Sony has today announced the final design of the upcoming PlayStation 5 controller – The DualSense wireless controller.
(Credit: Playstation Blog)
This is a sudden departure from the previous numeric DualShock generations, but is also symbolic of a totally new generation in immersive controller functions and feedback. DualSense is keeping the majority of features and style that made the DualShock 4 so popular - such as the addition of the ‘Share’ Button and Touchpad. However, the new features are worth being excited about – Haptic Feedback, Adaptive Triggers & much more.
“But, what are those things?”
- Random Gamer
Haptic Feedback allows highly adjustable vibration of the controller – do you want 'Forza' to change the vibration intensity & vibration pattern for a dirt road that switches to gravel, then to mud? You can do that. Do you want the vibration from firing a ‘Colt M4A1 5.56’ to change when you fire a Barrett ‘M82A1 .50 Cal’? You can do that! - In short Haptic Feedback will add variety to the sensations you’ll feel when you play & increase your immersion in your game worlds.
Adaptive triggers in the L2 and R2 buttons of DualSense build on Haptic Feedback - allowing you to feel the tension of your actions in game. Feel the vibration of you drawing back a bowstring and loosing an arrow, or holding down the trigger of a minigun - Its all about increased immersion.
The ‘Share’ button from the DualShock 4 has been replaced by a new ‘Create’ button. Sony did not go into much detail on this other than to say that – like the share feature, the new ‘create’ button feature will again pioneer new ways for players to create epic gameplay content to share with the world – But they’ll have more details on this closer to the PS5 launch date.
Some of the other features mentioned for DualSense include the controller coming with a built-in microphone, enabling you to chat with friends without the need of a headset. Integration with PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech for better sound clarity – though they again will provide more detail later. An increase in rechargeable battery life alongside the new USB C charging connection, and some changes to the angle of triggers, updates to the grips and lessened weight.
The final big talking point is the style and chosen colour scheme, which is a complete departure from all previous models, the controller is much sleeker, which Sony says has been done based on feedback from players with varying hand sizes, and is sporting a two tone Black & White in place of the traditional Black on Black from PlayStation 2 all the way to PlayStation 4. The lightbar has also been moved from the front of the controller to now sit on either side of the touchpad – a small innovation that Sony says “will give it an extra pop”. We at Gaming Australia also can’t avoid comparing it to a First Order Stormtrooper, or even something cooked up in Aperture labs, simply put, it looks great.
Overall the new DualSense controller is a next generation look, for the next generation of tech ready for the next generation of gaming – and we cant wait to hear those extra details as we edge closer to the PlayStation 5 reveal in the coming months.
To close we leave you with a message from Sony Interactive Entertainment President & CEO Jim Ryan to the community:
“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.”
– Jim Ryan, President & CEO, Sony Interactive Entertainment
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