Sony is revamping its DualShock controller for the PlayStation 5, in an attempt to "deepen the feeling of immersion" when you play games.
The DualShock 5 controller looks a lot like the DualShock 4, which launched alongside the PS4 in in 2013, according to Wired's Peter Rubin , who got a first look at the next-generation controller this week.
However, Sony has added two key innovations - haptic technology and adaptive triggers.
Haptic feedback will replace the "rumble" technology that has been found in controllers since the 5th generation of PlayStation consoles.
"With haptics, you truly feel a broader range of feedback," said Jim Ryan, President and Chief Executive of Sony Interactive Entertainment, in a blog post .
"So crashing into a wall in a race car feels much different than making a tackle on the football field.
"You can even get a sense for a variety of textures when running through fields of grass or plodding through mud."
Meanwhile, adaptive triggers allow game developers to program the resistance of the trigger buttons (L2/R2).
This means that you'll be able to feel the tactile sensation of drawing a bow and arrow or accelerating an off-road vehicle through rocky terrain.
"In combination with the haptics, this can produce a powerful experience that better simulates various actions," said Ryan.
"Game creators have started to receive early versions of the new controller, and we can't wait to see where their imagination goes with these new features at their disposal."
Rubin ran through a series of short demos using the new controller, and confirmed that different surfaces gave distinct tactile experiences.
"Sand felt slow and sloggy; mud felt slow and soggy . On ice, a high-frequency response made the thumbsticks really feel like my character was gliding," he said.
"Jumping into a pool, I got a sense of the resistance of the water; on a wooden bridge, a bouncy sensation."
There are some other small improvements over the DualShock 4, such as a USB Type-C connector for charging, a larger-capacity battery and an improved speaker.
Rubin also spotted a "little hole", which could be a microphone for the rumoured voice-driven AI assistant for the PlayStation - but Sony would not confirm this.
Sony has confirmed that the new PS5 will - which means it will be out before Christmas next year.
