In a significant stride toward making gaming more inclusive, Sony has unveiled the Access controller for PlayStation, a pioneering device aimed at enhancing gaming accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Collaborating closely with accessibility consultants, Sony’s latest creation is set to change the way people with diverse needs experience gaming.

The gaming industry has been increasingly focusing on accessibility over the past few years, with Microsoft, startups, and even hobbyists with 3D printers all working tirelessly to develop innovative technology for disabled gamers.

Sony’s Access controller stands out as a round, customizable device meant to be placed on a table or wheelchair tray. Its groundbreaking design allows for extensive personalization to cater to the unique requirements of users. This includes the ability to reconfigure buttons and thumbsticks, program special controls, and even pair two controllers to function as one seamless unit.

PlayStation made the official announcement, stating, “Introducing the Access controller, a versatile controller kit that can be customized to meet players’ diverse needs, designed in close collaboration with the accessibility community to help players with disabilities play more comfortably for longer.“

Starting December 6th, the Access controller will be available worldwide at a cost of $90 in the United States, with pre-orders available online.

The device has already made a significant impact on gamers’ lives. One gamer uses the Access controller to navigate his digital car in “Gran Turismo” using the back of his hand, showcasing the controller’s adaptability and versatility.

Paul Lane, a 52-year-old gamer, shared his experience, explaining how he used to play video games by operating the original PlayStation controller with his mouth, cheek, and chin. Sony collaborated with Lane for five years to develop the Access controller, with a primary focus on accommodating a wide range of needs and disabilities, rather than concentrating on a specific disability. Lane emphasized, “I game kind of weird, so it’s comfortable for me to be able to use both of my hands when I game.“

Apart from its adaptability, the Access controller’s packaging is designed to be user-friendly. With one-handed access to the contents, loops on both sides for easy handling, and interior slots for organizing the kit components, it ensures a seamless user experience. The kit includes 19 interchangeable button caps and 3 stick caps, making it easy to customize and identify the components.

For the broader accessibility community with varying needs, Sony has partnered with Logitech to create the official accessory kit for the Access controller, known as the Logitech G Adaptive Gaming Kit. LogitechG will soon offer supplementary controls that can be swapped, assigned, and labeled according to user preferences, further enhancing the gaming experience. These accessories can be purchased globally at select retail stores starting in January 2024 for $79.99.

Furthermore, users can combine up to two Access controllers to create a single virtual controller. Additionally, they can pair one or two Access controllers with a DualSense or DualSense Edge wireless controller to take advantage of features like haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, motion sensors, and touchpad swiping in their gaming setup.