Sony released its Playstation 5 (PS5) in November 2020, along with the associated DualSense Controller. But the complaint for this class action alleges that the much-touted controller is defective. How so? The complaint says that the defect causes “characters or gameplay [to move] on the screen without user command or manual operation of the joystick.” This interferes with the playing of the game.
The Nationwide Class for this action is all persons in the US who bought a PS5 or stand-alone DualSense controller. A Virginia Subclass has also been defined, for persons who bought the items in Virginia.
The controller was originally celebrated when it came out, with the Playstation president and CEO saying it was “the biggest console launch of all time.” The complaint quotes Sony as saying the controller “bring[s] gaming worlds to life” and includes “next-generation features like haptic feedback and dynamic adaptive triggers.”
However, the complaint alleges that the “drift” of character movements and game play “compromises the DualSense Controller’s core functionality.”
The plaintiff in this case, Lmarc Turner, bought a PS5 console on or around February 5, 2021. The complaint says that the controller “began exhibiting drift” on the same day. Turner contacted Sony, and a representative told him to reset the console and game. Turner did this, but it did not help.
According to the complaint, Sony has been aware of the problem because of online and direct consumer complaints, as well as its own pre-release testing. Although the controllers have only been out for less than four months, the complaint alleges there are “now thousands of online complaints…”
Other controllers have previously had drifting problems, including the DualShock 4 controller for the PlayStation 4. The complaint says that “Sony has been on notice of the existence of the drifting problem for years.”
When consumers try to report the problem, the complaint claims, they find that PlayStation’s dedicated portal for PlayStation 5 problems “is experiencing a backlog and redirecting consumers to contact a customer service agent via the contact page for PlayStation support. Customer are experiencing long wait times and having to deal with a maze of pre-recorded phone prompts before finally speaking with an agent…”
Even if the repairs are in-warranty, the complaint says, users have to pay for shipping to send the controller in. Nevertheless, the complaint says, “[r]ecent software and firmware updates did not ameliorate or address the Drift Defect in any way.”
Article Type: LawsuitTopic: Consumer
Most Recent Case Event
Sony PlayStation 5 DualSense Controller Plagued with Drift Complaint
February 12, 2021
Sony released its Playstation 5 (PS5) in November 2020, along with the associated DualSense Controller. But the complaint for this class action alleges that the much-touted controller is defective. How so? The complaint says that the defect causes “characters or gameplay [to move] on the screen without user command or manual operation of the joystick.” This interferes with the playing of the game.
Sony PlayStation 5 DualSense Controller Plagued with Drift ComplaintCase Event History
Sony PlayStation 5 DualSense Controller Plagued with Drift Complaint
February 12, 2021
Sony released its Playstation 5 (PS5) in November 2020, along with the associated DualSense Controller. But the complaint for this class action alleges that the much-touted controller is defective. How so? The complaint says that the defect causes “characters or gameplay [to move] on the screen without user command or manual operation of the joystick.” This interferes with the playing of the game.
Sony PlayStation 5 DualSense Controller Plagued with Drift Complaint