Threads
- Sony has published a new patent that talks about a flexible grid-shaped controller that can deform.
- The controller aims to create an extreme feeling of immersion for players, which current ones can’t achieve.
- The controller is covered with a cloth-like material and can be contracted, bent, pulled, and squeezed for intuitive gameplay.
Gaming controllers evolved to hit a certain standard in the early days of console gaming, but progress stalled for the giant firms after that. Now, an idea published by Sony proposes a truly innovative concept for a controller that no one expected.
We’ve stumbled upon a new Sony patent that discusses a flexible controller with a flat profile, which is supposedly covered with a cloth-like material. This controller is made up of shafts and nodes that can physically deform in many ways for more immersive gameplay.
Unlike a standard controller, this one lets players bend, squeeze, pull, and manipulate nodes in all directions with strong haptic feedback for greater gaming flexibility.
The manipulating device […] is capable of making complex shape changes by way of extension, contraction, and bending. Therefore, the manipulating device has a high degree of freedom for user’s manipulation. As a result, it is possible for the user to experience a feeling of presence.
Why it matters: The new Sony patent wants to revolutionize controllers by making them more flexible in the user’s hands. This tech could open a way for developers to achieve a new level of immersion in games.
The patent named ‘Operation Device’ talks about a controller with a 3D grid-like structure, with each node holding at least two shafts. This can make it easily deformable, with the clothing material helping the user in stretching and bending during gameplay.
Sony argues that buttons and sticks aren’t enough – players need more freedom of input for an intuitive gameplay experience.
Further, it is preferable for manipulating devices with a high degree of freedom for manipulation to allow the user to have experiences with a feeling of presence based on perception of the user.
The user may manipulate each node in many ways by resting a hand on the controller in gameplay. For example, pinching grabs a sword, pulling swings it, and pressing increases impact.
On another note, Sony has secured unique patents like a universal game demo system and hardware-level backward compatibility, likely for the PS6.
Do you think the new unique device will be the next central Sony controller for gamers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.
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Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
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