Introducing Project Leonardo for PlayStation 5, a highly customizable accessible controller – PlayStation.Blog
Accessibility is an important topic for us at PlayStation, and we want to continue to raise the bar to allow every gamer to experience the joy of playing. Whether it’s the powerful accessibility options in PlayStation Studios games like Santa Monica Studio’s God of War Ragnarök or Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part I, or the plethora of features in the PS4 console user interface and our PS5, we’re eager to lower the barriers to play for every gamer.
Today at CES, we announced the next step in our journey to make games more accessible: Project Leonardo for PlayStation 5. Developed with key input from accessibility experts accessibility, community members, and game developers, Project Leonardo is our codename for a new controller that’s highly customizable a set of “out-of-the-box” operations to help make the game easier for a variety of players with disabilities. easier, more comfortable and for a longer time.
Through conversations with accessibility experts and incredible organizations like AbleGamers, Special effects and stack, we’ve designed a highly configurable controller that works in tandem with a variety of third-party accessibility accessories and integrates with the PS5 console to open up new ways to play games. It was built to address common challenges faced by many players with limited engine control, including difficulty holding the controller for long periods of time, precise pressing of button assemblies or trigger buttons. small or optimal thumb and finger positioning on the standard controller.
Here are some key features:
Highly customizable playing experience
Hardware customization. Project Leonardo for PS5 is a canvas for gamers to create their own play experiences. It includes a robust set of interchangeable components, including a variety of analog stick caps and buttons of various shapes and sizes.
Players can use these components to create a variety of control layouts. And the distance of the analog stick to the game pad can be adjusted to suit the player’s preference. These components allow players to find a configuration that matches their strength, range of motion, and specific physical needs.
Software customizations. On the PS5 console, players have a range of options to tailor their Project Leonardo playing experience:
- button mapping
- Controller buttons can be programmed to any of the supported functions, and multiple buttons can be mapped to the same function. Conversely, a player can map two functions (like “R2” + “L2”) to the same button.
- Control profile
- Players can save their programmed button settings as control profiles and easily switch between them by pressing the configuration button.
- Players can store and access up to three control profiles from their PS5 console at any one time.
Works with other accessibility devices and accessories
Project Leonardo can be used as a standalone controller or paired with additional Project Leonardo or DualSense wireless controllers. Up to two Project Leonardo controllers and one DualSense wireless controller can be used as a single virtual controller, allowing players to mix and match devices to suit their gaming needs. their specific or play cooperatively with others.
For example, players can enhance their DualSense controller with a Project Leonardo controller, or use two Project Leonardo controllers separately. Friends or family members can also assist by helping control the player’s game character with a DualSense controller or a second Project Leonardo controller. The controller can be dynamically turned on or off and used in any combination.
Project Leonardo is expandable via four 3.5mm AUX ports to support a variety of external switches and third-party accessibility accessories. This allows users to integrate special switches, buttons or analog sticks with the Project Leonardo controller. External accessories can be dynamically connected or disconnected, and each accessory can be configured to work like any other button.
Flexible, adaptable design
Project Leonardo’s decoupled, symmetrical design allows players to reposition the analog sticks as close together or as far away as they like. The controller lays flat and doesn’t require a grip, so players can place it on a tabletop or wheelchair tray. It can be easily fixed to an AMPS* mount or tripod and can be oriented 360 degrees for the most comfortable use. Players can also program the “north” direction on the analog stick to match their preferred control direction.
Sony Interactive Entertainment designer So Morimoto shares some insights into how his team approached Project Leonardo’s industrial design:
“Project Leonardo is part of the PS5 lineup and is based on the same design concept. We were inspired by the idea that all players enjoy the PlayStation world together. Our team tested more than a dozen designs with accessibility experts, looking for methods that help address key challenges to effective controller use. Finally, we settled on a ‘split controller’ design that allows for near-freeform left/right thumbstick repositioning, which can be used without holding and features very versatile button and rod cap swapping.
“Because players can customize Project Leonardo to their needs, there is no ‘right’ form factor. We want to empower them to create their own configuration. The controller can also flexibly accept combinations of accessibility accessories for a unique aesthetic. I am delighted that the design will be completed through collaboration with the players rather than presenting them with a single form factor.”
– So Morimoto, Designer, Sony Interactive Entertainment
Look forward
Project Leonardo is currently under development and we continue to gather valuable feedback from the community. We want to thank all of the amazing organizations and accessibility experts who have assisted us in this endeavor.
We’re also grateful to everyone in the community for supporting greater game accessibility. You are the reason we do our work and your passion inspires us every day. It’s truly a privilege for us to create products that better serve your needs. We look forward to sharing more in the future, including additional product features and launch dates.
*AMPS is the industry standard mounting screw model for attaching devices to devices, including accessibility devices.
