Sony announced at CES 2023 a new PS5 controller like no other and oh so essential for many players. Here is what it will look like.
For some time now, manufacturers have been seriously considering issues of accessibility in video games. Microsoft has indeed marketed its famous Xbox adaptive controller some time ago now. For their part, Sony and its studios are always going further in the accessibility options of their game. The Japanese firm has nevertheless just announced its first adaptive PS5 controller, long awaited by the players concerned.
Project Leonardo, an adaptive controller for PS5
Like Microsoft, Sony is working on concrete solutions concerning accessibility to the game for all. After the Adaptive Xbox One controller, the Japanese firm presents Project Leonardo, its first PS5 controller designed for players with disabilities. Designed in partnership with organizations like The AbleGamers Charity and SpecialEffect, community members and developers, this new pad wants to be highly customizable thanks to a kit allowing to adapt to each need. The objective is simple and clear: to help those concerned ” to play more easily, more comfortably and for longer periods of time explains the firm in its official press release.
This PS5 controller will also be compatible with accessories designed by third-party manufacturers to better meet the needs of gamers. It was therefore created to address the common problems encountered by many players with limited motor skills. Holding a controller for long periods of time, pressing a set of buttons or triggers with precision, positioning the thumbs and fingers optimally on a standard controller are all examples cited by Sony.
Personalization and flexibility above all
The PS5 controller therefore takes the form of a large circle on which you can graft different components, analog stock and buttons of different sizes at any location. This will allow everyone to find the ideal configuration according to their situation. It can also be used either as an individual pad, or be coupled with another Project Leonardo controller or a DualSense to create a single virtual controller or play with several people.
On PS5, Project Leonardo will therefore allow you to personalize your experience, in particular via the mapping buttons. For example, it will be possible to program certain keys according to certain functions. Also combos regularly used in modern games (like R2+L2) can be combined via a single button. Players will also be able to create multiple profiles on a single console and switch with each other at the touch of a button. No release date or price has been announced at this time.
