Sony Patents PlayStation Controller with Built-in Credit Card Payment Function

A new patent from Sony is currently stirring up discussion: The company has filed a document with the US Patent Office describing a PlayStation controller with a built-in payment function. In short, it's about being able to hold a credit card or your smartphone directly against the gamepad to pay with it – completely without a detour through a separate app or an additional device.

How Would the Payment Function in the PlayStation Controller Work?

According to the patent specification, the controller is to be equipped with a Near-Field Communication (NFC) module, similar to the technology already found in smartphones and contactless credit cards. If you hold your card or phone against a specific spot on the controller, the payment would be processed through it – for things like in-game purchases, subscription renewals, or store credit. The idea behind it: You wouldn't have to manually confirm your purchase via the PSN menu and a stored payment method, but could approve it directly on the controller.

Will the Payment Controller Actually Come to Market?

Caution is advised here. A patent is, first and foremost, just a legally secured concept, not a finished product, and certainly not a promise. Major manufacturers like Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo regularly file patents for ideas that never end up in a real device – sometimes it's even primarily about legally securing technical approaches so that competitors cannot use them, regardless of whether a product ultimately emerges. So, if at all, it will likely be quite some time until a payment controller actually hits stores – if the technology ever makes it beyond the patent stage.

From our perspective, the function would still be obvious: Especially for games with real-money purchases or subscription models, a tap-to-pay directly on the controller could significantly simplify the buying process. At the same time, security would likely play a major role, as no one should accidentally trigger a payment just because their card is near the controller.

Source: Video Games Chronicle

What do you think of a controller with a built-in payment function – a practical feature or an unnecessary security risk? Let us know in the comments!