the PC seems to put less stress on hand muscles - feels like you're pulling your thumbs together on the DC).
Allow me to explain why asymmetrical sticks are technically, objectively, factually and above all morally superior.

The front of a controller can be separated in two different areas: Primary and Secondary. Primary areas are where your thumb naturally rests when you hold the controller. This is typically on the top half of the controller. Secondary areas are where you have to reach your thumb.

Nearly every game uses the left stick for movement. Since it's a primary function of nearly every game, it makes sense to put the stick in that position because you will basically use it all the time when you're playing.The d pas isn't used nearly as much, so its logically placed in the secondary spot on the bottom. This is also why the facebuttons are on the top and why the steam controller sucks so much.

So why is Sony still using the dualshock layout? Well, the dual shock came out after the playstation did and it was an alternative controller. A lot of games didn't support the DS sticks and even in those that did, it was usually optional. So in that context, it made sense to put the left stick in the secondary position.

Sadly, the controller became part of Sony's marketing campaign and that's why we're still stuck with it's layout. Everyone else basically moved on to the much more sensible asymmetrical option.
 

Miyazaki’s Slave

Gold Member
I have one of the original (black) backbone controllers for iOS and it is a fine mobile controller.

It has a nice heft/weight to it, the buttons are responsive, and it’s large enough to feel comfortable in my hill giant hands.

What I hate is the incoming accessory death for new iPhone models. With their rumored, but already underway, shift to USB C these clam shell controllers have an extremely limited life span of you plan on upgraded to the latest iOS device.

They also have an android version coming out in November of this year.
 

reksveks

Member
need a backbone for android
Have one in the US but it has xbox face buttons ( or the correct term). Ignore me, it's out in November.

The kishi V2 is a bit closer but it seems a bit smaller but the buttons are alot closer in terms of feel.
 
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skit_data

Member
Because you do not have to take your dualsense with you.
It’s primarily for remote play is it not? I.e you’re probably at home and have your Dualsense pretty close at hand?

I’ve only used remote play via wi-fi, so maybe that’s why I only think of it that way.
 

Ev1L AuRoN

Member
It's just a lot better. The only reason Playstation keeps using the symmetrical layout for sticks is because its iconic.

And for the inevitable people looking respond with "Symmetrical sticks are better!" I want you to know that you're wrong and it makes me very upset.
I disagree, I'm not saying that symmetrical sticks are better, what I'm saying is that there is no advantage whatsoever between both designs. I can argue that the Dualsense D-pad is much better for indie titles and games that play best with a D-pad because of the positioning and design. But for the analog sticks is irrelevant, if the left joystick on the top position is so much better, the logical conclusion is that the right one should also improve with the same positioning, and that is not the case at all.
 
I would post if I have, but it was not noticable to the eyes. To the touch however

Uh, are you sure those were nipples? I hope so.

It sucks, It hurts, It's no way to play a game.
That includes the Switch. My hand huts after only a few min of playing.

Your hands need to lift more iron if symmetrical thumbsticks tire them out. Pump that iron 💪

Allow me to explain why asymmetrical sticks are technically, objectively, factually and above all morally superior.

The front of a controller can be separated in two different areas: Primary and Secondary. Primary areas are where your thumb naturally rests when you hold the controller. This is typically on the top half of the controller. Secondary areas are where you have to reach your thumb.

Nearly every game uses the left stick for movement. Since it's a primary function of nearly every game, it makes sense to put the stick in that position because you will basically use it all the time when you're playing.The d pas isn't used nearly as much, so its logically placed in the secondary spot on the bottom. This is also why the facebuttons are on the top and why the steam controller sucks so much.

So why is Sony still using the dualshock layout? Well, the dual shock came out after the playstation did and it was an alternative controller. A lot of games didn't support the DS sticks and even in those that did, it was usually optional. So in that context, it made sense to put the left stick in the secondary position.

Sadly, the controller became part of Sony's marketing campaign and that's why we're still stuck with it's layout. Everyone else basically moved on to the much more sensible asymmetrical option.

