The Sony PlayStation 4’s controller may see an extreme rehaul in the direction of the handheld PlayStation Vita. Along with changes to the PS4’s controller, Sony is set to sell its U.S. headquarters in Manhattan, NY for $1.1 billion.

According to a report from ComputerandVideoGames.com, Sony is in the testing stage for a new type of touch-screen, biometric operated controller. Biometric technology refers to a computer with the ability to recognize things like specific fingerprints or faces. Think the admission que to Disney parks.

If the reports are true, Sony would be getting rid of its tried and tested two-winged, dual joystick controller. It’s hard to say exactly what the final controller may look like, but CVG provided a look back at some of the other prototypes from before the DualShock controller we all know and love was mass produced with the PlayStation 1 in 1997.

If you’re not sold on the idea of a pad-like PS4 controller, fret not – CVG.com continues to report that it is likely that the PS4 will have backwards compatibility with DualShock controllers. A good example of this backwards compatibility in the industry is the ability to use Wii MotionPlus controllers on the Wii U.

On top of the reports of a new PlayStation controller, CVG.com has also reported that Sony is going to sell its NYC headquarters for over $1 billion. But why sell such hot real estate? According to CVG.com:

Sony said it expects the sale of the 37-story New York building to generate $770 million in net cash after repaying debt, while its various divisions will be allowed to remain for up to three years.

Sony’s Consumer Products and Services division had a $2.5 billion loss in sales as the PS3 saw one of its last financial years of life. The report of Sony’s losses came in the end of March 2012, and likely stemmed off of the rumors and speculations for Sony’s highly anticipated PS4. The PS4, codenamed “Orbis,” will reportedly have details revealed in the near future; perhaps as soon as the next few weeks.

What are your thoughts on the new Sony news? Are you excited for the PS4, or do you wish that it stuck with its DualShock controller?