The Access controller provides a more comfortable, longer, and accessible game-playing experience for those with disabilities. (Image Credit: Sony)
During CES 2023, Sony unveiled Project Leonardo, its new accessible controller for gamers with motor disabilities and those who want to add more to their input choices. Now the tech giant provided more updates on its controller for gaming fanatics. However, Sony hasn’t released any pricing details or a release date for this controller. Those interested in the product can sign up to receive an alert when preorders launch.
Sony says its access controller comes with the standard, dome, and ball-shaped caps in terms of analog sticks. All at the user’s discretion, of course. Players can also change button caps in different sizes and shapes, such as a pillow, flat, wide (covering two sockets), overhang (for those with small hands), and curve button caps. They can use button cap tags that allow them to mark their preferred button map inputs.
Players can easily insert their customized analog sticks into the controller. (Image Credit: Sony)
Thanks to its design, players set the controller on flat surfaces, orient it 360 degrees, or attach it to an AMPS mount or tripod. They can even adjust the analog stick’s distance from the controller. Even better, users add their customized buttons, analog sticks, or switches via the four 3.5mm AUX ports on the side of the controller.
The software allows users to map button inputs according to their preferences. (Image Credit: Sony)
The tech giant also showed off new PS5 Access controller software for players to customize UI settings and configurations for new playing methods. Players map inputs to certain buttons, toggle buttons on or off, choose the orientation for the controller, and map two different inputs to one button. Plus, it allows them to create and save controller profiles for their favorite games, including combat or driving.
Users can pair two Access controllers with the DualSense wireless controller, allowing them to function as one virtual controller to play collaboratively with others. “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 wrote.
Sony’s Access controller comes with a toggle mode for players to change how any button behaves. In that case, turning on the toggle mode for the acceleration input for a racing game allows a user to accelerate the car without pressing a button. Additionally, the toggle mode enables programmable input. For instance, if a game requires you to press L3 to sprint, then you can modify that input so that it only requires clicking to sprint.
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