Summary
According to a newly published patent bySony, the Japanese technology giant is developing a hand device that would assist game developers in utilizing the PlayStation 5 controller’s haptic feedback abilities.Sonyhas registered a number of software and hardware patents in recent months, giving audiences a look into the research and development efforts that could shape the future of gaming.
ThePlayStation 5 DualSense controllerand its haptic feedback functions have been receiving attention recently, with the release ofAstro Botand other titles focusing heavily on implementing these unique device features. As more game developers seek to find ways to utilize haptic feedback in their titles, Sony is working to make it easier for studios and their teams to take advantage of these immersive features.
A patent published on October 3 reveals a unique haptic feedback hand strap that Sony is developing. The small device slides onto the hand or wrist and allows the user to experience haptic feedback vibrations while having full use of their hand and fingers. Currently, haptic feedback testing requires holding a controller, which then forces developers to pause and swap back and forth repeatedly from their keyboard and mouse to a controller. With this hand strap device, developers would be able to test haptic feedback settings without needing to pick up a controller, allowing for quicker adjustments to be made. By making it easier to test and addhaptic feedback in video games, Sony could potentially see an increase in developers focusing on using these features.
Sony Haptic Feedback Hand Strap For Game Developers
Looking at Figure 1 of the Sony haptic feedback hand strap patent, audiences can see how a game developer would utilize this device while adjusting controller settings for a game. The small strap would be worn on the hands and would output haptic feedback which could be adjusted on the fly. This would allow the developer to make incremental changes to achieve the desired output settings without ever having to stop and pick up a controller. Whether developers would take advantage of this device cannot be confirmed, and Sony has yet to make any official announcements regarding the possible distribution of this helpful developer tool. However, the hand strap device andother Sony technology patentsdo seem to indicate the company is focusing heavily on haptic feedback.
Thehaptic feedback features of the PS5 controllerhave been well received by critics and audiences alike, though many have lamented the lack of games that take full advantage of these immersive capabilities. Perhaps seeking to encourage more developers to implement the tech in their games, Sony could make it much easier to test and utilize these features with the haptic feedback hand strap. As it stands, there is no guarantee thatSonywill ever fully develop and release the device, so it remains to be seen if haptic feedback will be more widely adopted by studios.
