Gamers with disabilities will soon be able to play their favourite Playstion games more easily thanks to a new project launched by the company. Project Leonardo is the codename for a new piece of equipment designed to help disabled gamers.
The project aims to be a "highly customisable controller kit that works 'out of the box'". It is hoped the new controller will allow players with a range of disabilities to play games "more easily, comfortably, and for longer periods".
So Morimoto, a designer at Sony Interactive Entertainment, which makes the Playstation 5, said: "Project Leonardo is part of the PS5 product family and is based on the same design concept. We were inspired by the idea of all players enjoying the world of PlayStation together.
"Our team tested over a dozen designs with accessibility experts, looking for approaches that would help address key challenges to effective controller use. We finally settled on a ‘split controller’ design that allows near free-form left/right thumbstick repositionability, can be used without needing to be held, and features very flexible button and stick cap swapping.
“Because players can customize Project Leonardo according to their needs, there is no one ‘right’ form factor. We want to empower them to create their own configurations.
"The controller can also flexibly accept combinations of accessibility accessories to create a unique aesthetic. I am excited that the design will be completed through collaboration with players rather than presenting them with a single form factor.”
The controller has been developed after conversations with accessibility experts from UK charity SpecialEffect, as well as organisations such as AbleGamers, and Stack Up. It will include swappable components and include buttons of different shapes and sizes.
The customisation options mean players will be able to change the configuration to suit their needs. It will work for their strength, range of motion and physical needs.
Project Leonardo can be used as a standalone controller or it can be paired with another. In total, Up to two Project Leonardo controllers and one of the current DualSense wireless controllers can be used together to create a single controller.
Sony said that Project Leonardo is still in development and no release date has been announced. IT added it was still gathering feedback from its gaming community.
