PlayStation has actually introduced Project Leonardo, a “highly customizable accessibility controller kit.”
The business exposed this throughout its CES 2023 discussion the other day, specifying that the set is “designed to remove barriers to gaming and help players with disabilities play more easily, more comfortably, and for longer periods on PS5.” It appears to be PlayStation’s response to Xbox’s Adaptive Controller additionally targeted at availability for players. The business claims it has actually dealt with availability specialists at companies like AbleGamers, Special Effect, and also Stack Up, along with neighborhood participants and also game programmers to develop a controller set such as this that functions “out of the box.”
.
“It is built to address common challenges faced by many players with limited motor control, including difficulty holding a controller for long periods, accurately pressing small custers of buttons or triggers, or positioning thumbs and fingers optimally on a standard controller,” a PlayStation Blog post checks out.
Here’s a diminished of the crucial attributes of Project Leonardo:
- Hardware Customizations: “It includes a robust kit of swappable components, including a variety of analog stick caps and buttons in different shapes and sizes. Players can use these components to craft a wide array of control layouts. And the distance of the analog stick from the game pad can be adjusted to suit the player’s preference. These components allow players to find a configuration that works for their strength, range of motion, and particular physical needs.”
- Button Mapping: “The controller’s buttons can be programmed to any supported function and multiple buttons can be mapped to the same function. Conversely, players can map two functions (like R2 + L2) onto the same button.”
- Control Profiles: “Players can store their programmed button settings as control profiles and easily switch between them by pressing the profile button. Up to three control profiles can be stored and accessed by the player from their PS5 console at any time.”
Project Leonardo can be utilized as a standalone controller or coupled with extra Project Leonardo or DualSense controllers. Up to 2 Project Leonardo controllers and also one DualSense can be utilized with each other to develop an online controller, according to PlayStation.
The controller is additional expanding by 4 3.5 mm AUX ports “to support a variety of external switches and third-party accessibility accessories.” Furthermore, the controller’s split, symmetrical style enables gamers to rearrange the analog sticks as close with each other or as much apart as they desire. And, since the controller exists level and also does not require to be held by a gamer, it can lay on a table, mobility device tray, workdesk, or another thing. PlayStation claims it can be quickly protected to AMPS places or tripods, and also oriented 360 levels, as well.
“Project Leonard is part of the PS5 product family and is based on the same design concept,” Sony Interactive Entertainment developer So Morimoto composes in the article. “We were motivated by the concept of all gamers taking pleasure in the globe of PlayStation with each other. Our group checked over a loads styles with availability specialists, seeking strategies that would certainly aid attend to crucial obstacles to reliable controller usage. We lastly chosen a ‘split controller’ style that enables near free-form left/right thumbstick repositionability, can be utilized without requiring to be held, and also includes extremely versatile switch and also stick cap switching..
“Because players can customize Project Leonardo according to their needs, there is no one ‘right’ form factor. We want to empower them to create their own configurations. The controller can also flexibly accept combinations of accessibility accessories to create a unique aesthetic. I am excited that the design will be completed through collaboration with players rather than presenting them with a single form factor.”
Project Leonardo does not yet have a launch day or rate.
