Jocchan said:
Not sure it would be an improvement. A diagonal relative positioning would make the D-pad and right analog stick easier to reach without changing the way you hold the controller. It's not a coincidence if all the home console controllers use that sort of setup.
On the 3DS Nintendo probably had to put the D-pad below the circle pad because of size/form factor limitations leaving them with no choice, and it shows. Switching between them is not exactly comfortable.
I'd say it's actually pretty likely.
It's not a coincidence all home controllers are also comfortable. The original mock up sucks from an ergonomics POV (sorry). It's form over function.
It's either going to be on top (especially since not only is it the most comfortable way to hold a brick, but this allows you to naturally hit triggers on the underside), or the middle.
The one reason the left analog stick would be in the middle is this way you could flip the screen if using as Nunchuk 2.0. It makes it neutral and accessible for left or right handers. This would assume Nintendo released a Stream Wiimote that then mirrors the button layout found on the right side of the controller. This would allow FPS games to be played with a pointer function assuming developers supported it.
radcliff said:
What if where you aim/shoot on screen directly corresponds to where you are pointing on the touchscreen? They may eliminate IR pointing, but they could add a sort of mousepad/mouse with the screen/stylus(you thumb).
Seems impractical. Not only do most people not like this control method, but if you support it, you have to completely eliminate any touch screen use for all users. You couldn't have inventory/map/social functions on it (since touch control users wouldn't be able to easily access this). Considering the majority would still probably use dual sticks, it wouldn't make much sense to not support these things and make them look at a blank screen.