PS5's DualSense, Xbox Series X Controllers Are Missing Accessibility Features Ps5 Xbox
As innovation and technology continue to rise in the gaming industry, so too does the possibility of many gaming peripherals. The releases of the and even the back button attachment for the PS4 controller speak volumes for when it comes to getting games in as many hands as possible, as comfortably as possible. As such, it's worth wondering how the PS5 and Xbox Series X attempt to get this message across, and so far, it seems neither company has in full.
Thus far, Sony has mostly held its cards to its chest while Microsoft has made strides in revealing as much for its next-gen console as possible. While the controller and the console itself are already out in the wild, with reports that Microsoft is going to be shifting the conversation toward games soon. However, when talking about these controllers, note that the language used is about a trim here, a slight ergonomic tweak there, and a new style of material and feedback to get the most use out of a controller as possible, not about getting the most utility out of one as possible.
Microsoft and Sony are both guilty of this, and it's not really hard to see why. Ramping up toward a new generation means beating out the competition, which in turns means focusing on the essential core of gamers: the able-bodied. That said, it's hard to see why such massive companies cannot do both, and namely, it's hard to see why one recent innovation isn't included in the PS5 DualSense controller: back buttons. Again, both companies are guilty of this, but perhaps Sony's sin here is more egregious: Microsoft has not changed its core design. to date, and it looks bigger, bulkier, and arguably, harder for some to use.
Back Buttons Are Not Just for the Elite
The message around back buttons is somewhat convoluted as well. As the is not far departure from the standard Xbox One controller, it seems like a safe bet that it'll eventually receive an Elite version as well. Again, the bulkiness of an Xbox controller is often praised, but even Microsoft admits it's not for everyone (such is the case for the Xbox Adaptive controller), but it does very name for its high-tech competitive gaming controller is Elite. It features a ton of improvements over a standard controller, including back buttons.
Understandably, back buttons can be a huge deal for competitive gaming by able-bodied folk. The gist is that back buttons, when properly set up, reduced the need to move fingers away from the toggle sticks, meaning quicker reactions in highly competitive games. Instead of moving a thumb away to jump, changes weapons, or whatnot, the back finger can be used. Or, in the case of , the back buttons can be used to facilitate balance easier than the triggers because, and here's the crux, it is easier to reach the back buttons than it is to reach the triggers.
Indeed, in competitive play, it can shave precious seconds that determine life or death, but it can be used outside that as well and for reasons that seem small to some but could be the difference between comfortable play and not being able to play certain games at all for others. As such, the conversation around back buttons should be less about the "Elite" and more about those who are in legitimate pain when reaching for the triggers.
The PS5 DualSense, Xbox Series X Controller, Back Buttons (And Beyond)
There's not a doubt that the PS5 and Xbox Series X will eventually put out a message for disabled gamers, explaining new and unique features for the next generation of consoles that help support their personal endeavors. Whether this comes in a total Xbox Series X adaptive controller or just attachments remain to be seen, but the messaging should be now, sooner rather than later. Gamers the world over are discussing what games catch their eye so far for next gen, , pros and cons of controller designs are being weighed, and that's a whole lot of conversations that a significant number of gamers cannot take part in, without accepting or acknowledging a variety of caveats.
And back buttons are just one option, one thing that the next-gen world of gaming can do to help. They're not an end-all to helping disabled gamers, but they are one solid alternative. Notably, some of the new controller design choices may help those with certain disabilities, as the smallest thing can be a game-changer, but that's not a conversation being publicly discussed. Inclusion, as a drop-in catch-all for-the-resume word, has been dropped a time or two, but never in detail or specifics. For example, while has stated that there are changes to the Xbox Series X controller like rounded bumpers, that may help some, but not those who struggle to reach the bumpers.
The Solution: Xbox Adaptive Controller, PS5 DualSense Feedback, and Forward Thinking
Now, while the conversation has yet to peak on accessibility next gen, that's not to say it's entirely absent either. Xbox has confirmed that there is cross compatibility with Xbox One controllers to Xbox Series X consoles, , and presumably, that implies its adaptive controller as well. There hasn't been an explicit statement, as far as we could tell, but the adaptive controller is an Xbox One controller after all. For Xbox players, that may be the solution: keeping current gen strides going into the next gen.
The PS5 DualSense, however, hasn't had much comment on how it will approach this issue, whether that's its own adaptive controller or if the is also compatible. There seems to be no comment, record, or announced plans for this either. However, it is worth mentioning that Principal User Researcher & Accessibility Specialist Mark Friend for the company has reached out to gather feedback concerning accessibility concerns with the DualSense. As long as that pans out, it's a step forward in the next-gen conversation.
The conversation surrounding the PS5 and Xbox Series X will continue, between gamers, between diehard Sony fans and devoted Xbox fans, and between the two companies—Microsoft, for example, reacted to the —and that conversation will evolve. From the controller and console themselves to the very games that everyone is waiting to see in action, that conversation will change. But there's a significant faction of games who haven't really been welcomed into this conversation, and even with the smallest of steps, that needs to change.
The PS5 and Xbox Series X release in Fall 2020.
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About The Author
When Joshua Duckworth received Pokemon Yellow for Christmas at 5-years-old, his fate as a gamer was set. Since then, he's been involved with every step of the gaming industries' growth from the golden PS1 era and the dying days of the arcade to any current gaming trend. When he's not writing, playing his own games, or thinking about writing or playing his games, he's probably the second player to his son's Pokemon Let's Go, Pikachu! file. Joshua has an MA degree in English from Jacksonville State University, and the best way to contact him is at jduckworth874@gmail.com.
