PS Controller Patent 1

Sony has been issued a new patent in the USA for a controller with most of its surface covered by a touch screen, which would allow users to position and alter the buttons to their wants and needs.

This would allow you to change the location and size of the D-pad, thumbsticks, and buttons on the controller face to suit the situation, whether that be for accessibility needs, the type of game you're playing, or something else. An image gives a glimpse into Sony's thinking:

PS Controller Patent 2

A description accompanying the patent points out that one of the drawbacks of current controllers is all their inputs are placed in fixed positions and cannot be altered. "By way of example, a fixed layout may be too small, or too large, for a user," it continues. "Similarly, a fixed layout may not be comfortable to a user."

Sony believes a desire exists for different controller configurations to support different hand sizes and accessibility needs, and "another drawback of conventional controllers may be the fixed nature of input controls. For example, a controller only has enough space to include a directional pad and joystick, and each element is usually located in a different location."

It's also mentioned in the patent that the controller would have a pressure sensor and heat sensor to "detect condition of the input surface". Of course, this patent doesn't necessarily mean Sony is planning to ship the PS6 with a touchscreen controller. They're not always an indicator of future manufacturing plans.

Stripping the current PS5 DualSense pad of its physical buttons for the inevitable PS6 upgrade would mark a major change in design from Sony, so even if such a controller does come to fruition, it would most likely be offered as an optional accessory, rather than the standard pad included in the box.

Still, would you be interested in such a thing? Let us know in the comments below.

[source videogameschronicle.com]