Sony has patented a controller with buttons that may turn into more durable or softer in response to PlayStation gameplay.
The patent, which was revealed late final month and uncovered by Cheat Occurs, describes buttons product of good, magnetically responsive composite supplies that may soften or harden relying on the power of the magnetic area.
Primarily, the controller would be capable of change the ‘really feel’ of the controls by altering button hardness in actual time to reinforce sport immersion, much like the PS5 DualSense controller’s present haptic suggestions.
For instance, the buttons might soften when a participant character is strolling by way of a swamp, and harden after they’re climbing a rocky floor, it’s claimed.
The patent additionally describes how the theoretical controller might create a ‘finger seize’ impact, the place buttons soften to let fingers sink in, after which harden to carry them, simulating being grabbed in-game.
The flexibility to melt or harden buttons may be used for accessibility functions, it’s claimed, making it simpler for disabled gamers to play.
Sony usually patents new concepts for management strategies, and it’s value noting that they gained’t essentially result in actual merchandise.
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 also 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 know-how that may see PlayStation video games play themselves with the assistance of AI.
It’s claimed that Sony might launch PlayStation 6 subsequent 12 months, alongside a potential Change-style transportable model. In a latest earnings name, the corporate claimed that it hadn’t but determined when it could launch the PlayStation 6 or what its value would be.
