Sony shares new details of PS5 ‘Access Controller’

Back at CES earlier this year, Sony announced Project Leonardo – an accessibility focused controller “that works ‘out of the box’ to help many players with disabilities play games more easily, more comfortably, and for longer periods.” Now, the console manufacturer has revealed the controller’s official name alongside a slew of new details.

Taking to the PlayStation Blog, Hideaki Nishino, the Senior Vice President of Platform Experience at Sony Interactive Entertainment, said “While accessibility is an important topic year-round, May is always special as we celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day and recognize the strides made by the accessibility community and the games industry to make gaming more inclusive.”

With that, they shared a bunch of new details alongside additional images and even a first look at the controller’s UI and its customisability. Developed in collaboration with “accessibility experts” the Access controller will include in the box:

• Analog stick caps (standard, dome and ball stick cap)
• Button caps in different shapes and sizes, including:
  • Pillow button caps
  • Flat button caps
  • Wide flat button cap (which covers two button sockets)
  • Overhang button caps (which benefit players with smaller hands as they are positioned closer to the center)
  • Curve button caps (which can be pushed if placed along the top or pulled if placed along the bottom of the controller)
• Swappable button cap tags for players to easily mark which inputs they map to each button

Sony’s integrated software for the Access Controllers will offer complete button remapping; controller orientation options; stick sensitivity and deadzone adjustments; multiple profiles and a toggle mode – to name a few.

What we have seen of the Access controller so far looks rather impressive. All that is left to learn now is when the controller will be released and how much it will cost. Hopefully the price will be just as accessible as the controller itself.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the controller? How much do you think it will cost? Should Nintendo offer an accessibility-focused controller next? Let us know down below.

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