The points about the Classic Controller are flawed and interestingly points out my one problem with the PS pad. If it was made to control mainly modern games then it probably would have been similar in design to the GC pad with the left stick where the D-pad is on the current classic controller as that would be the best ergonomic fit.
As it's used for playing mainly pre-N64 era games, which were mainly D-pad controlled, they stuck the D-pad in that prime ergonomic position as it's the D-pad that will get the most use, a side effect of which is to make it look like a dualshock.
So no, I don't think there's any copying or inspiration there, it's just a happy coincidence. Of course, even if there was, you'd be ignoring the fact that the PS pad evolved to what it is today from an imitator of the SNES pad...
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