Sony has unveiled the the DualSense controller for its next-generation gaming console.

The company has started to ship the new controller in its final design to developers who are implementing its features into their games.

The wireless controller "will captivate more of your senses as you interact with the virtual worlds in PS5 games," according to Sony's Hideaki Nishino.
"The features of DualSense, along with PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech, will deliver a new feeling of immersion to players," he added.

Sony decided to keep much of what gamers love about DualShock 4 intact, while also adding new functionality and refining the design. The sense of touch within gameplay, much like audio, hasn’t been a big focus for many games. With PS5, Sony is offering game creators the ability to explore how they can heighten that feeling of immersion through our new controller. This is why Sony adopted haptic feedback, which adds a variety of powerful sensations you’ll feel when you play, such as the slow grittiness of driving a car through mud. Sony also incorporated adaptive triggers into the L2 and R2 buttons of DualSense so you can feel the tension of your actions, like when drawing a bow to shoot an arrow.

Sony tried to design a new controller that builds off of the current generation, while taking into account new features. For example, with adaptive triggers, Sony had to consider how the components would fit into the hardware, without giving it a bulky feeling. Sony's design team worked with hardware engineers to place the triggers and actuators. The designers were then able to draw the lines of how the exterior of the controller would look and feel, with a challenge of making the controller feel smaller than it really looks. In the end, Sony changed the angle of the hand triggers and also made some subtle updates to the grip. The company also took consideration into ways to maintain a strong battery life for DualSense’s rechargeable battery, and to lessen the weight of the controller as much as possible as new features were added.

For the buttons, you’ll notice there is no longer a “Share” button as Sony had with DualShock 4. Sony has built upon the success of the Share button to bring you a new “Create” button feature.

"With Create, we’re once again pioneering new ways for players to create epic gameplay content to share with the world, or just to enjoy for themselves. We’ll have more details on this feature as we get closer to launch, said Nishino.

DualSense also adds a built-in microphone array, which will enable players to chat with friends without a headset.

Traditionally Sony's base controllers have a single color. The company went a different direction this time around, and decided on a two-toned design. Additionally, Sony changed the position of the light bar that will give it an extra pop. On DualShock 4, it sat on the top of the controller; now it sits at each side of the touch pad.

“DualSense marks a radical departure from our previous controller offerings and captures just how strongly we feel about making a generational leap with PS5. The new controller, along with the many innovative features in PS5, will be transformative for games – continuing our mission at PlayStation to push the boundaries of play, now and in the future. To the PlayStation community, I truly want to thank you for sharing this exciting journey with us as we head toward PS5’s launch in Holiday 2020. We look forward to sharing more information about PS5, including the console design, in the coming months.”

– Jim Ryan, President & CEO, Sony Interactive Entertainment