@zombietom I agree with all you've wrote except for:
> sony wont come after you for using the symbols in your playstation games, and who would use them in a game that isnt going to be on the playstation?
Nowadays it's common to use the PS controllers on the computer. I see streamers do so, friends and I aswell. And in that particular case, and game engines like Unity can distinguish between connected controllers, it's fairly easy to provide the player the correct button set when configuring controls for example.
In my case, I own a computer and a playstation. Why should I buy any other controller if the PS controller is working just fine on PC games?
And again, I know just by showing that SONY describes how to use the controller on PC doesn't mean a developer is allowed to use the icons. It just shows that the controller can officially be used to play non-PS games aswell that are supported.
@MedicineStorm, I was planning to use them in a game to be released on Steam. I see for example Rocket League detects a PS4 controller and shows the controller icons aswell in the Steam version. So either it is okay to do so, or they have a special agreement with SONY. And I guess there are other games that do the same.
I asked Unity support for advice aswell. I know, they might not be able to give a satisfying answer, as nobody here does unless he is a lawyer or knows specific country regulations [yes, I am from Germany].
I'm glad this important discussion kicked off! And just to stay clear: I only concentrated on the SONY stuff for now. What about the Xbox or Nintendo buttons? I assume there isn't any issue as those companies aren't using the button icons as identifiers as much as SONY does, but "assume" != "know"
So is the usage of all other icons except for the 4 SONY shapes no problem anyways?
Many people here already replied that they will use those icons, so can they step up and tell me if everything is cleared out with the licencing of if they just dont care?
@zombietom I agree with all you've wrote except for:
> sony wont come after you for using the symbols in your playstation games, and who would use them in a game that isnt going to be on the playstation?
Nowadays it's common to use the PS controllers on the computer. I see streamers do so, friends and I aswell. And in that particular case, and game engines like Unity can distinguish between connected controllers, it's fairly easy to provide the player the correct button set when configuring controls for example.
In my case, I own a computer and a playstation. Why should I buy any other controller if the PS controller is working just fine on PC games?
Even on the official playstation website, they tell you how to connect the PS4 controller to the computer in case you want to use it for PC games:
https://www.playstation.com/de-de/get-help/help-library/accessories/controller--headset---playstation-camera/pair-dualshock-4-wireless-controller-with-pc-or-mac/
[sry, it's german]
And again, I know just by showing that SONY describes how to use the controller on PC doesn't mean a developer is allowed to use the icons. It just shows that the controller can officially be used to play non-PS games aswell that are supported.
@MedicineStorm, I was planning to use them in a game to be released on Steam.
I see for example Rocket League detects a PS4 controller and shows the controller icons aswell in the Steam version. So either it is okay to do so, or they have a special agreement with SONY. And I guess there are other games that do the same.
I asked Unity support for advice aswell.
I know, they might not be able to give a satisfying answer, as nobody here does unless he is a lawyer or knows specific country regulations [yes, I am from Germany].
I just share the info's that I will receive.
I'm glad this important discussion kicked off!
And just to stay clear: I only concentrated on the SONY stuff for now. What about the Xbox or Nintendo buttons?
I assume there isn't any issue as those companies aren't using the button icons as identifiers as much as SONY does, but "assume" != "know"
So is the usage of all other icons except for the 4 SONY shapes no problem anyways?
Awesome work. Thanks alot for this. I'd use it in my game and credit you properly, but there is still this one rather important question:
Is it legal to use this icons? For example, the PlayStation icons square, cross, triangle and circle are trademarked:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_controller
Many people here already replied that they will use those icons, so can they step up and tell me if everything is cleared out with the licencing of if they just dont care?