One of the things Microsoft did really well in recent memory was creating the Xbox Adaptive Controller for its system. This controller made it far easier for people with disabilities to enjoy their favorite title by plugging in any variety of hardware with the system to suit their needs. Sony is now looking to do the same with project Leonardo, an accessibility Controller Kit for the Playstation 5 to let players with disabilities play games on the system.
This push towards accessibility is another sign of Sony’s mission to include as many gamers as possible, as their recent first-party titles such as Last of Us and God Of War were praised for its high amount of accessibility and customization options.
Project Leonardo currently has no release date
▍Project Leonardo Introduction Video
▍ About Project Leonardo
Project Leonardo is a brand-new controller designed for the PlayStation 5, and is Sony’s take on the accessibility controller. This piece of hardware has a robust kit of swappable components ranging from a variety of analog sticks, buttons, and stick caps, and the position of each button is also fully customizable.
Players will also be able to map macros of button combinations onto a single input, such as R2+L2 onto one button. You will also be able to store multiple profiles onto a single controller, so multiple family members can use it without having to reconfigure it each time.
Project Leonardo can be used by itself or as an accessory to the Dualsense wireless 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.
The hardware is still collecting valuable feedback to be improved upon, but it’s great that Sony is taking this step toward accessibility.