The Last of Us 2 co-director explains how they enhanced DualSense haptics for backwards compatible games

The Last of Us 2
(Image credit: Sony)

The Last of Us 2's co-game director has explained how the haptics in the DualSense controller have been improved.

Just below, you can see a tweet thread from The Last of Us 2 co-game director Kurt Margenau on Twitter, delving into the haptics used by Naughty Dog's sequel in the PS5's DualSense controller. 

Margenau explains that the haptics now "feel better" in May thanks to a DualSense controller update that actually took place back in April.

The Naughty Dog lead developer then goes on to explain that a few months ago, he was asked by Sony to give advice on improving the haptics for the DualSense controller while playing backwards compatible games on the PS5. Note that although The Last of Us 2 recently got an update that boosted the game's frame rate up to 60FPS on the PS5, it's still a backwards compatible game.

Margenau finally explains that while the DualShock 4 controller for the PS4 had two different-sized rotating weights within, the DualSense has two weights that move back and forth, and can "express frequency and amplitude at extremely high fidelity and low latency." In short, the DualSense receives the former signals from backwards compatible games like The Last of Us 2, and translates it into new code that can be used by the DualSense's internal schematics.

It's quite the brain-busting Twitter thread from Margenau, but it's nonetheless a really nice look into what's going on behind the scenes between publisher Sony and developer Naughty Dog. It's always good to hear that publishers are turning to developers for feedback on how to improve hardware and accessories for different games.

As we mentioned earlier, this thread by Margenau follows after the release of The Last of Us PS5 patch which overhauled the visuals of Naughty Dog's game for the PS5. You can see the trailer for the new update just below, in which Ellie and Abby play at a smooth 60FPS, and loading times are drastically reduced. We didn't need much of an excuse to revisit Naughty Dog's acclaimed sequel, but this is the perfect opportunity.

The Last of Us 2 tips | The Last of Us 2 map | The Last of Us 2 safe codes and combinations | Last of Us 2 workbench locations | The Last of Us Part 2 training manuals | The Last of Us 2 weapons and gear | The Last of Us 2 Easter eggs | How long is The Last of Us 2 | The Last of Us 2 new game plus | The Last of Us 2 ending | The Last of Us 2 trading cards | The Last of Us 2 coins

Hirun Cryer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.

Read more
The Last of Us 2
Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann knows you're tired of remakes and remasters, but anyway, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is coming to PC next year
The Switch 2's new Joy-Con controllers
Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons compared: How do the new controllers stack up against the ones we know?
PS5 exclusives: Rivet, the female Lombax from Ratchet and Clank Rift in Time
PS5 exclusives: Every game released and confirmed so far
Death Stranding 2 PS5 screenshot
Death Stranding 2: Everything we know so far
PS4 Controllers
The best PS4 controllers you can buy in 2025
Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition
Best PS4 exclusives that you need to play
Latest in The Last of Us
Concept art for Naughty Dog's new standalone multiplayer title
Cancelled The Last of Us Online game was "great," but former PlayStation exec says Naughty Dog had to scrap it after Bungie told them how much work it would be
The Last of Us 2
The Last of Us director Neil Druckmann doesn't have the "confidence" to plan for sequels: "I'm not saving some idea for the future"
The Last of Us 2
Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann knows you're tired of remakes and remasters, but anyway, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is coming to PC next year
The Last of Us 2
The Last of Us gets yet another re-release as Part 2: Remastered heads to PC
The Last of Us
As Troy Baker confirms he's in Naughty Dog's next game, director Neil Druckmann says it's the "most excited he has ever been" for a project
The Last of Us photo mode
Naughty Dog's next game will feature Joel actor Troy Baker, and suddenly I'm no longer convinced it's going to be The Last of Us 3
Latest in News
Just One Look
A new "edge-of-your-seat" Harlan Coben thriller series has been quietly added to Netflix
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card standing upright on desk with sad text face overlayed.
I just watched the RTX 5070 effectively sell out before it even launched
A screenshot from The Witcher 1, showing Geralt slashing at a hairy beast
Netflix's The Witcher casts its first game-exclusive character with a Witcher 1 deep-cut who Geralt first took care of in the 2007 RPG
Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried as Jennifer and Needy in Jennifer's Body
16 years after it was released, cult '00s horror movie may be getting a surprise sequel: "We're working on it"
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End season 2 visual
One of the best fantasy anime in recent years gets January 2026 release window for season 2
Helldivers 2 Ultimatum
Helldivers 2 has a Major Order problem, but the solution isn't simple because "having 100% participation means the MOs will always be won and that introduces other issues"