Sony might be experimenting with a pretty wild idea for its next PlayStation controller. A new patent suggests a design with no buttons, no thumbsticks, and no D-pad, just one big touchscreen that players can customize.
Filed back in February 2023 and approved just last week, the patent was first noticed by Insider Gaming. Sony points to the downsides of fixed controller layouts, especially when it comes to comfort, accessibility, and personal preference.
Based on the patent’s technical drawings and descriptions, the device would let players fully customize their control layout. On-screen buttons, joysticks, and D-pads could be moved, resized, or removed altogether, depending on comfort or the demands of a particular game.
The patent describes a feature that would allow the controller to identify the user and automatically load their saved control layout.
Although the concept of a personalized layout is appealing, the patent notes common issues with touchscreen controls, including limited tactile feedback and accidental inputs. Sony proposes addressing these problems with heat and pressure sensors that could help distinguish intentional presses from resting contact, potentially with adjustable sensitivity.
Like most patents, this one is more about exploring ideas than announcing an actual product. There’s no guarantee it ever turns into something you can buy, and given how attached players are to physical buttons, it’s hard to imagine it replacing the standard controller on a future PlayStation.
If the technology advances far enough, a more realistic use case would be as a specialized accessibility accessory, providing a level of customization that standard controllers can’t offer. Until then, the patent offers a peek at how Sony is experimenting with new ways for players to engage with their games.
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