Many fans appreciated the evolution that came with the Dualshock's 4th iteration, bringing with it several experimental changes that proved to be a great advancement for the iconic PlayStation controller. The previous three DualShock models all followed a similar angular design before the revamp, toting all the same core buttons and functionality as previous models. It wasn't until the DualShock 4 when the controller saw a massive overhaul, and that was before the PS5 DualSense.
Sporting the most changes made to the DualShock line in years, the DualShock 4 made a variety of much-needed advancements to the PlayStation's tried-and-true controller. Along with improved ergonomics, a more comfortable shape, additional Share and motion functionality, the PS4's controller also included a unique touch pad. The touch pad was a welcome addition to the controller, but with the PS5's DualSense bringing it back relatively unchanged, the peripheral's relevance comes into question.
Forgotten Functionality
The touch pad was introduced with the reinvented DualShock 4, a near-universally praised controller. Though not for the touch pad specifically, the PS4's controller improved upon the original DualShock design language in a variety of ways. Unfortunately for the touch pad, that hardware feature was one of the first functionalities to be largely ignored by developers as the console generation went on. The concept behind the touch pad was to incorporate swipe gestures and touch technology into PlayStation games and menus. In reality, a few launch titles took advantage of the touch/gesture technology, and even fewer games after that incorporate use of the touch pad.
Bolstered by the vastly more important improvements made in its grips and overall shape, the touch pad itself didn't become totally unnecessary. Rather than wider usage of swipes or gestures, the touch pad essentially became a distinctly large and slightly more versatile "Select" button. There were even several fantastic games that utilized the touch pad in interesting and unique ways. Even if developers chose not to incorporate it's unique features, the touch pad did serve as another button in the end, so it wasn't a total failure for the new controller by any means.
What's interesting now is the touch pad returns with PS5's new controller despite its near-total lack of utilization for the PS4 in the end of its lifespan.
New Controller, Same Touch Pad?
Though only recently revealed, the DualSense is the DualShock's official revolution to something completely new. Or rather new enough, as the DualSense controller is a bit different in shape but still retains the same layout as the DualShock line with a different form factor. Along with all of the newly announced features, one aspect of the hardware received no mention during the reveal but still remains: the trusty ol' touch pad. This time it features a rounded and angled shape with a smooth-colored finish, with the light bar(s) now tucked in between the touch pad and the controller's face buttons.
The DualSense controller's reveal makes no mention of the touch pad other than it's positioned between the new light bar. While there's still potential to hear more about the touch pad later on, it's looking like the touch pad is functionally here to stay in similar fashion to the DualShock 4. While that's not necessarily a bad thing, it does mean the DualSense's touch pad may continue the relevancy issue the functionality had last generation.
Potential Utilization
Looking back at some recently discovered patents for the PS5 stated the touch pad could be a means of controlling the PlayStation's menus like that of a smartphone's touchscreen. Apparently players would be able to use gestures and swipes to navigate through different applications or screens, perhaps in place of incrementally moving through each selectable option before swapping applications like usual.
Though these are only rumors based on some of the early PS5 patents submitted by Sony, it does present some interesting ideas in terms of getting more usage out of the touch pad. The touch pad's core functionality is to register and use gestures/swipes in a variety of scenarios, and though game development didn't pursue this functionality often on the PS4, it would make sense to include touch pad functionality in the PS5's menus in place of this. Might as well, considering the touch pad will likely still need to be there, especially for the few PS4 backwards compatible games that may utilize the touch pad.
How the actual touch pad is utilized with the PS5 remains to be seen, but for something that started as a defining hardware feature that petered off almost immediately, it makes sense to integrate the touch pad with core PlayStation functionality. The DualSense's touch pad is in desperate need of a reason to exist, and advanced gesture navigation may be the first step.
PlayStation 5 is set to launch holiday 2020.