A Playstation controller for all - 17th November 2023

Sony has developed a new Playstation controller. Playing video games is now easier for people with disabilities. They've waited a long time for the company to produce it.

This gamer, Guizmo, was asked to test it. He was surprised how easy it was to play with.

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

A research study in 2021 showed some of the problems with a normal controller. 40 percent of disabled people have bought games which they couldn't play. The games weren't developed for people with disabilities.

This Sony Playstation manager describes why a normal controller doesn't work.

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, who has one hand, can now play after 15 years.

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."

Usually, the user has to learn to use the controller. Sony hopes their new 'Access Controller' can change with each user. That's because there are many kinds of disabilities.

Microsoft developed their special controller five years ago. Now many gaming businesses understand it's important to include everyone.

Player Guizmo feels included now. He has a busy social 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."