In its annual corporate strategy meeting, Sony introduced a captivating video that briefly highlighted a conceptual design for a redesigned game controller. The presentation focused on Sony’s future ‘creative entertainment vision,’ delving into the metaverse, mixed reality, and the company’s perception of the future of game development. During a segment showcasing numerous futuristic devices, a circular controller was displayed interacting with a projected screen.
This controller design may resonate with Sony enthusiasts, as it bears a resemblance to the ‘Boomerang’ controller Sony teased in the lead-up to the PlayStation 3’s release. That concept featured the customary button layout and joysticks, but with significantly longer grips that nearly converge at the base, creating a more circular form—earning it the ‘boomerang’ moniker.
However, the controller never came to fruition. Sony’s former communications director, Patrick Seybold, stated to IGN in 2008 that the Boomerang was ‘a design mock-up that we wanted to get ready for the product’s first unveiling.’ However, feedback from players indicated a desire for a design akin to the DualShock controllers from the PlayStation 1 and 2. Given that the PlayStation 5 DualSense retains much of the DualShock design language, it appears that Sony has taken that feedback to heart.
This controller, currently unnamed, may never see the light of day. Companies frequently experiment with prototypes that are later abandoned or have their technology incorporated into other products. It’s equally possible that this is not an actual prototype but rather a glimpse into Sony’s creative vision for the coming decade.
The presentation emphasized ‘Kando,’ Sony’s vision for the future of creativity. While the concept remains shrouded in buzzwords, the company elaborated this week, making predictions about the next decade. The overarching idea revolves around utilizing metaverse technology to connect individuals, enabling collaboration through mixed reality (XR) technology, and facilitating virtual travel to various destinations. Additionally, interviews with Sony creators were featured, including Naughty Dog’s Neil Druckmann, who discussed the potential of technologies like XR and AI to advance game development.
