Most gamers don’t give their controller a second thought when it’s time to play. However, for gamers with disabilities, the very tool that enables play for so many can be a hindrance or total barrier to enjoying video games. Modern controller layouts make it difficult for some players to orient their hands or can be uncomfortable for them to grip for long periods. Gamers with disabilities can also find it challenging to press buttons accurately.
To solve these problems and many others, Sony worked closely with accessibility experts at organizations like AbleGamers, SpecialEffect, and Stack Up to design a modular, customizable controller that would also work with third-party accessibility accessories.
Thus Project Leonardo was born. The new controller allows players to use a variety of swappable components, like analog stick caps and differently-sized and shaped buttons, to craft a controller that works best for their strength, range of motion, and other physical needs. The buttons can also be remapped, with space for up to three configurations in the unit’s memory for quick swapping alongside game changes.
Gamers can use Project Leonardo on its own, in conjunction with a DualSense controller, or in tandem with another Leonardo unit. Four 3.5mm ports allow connections to off-board buttons and switches, and gamers can affix the controller to a flat surface like a tabletop or tray. The project is still under active development.
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