Sony’s Back Button Attachment is a glimpse at the PS5 controller we didn’t get

Over cardinal years after it was first released, Sony suddenly created a new set of buttons for its DualShock 4 controller.

The Back Button Attachment was a bizarre product, both conceptually and in terms of timing. The vaguely alary accessory had ii extra buttons and an OLED panel on the back that allowed players to add new functionality to their controller. And information technology was released in January 2020 — just months earlier Sony revealed the PlayStation 5 and its feature-packed DualSense controller.

Sony's sudden interestingness in offering back paddles on the DualShock 4 scene with existent trends in the console world. Microsoft's Elite group controllers offered similar extractable paddles, and third-party controllers with swappable parts and advanced configuration options corresponding the Scuf Vantage or the Astro C40 TR had risen in popularity. Gamers, it seemed, wanted easier-to-reach buttons for triggering abilities on cooldowns in RPGs surgery for swapping weapons in shooters where every instant counted.

But rather of making its personal ultra-agiotage controller like Microsoft (its second-generation Elite controller costs $179, operating room more than half As much as an Xbox Serial S cabinet), Sony took a different wear round. Information technology released a $30 puck that could simply clip onto any DualShock 4 controller, offering the flexibility of the extra buttons without the ask to buy a new and pricey pro-level controller.

As actual buttons go, the Back Push button Attachment makes the most of its grafted-on style. The buttons — while not actual paddles, as seen along past in favour of controllers — are clicky and hardy, and the hale thing slots together actually nicely. The Organic light-emitting diode venire (used for remapping standard buttons to those back buttons) is likewise a clever addition. IT allows for all the remapping to be handled on the device itself, meaning that you're able-bodied to use the Back Button Attachment on the DualShock 4 even when information technology's connected to devices otherwise than a PlayStation, like a telephone set OR calculator.

And at $30, it's relatively affordable for someone looking to experiment with the idea of back-mounted buttons — assuming you can buy one (the attachment has been notoriously hard to bump).

But what I find the most interesting thing about the DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment is what it didn't do: pave the way for the PS5's controller to standardize back paddles. Given how belatedly in the PS4's life cycle it was released, there was close to speculation that information technology was meant to warm gamers and developers up for the following-generation soothe, which could feature film fully unified back buttons in its controller.

As the give away of the PS5's DualSense controller showed, Sony didn't end up adding rachis buttons. In fact, the new controller isn't yet compatible with the accouterment, nor did Sony announce a new variant of the back release hardware that would work with it.

Instead, Sony is exploring things like improved tactual feedback and triggers that can adjust their resistance — shipway to name the existent functionality of the PlayStation controller better and more immersive, rather than just adding more buttons on. (Stay tuned in the coming months for a column that dives more deeply into the DualSense's singular buttons!)

It's knockout to say what the future holds. Perhaps Sony does have plans for its own Elite-style controller that will look for Microsoft's pro-take down accountant for inspiration, with Sir Thomas More customization and stimulant options. Maybe there'll be a back button attachment for the DualSense somewhere down the line. Or maybe Sony has viewed the entire experiment as a large-scale form of commercialise research and decided that Sir Thomas More buttons sensible isn't the way to go for mainstream controllers.

Instead, Sony seems to have settled on offer the same suite of buttons connected its next-generation controller as it has for old age, leaving rearward buttons — for now — as an interesting selection that's still stuck catering to professionals rather than mainstream players.

Sony's Back Button Attachment is a glimpse at the PS5 controller we didn't get

Source: https://www.theverge.com/21571413/sony-dualshock-4-back-button-attachment-ps4-ps5-controller-playstation