When the PlayStation 4 was first announced by Sony last year, the platform holder made a handful of next generation promises which we feel that it has delivered on. For starters, the visuals are far superior to its ageing accomplice, the touchpad is able to add depth to certain genres, and the general interface feels like a veritable leap over the creaky XMB. However, we're still not entirely convinced by the DualShock 4's blindingly bright light bar.
There have been calls for this superfluous extra to be disabled in a future firmware update, but the Japanese giant has ruled out any such option on Twitter. This has driven some irritated entrepreneurs to even concoct custom stickers to cover the illuminating surface, which are currently doing a roaring trade on eBay. That said, before you deface your controller with decals, we figured that you may want to take a look at what Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is doing with the added extra.
Do you think that this is a silly gimmick or engaging addition? Watch the video and let us know in the comments section below. You can also check out our Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition review to find out more about this polished treasure.
Comments 11
I think I may have to get one of those PS4 Light-Bar Decals. Seems kinda pointless still.
It faces away from you so unless you do sit in the dark, which I can only imagine will be worse for screen reflection then it is pointless. They should have designed the ds4 with the light bar on top not in front. Plain stupid. Also if the rumours are true of a vr headset then Sony will need to add a switch off function because why would you want it on then???
They have some creative uses for it in this game but I can't bring myself to pay $60 for it when I have it on PC already. I'll wait until it's like $20 though
It can't be much brighter than the light on the move wand, which I've done glare tests with, so the glare shouldn't be an issue.
It really isn't as much of a big deal as everyone is making out I barely notice it while im playing. But yes it is a gimmick it seems more aimed towards anyone else in the room to look at then the person playing with the controller
I really can't see what all the fuss is about. Decals etc.
The light bar hasn't been used brilliantly yet (still gimmicky), but it is not intrusive in any way. I never even notice it. LEDs don't consume much power and it does not reflect noticeably off the TV, (unless you are in a darkened room and sitting about 1 meter from the screen). In normal gaming situations, it is a non issue. What is all the fuss?
Im guessing its on every ds4 due to the ps4 initially being planned to launch with the psEye. Now its worthless to the majority of ps4 owners. Personally I would have preferred if the ps4 was launched with the eye because now there will be virtually no support for it.
Held a PS4 DS4 (or whatever they call it) in PC Richards Sat and I was surprised how flat and hidden the light was. Last year when this website was showing early photos of the controller it looked to me like it had a rounded protruding top like an old style car bumper. Much to my surprise the thing is pretty well hidden. And smaller than I thought.
This first photo is bigger than real life.
https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2013/12/talking_point_do_the_ps4_controllers_gimmicks_add_anything_worthwhile
@rjejr yeah, you can barely see the ambient light coming off of it, which I had assumed would be bright enough to be immersive. Seems like it was made dim enough to not reflect off normal LCD/plasma matte screen tvs. TR failed, if you ask me. It would be fine if they didn't use red so much and had a much longer flicker loop (or god forbid, dynamic flicker like real fire?) and it definitely takes more energy to flip any light on and off like that than to have it off, Sony. We're not stupid.
I have watched plenty of films on the lovefilm app and blue ray discs. I have to turn off the ds4 because otherwise it just sits there and drains the battery. Its proven that when its just sat in standby mode the LEDs are obviously the main drain on the ds4 battery and it lasts about half as long. I've set the ds4 to turn off after ten minutes recently but as when its not in use I just turn it off anyway I have no idea if it does turn off. Obviously when the ds4 is in full use the LEDs don't affect the battery life so significantly in comparison to the other features but its still just pig headed to refuse the option to turn it off. Seriously why would you have a settings sub menu of power saving options and one of those options isn't relevant to pointless lights???
All the whining over the LED is too damned funny. I have played AC4, Marvel, NBA2k, Resogun, Knack for hours on end without battery issues. The battery life is fine especially with the ability to charge while the PS4 is in standby.
I would much rather Sony focus on other fixes and upgraded firmware/features than worry about the option to turn off the light bar which has more uses than just the nifty little lighting tricks like camera integration, move functionality and makes it rather easy to identify controllers during local multiplayer. I get that some people have a beef with the lightbar but I find it rather silly.
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