Technology
Is your PS5 controller ‘drifting’? Sony sued over ‘defective’ DualSense joypads
GAMERS are suing Sony over an alleged issue with PlayStation 5 controllers that causes them to “drift” during gameplay.
In a class action suit recently filed in the US, a law firm claims that faulty controller joysticks are registering movement even when a player doesn’t touch them.
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PS5 owners allege that the next-gen console’s controller is defective[/caption]
They claimed that the next-gen console’s DualSense joypad – which costs just shy of £60 – is “defective”, Eurogamer reports.
The bug “results in characters or gameplay moving on the screen without user command or manual operation of the joystick,” the filing reads.
“This defect significantly interferes with gameplay and thus compromises the DualSense controller’s core functionality.”
The suit was filed by US law firm Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP on February 12.
The PS5 DualSense controller drift is a real thing. I first experienced it during a livestream on January 25th.
I added this to my case file with @PlayStation and along with my buzz noise, I was authorized service but I need to buy a 2nd ps5 before I’m without one for 2 weeks. pic.twitter.com/8PDpLIbLXU
— Brian English
(@PS5Trophies_) February 15, 2021
The group is currently spearheading another ongoing class action against Nintendo over problems with its Joy-Con controller.
In its filing against Sony, the complaint cites multiple online reports of DualSense drift on social media.
The firm accuses Sony of being aware of the issue due to criticism levells at the firm on Reddit and other plaforms.
The DualSense borrows “virtually the same analog components” from the PS4 controller, the filing reads, which suffered from similar drift issues.
“Customers are experiencing long wait times and having to deal with a maze of pre-recorded phone prompts before finally speaking with an agent concerning repairs for DualSense controller drift,” reads the complaint.
It then highlights that customers have to shell out to send faulty controllers to a Sony repair centre, even when their joypad is it warranty.
The suit was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
It’s on behalf of a plaintiff called Lmarc Turner, of Virginia, and other affected customers in the US against Sony Corporation of America and Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Faulty controller joysticks are allegedly registering movement even when a player doesn’t touch them[/caption]
Sony launched two versions of the PlayStation 5 in the US on November 12, and in the UK on November 19.
The full PS5 costs £449/$499, while a Digital Edition without a disc tray is priced at £359/$399.
They’re up against the Xbox Series X (£449) and digital-only Xbox Series S (£249), which hit shelves worldwide November 10.
All four consoles have seesawed in and out of stock in the months since release, with fresh batches frequently selling out within minutes.
Both Sony and Microsoft have said they hope to ramp up production in 2021.
Shortages are thought to have been caused by productions hiccups sparked by the coronavirus pandemic, as well as sky-high demand led by gamers twiddling their thumbs under Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
The PS5 launched with major exclusive games like Spider-Man Miles Morales and a revamped version of Dark Souls for players to enjoy.
Xbox gamers, on the other hand, have a new Halo title to look forward to later this year.
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In other news, The Sun’s favourite alternative to a games console is the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset.
Grab a VR headset and you’ll be able to play the legendary Beat Saber – like Guitar Hero, but with lightsabers.
And Dell’s Alienware R10 Ryzen Edition is a gaming PC powerhouse that crushes both the new consoles.
Which is your favourite, PS5 or Xbox Series X? Let us know in the comments!
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