Sony unveils Project Leonardo, a PS5 accessibility controller kit with circular gamepads, for use on its own or with DualSense; pricing and release are TBC
The project moved from an unpriced announcement to a defined retail product later in 2023, when Sony set a December debut and $90 US preorder price for the renamed Access controller. That progression makes the announcement the start of a dedicated accessibility hardware line rather than a one-off controller concept.
First-order effects
PS5 players who need alternate control configurations gain a Sony-supported kit that can operate independently or alongside DualSense.
Sony adds an accessibility-focused device to its PS5 accessory portfolio, while leaving price and release timing unresolved at announcement.
Second-order effects
DualSense becomes a complement to, rather than a substitute for, Project Leonardo in setups that combine the two, preserving Sony’s standard controller within accessible play configurations.
Sony’s later Access-controller preorder plan turns the kit into a separately priced accessory, creating a distinct purchasing decision alongside PS5 hardware and conventional controllers.
Third-order effects
A purpose-built, configurable controller from the platform owner points toward accessibility becoming a maintained console-accessory category rather than an accommodation left solely to peripheral makers.
If Sony continues pairing specialized hardware with its core controller, console input design may increasingly be organized around interoperable components instead of a single default gamepad.
The trend: Console makers are broadening controller ecosystems from one standard input device toward modular, accessibility-focused hardware that interoperates with it.
Introducing Project Leonardo for PS5, a highly customizable accessibility controller kit designed to help players with disabilities play more easily, more comfortably, and for longer periods. More info: https://blog.playstation.com/ ... https://twitter.com/...
So excited to see Project Leonardo announced at CES! There are so many allies who tirelessly use their platforms to advocate for accessibility. While we always have more work to do as a community, it's great to witness disabled players being actively thought of and considered. ht…
Gotta give @PlayStation a shoutout for developing an accessibility controller for PS5. Making games more accessible for those who otherwise wouldn't be able to play is always a thing to be celebrated. https://twitter.com/...
Project Leonardo is honestly has me more excited than Spider-Man 2, PSVR2, or really anything Sony has announced in the past few years. As someone who helps care for a disabled family member. Knowing they can now exprience the same games I love is amazing. 💙 https://twitter.com/.…
Sony just unveiled PS5's Project Leonardo, a customizable accessibility controller that will allow players with disabilities to play more easily, more comfortably, and for longer periods #CES2023 #CES https://twitter.com/...
With the reveal of Project Leonardo, I had the opportunity to speak with @PlayStation's Jim Ryan in an exclusive interview for @WIRED. He discussed PlayStation's commitment to accessibility, its development, and the hopes for the future. Read more here: https://www.wired.com/...
Did I just wake up to see PlayStation announcing an accessibility controller? 😭😍 What ever timeline I'm in right now, THIS is the one I want to stay in 🤣 I can't WAIT to get my hands on this one and make content with it! ❤️ @PlayStation_NO are you ready? 👀 #a11y https://twitter.c…
PS not letting PS4 controllers be used for PS5 games doesn't give me confidence they'll do the Xbox thing and ensure this controller works on future hardware and isn't made obsolete next gen. I hope to be proven wrong.
Quietly, one of the cool overlooked parts of this is that it lets you use up to “two accessibility controllers and one dualsense as a single virtual controller”. This sounds like Co-Pilot support coming to PS, as we saw in horizon: Forbidden West last year, system wide.
My main question, which I am going to try and ask PR today, is whether you can also, for example, following this future update, use two dualsenses (without an accessibility controller) as one virtual controller, to mimmick the functionality seen on Xbox in this regard.
As a streamer who can hardly hold a Switch for longer periods of time and still has pain with most controllers I am drooling I am heart eyed I am that wild in a suit at the table zooweeemamaboioioioing https://twitter.com/...
Quick fire thoughts RE PlayStation accessibility controller. Super glad it supports 3.5mm peripherals. Large face buttons included for so many controller inputs not just A/B is fab. Seems to stealth announce Co-Pilot support system wide which is great. Shame it's proprietary. htt…
Sony can do something genuinely awesome for disabled ppl and gamers will whine about how they are stealing from xbox because microsoft decided to make a more accessible controller over 4 years ago. incredible stuff coming from console gamers really https://twitter.com/...
We're honored to team up with incredible organizations and accessibility experts to develop Project Leonardo for PS5. Hear from them about the importance of gaming accessibility: https://blog.playstation.com/ ... https://twitter.com/...