Sony has filed a patent for a PlayStation controller that may settle for contactless funds from bank cards and telephones.
The utility, titled “Video Recreation Controller-Pushed Data Switch,” was filed in March 2025 and revealed earlier this month, and describes a controller that may learn fee particulars from close by playing cards or units.
The patent (reported by Dexerto) describes a situation the place, when prompted, gamers can deliver their cellphone or fee card near the controller, after which the controller will obtain the small print and ship them to the console.
Sony’s utility specifies that the system could possibly be used to buy video games, in-game credit, and add-ons, and describes a situation the place a participant may buy a full sport with a fast fee contact after attempting a demo at a retailer or expo.
Notably, the patent says the system may additionally work with bodily present playing cards bought at a retailer. Doubtlessly, this might additionally work as Sony’s deliberate in-store alternative for bodily sport discs.
As with all patents, there’s no assure that this expertise will finally make it into client merchandise. Lately, Sony has patented a controller with buttons that may develop into tougher or softer in response to gameplay.
Earlier this 12 months, the PlayStation agency obtained a US patent for a particular controller with a touchscreen that lets gamers select the place the buttons ought to go, and resize parts just like the D-pad.
Sony can be seemingly exploring methods to combine AI into future PlayStation consoles, because it’s acquired a patent for the creation of bespoke AI-generated podcasts starring online game characters, and a brand new expertise that may see PlayStation video games play themselves with the assistance of AI.
It’s claimed that Sony may launch PlayStation 6 as early as subsequent 12 months, alongside a doable Change-style moveable model. In a latest earnings name, the corporate claimed that it hadn’t but determined when it will launch the PlayStation 6 or what its value would be.
