Sony Patent Application Describes Tap-to-Pay PlayStation Controller
publishers 6articles 6first reported 23 Sep, 14:54 UTCdeveloping since 24 Sep · 4 editions
Sony has filed a patent application describing a PlayStation controller that could receive payment information from a nearby credit card, gift card or phone and relay it to a console.
The application, titled “Video Game Controller-Driven Information Transfer,” was filed in March 2025 and published on September 17, 2026. It outlines the use of technologies including near-field communication and Bluetooth to connect payment methods with the controller.
In one example, a console requests payment information and prompts the player to move a phone close to the controller. The controller retrieves the details and sends them to the console, which verifies the information and processes the transaction. An illustration also depicts a gift card being recognized and its balance displayed.
The proposed system could be used to purchase games, in-game credits and add-ons. The filing also describes other potential uses for the connection, including transferring a player’s identification or helping guests join a multiplayer game.
The patent application does not announce a new controller or confirm that Sony plans to introduce the feature on the PlayStation 5 or a future console. As with other patent filings, the concept may not become a commercial product.
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