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PlayStation develops a new inclusive controller for people with disabilities

One of the main advantages of this new controller is that it is highly customizable.
One of the main advantages of this new controller is that it is highly customizable.

Photo: YELIM LEE/ / AFP / Getty Images

The opinion

For: The opinion Updated 05 Jan 2023, 22:52 pm EST

Video games are a very popular activity among a significant part of the population, including people with disabilities. thinking of them, PlayStation is developing a controller to facilitate the gaming experience to this type of players

Microsoft calculates that there are about 400 million gamers with disabilities worldwideso improving your gaming experience is important for companies in the video game industry.

Thinking about accessibility for people with disabilities, PlayStation announced the development of Project Leonardo for PlayStation 5which is a new, highly customizable controller kit that works to help many gamers with disabilities.

“Accessibility is an important issue for us at PlayStation, and we want to continue to raise the bar. so that all players can enjoy the pleasure of playing”, wrote the company on its official blog.

Within the framework of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023, the video game division of the Japanese company Sony presented a highly configurable remote that works in tandem with many accessibility accessories from third parties and integrates with the PS5 console to open up new ways to play for people with disabilities.

“Project Leonardo is part of the PS5 family of products and is based on the same design concept. We are inspired by the idea that all players enjoy together from the world of PlayStation,” said So Morimoto, designer at Sony Interactive Entertainment.

PlayStation revealed that the new controller was developed through conversations with accessibility experts and organizations like AbleGamers, SpecialEffect, and Stack Up, who helped make the new circular device better.

According to the company, the control of Project Leonardo “is designed to address common issues faced by many players with limited motor controlsuch as difficulty holding a controller for long periods of time, accurately pressing small groups of buttons or triggers, or optimally positioning your thumbs and fingers on a standard controller.”

A highly customizable controller

One of the main advantages of this new command is that it is highly personalize youwith which it can adapt to the needs of the players.

“Project Leonardo for PS5 is a canvas where players can create their own gaming experience. Includes a robust kit of interchangeable componentsincluding various covers for the analog sticks and buttons of different shapes and sizes, ”explains the company.

Players can use these components to create a wide range of control provisions. In addition, the distance between the analog stick and the joystick can be adjusted according to the player’s preferences.

So these components allow players to find a setup that suits to your particular strength, range of motion, and physical needs.

In addition, Project Leonardo’s split, symmetrical design allows gamers to reposition the analog sticks as close together or as far apart as they like. The control is flat and does not need to be held, so players can place it on a table or a wheelchair tray.

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