PS5 DualSense: Class Action Filed Lawsuit Against Sony For Controller Drift Issues

Among the next-generation game systems that were released late in 2020, the Sony PlayStation 5 continues to extend its lead over the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. However, consumers are reporting issues with the gamepad that accompanies the console. Similar to the ongoing problems with the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con, some DualSense controllers are prone to analog stick "drift."

For those not heavily into gaming, drift is a hardware issue in which the system registers inputs on its own, while the player watches in frustration.

The drift glitch has led to a class action suit against Sony by law firm Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP (CSK&D), which had been investigating the alleged malfunctioning. According to IGN, the lawsuit claims that Sony has been “fraudulent, deceptive, unlawful, and unfair."

The suit was filed on behalf of plaintiff Lmarc Turner and "all others similarly situated." The defendants are Sony Corporation of America and Sony Interactive Entertainment. The drift issue came up "through online consumer complaints, complaints made by consumers directly to it, and through its own pre-release testing,” CSK&D noted.

The alleged controller drift is reportedly very irritating, but making it go away has made it that much worse, judging from the growing number of users venting their anger on the official PS5 portal.

Some console owners who were dissatisfied with how Sony is handling the DualSense drift concerns have started to post on social media. Although it varies, there are those who experience the ghost movements out of the box, while others notice it a few days after.

CSK&D indicates that the analog sticks on the PS5 gamepad are the same as those on the DualShock 4 of the PS4, which had drift issues in the past. Sony is yet to issue a formal response regarding the class action lawsuit.

Sony has already sold more than 4.5 million PS5s with approximately 17.8 million units expected by the end of 2021. Market researcher Omdia projects the number to reach about 63.9 million by 2024, CNBC said.