Over the last few years, accessibility has come a long way in the video game industry. Xbox introduced the adaptive controller and PlayStation Studios titles have included a vast array of accessibility options for players to choose from. During Sony’s CES press conference, PlayStation revealed and announced its next step in making gaming more accessible, a highly customizable accessibility controller kit codenamed Project Leonardo.

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://t.co/qqCfpnPJr6 pic.twitter.com/IM0iulP0Fk

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) January 5, 2023

The controller kit works “out of the box” to help many players with disabilities play games more easily, more comfortably, and for longer periods. Project Leonardo was developed with key contributions from accessibility experts, community members, and game developers. The controller is built to address common challenges faced by many players with limited motor control, including difficulty holding a controller for long periods, accurately pressing small clusters of buttons or triggers, or positioning thumbs and fingers optimally on a standard controller.

Project Leonardo is designed for players to craft their own play experience and includes a robust kit of swappable components, including a variety of analog stick caps and buttons in different shapes and sizes.  Players will even be able to adjust the distance of the analog stick from the gamepad to suit their preferences. Players can use these components to craft a wide array of control layouts and find a configuration that works for their strength, range of motion, and particular physical needs.

Furthermore, the PS5 console has an array of options that will allow players to further tailor their play experience with Project Leonardo with button mapping and control profiles.

With button mapping, the controller’s buttons can be programmed to any supported function and multiple buttons can be mapped to the same function. Conversely, players can map two functions (like “R2” + “L2”) onto the same button. Once the buttons are programmed the way they like players can store their programmed button settings as control profiles and easily switch between them by pressing the profile button. Up to three control profiles can be stored and accessed by the player from their PS5 console at any time.

Project Leonardo can be used as a standalone controller or paired with additional Project Leonardo or DualSense wireless controllers. Up to two Project Leonardo controllers and one DualSense wireless controller can be used together as a single virtual controller, allowing players to mix and match devices to fit their particular gameplay needs, or to play collaboratively with others. The controllers can be dynamically turned on or off and used in any combination. For example, players can augment their DualSense controller with a Project Leonardo controller or use two Project Leonardo controllers on their own. A friend or family member can also assist by helping to control the player’s game character with a DualSense controller or a second Project Leonardo controller.

Project Leonardo is expandable through four 3.5mm AUX ports to support a variety of external switches and third-party accessibility accessories. This enables users to integrate specialty switches, buttons or analog sticks with the Project Leonardo controller. The external accessories can be dynamically connected or disconnected, and each can be configured to act like any other button.

So Morimoto, a Designer at Sony Interactive Entertainment, talked about the team’s approach on the industrial design of the customizable controller kit. “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.”