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--R

Being sued right now, please help me find a lawyer
Member
Oct 25, 2017
12,807
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Accessibility is an important topic to us at PlayStation, and we want to continue raising the bar to enable every gamer to experience the joy of play. Whether it's the robust accessibility options in PlayStation Studios games like Sony Santa Monica's God of War Ragnarök or Naughty Dog's The Last of Us Part I, or the wide array of features in our PS4 and PS5 console UI, we're passionate about reducing barriers to play for every gamer.

Today at CES, we announced the next step in our journey to make gaming more accessible: Project Leonardo for PlayStation 5. Developed with key contributions from accessibility experts, community members, and game developers, Project Leonardo is our codename for a new highly customizable controller kit that works "out of the box" to help many players with disabilities play games more easily, more comfortably, and for longer periods.

Through conversations with accessibility experts and incredible organizations like AbleGamers, SpecialEffect and Stack Up, we've designed a highly configurable controller that works in tandem with many third-party accessibility accessories and integrates with the PS5 console to open up new ways of gaming. It is built to address common challenges faced by many players with limited motor control, including difficulty holding a controller for long periods, accurately pressing small clusters of buttons or triggers, or positioning thumbs and fingers optimally on a standard controller.

Here are some of the key features:

Highly customizable play experience

Hardware customizations. Project Leonardo for PS5 is a canvas for gamers to craft their own play experience. It includes a robust kit of swappable components, including a variety of analog stick caps and buttons in different shapes and sizes.

Players can use these components to craft a wide array of control layouts. And the distance of the analog stick from the game pad can be adjusted to suit the player's preference. These components allow players to find a configuration that works for their strength, range of motion, and particular physical needs.


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Software customizations. On the PS5 console players have an array of options to tailor their Project Leonardo play experience:

  • Button mapping
    • The controller's buttons can be programmed to any supported function and multiple buttons can be mapped to the same function. Conversely, players can map two functions (like "R2" + "L2") onto the same button.
  • Control profiles
    • Players can store their programmed button settings as control profiles and easily switch between them by pressing the profile button.
    • Up to three control profiles can be stored and accessed by the player from their PS5 console at any time.

Works collaboratively with other devices and accessibility 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 together as a single virtual controller, allowing players to mix and match devices to fit their particular gameplay needs, or to play collaboratively with others.


For example, players can augment their DualSense controller with a Project Leonardo controller or use two Project Leonardo controllers on their own. A friend or family member can also assist by helping to control the player's game character with a DualSense controller or a second Project Leonardo controller. The controllers can be dynamically turned on or off and used in any combination.

Project Leonardo is expandable through four 3.5mm AUX ports to support a variety of external switches and third-party accessibility accessories. This enables users to integrate specialty switches, buttons or analog sticks with the Project Leonardo controller. The external accessories can be dynamically connected or disconnected, and each can be configured to act like any other button.


Flexible, adaptable design

Project Leonardo's split, symmetric design allows players to reposition the analog sticks as close together or as far apart as they like. The controller lies flat and does not need to be held, so players can lay it on a tabletop or a wheelchair tray. It can be easily secured to AMPS mounts* or tripods, and can be oriented 360 degrees for the most comfortable use. Players can also program the "north" orientation on the analog sticks to match their preferred controller orientation.

blog.playstation.com

Introducing Project Leonardo for PlayStation 5, a highly customizable accessibility controller kit

Designed to remove barriers to gaming and help players with disabilities play more easily, more comfortably and for longer periods on PS5.
 
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Nappuccino

The Fallen
Oct 25, 2017
13,026
I'll be honest. At first glance, it doesn't make the same kind of immediate sense the Microsoft Adaptive Controller does, but I trust they did good research and I'm glad projects like this are continuing to bring new ideas.
 

Nida

Member
Aug 31, 2019
11,215
Everett, Washington
One thing I hope they do is make these as affordable as possible. People with disabilities are often on disability which is a paltry sum of money.
 

dom

▲ Legend ▲
Avenger
Oct 25, 2017
10,460
Just need to let us use PS4 controllers on PS5 games now
 

Lord Fanny

Banned
Apr 25, 2020
25,953
I don't know what I'm looking at but as long as solving it doesn't bring cenobites it should be all good
 

Vexii

Member
Oct 31, 2017
2,388
UK
SpecialEffect are an incredible charity. I've done some volunteer work for them on expo show floors to demonstrate things like eye-tracking and the Xbox Adaptive Controller (whom they also consulted on) and to see that they were brought in for consultation here too is super cool.
 

jwk94

Member
Oct 25, 2017
13,429
I'll be honest. At first glance, it doesn't make the same kind of immediate sense the Microsoft Adaptive Controller does, but I trust they did good research and I'm glad projects like this are continuing to bring new ideas.
This is where I stand. A square seems more useful than a circular design.
 

Android Sophia

The Absolute Sword
The Fallen
Oct 25, 2017
6,120
As someone who struggles with disability due to neurocognitive issues and arthritis, I absolutely love this and would love to try it out.
 

Dyle

One Winged Slayer
The Fallen
Oct 25, 2017
29,956
Are they showing how it's meant to be used? I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around it
 

I KILL PXLS

Member
Oct 25, 2017
11,552
For a second I got very hyped we were about to get a Leonardo focused Ninja Turtle game, but this is dope too.
 

overthewaves

Member
Sep 30, 2020
1,144
This is cool to see! Everyone making their own accessible controller. Now pls Sony make a slightly smaller variant of the duelsense!
 

Rowsdower

Prophet of Truth - The Wise Ones
Avenger
Oct 27, 2017
16,586
Canada
I'm iffy on the design personally, but love that they're finally making an accessible controller.
 
Apr 3, 2020
2,643
That's really great and good to know that Sony had their plans for an accessibility controller!

imo accessibility should start with hardware level first, also hopes that really works for all the people in needs.
 

Fat4all

Woke up, got a money tag, swears a lot
Member
Oct 25, 2017
93,047
here
SpecialEffect are an incredible charity. I've done some volunteer work for them on expo show floors to demonstrate things like eye-tracking and the Xbox Adaptive Controller (whom they also consulted on) and to see that they were brought in for consultation here too is super cool.
yeah seeing them and ablegamers involved is a very good sign
 

vixolus

Prophet of Truth
Member
Sep 22, 2020
54,679
Really good initiative. Good to see.

Side note: are all of Sonys projects named after like, Greco-Roman figures or something
 

Rowsdower

Prophet of Truth - The Wise Ones
Avenger
Oct 27, 2017
16,586
Canada
design is secondary to me when it comes to something like this, but I think they've made it look pretty appealing for how customizable and versatile it looks

It matches the PS5 colour scheme well, yea. It's just a personal thing. I'll need to wait for reviews/video though; I'm seeing this as something for my Dad, who only has use of one hand, it's why the design isn't sitting with me right just yet.

Basically I need to see someone use this with just one hand to fully control the game. The Xbox Adaptive controller works well for him, so I hope this does too so he can play on my PS5.