The next industry controller refresh should focus on relocating the l3 and r3 buttons at minimal.

[Slayven]

They should for having to click for functions you use a lot in a game, and not to mention holding them down for that function. Me just spitballing, if they don't do paddles. How about spliting the r1 and l1 buttons and put them l3 and r3 buttons up there. The GPD Win 2 does this and Iove it

 

[IDontBeatGames]

Could just be me but I'm too used to the current standard for L3/R3. So, I honestly don't want the industry to change their location. At this point, it's muscle memory, so changing it now would be more bothersome than anything else IMO lol

 

[Cali32]

Aren't the click-y sticks - and how much they're used in modern games - one of the main contributors to why these controllers are more prone to drift?
Edit: Also, I totally agree with you OP as I HATE the current L3/R3 placement.

 

[Bishop89]

The shoulder buttons are perfect size as is though. Smaller would be annoying, if we went the split route

 

[MistKnight2021]

While l3 and r3 are annoying i don't think splitting l1 and r1 into 2 is a good idea especially if i want to sprint in an fps. I think back buttons would be a bit better and doesn't ruin the ergonomics. Not sure on how good back buttons would be for accessibility but it'd be a bit better than clicking the stick in.

 

[Slayven]

Aren't the click-y sticks - and how much they're used in modern games - one of the main contributors to why these controllers are more prone to drift?

Click to shrink...

I wouldn't be shocked if that is the case

 

[jroc74]

They should for having to click for functions you use a lot in a game, and not to mention holding them down for that function. Me just spitballing, if they don't do paddles. How about spliting the r1 and l1 buttons and put them l3 and r3 buttons up there. The GPD Win 2 does this and Iove it

Click to shrink...

Reading the title I was gonna say but how, then I read the OP, lol.

Clicking in the stick does get frustrating at times.

 

[Tendo]

I would support this. I HATE r3 and l3. Clicking sticks always feels awful.

 

[giapel]

In this setup R3/L3 should be the outside and R1/L1 in the inside. Other than that, I agree that it's better than clickable sticks. But then, anything is better than clickable sticks.

 

[Spazerbeam]

They should be on the grips if anything but I think they're fine as is.

 

[natanqb]

One back button on each side would be a great improvement.

 

[Beelzebufo]

This is probably a good idea but it would throw me off so much.

 

[Ayirek]

L3 and R3 would be better as back paddles than having three shoulder buttons on each side.

 

[Thrill_house]

I use a 3rd party xbox controller with 2 back programable buttons for fps game on my pc and it has been a game changer. I swap them from run/jump to melee/run depending on mood and it has been a pleasant experience. I agree 100%

 

[2shd]

Yeah, some other button options for the stick clicks should have been standard this gen. It has always been terrible for usability.

 

[AuthenticM]

wasn't there a controller that did that? Like the pro controller for the Wii or something?

edit:

it was the classic controller:

It didn't have triggers, but you could imagine a controller having both triggers and a second pair of bumpers.

 

[Slayven]

I use a 3rd party xbox controller with 2 back programable buttons for fps game on my pc and it has been a game changer. I swap them from run/jump to melee/run depending on mood and it has been a pleasant experience. I agree 100%

Click to shrink...

The name? cause i been looking for one hard

 

[Majik13]

I think I am the only person who doesnt mind clicking L3 and R3, and actually prefer having them as another button, where I don't need to take my thumbs of the thumbstick. Coming from someone who always uses controllers with back paddles as well.

 

[Stefarno]

As someone with small fingers having two rows of buttons seems like a total nightmare. Looks very uncomfortable and I'd end up pressing both L/R 1 & 3 at the same time if I had to use them.

Clicking the sticks is totally fine imo but if you were going to add extra buttons for some reason I'd rather the Xbox controller brought back the black and white buttons rather than anything else.

 

[Arukado]

They just need to add back buttons.

 

[Nathan]

I like L3 and R3 where they are. I can see why it might be awkward for some people though, so having back paddles or back buttons as an alternative would be nice for those folks.

 

[Tendo]

The name? cause i been looking for one hard

Click to shrink...

If you don't mind wired the new 8bitdo ultimate Xbox controller is awesome. It's very quickly become my go to pc controller.

 

[Kadzork]

Make them voice activated.. or floor pedals!

 

[Thrill_house]

The name? cause i been looking for one hard

Click to shrink...

PowerA wired controller. I think its some cheap walmart shit honestly but it works really well so far. I'm a luddite still wired up and my pc is in my living room so I'm not sure about a fully wireless solution.

 

[Fadewise]

L3/R3 are fine for toggle actions and low usage. The focus should not be on replacing them, because they still have value as another set of inputs that can be accessed without taking your things off the sticks A better way forward is to standardize on back paddles for actions where it matters and keep the stick clicks and face buttons for low usage/non-skill based inputs.

