In the ever-advancing realm of digital gaming, Sony is taking significant strides to make its PlayStation platform accessible to a broader spectrum of users. Celebrating inclusivity in the gaming world, Sony has finally unveiled the launch date of its much-anticipated PlayStation Access controller: December 6.
Dubbed “Project Leonardo” during its development phase, the Access controller was shaped by Sony’s fascination with the design of controllers with accessibility in mind. Distinctive with its large, flat circle design featuring swappable keys, Sony engineered the device with one thing in mind: to be the most accessible interface on the console market.
The Access controller stands as Sony’s commitment to affordability in accessibility. With a suggested retail price of $89.99, the Access is notably more budget-friendly than other adaptive controllers, notably AbleGamers’ Flex Controller which has a retail price of $250. Pre-orders for the Access controller commence on July 21, making it a timely nod to Disability Pride Month, a celebration established to mark the passage of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.
Sony’s Vice President of brand peripherals and hardware, Isabelle Tomatis, showcased the depth of customization that the controller offers. Users can tailor it to their specific needs, creating up to 30 control profiles, adjusting stick settings, toggling commands on/off, and even disabling buttons to prevent accidental pressing.
The Access controller further adds value by allowing pairing with another Access controller, a standard DualSense wireless controller, or even up to four additional third-party accessibility accessories. The device is truly a chameleon in the world of gaming peripherals, adapting itself to the needs of the user.
The controller also includes 19 button caps and three caps for the joystick, allowing players to further customize their gaming experience. Users can choose from a ball, standard, or dome end for the joystick, and mix and match tags to mark the inputs based on their in-game controller mapping. In addition, it features four 3.5mm expansion ports to connect other accessories, broadening the potential for an inclusive gaming experience.
Sony sees the Access controller as not just a peripheral but its promise of inclusivity. As Sony’s first hardware commitment to accessibility, the controller expands the company’s repertoire of products, following a trend it established in successful first-party PlayStation games like God of War, the Horizon series, and The Last Of Us, which have been lauded for their extensive accessibility features.
We still have much to learn about this fascinating new device – not least its durability – but the release of the Access controller represents an undeniably significant move towards mainstreaming accessibility in gaming. With the potential to bridge the gap between gamers of all abilities, Sony’s Access controller isn’t merely a game-changer; it’s a potential life-changer.
Sony’s new product signifies a pivotal moment in gaming, showing that disability is not a barrier to enjoying video games. The Access controller promises to open up a world of gaming previously inaccessible to many, making strides towards a future where everyone can be part of the immersive world of PlayStation gaming.
With the Access’ release date now out of the way, Sony might be preparing to confirm the exact release date and price point of Project Q soon. Unfortunately, this out-of-left-field reveal implies that Sony isn’t above making random drops of vital information outside of a State of Play, Future of Gaming, or PlayStation Showcase.
