Input

[surge17]

I really need the rear touch feature as my game heavily realies on it (for the Vita).

At the least, mirroring the front touch panel should be an option if compatibility with Android devices is necessary.

But let's be honest, most people using the PS Suite tools are doing so to make Vita games 

and the Vita's rear touch panel is a unique hardware feature/advantage that distinguishes it from the competition. 

It would a shame not to have access to it, as the back panel allows for completely new experiences never possible before.

[ProfessorOhki]

Given the constant requests like this, it almost seems like the PSS team might want consider breaking the PSS paradigm into "All Platforms (Inc. PSVita)" and "PSVita Specific."  I realize that this probably won't happen (yeah yeah, forcing cross-compatability lets you grow PS Suite app count and use that to market PS Certified handsets/tablets), but it seems like there's a LOT of interest in the PSVita specific features.  And you guys DO want to showcase the PSVita hardware, right?

[LIFEFORM]

I too would love to see support for the rear touch panel, as it would definitely enhance my app. I would think that as long as Sony has control over what apps can be sold through PSS,  they should be able to require that every app work fine with only the standard controls, and still allow for developers to enable optional rear touch support on the Vita (or any other unique features). That way every app is still available for every PSS device, but we still have some apps that can optionally utilize features unique to certain devices.

[MartinCaine]

Personally I think device specific features should be used in such a way that the game will still work without them (on a phone or tablet for example). We should be writing our games with a base specification geared towards touchscreens then add in additional control options for Xperia Play and Vita, and camera, motion, rear touch features if and when we get access to them to enhance certain versions of the game running on certain platforms.

[ProfessorOhki]

"Enhancing" an app only on certain platforms is a quick way to get the other platforms' users to complain that you sold them "crippled" software for the same price.

[MartinCaine]

Only if you make substandard games. There are plenty of great games that already do this and have versions on say iPad and iPhone with very different control schemes and UI to suit different size devices. Or games that are available on both Wii and DS but have very different control schemes and use the screens in different ways.

In one of the racing games I'm making in PSS for example I have it set to auto-accelerate when played on an Xperia S or Tablet but on an Xperia Play or PS Vita you have to press the right shoulder button. It usually just comes down to making the most of what features you have available on each platform.

[Waruwaru]

+1 on rear touch support (and other Vita specific features). XNA phone support is a good example. Android platform has the same issue with large variations in hardware. I think requiring developers to query for supported features works much better. Since the content will have to be validated before entering the store, programs supports other devices poorly can be rejected at that point anyways.

Personally, I think developing for lowest common denominator won't differentiate PSSuite platform from Android platform. I think supporting unique PS Vita features will bring creative contents to the platform instead of being another platform to port to. My 2 cents. Thanks

[Nevada]

I'd like to suggest the solution where rear touch panel acts the same as the front touch panel, alternatively, allow for the front touch screen on other devices to emulate the rear touch panel by pressing or holding a key to switch between input modes.

[MartinCaine]

Personally I think it should be added simply as a second available touchscreen. Games should be written so that they don't fully rely on the functionality of the rear touch but players can use it to enhance their gameplay experience if they want to use it.

[TheRealSerapth]

If throngs of PC developers can somehow deliver a consistent experience with various devices that can be hooked up to a PC, I should think we PS Vita developers should be capable of handling an additional touchpad...