In a continued effort to make gaming more inclusive, PlayStation unveiled the exciting Project Leonardo for the PlayStation 5 console at CES.
This project, known internally as "Leonardo," represents a milestone in the company's mission to eliminate the barriers that hinder the gaming experience for players with disabilities. The highly customizable controller kit aims to offer greater comfort and a longer-lasting gaming experience.
Let's see how PlayStation 5 has addressed the issue of accessibility.
Accessibility from a PlayStation perspective
At PlayStation, accessibility is a crucial issue, and they're determined to take it to the next level. This is demonstrated through initiatives such as accessibility options in games like Santa Monica Studio's "God of War Ragnarök" and Naughty Dog's "The Last of Us Part I," and the various accessibility features on the PS4 and PS5 consoles. The company is focused on breaking down the barriers that prevent players of all backgrounds from fully enjoying the world of video games.
The announcement of Project PS5 represents the next step in this commitment. Developed in collaboration with accessibility experts, community members, and game developers, this highly customizable controller kit offers concrete solutions to the most common challenges faced by gamers with mobility limitations.
What stands out about Leonardo PS5
Project Leonardo highlights include:
Flexible and adaptable hardware design
The split, symmetrical joystick design allows players to reposition the analog sticks to their liking. This controller can be used on a tabletop or wheelchair tray and attached to AMPS mounts or tripods. It can also be rotated 360° for maximum comfort. Players can also customize the orientation of the analog sticks.
Highly customizable gaming experience
This controller kit allows gamers to design their own unique gaming experience. With interchangeable components, including different analog stick caps and buttons of various shapes and sizes, gamers can create custom button configurations.
The distance between the analog stick and directional buttons is fully adjustable, allowing players to find a configuration that suits their strength, range of motion, and specific physical needs.
Software customizations
On the PS5 console , players have several options to customize their Project Leonardo gaming experience. They can map buttons to supported functions, assign multiple functions to a single button, or create custom controller profiles. This allows players to easily switch between different button configurations, adapting to different games and situations.
Compatibility with other accessibility devices and accessories
Project Leonardo can be used independently or combined with other Project Leonardo controllers or the DualSense wireless controller. Players have the flexibility to combine devices according to their needs or to play collaboratively with others. Additionally, the kit is expandable via 3.5mm auxiliary ports that support a variety of Switch and external accessibility accessories.
What phase is PS Leonardo in?
Project Leonardo is currently in development, and PlayStation continues to work closely with accessibility experts and the community to refine this controller kit. Collaboration with leading organizations such as AbleGamers, SpecialEffect, and Stack Up has been instrumental in the creation of this product.
The community of gamers passionate about accessibility is a constant source of inspiration for PlayStation, and the company is committed to continuing to improve accessibility in gaming. PlayStation looks forward to sharing more details, including new product features and release dates, in the future.