It seems like PlayStation is ready to go all-in on the haptic feedback found in its DualSense controller. The company's latest patent shows a gaming controller that doesn't even have physical input buttons, instead opting for haptic display surfaces that can be adjusted depending on the user's preferences. Imagine the modular design of some of the best PS5 controllers if they were devoid of buttons and had a touchscreen.
Of course, I need to caveat this news by stating that Sony is infamous for filing all sorts of wacky product patents, most of which never actually see the light of day. This could very well be the case with Sony's latest, which was filed back in 2023 but was only granted on the 27th of January. Let's take a closer look at what Sony might be picturing for the future of controllers.
First spotted by VGC, the patent is named "Devices and methods for a game controller". The image shows a fairly traditional PC controller shape, but there are no physical inputs; instead, suggesting that touchscreen displays would be able to place face buttons (like X, Square, Circle, and Triangle) at adjustable positions so a user could move them around for more comfort.
The patent's description reads "Conventional controllers typically require a user to press buttons or control moveable elements to provide game controls... One of the drawbacks of existing designs may be the fixed configuration... There exists a desire for game controllers to allow for different configurations, and accommodate hand sizes without having to customize or manufacture controller size."
That explains the need for adjustability, but speaking more in reference to the use of touchscreen displays, the patent reads:
"Input control sensors allow for input based on one or more of touch, tap, swipe, press, pinch and joystick inputs to one or more surfaces of the controller. Input can include a pretouch relative to the input surface, the pretouch including input approaching the input surface and input prior to engagement with a surface."
And in reference to haptic feedback, the image descriptions for the patent say "Input reference elements 330 may include one or more of a haptic or deformable surface element that a user can feel the location of elements. The haptic or deformable surface may adjust its configuration such that a user could feel the input control location."
In essence, Sony's futuristic controller design would respond to heat and touch, and feature moveable input shapes and sizes. The patent makes a clear case for why this type of gamepad would be really cool, and how it would benefit the current market, but as someone who reviews controllers, I'm not sure this is the right way to address these issues.
The Victrix Pro BFG has been my favorite controller for years now, partly because its facial elements can be swapped around to fit your needs. We're seeing that more now too, with devices like the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot, and the upcoming GameSir/Hyperkin X5 Alteron, all of which sport swappable faces. I for one, would prefer next-gen controller designs like these to something with a touchscreen.
While haptic displays could hide clever tricks to make your brain think you're applying pressure to something, and may look really cool, anyone who has played games on a phone with touchscreen controls will tell you it's a vastly different experience from using something with buttons.
It's surprisingly difficult to find your thumbs back on the inputs on a touchscreen when your eyes are concentrating on a game. Having physical, raised inputs on a controller is a massive way for your brain to know where your thumbs are.
Our brains are amazing at relearning things like this though, so I'm sure if Sony designed something cleverly enough to prompt your brain into knowing where each button was, it could work. I know from experience of learning to use the Azeron Cyborg II that our brains are surprisingly open to learning new ways of interfacing with games, and the same could be true of Sony's latest controller.
At the moment though, we have no idea how Sony plans to implement this kind of technology. There's been a central touchscreen on PlayStation controllers since 2013, so the brand may be looking to expand that in some way, or it's just playing a product-invention game and ensuring no competing company can use that idea.
We may have a while to wait until the PS6 arrives anyway, as the RAM pricing apocalypse and massive growth of AI production could be causing a delay.
For more on alternate controllers, check out the best racing wheels for PC, the best PS5 steering wheels, and the best joysticks.
