DualSense Patent Would Be A PS5 Player's Dream
The DualSense controller just keeps getting more interesting. According to a recent patent filed by Sony, the PlayStation 5's controller may have some interesting attachments available when the console finally launches this holiday season.
The patent describes "A wireless charging adapter that can snap onto a computer game controller can be inductively coupled to a charging base to wirelessly recharge a battery in the controller. The adapter also can include keys that mirror keys on the controller so that a gamer can remove the adapter with [the] controller from the charging base, keep the adapter on the controller, and use both the controller keys and adapter keys to control a computer game."
In other words, we are more or less looking at another type of back button attachment peripheral. However, what sets this one apart is that the extra buttons provided by this attachment will be part of the overall charger apparatus. This would presumably be accomplished by putting charging coils inside of the attachment itself. Then the controller would be placed down on a flat charging mat or on top of the PlayStation 5 itself, depending on where the corresponding charging coils are located.
Interestingly, the patent shows a diagram of the proposed charging attachment, and the buttons appear to be the regular "X" and "O" buttons that would normally be seen on the front of a PlayStation controller. It's unclear if this image is meant to be taken literally or it's just a rough idea of what this attachment would entail. Presumably, it would make a bit more sense to have a paddle or trigger-type button on the back of the controller, rather than the flat buttons seen here.
That appearance of this attachment is also rather interesting because of how it seems to reflect an older patent we saw for the DualSense controller. That version of the controller actually featured buttons on the back of it, which appear to be absent from the final design of the DualSense. The lack of back buttons on the DualSense was actually seen as something of a letdown for many PlayStation fans who were excited by the prospect of extra triggers.
Inverse's Danny Paez theorized that there would be multiple versions of the DualSense with varying features. He reasoned that the version we've seen in photos so far was a basic version, but that a more advanced controller with extra buttons would be announced at a later date (and at higher price point). Some fans even thought that the controller still actually had back buttons, but that Sony was hiding them from marketing materials for some unknown reason.
We've been wondering for a while whether or not this means that Sony was considering selling an extra button attachment for the DualSense controller. After all, Sony has done this in the past with the back button attachment for the DualShock 4.
The other big question here is why Sony wouldn't just include these features in the DualSense from the get-go. The most likely reason is that the PlayStation 5 is probably already going to be expensive enough without overloading it with pricier features. If the base model of the PlayStation 5 is going to cost somewhere in the $500 range, it makes sense for Sony to cut costs wherever possible. This would be a way for Sony to reduce the manufacturing cost of the DualSense and still allow some options for customers who wish to pay a little extra.
There's still so much we don't know about the PlayStation 5, including the exact release date or even what color the system will be. There are plenty of reasons to believe that the PlayStation 5 will deviate from previous color schemes, however. Because of the appearance of the DualSense controller, it's a safe bet that the new console will feature a white coat of paint. Hopefully we'll know more about that in the near future. Official PlayStation Magazine has announced an in-depth look at the PlayStation 5 and several of the console's launch title games, which we should be expecting early next month.
Regardless of the final product, it's interesting to see that Sony is already exploring so many options for add-ons with its new console. In addition to this latest patent, we've also seen an odd filing for a cute little robot that could be paired with the system. It shows that there's definitely something of a longterm plan in place for the PlayStation that should hopefully appeal to gamers of all types.