Sony's Project Leonardo: The Evolution of Inclusive Gaming
As someone with cerebral palsy who is a full-time power wheelchair user, gaming is one of my favourite ways to relax and have fun. However, playing with a standard controller can be a real challenge due to my limited mobility and dexterity. That's why I was absolutely jacked to hear about Sony's new Project Leonardo controller, designed specifically with accessibility in mind.
Introduction to Sony's Project Leonardo controller
Project Leonardo is a highly customizable controller kit for the Playstation 5 that aims to remove barriers to gaming for players with disabilities like myself. Developed with contributions from accessibility experts, community members, and game developers, it is built to address common challenges faced by players with limited motor control, such as difficulty holding a controller for long periods, accurately pressing small clusters of buttons or triggers, or positioning thumbs and fingers optimally on a standard controller.
“Project Leonardo is part of the PS5 product family and is based on the same design concept. We were inspired by the idea of all players enjoying the world of PlayStation together. Our team tested over a dozen designs with accessibility experts, looking for approaches that would help address key challenges to effective controller use. We finally settled on a ‘split controller’ design that allows near free-form left/right thumbstick repositionability, can be used without needing to be held, and features very flexible button and stick cap swapping.
“Because players can customize Project Leonardo according to their needs, there is no one ‘right’ form factor. We want to empower them to create their own configurations. The controller can also flexibly accept combinations of accessibility accessories to create a unique aesthetic. I am excited that the design will be completed through collaboration with players rather than presenting them with a single form factor.”
Project Leonardo's Customizable components
The controller is equipped with a robust kit of swappable components, including a variety of analog stick caps and buttons in different shapes and sizes, which allows players to craft a wide array of control layouts that suit their strength, range of motion, and particular physical needs. Additionally, on the PS5 console, players have an array of options to tailor their Project Leonardo play experience, including button mapping and control profiles.
Collaborative gaming capability
What's more, Project Leonardo can be used as a standalone controller or paired with additional Project Leonardo or DualSense wireless controllers. Up to two Project Leonardo controllers and one DualSense wireless controller can be used together as a single virtual controller, allowing players to mix and match devices to fit their particular gameplay needs, or to play collaboratively with others. This feature is especially exciting for me as it allows me to play games more comfortably and for longer periods with the help of my friends or family members if needed.
Expandability
The controller is also expandable through four 3.5mm AUX ports to support a variety of devices, including switches, buttons, and joysticks, making it even more customizable. This feature opens up new ways of gaming for players with disabilities that were not possible before.
Project Leonardo vs Xbox Adaptive Controller
One of the key differences between Project Leonardo and the Xbox Adaptive Controller is the size footprint of the controller. The Xbox Adaptive Controller has a larger footprint due to the number of buttons and triggers it has, which can be challenging for some players with limited motor control to reach and press accurately. In contrast, the Project Leonardo controller has a smaller footprint and allows for a wide array of control layouts that suit the player's strength, range of motion, and particular physical needs. The swappable components, including a variety of analog stick caps and buttons in different shapes and sizes, make it possible to adjust the controller to fit the player's specific needs. As someone with limited mobility and dexterity, Project Leonardo's compact size and customizable options make it a much more comfortable and accessible option for me compared to the Xbox Adaptive Controller.
The importance of affordable (accessible) pricing
The pricing of the Project Leonardo controller is an important factor to consider when it comes to accessibility and usability. The cost of adaptive devices can be quite high, making it difficult for many people with disabilities to afford them. However, it's important to note that the price of the Project Leonardo controller is not yet announced. If it is similarly priced to the Xbox Adaptive Controller, which currently retails for $99.99, it would be a welcome development for many players with disabilities who are looking for an accessible and customizable controller. Affordable pricing is crucial for making these types of devices accessible to a wider range of people with disabilities, and it will make a huge difference in terms of accessibility and usability.
Conclusion
As someone who has been passionate about accessibility in gaming for a long time, I am extremely excited about the potential of Project Leonardo to enhance my gaming experience and remove barriers to gaming for players with disabilities like myself. I believe this is a significant step forward in the gaming industry, and I hope it will inspire other companies to follow suit. The importance of accessibility in gaming should not be underestimated, and I am glad to see Sony take the lead in this area. I can't wait to get my hands on a Project Leonardo controller and see for myself the impact it will have on my gaming experience.
