If you are one of the many (or few?) PS5 owners out there, then you mostly likely feel that the DualSense controller is arguably one of the best controllers out there. And while we are still at the start of the generation, it seems that many developers are taking a liking to it as well, despite some of the challenges they may face programming for it.
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In the latest issue of OPM (Official PlayStation Magazine,) the team sat down with a number of different developers to get their insight about the PS5 and the last six months since it launched. One of the subject matter was revolving around the developers experience with the DualSense, the PlayStation’s newest controller. These developers included Kylotonn (WRC9), Giant Squid (The Pathless), Capcom (Resident Evil series) and a few others. Here’s what some of them had to say.
What did you learn from the development of WRC 9 that you’re applying to WRC 10?
Kylotonn’s Benoit Jacquier, technical director on the WRC series: DualSense haptic feedback requires a lot of work, but it’s worthwhile investment for immersion. We also know that players are always looking for smoother game (60fps minimum) and better visuals quality, so there is also another challenge in making more details and photorealism but improving the framerate at the same time. At least the hardware is helping with more power.
Resident Evil’s director Morimasa Sato added to this from the team’s experience working with the DualSense controller:
“Since the weight of the triggers would determine how shooting a gun felt, it was tricky deciding how much weight felt ‘realistic.’”
OPM notes that Morimasa Sato says that these challenges should be embraced as the PS5 is taking game designs to new heights.
Giant Squid’s (The Pathless) Matt Nava also provided some input concerning the DualSense controller.
“Honestly I was skeptical of the DualSense, wondering if it would be a significant addition. However, after tuning it up and playing The Pathless with it for a week or so, I realized that I missed the feedback it was providing when I went back to testing on a PS4 controller.
The DualSense motors have a wide range of effects they can achieve. I remember accidentally making it feel exactly like turning the key on a car that won’t start. It made me realize that games could use this to create really interesting moments.
CEO of Starward Industries (The Invincible), Marek Markuszewski:
“As with every platform, software needs to catch up a bit. As soon as developers start feeling fully comfortable with the new platform, this is when magic is going to happen, exactly when the most talented coders start their tricks and tweaks unleashing powers which often leaves even the platform’s designers in awe.”
It’s normal for new technology to bring such challenges, but in the very least it’s great the see that the developers are feeling pretty positive about them rather than struggling to understand.
We were pretty skeptical about the DualSense controller ourselves thinking it would be just another market gimmick, but after spending the last 6 months playing games that utilize it, its hard to go back to say a dualshock controller.
What about you, are you enjoying the features it has to offer? What about the overall feeling? Let us know!