The PS5 accessibility controller is highly functional and extremely cool.
Feelgood Friday: Sony Unveils the Official PS5 Accessibility Controller
Written by Ollie Bradley at 01/06/2023, 07:33 AM
Sony has just unveiled their official PS5 accessibility controller. And we think we speak for everyone when we say: damn it looks good.
The unveiling comes at the tail-end of the great PlayStation 5 shortage, meaning that the widest possible audience can soon enjoy the wonders of Sony's flagship console. Including such tempting console exclusives as God of War Ragnarök, which has incidentally drawn significant praise for its own attention to accessibility.
The PS5 accessibility controller was revealed at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) - the Consumer Technology Association's annual tech event that showcases gadgets, concept cars, and whatever Tony Stark has up his sleeve this year, probably.
Needless to say, looking swish is all good and well, but functionality is paramount. Thankfully, the PS5 accessibility controller, codenamed Project Leonardo, was developed with the help of accessibility experts and Feelgood Friday mainstays: AbleGamers and SpecialEffect, as well as StackUp.
The kit is designed to work "out of the box" and is compatible with a wide array of third-party accessories to facilitate specific needs. Swappable components include a variety of analog stick caps and buttons in different shapes and sizes. Users can then personalize button mapping in order to set up the configuration that works best for them.
All in all, it's an impressive attempt by Sony to ensure that everybody can get a chance to play. "We were inspired by the idea of all players enjoying the world of PlayStation together," said designer So Morimoto.
Development of Project Leonardo is still underway, meaning there's still some time before the accessible controller can be distributed en masse. However, it certainly looks to be in the final stages, and Sony are calling out to the community for feedback before it is finally released.
Regardless, it is great to see companies putting the work in to ensure that gamers of every background can join in on the fun, rather than relying on the goodwill of charities and inspiring individuals with 3D printers.