Several years after Microsoft, Sony is finally getting up to speed. At CES, the Japanese firm announced a PS5 controller for people with disabilities.
In 2018, Microsoft launched a controller adapted to people with disabilities. At the time, the philosophy of the Xbox brand was already clear: to allow as many people as possible to play. Strangely, this initiative had never been followed by the competition – at least on the hardware part. For example, it took until CES 2023 to see Sony launch into this segment.
On the occasion of the tech fair organized in Las Vegas, the Japanese firm formalized Project Leonardo – presented in a press release published on January 5. It is a ” ultra-customizable controller accessibility kit “. Thanks to it, people who are physically unable to hold a classic joystick will be able to embark on video games with more demanding gameplay. Project Leonardo, whose release date has not been specified, will be compatible with the PlayStation 5.
Sony finally gets up to speed on hardware accessibility
Developed in collaboration with accessibility specialists, Project Leonardo takes the form of a controller with an atypical design (circular), as it promises versatile use. Thus, we can lay it flat and orient the interchangeable stick as we see fit. Hardware customization revolves around a whole host of options designed to adapt to the needs of the target audience. The goal is to find a configuration that matches the strength, motor skills and specific physical needs of the player.
Sony therefore sees Project Leonardo as a “ canvas yard on which one could imagine different experiments. In addition to the analog joystick caps or the keys of different shapes and sizes, Project Leonardo can be connected to third-party accessories thanks to the four 3.5 mm AUX ports (as is the case on the controller sold by Microsoft).
The software part will also be customizable: “ Controller buttons may be programmed to perform an unsupported function. Several keys can be configured for the same function. Conversely, players can assign two functions (like ‘R2’ and ‘L2’) to the same key. Finally, it will be possible to use Project Leonardo in different configurations:
- A single Leonardo Project;
- Two Project Leonardo;
- A Project Leonardo and a DualSense controller;
- Two Project Leonardo and a DualSense controller (useful if a third party must sometimes intervene).
If we can underline the fact that Sony is working on such a project, it is just as possible to denounce its wait-and-see attitude. Waiting five years when you are in a leading position to offer such a product is not very glorious. It’s even a paradox when you know that the multinational has been honored for the extensive accessibility options in some of its games. In December 2022, God of War Ragnarok even received a prize thanks to the tools designed by the Santa Monica studio. However, software aids alone are not always sufficient depending on the disability. A device was needed, and it will soon be a reality. So much the better.
