It seems a lot of people are unhappy with the shiny, new PS5’s DualSense controller. Very unhappy. So much so that they’ve filed a class-action lawsuit against Sony over it.

DualSense controller held aloft.
The power of the players is the right to sue, apparently.

According to GamesIndustry.biz, law firm Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP filed a lawsuit against Sony on behalf of plaintiff Lmarc Turner and “similarly situated consumers”. What is the lawsuit over? Well, apparently, the PS5’s DualSense controller seems to be experiencing some controller drift. A lot of people thus are apparently very unhappy about that. The exact words of the lawsuit contains language like:

As a result of Sony’s unfair, deceptive, and/or fraudulent business practices, owners of DualSense Controllers, including Plaintiff, have suffered an ascertainable loss, injury in fact, and otherwise have been harmed by Sony’s conduct. Accordingly, Plaintiff brings this action to redress Sony’s violations of state consumer fraud statutes, breach of warranty, and unjust enrichment. Plaintiff seeks monetary relief for damages suffered, declaratory relief, and public injunctive relief.

DualSense Legal Blues

Cute robot ineffectually trying to move the analog stick of a DualSense controller.
You might want to stop trying, little gremlin robot.

So what’s this about controller drift in the DualSense? Well, apparently, there seems to be an issue with one of the analog sticks in which it’s registering input even if you’re not touching it. What this means in practice is that controlling your character on the screen suddenly becomes incredibly awkward and difficult. Especially since you’re fighting the controller the whole time. It makes any sort of precision all but a waste of time and effort.

Precision and controller drift do not make a good combo.

This issue with controller drift isn’t unique to the PS5 and DualSense though. Want to know what other console has the same issues? The Nintendo Switch. Specifically, the original, detachable Joy-Con controllers. And in surprisingly short timeframes too.

Nintendo controllers then vs. Nintendo controllers now.
They don’t make them like they used to.

It’s probably not surprising then that Nintendo is also being hit with a bunch of lawsuits over controller drift. You’d think Sony would learn after that, and try to fix that issue with the DualSense. I guess some companies take a lawsuit before they start cleaning up their messes.

Conclusion

A bunch of people, plus a big law firm, are filing a class-action suit against Sony over issues of controller drift in the DualSense. Hopefully, after the expense of a lawsuit, regardless of a win or loss, Sony might get the hint to fix the problem. I guess this is just one more reason to wait a bit before getting your own PS5. Not that many people even have them to begin with, thanks to all sorts of supply and COVID-related shenanigans.

Source: GamesIndustry.biz