Sony patents PlayStation controller with contactless payment capabilities

Sony has filed a patent for a new technology that would allow PlayStation controllers to function as contactless payment terminals. Titled ‘Video Game Controller-Driven Information Transfer’, the patent describes a system where players can tap credit cards, smartphones, or physical gift cards against the controller to facilitate purchases.

The technology would use NFC, Bluetooth, or direct physical contact to act as a bridge between the payment method and the console. This would allow users to buy games, in-game currency, or digital add-ons without manually entering sensitive payment data. The patent also envisions using this interface for other data transfers, such as sharing player profiles, joining multiplayer sessions, or transferring media like screenshots to mobile devices.

One proposed use case involves retail environments or gaming conventions, where a player could test a game demo and immediately purchase the full version by tapping their device against the controller. While the patent outlines these capabilities, it does not guarantee that the technology will be implemented in future hardware, such as the PlayStation 6 or new DualSense controllers.