When thinking of features that are important in console gaming, graphics, load times, refresh rates, and storage capacity often comes to mind. However, people often forget how the controller's design plays a crucial part in the gaming experience. A console's input device serves as a bridge between the player and the game, which is why its design and features are just as important as the technology under the console's hood.
Now, with the next-generation consoles on their way next year, PlayStation manufacturer Sony has recently filed a patent that suggests a drastic redesign of the current DualShock 4. The patent sports a rectangular shape with a small screen right in the middle. Of course, looking at the patent alone, it is difficult to visualize what the next DualShock controller could look like. Luckily Letsgodigital, who first spotted the patent, created several mock-ups of what the controller may look like.
Apart from the rectangular shape and the screen, which are the obvious changes in the controller, Sony's patent also suggests several new features not found in current input devices. The patent reveals a multi-functional game controller that sports several features outside of gaming such as access to email, listen to music, and connect directly to a television.
The patent for the multi-functional controller also includes support for Bluetooth and Internet connectivity, and strangely enough, fingerprint and heartbeat detection. Of course, even if the patent was filed by Sony itself, it is not uncommon that a patent's features do not see the light of day. However, if Sony decides to implement several of the features indicated in the patent to the final product, it would be interesting to see how this multi-functional controller would work out once it releases.
However, one feature of the next-gen controller that Sony has been talking about for quite some time now is haptic feedback. Several days ago, Jim Ryan, President, and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment revealed in an interview that haptic technology would bring a new gameplay experience to the PS5, and even on some games on the PS4. Although no further details were revealed during the interview, Ryan made it clear that Sony is designing the next-generation controller not just as an input device, but also as another way for players to have a new level of gaming experience.
Meanwhile, Sony's latest patent filing appears to be drastically different than the one that surfaced last November. The previous patent suggests that the next-generation PlayStation controller would retain a similar form factor than the DualShock 4. However, the main difference would be the controller's size, which appears to be bulkier. The light bar was also removed in the patent and replaces the DualShock 4's outdated Micro USB port with USB-C.
Source: Letsgodigital