Sony reveals PlayStation 5 controller called DualSense

On a normal, quiet Tuesday afternoon, Sony decided to drop the design of their PlayStation 5 controller. Sony has dropped the “DualShock” moniker and coined “DualSense” as it aims to really give you proper feelings in the controller itself via haptic feedback.

Sony detailed the features for the new controller in a new PS Blog post today. The basics range from haptic feedback (as noted), a built-in microphone for chatting, and an all-around redesign. The PlayStation controllers have largely looked the same over the year, with relatively minor aesthetic innovations to keep a consistent look and shape. DualSense aims to change that.

The controller has a white and black color scheme with the light bar moved to the sides of the new touchpad. The PlayStation 5 controller will also be much bigger, seemingly mimicking the much more comfortable design of an Xbox controller.

Jim Ryan, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, had this to say about the PlayStation 5 controller.

“DualSense marks a radical departure from our previous controller offerings and captures just how strongly we feel about making a generational leap with PS5. The new controller, along with the many innovative features in PS5, will be transformative for games – continuing our mission at PlayStation to push the boundaries of play, now and in the future. To the PlayStation community, I truly want to thank you for sharing this exciting journey with us as we head toward PS5’s launch in Holiday 2020. We look forward to sharing more information about PS5, including the console design, in the coming months.”

The haptic feedback feature will allow players to feel things like the tension on the pulling of a bow in the trigger of the controller or the sensation of a car slowly driving through mud. The reason for the overall redesign for the controller is in part due to the inclusion of adaptive triggers and trying to properly place them without making it too bulky or heavy.

Sony also noted that the DualSense on PS5 will have a sustainable, longer battery life, a common complaint with the DualShock 4. DualSense will also replace the “Share” button with “Create”. Sony played coy on what the difference is but will perhaps allow more freedom in creating pictures/videos than previously seen.

Previously, there were patents showcasing biofeedback indicating the PS5 controller would read your heartbeat and detect perspiration. This would then allow the game to read this information and dynamically adapt the game to how you were reacting. This does not seem to have made its way into the final controller. Sony did say they prototyped hundreds of mockups over the last few years so it’s possible that was part of one of many scrapped ideas.

It also may be important to note that Ryan did double down on the Holiday 2020 launch window, something many have been concerned about with the coronavirus situation. Until noted otherwise, the PlayStation 5 will launch this holiday season.