Check out the first images of the DualSense, which will bring touch to PS5 games.

A major milestone has been reached with the PlayStation 5, as the final design of the PS5 DualSense controller has just been sent to the developers, who, as expected, state: "the features of this controller will be unique." According to Sony, the new controller will further captivate players' senses. The DualSense features, along with the PS5's Tempest 3D AudioTech, will offer players a new sense of immersion.

When the PS4 launched in 2013, the DualShock 4 wireless controller garnered widespread positive reviews from gamers and developers alike, who hailed it as the best PlayStation controller yet and introduced future-proof features like the Share button. This led Sony to ask itself: how could it build on this success?

Sony decided to retain much of what players loved about the DualShock 4, while adding new features and refining the design. Based on extensive discussions with developers, it was concluded that the sense of touch in gaming, like audio, was previously an overlooked topic for many games. With PS5, this presents an opportunity to innovate by giving developers the ability to push the boundaries of the various senses and enhance this sense of immersion with the new PS5 DualSense controller. This is why haptic feedback was created, adding a variety of powerful sensations that players will feel in-game, such as the slowness of driving a car through mud. Adaptive triggers have also been integrated into the DualSense's L2 and R2 buttons to allow players to truly feel the tension of different actions, such as the tension of an arrow being fired from a bow.

The idea was to create a new controller that builds on the current generation, while also taking into account new features. For example, with the adaptive triggers, Sony had to consider how the components would fit into the hardware without making it feel bulky. The design team worked closely with hardware engineers to position the triggers and actuators. The angle of the hand triggers was tweaked, along with subtle changes to the grips. Sony says it has allocated significant resources to maintaining the DualSense's strong rechargeable battery life and reducing the controller's weight as much as possible as new features are added.

As for the buttons, you'll notice there's no longer a "Share" button. Don't worry, it's not going away. Sony has built on the success of the original "Share" button to bring you a new "Create" button feature. With Create, the brand claims to be "the first to offer gamers new ways to create epic gaming content to share with the world, or just have fun." More details will be released closer to the console's launch.

DualSense also adds a built-in microphone array, which will allow players to easily chat with their friends without a headset – ideal for starting a quick conversation. But of course, if you plan on chatting for a long time, it's good to have that headset handy.

Now, let's talk about colors. Traditionally, basic controllers have a single color. As you can see, Sony has taken a different direction this time around, opting for a two-tone design. Additionally, the position of the light bar has been changed for this PS5 DualSense controller, which will give it an extra pop. On the DualShock 4, it was on top of the controller; now, it's on either side of the touchpad, giving it a slightly larger look and feel.

In all, Sony claims to have reviewed several concepts and hundreds of mockups over the past few years before settling on this final design. The DualSense was tested by a large number of players with different hand sizes to achieve the desired level of comfort and ergonomics. The goal with the DualSense is to give players the feeling of being transported into the game world from the very first seconds. The Japanese brand's goal is for players to feel like the controller is an extension of themselves while playing—so much so that they forget it's even in their hands!

“DualSense marks a radical departure from our previous controller offerings and demonstrates our belief in taking a generational leap forward with PS5. The new controller, along with PS5’s many innovative features, will transform gaming – continuing our mission at PlayStation to push the boundaries of play, now and in the future. To the PlayStation community, I truly want to thank you for sharing this exciting journey with us as we head towards the launch of PS5 in Holiday 2020. We look forward to sharing more information about PS5, including the console’s design, in the coming months.”

– Jim Ryan, President & CEO, Sony Interactive Entertainment

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