Next-Gen PSVR Controllers Revealed

Last month Sony announced that they were working on a next-generation version of their PSVR headset, but didn’t show what either the headset or controllers looked like. Today, they’ve pulled back the curtain on the controllers, revealing a radically different design.

Sony’s next-gen PSVR unit will ditch the current design of the PS Move controllers, instead featuring a look that’s more orb-like. According to the company, this new design will allow players to hold the controller naturally while still offering greater freedom of movement for playing in VR. Sony also claims that they’ve tested the controller’s ergonomics, making it more comfortable and balanced to hold.

Button placement is different on the new controllers too. Both controllers now have an analog stick, one trigger (R2 or L2), and a “grip” button (R1 or L1) that can be used for things such as picking up objects in games. The right controller is where you’ll find the buttons for cross, circle, and Options, while the left controller has the square, triangle, and Create buttons.

We also now have confirmation of the features that the new PSVR will have. First off, the adaptive triggers and haptic feedback that the DualSense controller sport will be making their way to the next-generation VR device. Then there’s finger touch detection, with the controller being able to detect your fingers without you pressing anything in the spots where your thumb, index, and middle fingers would be placed. Lastly is the controller tracking. It’s done thanks to the large ring at the bottom of the controller being tracked by the headset.

Sony Interactive Entertainment had a goal of “making a huge leap from current-gen VR gaming” with their new PSVR headset. Everything that they’ve shown and said so far about the device is truly shows that they’re committed to the VR space and furthering innovation in it. Developers will be getting prototypes of the controller soon, so we may not have to wait too long to see what new ideas come from this new technology.