Video game journalist Geoff Keighley has just gotten his first hands-on experience with the PlayStation 5’s brand-new DualSense Controller. The 24-minute video uploaded on thegameawards YouTube channel showcases this along with a gameplay demo for upcoming PlayStation 5 title Astro’s Playroom (which will be downloaded automatically for every PlayStation 5 owner).
The demo starts off with Keighley unveiling the DualSense’s new features and comparing them against the tried and tested DualShock form factor that has been around for decades. First off is the DualSense's Adaptive Triggers which differ depending on what is used in game. For example, using a bow and arrows means players would actually feel tension depending on how hard they press on the triggers. The rumble system is also something to take note of. The DualSense still has the usual shock and vibrate feedback, but it is now complemented with haptic feedback which, in a sense, is much more accurate.
A brief chunk of the video is dedicated to showcasing gameplay from Astro’s Playroom with Keighley elaborating on how the DualSense plays and what it feels like. Each step on the beach, breeze, and bump against ice blocks produces different feedback. The platforming level also showed how the adaptive triggers work, with tension being present each time Keighley is warming his character up for a jump. Lastly, the DualSense integrated speakers also put out sound that complement the audio that comes from the game itself.
The gameplay is then followed by an interview with PlayStation’s worldwide head of marketing, Eric Lempel, where a few things have been confirmed regarding the PlayStation 5 and the DualSense. Some of the most important talking points have been squashing rumors that pre-orders for the PlayStation 5 were supposed to arrive earlier this week. Lempel responded by stating that Sony will “let you know when preorders will happen. It’s not going to happen at a minute’s notice.” Lempel was also asked about color options for the DualSense and said that they’ll talk about it at some point later, so pretty sad news for those who are looking to cop a black, or even a nostalgic gray PS5 controller.
PlayStation 5 is due out this holiday season. No release date or price has been confirmed yet.
