With each new wave of Sony and Microsoft consoles comes new versions of each company's popular controllers to compliment those gaming machines. While Xbox and PlayStation are known for the iconic designs of their controllers, such as the Xbox 360 controller and the DualShock, the newest version of the PlayStation controller has made some revolutionary changes to the gaming formula. Recently, a designer that worked on the creation of the DualSense controller provided a glimpse at some of the initial tests done on the project.
For a relatively compact design, the DualSense controller contains a lot of features. Speaking with IGN, Toshi Aoki, the Product Director for Sony, discussed some of the original tests pertaining to a couple of the biggest innovations of the DualSense: haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. As both of these features were planned to be included in the controller's design from the start of the project, these tests detail some of the first attempts at using the technology in the DualSense.
The first of these two new features, haptic feedback creates an extra level of realism for gamers when playing their favorite titles. Using advanced rumble technology, different sections of the controller would vibrate in relation to where the events on the screen took place, such as explosions or gunfire. Aoki said that early experiments with the technology for the controller included a demo with metal and plastic balls contained inside a box. By using motion sensors, those that tried the test were able to roll the balls around inside the box and feel the corresponding rumble from the on-screen objects through haptic feedback.
In regards to the other new feature, adaptive triggers alter the amount of pressure needed to use the L2 and R2 trigger buttons based on the gameplay situation. The designers of the PS5 controller decided to utilize the feature with L2 and R2 triggers because of their frequent use when gaming. Based on Aoki's comments, these were the most used buttons on the DualShock 4. One of the main goals of the feature was "to find ways to leverage the buttons to add to the sense of touch." According to the designer, the first tests of this new feature used a motion controller in VR. The results of these early tests set the framework for what adaptive triggers would become in the future, as Aoki said that "it felt amazing."
The DualSense controller has made quite the splash in the gaming community, with many praising its design. Even the head of Microsoft Phil Spencer applauded the innovations of the DualSense, saying that Microsoft could possibly update the Xbox controller to include features reminiscent to those in the DualSense design. Regardless, Sony's newest controller has caused developers to rethink the way they develop their games. With titles such as Astro's Playroom taking full advantage of DualSense technology, it will be interesting to see what other games embrace these features moving forward.
Source: IGN