Gaming is for anyone who loves games!
However, as with most things, accessibility in gaming has plenty of room to improve. As revealed this week during CES, Sony’s PlayStation plans to make headway in this space with the new Project Leonardo controller kit. The kit, designed to work with the PlayStation 5, is made to improve accessibility for those with disabilities.
PlayStation developed the controller set with the assistance of game developers, community members, and accessibility experts. Made with input from organizations such as AbleGamers, SpecialEffect, and Stack Up, the new controller is designed to be customizable to individual needs.
The design is meant to address challenges that many disabled gamers face, such as difficulty holding a controller for long periods, pressing small buttons, or correctly positioning their hands on a controller. The controller kit is highly customizable, allowing for different layouts. Players can also map the controller’s buttons to their preference and adjust the distance of the analog stick from the controller, which helps manage issues such as trouble with button distance or accuracy.
Project Leonardo can function as a standalone remote, but it will also be compatible with other accessibility devices and PlayStation remotes so players can find the configuration that words best for them.
The Project Leonardo controller kit is still in development currently, without a launch date or price at this time. However, it marks a continued effort by Sony and PlayStation, as well as other game developers, to make gaming more accessible to everyone.