The Latest Details of the OUYA Controller

[AlanWake]

Here they are, from the new OUYA FAQ released on their website.

The official OUYA controllers are wireless (Bluetooth) and powered by 2 AA batteries. Up to 4 controllers can be connected to an OUYA console at one time.

Features:

Two analog joysticks, each with their own “button” (i.e. L3 + R3)
A D-Pad
Four face buttons (labeled O, U, Y, and A)
Two digital shoulder buttons (L1 + R1)
Two analog triggers (L2 + R2)
A menu button (to open the OUYA menu at any time during a game)
A touchpad (to mimic mouse/touch controls or to be used in games)
Player LED indicators (so you know which player a connected controller is set to)

[h0b0byter99]

Does anybody know why they chose to use bluetooth? Why not WiFi like the Xbox. My experience with the PS3 controllers is that they would pause stuck at the last action I was doing with it. Usually looking up and charging at the enemy. This would make my guy point at the sky and use up all the ammo. I've read somewhere that this was due to the bluetooth needing to refresh or something. Any idea if the OUYA will have the same issue or if the OUYA team has addressed this issue in some way?

[Sven]

My experience with the PS3 controllers is that they would pause stuck at the last action I was doing with it. Usually looking up and charging at the enemy. This would make my guy point at the sky and use up all the ammo. I've read somewhere that this was due to the bluetooth needing to refresh or something. Any idea if the OUYA will have the same issue or if the OUYA team has addressed this issue in some way?

My guess: This happens because the PS3's controller only sends "changes" to the PS3.
For instance:
1: You hold the circle-button -> The controller tells the console that this button is pressed. It does this once.
2: You keep holding the circle-button -> The controller does nothing.
3: You release the circle-button -> The controller tells the console that you released the button.
If the controller disconnects or the connection gets interrupted while holding the button, the console will simply asume that you are still holding the button.
The guys at OUYA could adress this by making the controller send out a constant signal telling the console that it is still connected. Once the console stops receiving that signal, it will assume the controller disconnected and it could do things like pausing the game (like the XBOX does).

Why are they using bluetooth? Propably because this makes it a lot easier to connect it to your PC for things like debugging.

[h0b0byter99]

My guess: This happens because the PS3's controller only sends "changes" to the PS3.
For instance:
1: You hold the circle-button -> The controller tells the console that this button is pressed. It does this once.
2: You keep holding the circle-button -> The controller does nothing.
3: You release the circle-button -> The controller tells the console that you released the button.
If the controller disconnects or the connection gets interrupted while holding the button, the console will simply asume that you are still holding the button.
The guys at OUYA could adress this by making the controller send out a constant signal telling the console that it is still connected. Once the console stops receiving that signal, it will assume the controller disconnected and it could do things like pausing the game (like the XBOX does).

Why are they using bluetooth? Propably because this makes it a lot easier to connect it to your PC for things like debugging.

Thanks for the info. I had no idea that's how the PS3 did the bluetooth controllers. If your guess is right. Sounds like a good guess.

[Dreamzle]

I've never experienced problems like that with my PS3 controllers, sounds like a game-specific bug. Unless by "charging" at the enemy you mean holding down the analogue stick button, in that case it's definitely a physical issue with how those buttons work, they never work well for me at all.

It's easy to know why they chose bluetooth - because that's what Android supports, it doesn't have any support for game controllers over wifi.

[Sven]

It's easy to know why they chose bluetooth - because that's what Android supports, it doesn't have any support for game controllers over wifi.

That COULD be a reason....

*Damn, why didn't i think of that....*

[Shino]

I've never experienced problems like that with my PS3 controllers, sounds like a game-specific bug. Unless by "charging" at the enemy you mean holding down the analogue stick button, in that case it's definitely a physical issue with how those buttons work, they never work well for me at all.

It's easy to know why they chose bluetooth - because that's what Android supports, it doesn't have any support for game controllers over wifi.

Agreed.
And I, too, have never experienced that problem with any controllers on my PS3.
The Wii uses Bluetooth as well and I haven't experienced it there either.
It's a standard technology so it makes sense for them to use it.

The controller looks nice, but I won't make a judgment on it until I'm holding one in my hand.
C'mon March!

[Tomato]

Looks a bit small. I agree with the bluetooth-point: It's a standard. Never had any issues with it and probably will allow others to produce devices as well (like logitech)