When the PS4 controller was announced at E3 2013, it was heralded as a magnificent feat of technology, boasting a touchpad, share button, and a redesign to better fit into gamer's hands. While those work as advertised, there are many unnecessary comprimises that were made for profit at the expense of the gamer.

The first most noticable problem is the barcode on the back of the controller will rub off at the mere presence of your fingers. Second, the cheap rubber draped over the analog sticks will begin to tear off, exposing the hard, rough plastic beneath. Lastly, there are stories of the R1/L1 buttons sticking.

What is so maddening is that these issues have gone largely ignored by Sony. The only semblance of a statement from Sony is about the rubber ripping and can be found at thesixthaxis.com

"Although the rubber material of the analogue sticks fulfils our quality assurance standard, we will inspect individual DUALSHOCK®4 controllers experiencing this symptom, and will replace them with new ones for free as long as they are within the warranty."

First off, I have controllers that are five years old and have gone through the normal wear and tear that you would expect, but they look nothing like the Dualshock 4s I have now. If "quality assurance" had halfway been doing their job, they would have found the ripping issue easily. Secondly, IT IS NOT FREE! Sony requires YOU to pay for shipping THEIR faulty merchandise. Lastly, the basic warranty is one year, after that Sony will wash their hands convincing themselves that they did all they could to remedy the situation. I bought two controllers at launch and the first one broke within three months and was replaced. Now the second one is broken, and the cycle continues. What Sony is doing is dishonest and turning their customers into their victims.

What we want is simple: 1. Stop charging your customers for your mistakes. 2. Stop regiftwrapping the faulty hardware and calling it fixed. Actually fix it; whether better rubber or a new generation of Dualshocks, whatever it takes. 3. Most importantly, apologize. Admitting that you messed up will go a long way to improving the broken relationship.

If you have experienced what I have and you want Sony to be held accountable for their shoddy craftmans work, sign and share this petition on every social network. Hashtag it, like it, tweet it, let it be seen by everyone.

If you would like more info, I go into more detail in my article on the subject at http://www.hiddengamers.com/gaming/sony-playstations-hardware-debacle/