Sony is no stranger to experimenting with new controller technology. The PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller introduced features like adaptive triggers and advanced haptic feedback, helping games feel more immersive. Now, a newly discovered Sony patent suggests the company may be exploring an even more unusual idea for future PlayStation controllers.

According to the patent, Sony is working on controller buttons that can dynamically change how they feel while you play. Instead of always having the same level of resistance, these buttons could become harder or softer depending on what is happening in a game.

Dynamic feel for the next PlayStation controller?

The patent (discovered by Cheat Happens) was originally filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in late 2024 and was published earlier this year. It describes several methods that could allow a controller to physically alter the feel of its buttons in real time.

One of the proposed solutions involves the use of a special material known as a magneto-viscoelastic elastomer. While the name sounds complex, the idea is fairly simple. The material can change its firmness when exposed to magnetic fields. By controlling magnets inside the controller, a game could increase or decrease the amount of pressure needed to press a button.

This could open the door to a variety of gameplay effects. For example, a reload button could become harder to press if a weapon jams. A button might also stiffen during a difficult action to create a stronger sense of resistance. The patent also describes an even stranger feature. In one design, a player’s finger could slightly sink into a button before the button hardens around it. This would create the sensation that the controller is gripping the player’s finger.

While that may sound unusual, Sony suggests it could be used to simulate situations where a character becomes trapped, grabbed by an enemy, or stuck in mud. Instead of simply showing the event on screen, the controller would physically make it harder for the player to pull their finger away, adding another layer of immersion.

Of course, it is important to remember that a patent does not guarantee a product will ever be released. Technology companies file patents for experimental ideas all the time, and many never make it beyond the concept stage.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.