You guys are acting like having your thumb resting slightly higher or lower is a matter of life and death. Unless you've got some serious joint issue, the difference in left stick placement has zero impact when actually playing, even for hours at a time.
 
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Fermbiz

Gold Member
I wonder if it works with thin phone cases. Only reason why i havent bought one of those razor controllers is because I'd have to keep removing my phone case when I want to use it.
 

Topher

Gold Member
I wonder if it works with thin phone cases. Only reason why i havent bought one of those razor controllers is because I'd have to keep removing my phone case when I want to use it.

That is a big drawback to these things. Some cases are not easy to remove either.
 
Allow me to explain why asymmetrical sticks are technically, objectively, factually and above all morally superior.

The front of a controller can be separated in two different areas: Primary and Secondary. Primary areas are where your thumb naturally rests when you hold the controller. This is typically on the top half of the controller. Secondary areas are where you have to reach your thumb.

Nearly every game uses the left stick for movement. Since it's a primary function of nearly every game, it makes sense to put the stick in that position because you will basically use it all the time when you're playing.The d pas isn't used nearly as much, so its logically placed in the secondary spot on the bottom. This is also why the facebuttons are on the top and why the steam controller sucks so much.

So why is Sony still using the dualshock layout? Well, the dual shock came out after the playstation did and it was an alternative controller. A lot of games didn't support the DS sticks and even in those that did, it was usually optional. So in that context, it made sense to put the left stick in the secondary position.

Sadly, the controller became part of Sony's marketing campaign and that's why we're still stuck with it's layout. Everyone else basically moved on to the much more sensible asymmetrical option.

Using this argument as a basis and considering the enormous ratio of games that also utilize the right stick for camera controls compared to those that don't, it would mean that the Wii U controller had the perfect layout and design.

Nintendo-Wii-U-Pro-Controller-Black.jpg


However, when this data is brought up, asymmetrical stick Xbox players will move goalposts, backtrack, and argue otherwise, because they don't want to admit that the Wii U, of all consoles, had the most perfectly designed controller. So the entire controller conversation becomes as ridiculous as it's conception.
 

Crayon

Member
Oh lord with the thumbsticks again.
Using this argument as a basis and considering the enormous ratio of games that also utilize the right stick for camera controls compared to those that don't, it would mean that the Wii U controller had the perfect layout and design.

Nintendo-Wii-U-Pro-Controller-Black.jpg


However, when this data is brought up, asymmetrical stick Xbox players will move goalposts, backtrack, and argue otherwise, because they don't want to admit that the Wii U, of all consoles, had the most perfectly designed controller. So the entire controller conversation becomes as ridiculous as it's conception.

Seriously 20 years of this proxy battle. Lord. If they still made controllers the size of footballs we'd have an evangelist army for that, too.
 

Dream-Knife

Banned
Using this argument as a basis and considering the enormous ratio of games that also utilize the right stick for camera controls compared to those that don't, it would mean that the Wii U controller had the perfect layout and design.

Nintendo-Wii-U-Pro-Controller-Black.jpg


However, when this data is brought up, asymmetrical stick Xbox players will move goalposts, backtrack, and argue otherwise, because they don't want to admit that the Wii U, of all consoles, had the most perfectly designed controller. So the entire controller conversation becomes as ridiculous as it's conception.
The wii U technically is the better one if it had 4 back buttons instead of face buttons.

If you played Goldeneye or Perfect Dark with the 1.2 control scheme you would know that.
 
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Snake29

RSI Employee of the Year
It’s primarily for remote play is it not? I.e you’re probably at home and have your Dualsense pretty close at hand?

I’ve only used remote play via wi-fi, so maybe that’s why I only think of it that way.

When i play games via remote play at home when my girlfriend is using the tv, then i'm using my pc for remoteplay my PS5.

This phone controller for when you are outside your house and when you are using remote play with 5G or WiFi somewhere else. I don't see myself using this at home...maybe in bed.
 
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