The PS5 DualShock 5 Controller May Be Using Biofeedback

Looks like the PS Vita’s Vitality Sensor feature will live on in the PlayStation 5.

According to a recent Sony patent (via Respawn First), the PS5’s DualShock 5 controller may feature sensors to gather biofeedback from the user’s hands during normal use. The sensor on both sides of the controller can track electrodermal activity and heart-rate, and can make adjustments in-game to tailor the user’s experience.

The patent lists the following

• biofeedback information is used to select between one or more options presented in a piece of content without the user having to provide further input.
• [provide] an immersive and highly interactive experience for players.
• There is a desire in computer gaming to provide an immersive and highly interactive experience for players, so as to enhance the enjoyment of the player. This has become of particular interest with the increasing availability of head-mounted displays.
• designed to work with Virtual Reality.

This sort of data can be cool for developers to use when making games on the console. But there’s going to be an issue regarding this info being stored by PlayStation and sold to third-parties. Guess we’ll find out more when the PS5 makes its presentation debut this year.

I can definitely tell you that biofeedback can help make future horror games tougher and tenser. Imagine if the controller were to detect a slow heartbeat coming out of you when you’re halfway running away from a monster. The game can provide more of a challenge and a few more jumpscares just to get your adrenaline pumping.