How would you like to leave your PlayStation 5 console at home and still play your favorite games?
That, in essence, is what the latest patent filing by Sony promises. If the company can perfect the technology, it’s a worthy challenger to Google’s Stadia cloud gaming service.
The technology allows the PlayStation 5 controllers to connect to a cloud gaming system in two ways. The first is to connect to the console, which has access to the cloud gaming server. The second is to skip the console altogether and connect directly to the cloud gaming server through WiFi.
Earlier, Sony announced that the new PS5 controllers would feature haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. These innovations will make the experience more immersive for users. The PS4 controllers are still using rumble vibrations, which do not provide nuanced feedback.
With the haptic touch technology, users will feel the difference between a car crash or being punched in the face.
But Sony could very well be developing a dedicated controller for the PlayStation Now service. In 2012, Sony acquired GaiKai for $380 million. Before that, GaiKai was not on anyone’s radar. However, Sony had big plans for the cloud gaming service company.
Back then, the decision was met with snickers. Understandably, the broadband connection then didn’t reach the network speeds of today. Playing a whole game through WiFi seemed like a bad idea.
Fortunately, technology has come a long way since then. Now, more and more states are rolling out the 5G network. More than the speeds, 5G is perfect for gamers because of its potentially minimal latency.
A dedicated controller makes a lot of sense, as you can maximize the potential of PlayStation Now. By subscribing to the program, you have access to over 500 titles that you can download or play online. Think Netflix, but dedicated for gamers.
With that said, there’s no guarantee that Sony engineers will roll out the new controllers. The company may file a patent, and the regulator may approve it, but production is another matter altogether.
Sony could simply have filed a patent to protect its invention. As it stands, fans will just have to wait for an official announcement from Sony.
The console’s release date, along with its new PlayStation 5 controllers, is set for the holidays next year. Although Sony has not announced a price point yet, analysts expect it to be upwards of $800.
