As highlighted by Cheat Happens, Sony has patented a new type of controller that features some fairly unique ideas. Similar to the adaptive trigger shoulder buttons of the PlayStation 5 controllers, the controller will dynamically alter button “hardness” based on what’s happening in-game.
This will occur thanks to the controller’s new “hardness control unit.” Essentially, the button can soften or harden based on magnetic field strength thanks to a material called “magneto-viscoelastic elastomer.”
Sony’s goal is apparently to allow players to get a more realistic feel of what’s happening from outside the game itself. They’ll be able to get a better sense of game events even without looking at the screen with this sort of controller.
Cheat Happens also highlights how this controller features a “finger grab” effect that can lightly trap fingers in specific circumstances. The buttons will apparently soften to allow fingers to sink in, then harden to simulate being grabbed in-game.
Essentially, the buttons can “mold” around a player’s fingers and then lock shape to prevent slippage. An example of a situation that this can be useful in is when a character is travelling through a swamp.
For fighting games, this could translate to the buttons hardening around player fingers to simulate the feeling of actually being grabbed and thrown. This would certainly let a player know when they’ve failed to tech a throw.
It’s important to highlight how plenty of players are already feeling frustrated over Street Fighter 6’s throw loop scenario. Once a character is thrown in-game, they’re forced to deal with a mix up that will either lead to another throw or a devastating combo that can potentially deplete more than half of a health bar.
It’s amusing to think that the patented controller’s “finger grab” effect could actually lead to more frustration for players should this be implemented into Street Fighter 6.
Fortunately, there will very likely be an option to have this turned off. Additionally, those that use arcade sticks or leverless controllers won’t have to deal with this at all.
Of course, it’s known that most players that play Street Fighter 6 (or any fighting game) use a pad controller, so this could potentially affect players at first all the same if it actually gets implemented.
Check out the design of the peripheral below:
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