Accessibility is an important topic for us at PlayStation, and we want to keep raising the bar so that every player can experience the joy of gaming. Whether it's the powerful accessibility features of PlayStation Studios titles such as God of War Ragnarok from Sony Santa Monica or The Last Episode from Naughty Dog or the many user interface features of our PS4 and PS5 consoles, we are committed to breaking down the barrier lowered Play for everyone. Player.
Today at CES, we announced our next step in making games more accessible: Project Leonardo for PlayStation 5. Designed with input from accessibility experts, community members and game developers, Project Leonardo is the codename of the new adjustable joystick. A plug-and-play kit to help more gamers with disabilities play games easier, more comfortably and longer.
Through discussions with accessibility experts and leading organizations such as AbleGamers, SpecialEffect and Stack Up, we developed a custom controller that works with many third-party accessibility accessories and integrates with the PS5 console to open up new ways to play. Designed to address common issues that many players have with multiple motion controls, such as difficulty holding the controller for long periods of time, correctly pressing small groups of buttons or triggers, or optimal thumb and thumb placement of the index on a standard controller .
Here are some of the main features:
Customizable gaming experience
Hardware settings. Project Leonardo is a canvas for PS5 players to create their own gaming experiences. It features a variety of analog jacks and buttons in various shapes and sizes, including a solid dynamic component.
Players can use these components to create a wide variety of control schemes. And the distance between the analog stick and the game board can be adjusted according to the player's preference. These components allow players to find a setup that suits their specific strength, range of motion and physical needs.
Software settings. On PS5, players have several options to customize their Project Leonardo experience:
- Sync buttons
- Command buttons can be assigned to any supported function, and multiple buttons can be assigned to the same function. Conversely, players can assign two functions (eg "R2" + "L2") to a button.
- Management profiles
- Players can save programmed button settings as controller profiles and easily switch between them with the press of a profile button.
- The player can save up to three control profiles and access them at any time from their PS5 console.
Works with other tools and accessories for special functions
Project Leonardo can be used as a standalone controller or in combination with select Project Leonardo or DualSense wireless controllers. Up to two Project Leonardo controllers and a DualSense wireless controller can be combined into a single virtual controller, allowing players to mix and match or play with others.
For example, players can upgrade their DualSense controller with one Project Leonardo controller or use two Project Leonardo controllers themselves. A friend or family member can help control the player's gameplay using a DualSense controller or a second Project Leonardo controller. Controllers can be dynamically turned on and off and used in any combination.
Project Leonardo supports a variety of external converters and specialized third-party accessories with four 3.5 mm AUX ports. It allows users to integrate dedicated switches, buttons or analog sticks into the Project Leonardo controller. External accessories can be connected and disconnected flexibly, and each can be configured to act like any button.
Flexible and responsive design
Project Leonardo's split proportional design allows players to play with analog sticks as close or as far apart as possible. The controller is flat and does not need to be held, so players can place it on the table or on the wheelchair tray. Easily mounts on AMPS* stands or tripods and rotates 360 degrees for more convenient use. Players can program the "north" direction of the analog stick to match the controller's preferred direction.
So Sony Interactive Entertainment designer Morimoto shared some thoughts on how the team approached the industrial design of the Leonardo project:
“The Leonardo project is part of the PS5 product family and is based on the same design concept. We are inspired by the idea that all gamers can enjoy the world of PlayStation together. Our team has launched more than a dozen projects with accessibility experts looking for approaches to address key challenges in the effective use of controllers. In the end, we settled on a "split control" design that allows the joystick to move freely, be used without holding it in, and has a very flexible set of buttons and hinge caps.
"Since players can adapt Project Leonardo to their needs, there is no single 'correct' shape. We want to give them the ability to create their own structures. The controller can flexibly accept additional combinations for specific functions to create a unique aesthetic create I I'm very happy that the development is done in collaboration with the players, rather than a single mold.
- So Marimoto, Designer, Sony Interactive Entertainment.
in a hurry
The Leonardo project is currently under development and we continue to collect valuable feedback from the community. We would like to thank all the wonderful organizations and accessibility professionals who support us in this effort.
Thanks to everyone in the community who advocated to make games more accessible. You are the reason we do what we do and your passion drives us every day. We pride ourselves on creating products that meet your needs. We look forward to sharing more details in the future, including additional product features and launch times.
*AMPS is the industry standard mounting screw pattern for attaching equipment to equipment, including equipment for the disabled.