Sony has unveiled a brand-new controller for the PlayStation 5. But this isn’t simply a new PS5 DualSense controller. The new Access Controller was announced to allow for better video game accessibility, so here are all the details.
A couple of years ago, Microsoft launched
the Xbox Adaptive Controller to help players with disabilities have a better
and more accessible gaming experience. Now, the Japanese tech giant has
released the Access Controller for the PlayStation 5. As the name suggests,
this new peripheral is also built for gamers with diverse needs. The Sony
Access Controller was made available for pre-order back from PlayStation’s
official website. The new control launched with a customizable analog stick,
which is adjustable via a slider. It even comes with holes in the base of the
controller that lets you fasten it and avoid accidental drops.
To improve personalization, all of the
controller’s button caps can be swapped. So one can customize them to their own
needs. Sony developed the Access Controller in collaboration with AbleGamers,
which is a nonprofit aimed at improving accessibility in gaming. Interestingly,
the product only comes with one joystick and the brand is recommending buyers
to get two Access Controllers at the same time. Apart from this, you can also
use the DualSense or a second joystick through one of the controller’s four
expansion ports.
The Access Controller is available for
purchase in the US, Europe, and the UK for a price tag of 89.99 US Dollars,
89.99 Euros, and 79.99 Pounds, respectively. In recent years, accessibility has
become a notable focus in gaming. Some games have even started bringing in more
accessibility features. A Great example is Forza Motorsport, which introduced
Audio prompts in the game that have allowed visually impaired gamers to play
the title using voice commands.
