This week at the BlackBerry-sponsored Game Developers Conference, RIM was on hand not only to offer up some cool sessions to developers but also to show off their products. While the catalog of games is quickly growing on the BlackBerry PlayBook, we haven't seen too many cool accessories to make them even more fun. Now that BlackBerry Remote is out and fully functional, it only makes sense that you should be able to use your phone as a controller for games on your PlayBook. Well SemiAccurate has spotted this nifty d-pad controller that is actually a BlackBerry Torch (at least it looks like a Torch) running a modified version of BlackBerry Remote. The full-screen d-pad sports colorful buttons, a d-pad and even a cute RIM logo in the center. It's seen here controlling a PlayBook that is running a game called Frogatto (coming soon to BlackBerry App World) and it looks pretty awesome even just from this image. I totally want to try it out. Like now.
Who knows if this little guy will ever see the light of day, but we can hope, right? What do you think - would you like to see a d-pad app like this for gaming on the PlayBook? Sound off in the comment!
Source: SemiAccurate
Reader comments
D-pad app may be coming soon to a BlackBerry near you
Yeah I saw this, it's a game created by RIM employees. I'm not sure if RIM employees are yet allowed to sell games on App World, but may be able to distribute free because it's all based on Open Source code too. Better picture on the BlackBerryCool twitter feed.
https://twitter.com/#!/BlackBerryCool/media/slideshow?url=http%3A%2F%2Fl...
Totally. Cool-el!
Am I the only person that noticed the buttons are from xbox 360? Can I hear another lawsuit? Haha
For those talking about bluetooth controllers and ps3 controllers, although that would be great, I think the idea is that you tend to carry your phone with you all the time where you would also have your PB. It would be a hindrance to carry an extra item with you. But yes if youbwere at home or a mates house then yes would be good to use the PS3 controller :)
Oh and this is going to be amazing!!! RIM should do what apple did to siri and buy the product off the developer and fully integrated it into OS2.0!!! How much of a selling point would that be?!! :)
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BlackBerry's are for the self-assured type ;)
Perfect for use with an emulator running on the playbook. Make the playbook a portable console for use with or without a bigger screen. Next make it possible to pair a PS3 controller and get some NHL or Assassins Creed into app world.
Patent it rim come on its 2012 RIM I BELIEVE IN YOU!!!! BlackBerry is coming back IN A BIG WAY VERY SOON!!!!
The game's official website is http://www.frogatto.com/
This would also be cool with the playbook on the table in front of the user.
And it would demo extremely well in stores like Best Buy and Staples.
RIM get this in people's hands ASAP
Great idea; i was thinking the same thing when i hooked up by playbook to my TV. However i must mention that this idea was demoed last year for FIFA 12 using an iphone and a ipad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzwhJ-9KERw
Their version required two controllers to be paired. I do not know if they've added support for a single controller yet. It was also not the four-button d-pad but the standard three choice layout. Not that this is unique to the worle, but it is different.
I'd prefer to be able to connect my Sony PS3 controller to the Playbook and use that for playing games. Or, perhaps radical in thinking, what about incorporating a dpad on the OEM blutooth keyboard that is (well probably not) going to be released. LOL
Wouldn't a bluetooth controller with real buttons be better for most games though?
I've thought of this and wondered how long it would take for somebody to make it happen. It has some serious potential.
this would definitely bring people back to the BB and PBs :)
I still prefer the tactile feel of a regular controller, but for the masses this will make Blackberry remote plus the playbook into an emulator's dream combo.
This is a great idea. If the phone's accelerometer worked for games that used tilt, this could be even better.
Details of Frogatto game, their site says its ported to Blackberry Playbook :)
http://www.frogatto.com/?p=861
Awesome idea. This would be great innovation from RIM.
this is utterly amazing
Love it, i hope they implement a modular style layout with the ability to have two d-pads and multiple button configurations. Might we see 2 player games come forth with this development. PS while i would love to use physical buttons on the 9900 as well I'd be weary of keyboard fatigue.
This is a very cool idea and there needs to be a speculation stop and an actual product YESTERDAY!!! like mrfreeze574 said get that patent NOW and get it out, I think we would even take a beta version and help you work out the kinks, but this would push the BB brand and playbook to another level
i.e. sitting across the room with your PB hooked up to a Big Screen and playing games, this would be a major cool factor and points for all us BB heads out here
Get on the ball.....err pad, BB!!!
If history teaches us anything, it's that RIM starts demoing products when the patent has or is about to be granted, so I would suspect that this is the case here, too.
'Get on the ball'? Who else has an a d-pad app for their phones that can also control their tablets? RIM is ahead of the curve here, and by quite a bit...
If history as taught us anything, its that RIM will start demoing the product for months on end; it will then be followed by a statement that it is coming in 60 days; which will then be followed by a year's wait, to be followed by the worst launch in history.
It will then be transferred over to the TAT people who will, in turn, demo it further at every single conference that is available and we will then wait another year.
LOL
its as if i can see the future, lmao.
http://forums.crackberry.com/archive/index.php?t-662739.html
I do hope as well that this makes it out to the massess! Very VERY cool indeed.
brace yourselves! the emulator fans are comming
darn tooting we are!!!! this would rock hardcore!!!!! LOL
Already here!
I would hope the 9900 app would take advantage of our actual buttons. Touch screen for movement and buttons as actual buttons. Just not enough real estate on the touch screen. Seeing this gets me hyped.
WOW!! That is an awesome idea.. RIM, patent it before Apple does...
woww...who needs a psvita /ps3 when youve got bbs.
That's pretty cool! I think I would like an option for a non phone controller.
Need this now. So awesome.
GIEV THIS NAO! oh lord I want this, in my hands... yesterday.
/me throws his credit card at SemiAccurate
take it, TAKE IT ALL
SemiAccurate isn't the one making or producing this app for the phone. But I'm sure they'd gladly take your monies.
oh, my bad.. got excited and dumb with money :| story of my life. how about you? you brought the news of my error to me, want some money? :p
LOL man ...
Hahahaha
LMFAO!
I'll happily take your money too! :)
The funniest thing i've read all day. good stuff!
LOL!!!!! MADE MY DAY!!!!!!!!! thx for bringing some fun into the office!