the PlayStation VR 2 might as well be the star of the conference sony of that night during CES 2023, the Japanese manufacturer has also given pride of place to a different kind of controller. Until now, only Microsoft had entered the market for adaptive controllers that allow people with disabilities to play the titles they want more comfortably. Sony joins the effort with Project Leonardo, a customizable PS5 controller which will also aim to make access to PlayStation games easier.
Accessibility continues
As we have seen with the recent AAAs made in PlayStation Studios, accessibility is becoming an important subject in the industry and Sony is ready to invest more in this sector. Project Leonardo is therefore the continuity of this and presents itself as a fully customizable controller, with buttons that can be assigned to any location and a larger joystick.
It is for example possible to configure two keys in one to avoid too complex movements, just as it is possible to use two controllers of this kind, or only one in the company of a traditional DualSense, which could for example be controlled by a friend or family member, as needed. It should also be noted that this controller does not need to be carried so that it can simply be placed on a tray or on a tripod. Four ports also allow additional peripherals to be added if needed.
So Morimotodesigner at Sony Interactive Entertainment, reflects on the design of the controller via a PlayStation Blog post:
” Our team tested more than a dozen designs in collaboration with accessibility specialists to find an approach to overcome the major obstacles to optimal use of the controller. We finally opted for a “split joystick” type design allowing the left/right joysticks to be repositioned freely. We wanted this design to be able to be used without being picked up and to have very flexible keys, as well as interchangeable joystick caps. Since players can customize Project Leonardo to suit their needs, no single format is imposed. We want to allow everyone to create their own configurations. The controller can also accept various combinations of accessibility accessories to create a unique aesthetic style. I’m delighted that the design was able to be developed in collaboration with the players rather than offering them a single format. »
A great step forward in the field that we hope to see become more democratic in the future, among all manufacturers. After Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo’s turn?