Sony has revealed its next-generation VR controllers, which it says will offer a deeper sense of presence and immersion in future PS5 VR experiences
The controllers have an “orb” shaped design and feature adaptive triggers and haptic feedback like thePS5’s DualSense controller.
The controllers can also detect players’ fingers without any pressing in the areas where you place your thumb, index, or middle fingers, similar to modern VR controllers fromValve, HTC andOculus.
“The first thing you’ll notice with our next-gen VR controller is the unique design, which takes on an ‘orb’ shape that allows you to hold the controller naturally, while playing with a high degree of freedom,”wroteSIE’s platform planning VP Hideaki Nishino.
“There are no constraints with how you’re moving your hands, providing developers with the ability to create unique gameplay experiences.”
He added: “We also designed the new controller with great ergonomics in mind, so it’s well-balanced and comfortable to hold in each of your hands. We applied learnings from testing users with a range of hand sizes, as well as the decades of insights from controllers across allPlayStationplatforms. The result is an iconic design that will change how VR games are played.”
PS5 VRController features
Nishino said that prototypes of the VR controllers would be making their way to developers soon. “We can’t wait to see what ideas they come up with and how the controller helps bring their imagination to life,” he said.
“We’re thrilled with the controller we developed, but what matters now is how game creators will take advantage of the features to design the next generation of VR experiences.”
PlayStation first announced it was working ona “next-generation VR system” designed for PlayStation 5last month.
Sony’s next iteration PlayStation VR headset will feature “dramatic leaps in performance and interactivity,” it said in an announcement in February, and allow players to feel “an even greater sense of presence and become even more immersed in their game worlds”.
The headset, which will launch beyond 2021, will feature improved resolution, field of view tracking and utilise a new VR controller,Sony Interactive Entertainment‘s Nishino said at the time.
“We’re taking what we’ve learned since launching PS VR onPS4to develop a next-gen VR system that enhances everything from resolution and field of view to tracking and input,” he explained.
“It will connect to PS5 with a single cord to simplify setup and improve ease-of-use, while enabling a high-fidelity visual experience.”
In 2019, another patent suggested that Sony could be preparing to release anext-gen PlayStation VR headset. It described a device that includes two front cameras and one rear camera, as well as upgraded Sony Move controllers which could feature a built-in camera too.
Currently, the existing PSVR headsetoperates as a backwards-compatible device on PS5and launch window gamesNo Man’s SkyandHitman 3only support VR via their PS4 versions.
PS5’s camera peripheral won’t work with PlayStation VR either and users need to requesta free adaptorin order to connect it.
Sony said in January 2020 thatPlayStation VR saleshad topped five million units since the headset launched in October 2016