 

[Anomander]

I disagree, they should relocate the face buttons to the back of the controller to allow you to press them without having to move your thumb from the analog sticks.

 

[darkside]

I'm all for giving people options. But I like sprint on L3 and would absolutely hate it on L1. To me its always been natural to have the sprint button on the same location as the thing you're moving with

 

[fiendcode]

I want those analog scroll wheel buttons Nintendo patented years ago on the Joy-Con 2. They could replace the L/R buttons since Nintendo seems dead set on keeping digital ZL/ZR triggers. It'd be a good compromise for racing games, GC emulation and they'd be amazing for item/inventory management in realtime.

 

[Mass One]

When I got my series x I got a scuf and I will say. Paddles are a must full stop.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

Keep them, but provide additional inputs (back buttons and paddles). If joysticks can't be made more durable, then give us more options pls

 

[ArchedThunder]

I'd rather they be moved to the back of the controller.

 

[Nathan]

Hot take: L3 and R3 are perfect where they are, and controllers should add L4 and R4 which are activated by pulling the sticks up instead of pushing them in.

 

[Charpunk]

Definitely need to get moved to back pedals, and switch out the sticks to ones that don't drift.

 

[Astro Cat]

Yes. It needs more back buttons if anything. Clicking has never really felt natural, even for things like running.

 

[StrappingYoungLance]

I'll never understand how people struggle so much with these buttons, but it's such a consistent complaint that yeah, it's probably something to be changed.

 

[VariantX]

Kind of want back buttons to be a default so we not wear down our sticks having to press in R3/L3. It also causes accidental actions sometimes as well.

 

[Shemhazai]

I don't mind adding buttons, but I don't want them removing clicky sticks. They're too convenient.

 

[Zetta]

They just need to add back buttons.

Click to shrink...

Yeah this is where I'm at, those back buttons would be a godsend.

 

[Dave.]

They should for having to click for functions you use a lot in a game, and not to mention holding them down for that function.

Click to shrink...

I see this complaint often, but I don't think I've ever encountered a game where clicky sticks are to be held down? That would be horribly un-ergonomic, I imagine. Examples please?

As-is, I don't mind clicking for sprint / target lock etc, and I map other buttons (face / dpad even) to paddles if available.

 

[klauskpm]

Hot take: L3 and R3 are perfect where they are, and controllers should add L4 and R4 which are activated by pulling the sticks up instead of pushing them in.

Click to shrink...

Finally someone with fine taste.

 

[Faenix1]

Leave them, make paddles standard.

 

[Aska]

I hate L3/R3 position. If I can remap I always do.
Back buttons are the way to go, imho.

 

[JaseC64]

wasn't there a controller that did that? Like the pro controller for the Wii or something?

edit:

it was the classic controller:

It didn't have triggers, but you could imagine a controller having both triggers and a second pair of bumpers.

Click to shrink...

I would actually support this change.

I really hate clicking the left stick on my PS controllers because that is the most used stick and don't want it to drift at some point.

I hate having to click the stick to run, specially in games like fortnite where you might be doing it constantly. The wear these games put on top of the regular use likely leads to many broken controllers or increases the chances it fails sooner.

 

[Lord Error]

I'll never understand how people struggle so much with these buttons, but it's such a consistent complaint that yeah, it's probably something to be changed.

Click to shrink...

They contribute significantly to the decay of the analog stick, but worse than that, they also cause pain in the thumb joint for many people after prolonged use. The games in which you are supposed to run by pushing these in (and in which you generally want to run 80% of the time) are a good example. When they are used sparsely it's not much of a problem.

 

[SecondNature]

Is shoulder placement even comfortable?

The back is often used for face buttons so that you can keep your thumbs on the sticks

 

[doof_warrior]

I think I am the only person who doesnt mind clicking L3 and R3, and actually prefer having them as another button, where I don't need to take my thumbs of the thumbstick. Coming from someone who always uses controllers with back paddles as well.

Click to shrink...

no im with you
and honestly, i think everyone in this thread is out of their fucking minds lol

 

[Musubi]

I feel like this would cause massive problems for Backwards compatibility.

 

[Chaotic-Strike]

I'd rather they be moved to the back of the controller.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, this is me. It's easier to just reach to the back, and press them instead of them being bunched up right next to L1 and L2.

 

[RangerBAD]

Yes, get them off the sticks.

 

[Majik13]

They contribute significantly to the decay of the analog stick, but worse than that, they also cause pain in the thumb joint for many people after prolonged use. The games in which you are supposed to run by pushing these in (and in which you generally want to run 80% of the time) are a good example. When they are used sparsely it's not much of a problem.

Click to shrink...

many modern games, let you just click once to run, not hold. Actually I cant even think of any game I have played where you needed to push them in constantly while still using the thumbstick to navigate around. Also I have seen a few recent games let you pick what you want your default movement to be, regular running, tactical run, etc. Which I think is a at least a small step in the right direction.