Sony has given gamers another reason to get pumped up for the PlayStation 5 by giving a sneak peek at the controller that comes with the console.
The controller, which the company calls the DualSense, is at the final stages of design. And if you’re used to the DualShock 4, the current and soon-to-be-predecessor, then you have more reasons to be excited.
According to Sony, the DualSense will retain “much of what gamers love about DualShock 4 intact, while also adding new functionality and refining the design” in addition to delivering “a new feeling of immersion to players.”
The company said in a statement: “Based on our discussions with developers, we concluded that the sense of touch within the gameplay, much like audio, hasn’t been a big focus for many games.
“We had a great opportunity with PS5 to innovate by offering game creators the ability to explore how they can heighten that feeling of immersion through our new controller.
“This is why we adopted haptic feedback, which adds a variety of powerful sensations you’ll feel when you play, such as the slow grittiness of driving a car through the mud.
“We also incorporated adaptive triggers into the L2 and R2 buttons of DualSense so you can truly feel the tension of your actions, like when drawing a bow to shoot an arrow.”
Working closely with the hardware team, the designers made sure that the device wouldn’t bulk up due to the new features.
A built-in microphone comes with the controller so that you don’t need a headset mic to talk to the people you’re playing with.
They also gathered a test group that had different hand sizes so that they could try out the prototype controller and it passed with flying colors.
Jim Ryan, President & CEO, Sony Interactive Entertainment, said: “DualSense marks a radical departure from our previous controller offerings and captures just how strongly we feel about making a generational leap with PS5.
“The new controller, along with the many innovative features in PS5, will be transformative for games – continuing our mission at PlayStation to push the boundaries of play, now and in the future.
“To the PlayStation community, I truly want to thank you for sharing this exciting journey with us as we head toward PS5’s launch in Holiday 2020. We look forward to sharing more information about PS5, including the console design, in the coming months.”
It seems Sony has the controller down pat. Now, all that’s left is the console itself.
Replaced!