Sony has today announced its PS5 accessibility controller, first revealed as Project Leonardo, will be called the Access Controller. A new PlayStation Blog post shares a deep dive into the pad's creation, the user interface that'll accompany it, and details on how each button helps disabled gamers better interact with video games. A new registration page is set up to give those interested all the latest news in their inbox.
As part of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, the hardware manufacturer reveals the PS5 Access Controller will "include a wide array of swappable button and stick caps so players can freely create different layouts that work for their unique strength, range of motion, and physical needs". Each package offers three types of analog stick caps, button caps in various shapes and sizes (pillow, flat, wide flat, overhang, and curve), swappable button caps, and the option to attach the pad to AMPS mounts and tripods. You can also lay it flat or orient it 360 degrees. Custom switches, buttons, and analog sticks can then be attached through four 3.5mm AUX ports.
Accompanying the controller is an in-depth user interface on PS5 that helps disabled gamers to customise every option. As many as two Access Controllers and one DualSense (or DualSense Edge) pad can all work together to form a single set of buttons. "Similar to the DualSense Edge wireless controller, players can also fine-tune the starting position and sensitivity of input. The ability to adjust deadzones (the distance your analog stick moves before it’s recognized in a game) and stick sensitivity is particularly helpful for players to improve their fine motor control during gameplay."
Sony has also released a new video detailing its commitment to accessibility:
"We’ll have more to share about the Access controller for PS5, including more product and release details, in the months ahead," senior vice president of platform experience, Hideaki Nishino, signs off saying. "Thanks to all the players who’ve shared valuable feedback and inspire us every day to bring the joy of gaming to more people through innovation and collaboration with you – our community."
[source blog.playstation.com]
Comments 38
Very nice
That's pretty damn cool PS Studios game have been really awesome with their accessibility options of late and this is another great step ^__^
Bravo! Keep it coming. Awesome work.
This is brilliant. Well done.
The only thing I would like to see is more co-operation between platform holders on making a cross-platform solution possible for the good of all. Setting up and configuring an accessible controller takes time and money, it would be great to be able to use one controller easily across platforms. (PC, Console, Mobile) You can on some platforms with third party tools like Wingman, but it would be good to have a fixed standard/API across ALL platforms.
Not sure how any of this works in terms of accessibility, but big buttons and arcade sticks could be cool for general use as well
@BeerIsAwesome It was, but this news reveals the official name and more details about it.
For it to be really Accessibility Game Controller it has to have same price as standard DualSense
@Tr3mm0r it will probably be expensive but those who want one will probably be able to claim money back from government schemes, I'd happily try to raise money to buy a few of these for people who would benefit, could have people raising money in the gaming community 🙂
@MoorePs4 amazing idea, if you do a gofundme I will happily donate
"Nicely job!" Accessibility is very important, so I'm very pleased to see it become a focus.
Love this! Sony are really good with their policies on accessibility.
Also, please give Special Effect a look at www.specialeffect.org.uk
They’re a great, Uk based charity who help make gaming truly a hobby and sport for every single person. They also have a YouTube channel with show the amazing work they have done.
(I have no affiliation with Special Effect. Just a huge admirer of what they do)
I really hope sony will make a new improved dualsense, with better battery (of course) and better dpad. I want psvita dpad on dualsense, playing 2D games on psvita is a blast 😃
that’s the power of competition, cause Xbox did this first with its controller and now we have Sony’s. This is why you have people like me saying the industry is better when it competes vs MS should just leave and have Sony all alone. I am happy to see PS have this option now for those that need it and i am even more happy they get to enjoy the amazing experiences of playing video games 😀
@wiiware I’d buy that, but what i want is for the Edge to get concave stick options, my thumbs still slip off the dome type that Sony is in love with. Wouldn’t mind it to get slightly smaller chassis when the tech can be shrunk done. Sony UI’s and Controllers is the only reason my PS5 isn’t my daily driver. I am sure on PS6 we will see some Dual Sense refinements 😀
@Green-Bandit ds5, best controller ever. They sell caps you can put on. My fingers never slip.
I feel like this can be a solution for all people who does not like consoles (literally any of them) because they can't get used to play with controller. I will ask somebody because I'm quite curious how he fells about this Actually even I would try it if is not expensive.
