How the PlayStation 5 As its four-year anniversary approaches, gamers will remember the many cool features that set it apart from its predecessors, like an ultra-fast SSD, 3D audio, and a new controller, the DualSense. With its adaptive trigger technology and haptic feedback capabilities, it seemed at the time that PlayStation exclusive games would not only incorporate this technology into their design, but would also inevitably use it to revolutionize the way PS5 games could be played. However, based on the few games that actually use the technology in a meaningful way, it feels like DualSense features have become an afterthought.
Looking at the PS5 exclusives currently available in the PlayStation catalogue, there are only a few games that come close to utilizing the DualSense’s capabilities. This is a bit of a mystery given the amount of enthusiasm that has gone into promotional materials for the PlayStation 5 and DualSense controller technologies. Just look at the small sample of games that effectively incorporate DualSense capabilities to understand the potential for creative innovation.
PS5 games should use DualSense technology more
PlayStation’s DualSense could change the way gamers use controllers
The DualSense controller’s key features are adaptive trigger technology and haptic feedback. Adaptive triggers add varying levels of force and tension when players shoot, drive, jump, etc. three games from the PlayStation catalog appear to have DualSense functionality in mind while being built: roguelike third-person shooter Returnthe essential PS5 Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apartit is clear, Astro’s Games Roomwhich was literally a demonstration of adaptive trigger technology. These games offer a unique DualSense experience that is more immersive, sometimes more challenging, and overall a more exciting experience for PS5 gamers.
Two great examples of how adaptive triggers can revolutionize the controller experience are Return, where the position of the trigger determines how the gun fires, and Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apartthat reimagines the feel of triggers in a platform shooter. When combined with immersive haptic feedback response, the experience of playing these games on DualSense it is incomparable. It really feels like they were built with DualSense controller functionality as a core component. When done correctly, haptic feedback and adaptive triggers can provide a common gaming experience and draw players into the game in very tactile and meaningful ways.
How DualSense features can improve PS5 games
What will the future of PS5 games and DualSense technology look like?
While it’s great that these DualSense features exist and are fun from a gamer’s perspective, games need to effectively incorporate features for the technology to be truly appreciated. The basis for future PlayStation exclusives should be that adaptive trigger and haptic feedback technology is available and prevalent in the default game experience, and these features can be disabled if players prefer. Developers should consider how their PS5 games could be made more engaging from an end-user perspective and evaluate the trigger function in their games to see how it can be improved with adaptive trigger technology.
Full utilization of DualSense technology goes beyond adapting completed games or simply vibrating a controller when there’s a big explosion. Going forward, the implementation of adaptive triggers and haptic feedback should be part of the core experience, setting a new precedent for PlayStation exclusives. It’s unclear how much DualSense technology will be featured in upcoming major releases like the Sucker Punch. Yotei’s Ghost or Insomnia Marvel’s Wolverineor whether adaptive triggers and haptic feedback technologies will be an afterthought. With so much untapped potential, the DualSense controller is still ripe for creative integration in the future PlayStation 5 exclusive.