The PS5's controller sounds like it's going to be a major upgrade over the PlayStation 4's. Alongside adaptive triggers and haptic feedback for improved rumble, the supposed Dualshock 5 sports a microphone that could change the way we interact with games if you're in need of assistance. If a recent patent is actually used in the implementation of the controller's final design and set of features, then the PS5 could ship with its own voice-driven AI assistant.
In yesterday's Wired article, Peter Rubin reported that the next-gen system's controller has a "little hole on it" where a microphone would most likely be placed. This may not be so noteworthy on the face of it, but combined with a recent patent filed by Sony, it opens up a world of opportunities. Could the Dualshock 5 be about to deliver on-board AI assistance should you need help at any point in the latest PS5 game? It's certainly possible.
Imagine you're playing Horizon 2 on the all-new PlayStation 5 when you come up short on a certain crafting material and you don't know where to find it. "PlayStation, where can I find more broken steel?" is what you'd say, and it seems like the idea would be for the game to then go and mark it on your map. Of course, it would require developers to support the feature, but we reckon most first-party studios would. If the AI assistant couldn't find what you're looking for, we assume the system would spit out a Google search to make sure you're not left on your own completely.
Of course, this feature is by no means confirmed to be a part of the next-gen console, but if we put two and two together, an on-board PlayStation AI assistant doesn't seem so far fetched. Would you take advantage of this? What questions would you ask? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
[source wired.com]
Comments 24
I'm sure that microphone will get as much use as the microphone and camera on the Wii U Gamepad.
This one actually gets more to the point. real people > AI
Yeah I don't want any AI in my house... You can keep Alexa and her creepy cousins in the bin thanks
I think this feature sounds very cool. Doubt it will get supported much by third-parties, but I like the idea.
As long as the rubber on the thumbsticks is stronger than wet crepe paper they can do whatever they want and I'll be happy.
at most it will probably be used for voice chat and parties, if the mic is built in to the controller then everyone can now use that feature out of the box
I don’t like the whole PS AI idea. Sony can barely make an iOS app that isn’t clunky there’s no way they can make an AI that’s actually useful and won’t look dumb in comparison to Google/Amazon/Apple. Plus with its limited scope, how much would Sony even really do with it?
I always thought the PS4’s DualShock microphone/touchpad was kinda dumb as well tho, outside of a few novelty ideas by first party studios.
I don’t really care about this proposed feature, but you had me at: “imagine playing Horizon Zero Dawn 2........”
That is a great reason to get a PS5, new AI assistant or not! 😃
It would need to make sense in the context of the game. Say you were playing Horizon 2 and you ask this, isn’t it actually Aloy who’s asking, seeing as you’re playing as her? If so, who is Aloy talking to!?
Man I really hope the PS5 supports the DS4. All this listening AI stuff is seriously creepy.
@get2sammyb ''Doubt it will get supported much by third-parties, but I like the idea.''
To be fair, even the features of the DS4 are hardly supported by first party studios. I'm still waiting for the AAA that support gyro aiming. Media Molecule and Japan Studio use it, but why can't games like TLOU, Horizon and Uncharted have the option?
Pass. Is there an AI assistant that DOESN'T require an always on microphone and constant internet connection? Because these are the things that XB1 was lynched for once upon a time.
not sure i like the idea of an always listening controller to be honest. if it can't be disabled, i'll be sticking with dualshock 4s. while adaptive triggers and haptic feedback on DS5 might be improvements, they don't add anything for me personally, so wouldn't miss them.
I don’t like the idea of an always listening controller, but it’s no different than the Big Brother phone sitting in my pocket that’s constantly listening to me, so I’m cool with it.
My first question will be 'PS5 when is PS6 out'
The problem with this is how long will the controller last on one charge with all these gadgets!Twenty mins? The controllers I have for the Ps4 are lucky if they last an hour.
@Octane You are playing the wrong games. Second Son had you tagging places with the gyro. Fist of the North Star has you shaking drinks.
I'm also one of the few people who likes the speaker and light. I will never forget playing GTA V (many many years ago) and it started flashing red and blue when the bizzies came after me!
Ahhhh pre console release articles, I have missed you.
@Neolit I think I've only changed one of my Controllers in the whole time i've owned the console (since launch).To be honest I'm so used to recharging them that it feels like an hour is it's natural run time lol.Yep maybe you are right and I should just get a new controller...ok I withdraw my first comment lol.
Many time I have stopped playing a game when stuck. Always thinking I will come back later, but never return.
@NoxAeturnus Except a mic in a controller isn't as creepy to people then been looked at by Hal 9000's cousin which was MS's bright idea. Besides millions of people have smartphones that collect data with front facing cameras all the time and no one complains.
All I want in DS5 is a battery with better capacity than DS4’s... Was my only complaint with PS4 and even my wavebird from ~2003 outlasts it x5!
@themcnoisy Sure, but that was a ''pretend your controller is a spray can'' gimmick. I liked the novelty, but it didn't ''enhance'' the controls. I personally like gyro aiming, so for it it would enhance most games that have some kind of shooting/aiming, be it a gun or bow. Even Steam has a built-in function that allows you to enable gyro aiming in nearly every game.
@Neolit I've never had an issue; plug in the wire. I've had one since I got my vanilla ps4 and it's just about okay to this day.
I don't know why most people don't unless they have huge rooms.
I hope to God that this isn't one of those always listening things like Amazon and other companies have been pushing. I will not buy any computer device with a microphone that's always on. I don't have anything to hide but I still don't want someone listening all the time.
If PS5 is always listening, I'm not buying. That's a deal breaker!
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