@theMEGAniggle thankyou, I'll look into that 😊
It still looks ugly imo. But who cares as long as it helps with accessibility. It's great Sony are dropping more news about this and keep pushing for this.
Whenever the subject of accessibility is raised, there's always the empty virtue signaling that is not truly helpful. Being empathetic is great of course, but what most people seem to miss is the fact that many of us will eventually need it.
Gaming is still a nascent industry, to the point where the vast majority of gamers have not reached an age where they would need any form of accessibility support. But that moment will eventually come, when you can't see or hear as clearly as before, and your reflexes are just not up to par with the game's original design. I'm 44 and my hands and fingers clearly don't move as quickly as they once did.
So yes, accessibility is super important. Not only for the others, but for admittedly self-centered reasons too.
@MoorePs4 It doesn't change what i wrote. Accessibility should be on manufacturers side not tax payers. Why should I pay for someone elses controller? Especially when the amount of those is fairly low in comparison with DS and Sony could just write it off as costs of getting income.
@Art_Vandelay it's interesting if there'll be an army of 80+ gamers one day. I'm not so sure, interest tends to start waning in most at 40, complaining about wanting shorter/easier experiences etc, it may be that interest has disappeared altogether by then.
@Cutmastavictory I’d give it the best Sony controller ever for sure. Best controller is subjective due to hand sizes and play style. For me Xbox one and Series X is the best fit in hand controller and my fingers don’t slip off the sticks cause they have the indents. I always wanted to try those caps, but just not sure how well that would fix my issues and if they work to my liking, you use them and like them?
@RonnieL Honestly i don’t use them so i really ain’t in position to comment on that. I can only say Xbox a few years back came out with their controller and really made a push for that and had some marketing around gaming for all. I think it’s great Sony seen that and came up with their own. Again that is what having two players in this space can do and when i see people say Xbox should go out of business just so Sony is left alone makes no sense to me. I own them both and love when they compete and borrow idea’s from one another. Every successful industry has competition. 😀
Nice. Very nice.
From a day of infinite crap comes a ray of sunshine. God bless Sony for doing this.
@Balosi Maybe there won't be an army of 80+ gamers, but surely there won't be no gamers of that age in a few decades. The truth is always somewhere in the middle.
Statistically, the age of the average gamer is constantly raising, meaning many people do stick to the hobby. Sure, many fall off, but I'd guess many more get in. That's why the industry as a whole keeps growing.
On a side note, the idea of shorter, simpler games does appeal to me. And that could be a reason why I'm loving VR right now. It's surely not the main reason, but a compelling one nonetheless.
@Green-Bandit I have very large hands. I'm much larger than average male. And still ds5, best controller ever. I never experienced hand slipping on any controller. My hands used to sweat on the ds5, for some reason. Maybe because it was new and I was nervous I don't know. After about a week it stopped, and I could game normally. I think it was psychological.
I have been following/checking push square everyday since the first lockdown and now as a disabled gamer (only the use of my left side) I’ve had to join so I can leave a comment on this great news of the access. Can’t wait to play without RSI and strained back which made gaming a chore rather than a fun hobby.
@roe All I know is this reminds me of the Duel Disks from Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters.
@Cutmastavictory I’m glad it works for you. The controller don’t slip, my thumbs slip off the thumb sticks cause they are bubbled and not indented. I have the Edge and hope they make different caps for it. Dual sense is for sure my favorite PS controller, but not my favorite ever in the overall market. But with some refinements to it on PS6 it could climb up the later for me. 😀
Price thoughts? Not gonna be giving it away are they...
@Tr3mm0r And there we are. Just a concern troll. You don't care about price or accessibility, you just want to moan because the product doesn't cater to you. Miserable little person.
@guntam What? I am just defending people with disabilities. They shouldn't have to pay more for something that is an equivalent of what people without disabilities get.
Get it, non-miserable huge persona?
@Tr3mm0r Ah yes, "defending" people with disabilities and following that up with moaning that you shouldn't "have to pay for it as a taxpayer." You definitely sound like someone who cares about disabled people. You're transparent, mate.
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