When PlayStation announced the next-generation DualSense controller earlier this year, there were mixed feelings over the new, big and bulky design across the disabled community. These feelings worsened when there was information that PS5 games would not be compatible with the current, DualShock 4 controller, meaning players are forced to use the DualSense for PS5 titles. Today, our very own Christy Smith caught some information about one of the features.
The DualSense is the controller that will come with the PS5 console, it boasts new features such as fancy haptic vibrations and adaptive triggers that will apparently be able to react to the gameplay. Essentially, you’ll be able to feel the pressure of a bowstring being pulled when pulling the right trigger for example.
Not a lot of information has been revealed despite disabled players being vocal in their concerns, and even CIPT has reached out for clarification from Sony but has heard nothing back. We are getting drip feeds of accessibility information though. In this case, a section on PlayStation’s support page details backward compatibility, giving information about PS4 games running on a PS5.
In a sub-section, “Compatible controllers on PS5 consoles” it details “To adjust the strength of controller vibration on PS5 consoles, go to Settings > Accessories > Controllers > Vibration Intensity.”
Now, this could simply be indicating that players can adjust the vibration on a compatible DualShock 4 controller, and it doesn’t specify anything about the DualSense. However, this is confirmation that the PS5 console does have vibration intensity options available from launch, at a system-level.
It makes sense to assume as much that the DualSense controller would benefit from the vibration options as well, even if there’s a strong marketing focus on immersing the player through the vibrations that it gives off. But let’s not take this as confirmation that the DualSense can have vibration adjusted until someone from Sony PlayStation confirms as such.
Hoepfully we’ll learn more about the PS5 and its accessibility features as we grow closer to its November 12, 2020, release date.
