A new Sony patent suggests the PlayStation 6 controller could feature a radically different design, incorporating pinch, pull, and twist controls. The patent, spotted by Cheat Happens, describes a five-by-five grid of nodes that can be manipulated to provide unique inputs for games.
For example, pulling up on a node could form a volcano in a game, while twisting it would trigger an eruption. The technology is intended to work alongside the haptic feedback found in the DualSense controller, offering a novel control scheme for future consoles.
However, Sony files many patents that never reach production, and this design is likely an internal experiment. Elements of the technology may eventually appear in a future controller, but no final product has been confirmed.
Online reaction has been mixed. On Reddit, some gamers compared the concept to the game 'Bop It!', while others joked about 'pinching Kratos' or twisting the controller to choke enemies in a potential The Last of Us sequel.
Sony has not officially announced the PlayStation 6, though a 2027 release has been rumoured. That timeline could be affected by a global RAM shortage driven by the AI industry.
