Patent Reveals Google’s Upcoming Gaming Controller

We know it’s coming and now we have a little bit more insight into how Google plans to move into the gaming space. A new patent filed by the company shows off what is expected to be the controller for the company’s upcoming gaming service.

At GDC in about two weeks, Google is expected to show off the retail version of Project Stream; the company’s beta test for streaming games to any platform. Rumors have been swirling that the company will also be releasing hardware for the new service and a patent filed earlier (above) this year shows the controller that may accompany that device.

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While there isn’t anything remarkable with the design, it does show that Google Assistant, or at least voice communication, is built into the controller and it also features your standard two-thumb sticks, four buttons for the right thumb and a D-pad on the left side. There are also two shoulder buttons and two triggers as well.

RepsUp100 on Twitter created a render from the drawings and while they do give us a better look at what the hardware will be like once it’s in your hand, the proportions are a bit off. Specifically, the wings of the controller look too wide compared to the drawings but this is the best look we have at the new hardware.

While the controller will likely be a good attempt for a first generation device, the only thing that matters here is how well the service operates. With all streaming services, latency will be the deciding factor between usable and a failed product release.

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Conversation 15 comments

  • skane2600

    09 March, 2019 - 5:08 pm

    <p>There's an old joke that some of the positions in the Kama Sutra are exactly the same except in one of the positions you cross your fingers. IMO that's the state of many approved patents today. </p>

  • HellcatM

    09 March, 2019 - 9:02 pm

    <p>At least they could have copied the Xbox controller instead of the PlayStation one.</p>

  • MikeGalos

    09 March, 2019 - 10:53 pm

    <p>Wow! A rumor of an upcoming gaming controller that looks like every other gaming controller. Slow news day?</p>

    • BoItmanLives

      10 March, 2019 - 4:12 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#410737">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>Bitter much?</p>

    • wright_is

      Premium Member
      10 March, 2019 - 5:06 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#410737">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>My thoughts exactly. I don't see how they could even patent it.</p>

    • SupaPete

      10 March, 2019 - 6:12 am

      <blockquote><a href="#410737"><em>In reply to MikeGalos:</em></a><em> It totally makes sense that a tech news site would report about a new controller for a new streaming games platform, especially when it is pushed by one of the tech giants.</em></blockquote><blockquote><em>But where i totally get your vibe is that it is of course totally ridiculous that this controller looks so close to many existing controllers and yet they could even get a patent going for it.</em></blockquote><blockquote><em>That is yet again another excellent example for how screwed up the patents system is when everyone halfway informed could tell you at a glance this type of stuff should not be patentable in 2019 and yet it gets a patent and then that could only be invalidated by years long lawsuits..</em></blockquote><p><br></p>

    • sharpsone

      11 March, 2019 - 1:55 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#410737">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>Indeed, this looks like one those cheap-azz controllers you see at walmard for 15.99. They might as well slap a joy-sick in there somewhere use it as an antenna laced with microphones to steal more of our data. </p>

  • madthinus

    Premium Member
    10 March, 2019 - 1:49 am

    <p>Can we say fugly? </p>

  • wright_is

    Premium Member
    10 March, 2019 - 5:06 am

    <p>How can they patent it? It looks like pretty much every other controller over the last 20 years…</p>

  • dcdevito

    10 March, 2019 - 10:58 am

    <p>I don't see how Google is going to woo game devs. They've historically struggled with Android, I can't see how this would change things, unless the games are going to be mobile based. </p>

  • locust infested orchard inc

    11 March, 2019 - 12:04 am

    <blockquote><a href="https://www.thurrott.com/google/202497/patent-reveals-googles-upcoming-gaming-controller#410737&quot; target="_blank"><em>Quote in article by Brad Sams," Project Stream"</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>The naming strategy of Google's upcoming video game streaming service directly to a Chrome browser is indicative of its primary purpose:</p><p><br></p><p>Project AdStream (need I say any more ?)</p>

  • sharpsone

    11 March, 2019 - 1:51 pm

    <p>Cool another way for Google to spy on your kids…thanks but no thanks I'd like to keep a lil bit of my soul before my clock expires. </p>

  • hoomgar

    11 March, 2019 - 2:16 pm

    <p>I actually enjoy seeing you guys make posts with some discussion in it because when I see this type of thing anymore my immediate reaction is simply…&nbsp; *sigh*</p>

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