Sony has patented a PlayStation controller with a dedicated rewind button
Essentially a save state button?
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A patent submitted bySonyfor a PlayStation controller with a dedicated rewind button has recently been published.
Available for public viewing atPatentScope- and discovered byTech4Gamers- the patent shows that the rewind button would be situated where the Share button is on aDualSense Wireless Controller(that’s just to the right of the d-pad). The feature would seemingly allow players to rewind their gameplay in order to go back on a mistake or try a section of a level again, for example.
The standout quote from the patent is: “The user is able to enter the rewind mode from the live game play using one or more controller inputs to view recent game play (e.g. rewinding, fast-forwarding, playing, etc.), and returning to live game play afterwards.”
The button would not just be for rewinding, then; it seems like it may also allow for fast-forwarding - handy if you’re dying to get through those unskippable cutscenes. The patent also described that the button could display “a list of features for the user, such as the rewind mode, a sharing mode for generating a file including a portion of game play that the user would like to share with others, a highlight reel mode that is used to generate a highlight reel of game play, etc.”
The concept itself is nothing new; emulators on PC and mobile have had features like save states and fast-forward options since what feels like the dawn of time. Even Nintendo Switch Online’s retro libraries offer a simple rewinding system during gameplay. However, this would likely be the first time such a feature has been implemented directly into a piece of hardware from a major console manufacturer.
And of course, it’s worth noting that patents aren’t sacrosanct. While a neat idea, it would need to be reserved for future iterations of PlayStation hardware - potentiallyPS6and its official controller - and even then there’s no guarantee. Beyond that, the rewind feature will need to be disabled for online multiplayer games for obvious reasons.
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Rhys is TRG’s Hardware Editor, and has been part of the TechRadar team for more than two years. Particularly passionate about high-quality third-party controllers and headsets, as well as the latest and greatest in fight sticks and VR, Rhys strives to provide easy-to-read, informative coverage on gaming hardware of all kinds. As for the games themselves, Rhys is especially keen on fighting and racing games, as well as soulslikes and RPGs.
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