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Google gaming console controller images leak before GDC 2019

Images of a Google gaming console controller have leaked and are supporting by a patent. Please take a look.
Asif Khan
Asif Khan
17

UPDATE: Images of the controller are a first look design mockup of the controller. The design and form factor of the controller is confirmed in the patent filed by Google.

Google is planning to unveil something in the gaming space at GDC 2019. Part of that surprise may have been leaked today, as images of a Google gaming console have appeared on the Internet. Please take a look.

This new foray into gaming is going to be pretty rough for Google, but not as rough as this controller's design looks.
This new foray into gaming is going to be pretty rough for Google, but not as rough as this controller's design looks.

The controller looks... not so great. It features a pretty massive directional pad and analog joysticks that are not offset. This may be okay for PlayStation players, but many gamers have become accustomed to the Xbox and Nintendo style of joystick placement. It also appears to have very fat and rectangular handles, which really seem like they would be uncomfortable in the hands of players.

To make matters even more confusing, Google has decided to skip giving the buttons icons, in lieu of making green, red, yellow, and blue buttons where the A, B, X, and Y buttons would reside on a normal Xbox or Nintendo controller. This button naming paradigm makes Sony's buttons seem downright understandable in comparison.

Here's a close-up look of the Google gaming console controller.
Here's a close-up look of the Google gaming console controller.

There are four other buttons on the face of the gaming controller that appear to aide in Android functions. The images are from Yanko Design  tweeted today are a mockup of what the controller will look like, but images in a patent filed in October of 2018 seem to confirm the presence of two shoulder buttons and the form factor of the device.

The image filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office confirms the controller will feature two shoulder buttons.
The image filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office confirms the controller will feature two shoulder buttons.

Google is set to have its first GDC keynote in a few weeks, so these images appear to be from that event's promotional materials. Early impressions of the controller are that it looks unwieldy and awkward. We will likely get hands on with this new Google gaming console controller at the show, so be sure to keep it locked on Shacknews for more updates. Only time will tell if whatever Google is about to announce will end up in the graveyard of forgotten projects like Orkut, Buzz, Wave, Reader, Google Plus, Google Video and iGoogle. 

CEO/EIC/EIEIO
CEO/EIC/EIEIO

Asif Khan is the CEO, EIC, and majority shareholder of Shacknews. He began his career in video game journalism as a freelancer in 2001 for Tendobox.com. Asif is a CPA and was formerly an investment adviser representative. After much success in his own personal investments, he retired from his day job in financial services and is currently focused on new private investments. His favorite PC game of all time is Duke Nukem 3D, and he is an unapologetic fan of most things Nintendo. Asif first frequented the Shack when it was sCary's Shugashack to find all things Quake. When he is not immersed in investments or gaming he is a purveyor of fine electronic music. Asif also has an irrational love of Cleveland sports.

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