A Playstation controller for all - 17th November 2023

Sony's got a new controller for computer games. It's for Playstation. People with disabilities can use it. They had to wait a long time.

This man, Guizmo, tried the controller. It made him happy. It makes playing games easy.

Jeremy Lecerf/Guizmo: "And here, the fact that everything is flat and configurable makes it much easier to access and play the game."

Players with disabilities often have problems with video games. Lots of them buy games. But then they can't use them. 40 percent of disabled gamers have this problem. The games are too difficult or uncomfortable to play. Players can't play for long.

Alvin Daniel: "And it would greatly limit the amount of time they could spend playing because it was so difficult and uncomfortable, basically. And we hope that with the Access controller, it opens up a window now to being able to play longer and more comfortably, which they simply couldn't do before."

This gamer can now play again after 15 years. She can use Sony's controller.

Melanie Eilert: "I can only play with my right hand. So the number of inputs I can do is limited.

Interviewer: And so how does this change your whole gaming experience?

Melanie Eilert: "So, with the external buttons I can attach, the number of buttons I can use increases."

Sony calls it the 'Access Controller'. It changes for each user. That's important - each user with disabilities is different.

Microsoft already has a special controller. They made it five years ago. Now, companies know everyone can enjoy gaming.

Guizmo loves his hobby. It lets him make friends and enjoy life.

Jeremy Lecerf/Guizmo: "For me, video games have enabled me to have a life, quite simply. A life that was closer to normality. Why is that? Because online gaming in particular has allowed me to have a social life, and that's why I tend to say that video games are an extremely inclusive tool."