PS5 controller may have been revealed in new Sony patent filings

New Dualshock looks largely similar – but with some subtle improvements

People wander in front of the Playstation posters at the 24th Electronic Expo, or E3 2018, in Los Angeles, California (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)

The PS5's new controller might have been revealed – and it looks very familiar.

The design has been revealed in patent filings from Sony that show the design for a new controller, which is presumably a prototype for the one for the upcoming PlayStation 5.

It looks remarkably like the DualShock 4 controller for the current PlayStation. Until now, every version of the console has had a largely similar controlling, with certain parts growing or being enhanced over time.

This time around, it includes similar buttons, the same physical controls and a large rectangular part in the middle of the controller. On the existing one, that is a touch bar that allows players to control by moving their finger around, though it might serve a different purpose this time around.

The handles on the sides of the console do look slightly larger. It also seems not to have the light on the back, which currently changes colour according to the context of the game.

It is also likely that the controller could change before the console is finally released. The patent was filed in March, and the console is not due until the end of next year – meaning there is plenty of time for the design to be altered.

Sony has said that the PlayStation will be available for "Holiday 2020", in a blog post that also revealed some of the technology that will be included in the new controller.

"There are two key innovations with the PlayStation 5’s new controller. First, we’re adopting haptic feedback to replace the 'rumble' technology found in controllers since the 5th generation of consoles," the post stated.

"The second innovation is something we call adaptive triggers, which have been incorporated into the trigger buttons (L2/R2). Developers can program the resistance of the triggers so that you feel the tactile sensation of drawing a bow and arrow or accelerating an off-road vehicle through rocky terrain."