PlayStation: our controller doesn't have an "X" button; it's called "cross"

[midian182]

WTF?! For those who use a PlayStation controller, be it with one of Sony’s consoles or the PC, the buttons tend to be known as triangle, square, circle, and X. But the company says you’re getting it wrong: there is no “X” button on the controller; it’s called “cross.”

It seems strange to think that the X button should be called “cross,” but that’s what one twitter account suggested recently, leading to an outcry from users arguing the point. Eventually, PlayStation UK stepped in confirming the names of the four buttons and making an interesting point: if the other three are referred to as shapes, why is X a letter—people don’t call circle the letter “O.”

You can all call them whatever you want but we'll go down with this Shape pic.twitter.com/GrIRNRrtEL

— PlayStation UK (@PlayStationUK) 5 September 2019

Despite its official stance, most people disagree with PlayStation. It posted a survey asking what gamers called the button in question, and 81 percent of the near 170,000 participants chose “X.” Only 8 percent picked “Cross,” which was even less popular than the jokey “+ rotated 45 degrees” answer.

What do you call it?

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) 7 September 2019

One Twitter user pointed out a flaw in PlayStation UK's argument. Nero Agent Crimson noted that crosses have the same distance between each stick, so drawing an outline around one would form a perfect square. Exes, like the one on the controller, don’t have the same distance between sticks and form a rectangle. “Basic geometry,” explains the user.

Because this debate grinds my gears, I'll finish it once and for all:

- Crosses have the same distance between each stick.
- Crosses form a square.

- Exes don't have the same distance between each stick.
- Exes form a rectangle.

Basic geometry. pic.twitter.com/gz8jCJd3Bn

— nєrσ αgєnt crímsσn (@SIECrimson) 5 September 2019

Ultimately, of course, you can call the button anything you want—two hugging lines, broken crucifix, whatever—though I’ve personally never heard it referred to as anything other than X.

Image credit: Tom Eversley via Shutterstock

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/81809-playstation-our-controller-doesnt-have-x-button-called.html

 

[Vulcanproject]

A semantics debate to go down in the history books.

Or not.

 

[QuantumPhysics]

Who cares???

 

[PurpleYoda]

There is only one thing I have to say and that is... Whatever!

 

[tkabou]

Sony's argument is actually correct on this one, much like certain countries describe blood groups, saying A, B and "zero". Since the former two are letters, it makes no sense for the latter to be a number, so it must be "O"

 

[Capaill]

"One Twitter user pointed out a flaw in PlayStation UK's argument. Nero Agent Crimson noted that crosses have the same distance between each stick, so drawing an outline around one would form a perfect square."
Nero Agent Crimson is not pointing out a flaw but is in fact supporting PS UK's argument.

 

[lipe123]

PC master race sees the article and goes "meh, whatever" This is why they cant play anything with a keyboard and mouse without aim assist.

 

[Lounds]

Yeah but X gonna give it to ya.

 

[psycros]

I have always called the round one O. I also call the square Judy and the triangle Lester.

 

[soulsassassin]

Whatever Sony calls it the X is here to stay

 

[gamerk2]

Whatever happened to calling a spade a spade?

It looks like a Shovel to me.

 

[HofyPC]

I would like to return this defective controller. The cross button is 45 degrees out of rotation.

 

[Nobodysfool]

Well if this were an Xbox controller, it's logical to call it an "X" since the buttons on the right comprise letters from the Alphabet: X, Y, B, and A. Sony has a point on calling theirs a cross since the PlayStation controller buttons includes shapes drawn on it.

 

[amghwk]

Hahahahahahahahaha...you guys made my day... Hahahahahahahha... what a topic....hahahahahahahahahaha

 

[Gypsygib]

If they wanted it to be a cross, they shouldn't have rotated it to make it look like an X. Why isn't the square or triangle rotated as well then?

 

[Markoni35]

If they wanted it to be a cross, they shouldn't have rotated it to make it look like an X. Why isn't the square or triangle rotated as well then?

Exactly so. They should make it a proper cross. But then liberals will jump on Sony even more, as they don't want to see anything even remotely looking like a religious symbol.

Unless, of course, it looks like a 6-point star. That symbol is very much liked among liberals.

 

[That Dude There]

Yeah but X gonna give it to ya.

D...M...X!

 

[Tom Yum]

If they wanted it to be a cross, they shouldn't have rotated it to make it look like an X. Why isn't the square or triangle rotated as well then?

A cross (as a shape) IS rotated 45 degrees, otherwise it wouldn't have been called a cross but instead a plus. Have you ever filled out a form and had to tick or cross a question, you didn't do a plus sign did you? Cross (the object) is characterized by being taller than it is wide, and therefore isn't like Sony's controller.

 

[Mugsy]

If that symbol is an "Ex" instead of a cross, then The Red Cross needs to change their name.

Four symbols. No letters. It's a Cross.

 

[Misagt]

I have always called the round one O. I also call the square Judy and the triangle Lester.

No way, me too!

 

[PurpleYoda]

Love it. Topic on its way to get the most comments this week!

 

[Rian Kim]

Interestingly, I've seen a lot of people here in Korea call the square button "mee-um" and the circle one "yee-ung", which are the names of the Korean consonants that look just like a square and a circle.