The PlayStation 5's controller -- supposedly named the DualShock 5 -- will ditch the light bar that was introduced with the DualShock 4. That's according to a freshly uncovered Sony patent that shows clearly labelled drawings of the next-gen device.
As you can see, the PS5 edition doesn't seem to have a light bar -- an addition that's divided opinion throughout this console generation. On the PS4, the light bar allows multiple players to be colour coded so that it's easier to tell who's using which controller. It also works alongside the PlayStation Camera when playing PlayStation VR titles. The camera tracks the light so that games can better track 3D movement.
But not everyone's a fan of the light bar. Although Sony did eventually allow users to dim the light thanks to a PS4 firmware update, some reckon the lowest setting is still too bright, and there's always been concern that the light bar doesn't help the DualShock 4's limited battery life.
No doubt some will appreciate its removal if this patent turns out to be accurate, then. And from where we're sitting, said patent does look legitimate. We reckon this is probably your PS5 controller, ladies and gentlemen.
[source j-platpat.inpit.go.jp, via videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 46
That's a shame. I quite like the light bar.
I'm used to the soft glow (on minimum) in general, and I like when it manages to be functional or decorative.
Best use I think was the Tomb Raider fire thing, that was nice.
If this design is true there is an led on the bottom of the controller likely to indicate the charging and on status. Which is fine.
It also looks chunkier than its predecessor for larger hands, notice how its higher when on its back and the handle angles are more steep.
Minimal changes, but I approve.
Aw man, I like the light bar.
What about VR? I thought the lightbar was used in some VR games.
Why remove the lightbar, something that actually has a bit of utility in some games, and keep the touchpad, a feature which is all but pointless and is just used as a big start button most of the time?
I like the DS layout in general, but this controller design seems safe, boring, and pretty disappointing.
The light bar is amazing.games changing color on your controller us something i never seen before.never had a problem with them.lightbar changing to red .green.yellow.purple.etc was awesome.word up son
Thanks goodness, hopefully this isn't just a rumor, that thing was unnecessary
I don't think the light bar has gone, but it's the side of the touchscreen that may cover that feature. It could be like some mobile edge screen.
weirdly my light bar only comes on briefly when I hit the ps button to power up the PS4, thereafter it's always off no matter what i do.
I just want bigger battery and maybe 5inch screen to play games with streaming without ps5.
I dont know why you posted another article about the same topic but like I said in the other one: dont you think the 'touchpad' looks bigger and maybe the light may come from there?
Nooooo, don't agree with this at all! I love the light bar and I wish they would put some of it in the front of the controller.
@JJ2 The touchpad definitely looks a bit more pronounced. Maybe it will have a small light line at the front,where the touchpad curves over. Similar to the one you get at the front of the touchpad.
I like the light bar.. except for the extra battery consumption. They could at least keep a small light bar in front on top of the touch bar.
Surely an option to switch it on and of would keep everyone happy.
I don't really care either way. I just want better thumbsticks.
I will say the light bar made the controller look pretty cool.
I’m sure the will still be a light bar. It’s just that the light it gives out may no longer be visible to the human eye.
I dout it. How are vr games Games ment to work with out it
The light bar should not be removed, it need to be implemented better on the games and Sony has to encourage devs on its usage.
refuses to let us turn it off because they're absolute gits and next iteration they remove it, disgusting behaviour to just blatantly ignore your customers
Lol I never thought so many people would like the lightbar. I found it pretty annoying.
Cons:
Pros:
Same for the little speaker btw. Turned it off and never missed it. Overall I did like the Dualshock 4. Mainly for it's ergonomics compared to the 3.
I like how it's utilised by some games, like on Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order it changes colour to suit your light saber preference.
I like the light bar if has gone in place of an LED Touch screen I will be happy though.
@GKO900 Unless you had VR, although it was put to good use in some games.
The only time I look at the light bar is to check whether my controller’s charged or not. Don’t use it other than that, wouldn’t really miss it.
@Speedy-R Well VR is a niche market so only a few has that thing, the color thing was a little nice so they can keep the one from the touchpad but not the one from the front you don't even see it and drains battery
The whole touch pad will light up now.
@David187
That's what I think. 👍
I'm fine with that. There was a noticeable improvement in battery life after I changed the light bar to the dimmest setting, but the PS4 controllers still run out of juice too quick for my liking.
Anything to improve battery life would be appreciated.
@GADG3Tx87 I will hate it if it gets larger.
@Flurpsel Never noticed it reflect. The battery is not a big problem for me i have a long cable. Distracting how?
Good. It did nothing for me
Waste of a battery anyway, so good.
My neighbour who's poor held a party. So I plugged my ps4s into the wall and all the lights came on. I had them all going multicoloured It was awesome - great. There was music, beer, food etc I hope they had fun. I wat sat next door playing ps4 ogling the lights.
@Ralizah yeah i came here to say that, don't some PSVR games need the light bar to function? ps5 claims to work with PSVR so not sure how that will work.
Are these legit? I don't see a USB charge port on it.
Looks niiice, as some have said, it does look a bit chunkier which i def prefer. Just hope the L2/R2 trigger points are not right where my fingers naturally lay
I find it really useful for multilayer, especially where it's color coded such as Overcooked and I can instantly tell who is faffing about. Other than that, I've never paid it too much attention and don't find it distracting. Do wish more games made use of it in the way that games like Tearaway do.
@thefirst See, I really like that sort of thing.
I really like the face sign in feature through the camera which tracks the light bar colours when you have multiple controllers.
Make the whole thing transparent and be one massive light bar.
I like it. Never used it for anything other than to confirm my DS4 is charging. But the flashing on GTA when being chased by the police was a touch of genius.
People complaining about the DS4 battery life while I'm doing 12 hours non stop sessions with my 3 year old DS4 until the battery dies and needs charging.... From my portable 10,000 mA battery.
@Flaming_Kaiser when its flickering I can see it in my peripheral vision. I suppose its more distracting to some than others
@Flurpsel I'm with you. I don't like other light sources other than the TV. It can affect your perception of the colours on the screen. I suspect the people who don't mind the light bar also don't care about people getting their phones out in the cinema. So one happy camper here. Just wish they'd remove that tinny excuse for a speaker as well.
@Flurpsel Sticker on the light for me it does not matter.
@Flaming_Kaiser it's called satire. But it's okay not to understand that. Research has pretty much 99% confirmed that not understanding satire isn't a reflection of one's level of intellect.
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