How Sony’s Project Leonardo Could Make Gaming More Accessible Than Ever
Everyone should be able to enjoy gaming, and Sony is taking strides to make that happen with its accessibility controller kit under the code name Project Leonardo.
The Project Leonardo controller was specifically created with accessibility in mind and features a revolutionary design that can be easily customized to work for a wide variety of users.
With the Project Leonardo controller, Sony hopes to make gaming more accessible than ever. Here’s how.
The Project Leonardo Controller Doesn’t Need to Be Held
One of the main accessibility features of the Project Leonardo controller is that it doesn’t need to be held. The controller is completely modular and designed to lay on a flat surface. Regular controllers feature handles that require a tight grip and small clusters of buttons that can be difficult to navigate.
Project Leonardo’s flat design eliminates those issues, completely removing the need for a strong grip or small precise movements. The controller can be spread out on a surface with the parts being as close or far apart as they need to be. If required, each piece can also be attached to an AMPS mount or tripod for easier access.
The Project Leonardo Controller Focuses on Flexibility
The Project Leonardo controller is fully customizable, both physically and in terms of software. Each button and piece is a separate part of the whole that can be freely moved around and repositioned in any way the user requires.
This allows the controller to become a puzzle that each gamer can shape and mold in any way that works for them. A modular and fully customizable design like this one is completely revolutionary in the industry, even in terms of accessibility controllers.
The controller also comes with a variety of software accessibility features, such as being able to reposition the north axis on the joysticks and the ability to remap all the buttons.
Remapping buttons is nothing new in terms of gaming controllers, you have been able toconfigure your Xbox Series X|S controller,remap your Nintendo Switch controller, your DualSense controller, or indeed most other controllers for quite some time now.
But when you combine those abilities with the physical customization options of the Project Leonardo controller, it becomes clear how much of a game-changer it could become.
Sony Worked Directly With Accessibility Experts to Hone Its Design
Sony worked directly with organizations such asAbleGamers,SpecialEffect, andStack Upduring the development of Project Leonardo to create the most accessible design possible.
Successfully making gaming more inclusive was Sony’s main goal with Project Leonardo, and by embracing the input of experts in the accessibility field and gaining these organizations unique insights, Sony was able to come up with a design that fully celebrates the uniqueness of each individual who may be using the controller.
But Sony is not just after the input of experts. When a company unveils a new project, it is usually closer to completion. The Project Leonardo controller doesn’t even have a name yet.
Sony has shared its current progress with the public to gather even more feedback and implement tweaks to make the controller’s final design even more accessible.
The Project Leonardo Controller Could Set a Precedent in the Gaming Industry
Sony’s Project Leonardo controller is not just revolutionary in terms of its design. The company’s outlook on making gaming more accessible for more people will hopefully set a precedent for others to follow suit. This not only applies to the big players in the gaming industry, such as Microsoft and Nintendo, but to video game developers as well.
Accessibility features don’t just stop at adaptable controllers such as Project Leonardo and the Xbox Adaptive Controller. Features that make gaming easier for people being present in the video games themselves can also be just as intrinsic to making the gaming experience a more inclusive one.
Games like God of War: Ragnarök and The Last of Us Part I set a great precedent for other game developers in that respect. With the release of more first-party accessibility controllers designed for next-gen consoles coupled with increased accessibility features in games, the gaming industry can further embrace the beauty of each gamer’s differences and move towards a more inclusive mindset in general.
Project Leonardo Could Help Shape a More Inclusive Gaming Community
Gaming hasn’t always been the most inclusive industry, and many people have missed out on the ability to share those experiences with their loved ones due to the physical limitations of the hardware.
The Project Leonardo controller is another step in the right direction to change this and make the gaming industry more accessible than ever. Hopefully, it is just a matter of time before other companies will follow suit, and the idea of first-party accessibility controllers is no longer revolutionary but a normal part of the gaming experience.
The Nintendo Switch doesn’t have a dedicated accessibility menu. Nevertheless, you can still set it to match your needs. Here’s how.
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