Sony recently received approval for a patent for a new PlayStation DualShock controller. The patent is visible on the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) database and shows the designs for the controller. According to Polygon, the database doesn’t actually state what Sony intends to do with the controller.
The controller has the same design as the current DualShock 4 for its face buttons, and the only difference is an absence of a PlayStation Home button. The back of the controller is arguably far more interesting as the design includes two new buttons. The buttons appear to be back paddles, similar to the recently announced DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment. Unlike the recently announced model, these back paddles appear to be built into the controller. It is possible that the back paddles will be able to have customizable inputs just like the Dualshock 4 Back Button Attachment but nothing has been confirmed.
The designs within the patent are not final and it is currently unknown if Sony intends to use them for the PlayStation 5 or the PlayStation 4. It is also possible that the patent will not be used as companies sometimes request patents for designs that they end up not using. No new information is available on the patent at the moment but more information will likely be revealed at a later date. The DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment will be released on January 23rd, 2020 and will cost gamers around $29.99.
If the designs are for the PlayStation 5, gamers won’t be able to use them until the next-gen console releases on Holiday 2020. The President of Sony Interactive Entertainment revealed in blog that the PS5 controllers will use haptic feedback technology in place of “rumble” technology, allowing for a wider range of feedback. The PlayStation 5 is also being designed with the intention of being able to consume less energy in suspension with estimations that it can be done for just 0.5 Watts. This is another step that Sony is taking to make their consoles more green. No new information has been released regarding the PlayStation 5 but more information will likely be revealed at a later date.