The lights are on
In a tweet to a follower, Shuhei Yoshida revealed that the PlayStation 4 controller's light cannot be turned off – even to save battery.
The light sensor is used in conjunction with the PlayStation 4 camera to detect movement. Some developers also plan to use the sensor for game mechanics. For example, Killzone: Shadow Fall will use the sensor to display the player's health.
While initial reactions to this news has been negative, it is worth noting that editor Matt Helgeson had a favorable experience with the new Dual Shock in his hands-on preview.
[Source: Twitter via Gamespot]
Our TakeThe Dual Shock 4 light sensor's "always-on" policy is leaving some gamers wondering what to do in the case of reflective TV screens. After all, a colorful light can show up as a distracting, reflective glare. And how energy efficient can the controller be with a large light endlessly using up power? The real question is, since the PlayStation 4 camera doesn't come standard, what's the point of keeping the light sensor on at all times? Whether or not Sony reconsiders adding an option to turn off the light is a question that will be answered this holiday season.