Sony could be working on a screen-equipped PlayStation controller

By Gabe Gurwin November 12, 2018

The PlayStation 4’s DualShock 4 controller features a touchpad for controlling games, but it appears that Sony could be preparing for something a little more advanced in the future. A patent recently granted to the company strongly suggests a touchscreen-equipped controller is in the works, and its design sounds pretty familiar.

Filed back in September 2017 and granted on October 16, Sony’s patent is for a controller that features an “extension” on either side of the controller’s “main body,” with a touchscreen located in the middle. The language makes it sound like it could look similar to the Nintendo Switch with Joy-Con controllers connected on either side, though it’s possible that the extensions mentioned in the patent are merely the two handles found on previous PlayStation controllers.

It wouldn’t be the first time Sony took Nintendo’s lead on something. The PlayStation Classic was pretty obviously made as a response to Nintendo’s NES Classic and SNES Classic. The original PlayStation itself was actually meant to be an accessory for the Super Nintendo before Sony eventually spun it off into its own system. The rest is history, and probably history Nintendo wishes it could rewrite.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Sony does, of course, have experience with touchscreens already. The company’s PlayStation Vita handheld system includes a touchscreen on the front as well as a touchpad on the back, helping to make up for its fewer buttons compared to the DualShock family. This also allowed the controller to function with the PlayStation 4 using Remote Play, and certain PS4 games even included special control schemes intended to make the most of the Vita’s features.

Should the next PlayStation controller include a screen, we can only hope that Sony has done something to make its battery more robust. The DualShock 4’s battery is pretty abysmal compared to its competition, and the indicator light on the front of it likely doesn’t help the situation.

We do know that Sony is working on some sort of next-generation hardware, but the company isn’t saying exactly what that means. Since the PlayStation 4 is now five years old, we likely won’t have to wait too much longer before we hear about its successor.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…

Gaming

PlayStation 6: release date speculation, price, specs, and more

sony reveals customizable ps5 dualsense edge controller front and back

In a recent quote, Sony Senior Vice President Naomi Matsuoka said: "Looking ahead, PS5 will enter the latter stage of its life cycle." Many in the industry took that to mean that we may be hearing about the next PlayStation console sooner rather than later.

Considering Sony has yet to break its naming convention, it feels safe to assume whatever future home console we get will be called the PlayStation 6. But not only has the name not been officially confirmed, but neither has the idea of a next-generation PlayStation console or even a PS5 Pro. It's almost a guarantee, but technically nothing is set in stone. Rumors and potential leaks have already started stirring up excitement, so let's see what the future of PlayStation may look like according to the rumors.
Release date speculation

Gaming

PlayStation has a secret weapon up its sleeve: the Hero Project

Three colorful PS5s float together in a line.

The video game industry is changing. As financial growth stagnates, companies like PlayStation have experimented with ways to adapt as markets and trends change. Where it was once able to rely on its first-party blockbusters to build and maintain an audience, it is looking more likely that it will need to invest in new strategies to prepare for the ways the industry is shifting. We see this with a bigger push into live-service and mobile games, but there's another initiative that isn't going to pay dividends in the near future but could set the groundwork for future success: the Hero Project.

Sony's Hero Project isn't a widely publicized or highlighted initiative -- even by PlayStation. Still, it's something every PlayStation owner should be aware of. It has the potential to be its secret weapon in the long run.
The world needs heroes
PlayStation's Hero Project is currently in its fourth iteration. Beginning in 2016, it kicked off with three rounds of the China Hero Project and has currently expanded to include the India Hero Project. The goal of these initiatives is to allow game developers from said countries to pitch their games directly to a special PlayStation committee. If accepted, Sony will then offer the team support with finances, technologies, marketing, and occasionally publishing.

Gaming

The best cozy games

Riding in a boat with Kapp'n in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

In a world where so many games send you on missions with tense action and high stakes, sometimes it's nice to just sit back and relax a bit. That's where the cozy genre comes in with calming exploration, crafting, and decorating that give you a sense of purpose without all of the stress that comes from more action-oriented games. If that's what you're after, look no further, as we've compiled a list of what we consider to be the best cozy games you can play right now.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons