Sony Interactive Entertainment registered a new trademark which will most likely serve as the slogan for the PlayStation 5’s reworked controller, the DualSense. The trademarked phrase, “Heighten Your Senses,” likely refers to the controller’s haptic improvements and general focus on player immersion.
The DualSense is more than just an elaborate re-branding of Sony’s existing DualShock line, as the new name comes paired with the most substantial redesign for PlayStation controllers since the twin-stick DualShock debuted for the PlayStation back in 1997. In addition to the reworked form factor, the controller will have an overhauled haptic system with some truly impressive features,including the ability to simulate rainfallwith precisely calibrated vibrations. Given their focus on enhanced physical sensation, Sony’s new tagline for the controller is fitting.
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Rolling out a new slogan for a new controller is a smart move, as there have been concerns about the forthcoming console’s price. Concerned gamers have been so vocal, in fact, thatSony made a point of addressing the issuein relation to the COVID-beleaguered global economy. Frugal shoppers will likely want to know what kind of improvements they are getting for their money, from the console itself to the peripherals that define its play experience, and “Heighten Your Senses” acts as both a promise and call to action.
In certain respects, positive branding is even more important for the DualSense than the PlayStation 5 itself. While the console’s value proposition is clear—it provides access to next-generation software—convincing PC gamers who favor controllers to upgrade their existing hardware will likely take more persuasion. Ifa recent leak about the DualSense’s priceproves accurate, however, the controller will likely be comparable to other, similar peripherals on the market.
Sony has a track record of using PlayStation controllers to engage players through multiple channels. The DualShock 4 introduced a mono-speaker that can echo or augment sound effects from the main console, and a light bar that certain games used to convey contextual information to players. Admittedly, some might dismiss these features as gimmicks, or even annoyances. Some controller advancements are far less superficial, however. Sony recently released a peripheral for the DualShock 4 that usestactile feedback to help visually impaired players.
The DualSense controller is set to launch alongside the PS5 this holiday season.
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