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In case you missed it, Sony has just announced a very interesting DualShock 4 controller add-on named the Back Button Attachment. In a nutshell, this device clips onto your PlayStation 4 pad and provides you with two customisable buttons along the back of the controller. It will allow faster access to commands you need while playing competitive games, for instance, or could make certain inputs easier to reach for those with difficulties. It adds a little heft to your DualShock 4, sure, but it's otherwise a neat idea.

What makes this peripheral so interesting is the timing. PS4 only has a year left before next-gen arrives, so why on Earth would Sony release this controller-enhancing device now? Why not years ago? It seems a little late in the day to ask PS4 players to invest in something like this. Unless there's more to it than at first glance, of course. We can't help but think this add-on, and the time-frame in which it's arrived, suggests a couple of things about the PS5.

Firstly, it could be possible that the DualShock 4 will be compatible with Sony's next-gen console. Given that PS4 games will be backwards compatible with the PS5, it makes some sense to support the controllers too. The reason that the Back Button Attachment makes this seem more likely to us is that it could be an effort on Sony's part to get the PS4 controller ready for next-gen. Perhaps these extra buttons are a necessity if you want to use your DualShock 4 with PS5 games.

This would then further suggest the standard PS5 controller may come with the back paddles built-in. Maybe PS5 games will make use of these new inputs, and in order to get PS4 controllers up to speed, Sony is offering this new peripheral to bridge the gap. We already know that Sony wants to get PS4 owners transitioned to PS5 as quickly as possible -- maybe this is just one way it's helping bring everything in line.

Even the miniature OLED display on the Back Button Attachment could be somehow indicative of the PS5 controller. We doubt a screen like this will be in the DualShock 5, but perhaps a similar screen will be implemented into the touch pad? We've obviously heard several rumours suggesting there's a touch screen in the PS5 controller; maybe they're true, and this is a sign of things to come.

All of this is purely speculation on our part, but given the timing of this unusual device, and given what we know so far about PS5, it kind of makes sense. What do you think? Is the Back Button Attachment future-proofing for the DualShock 4 as we head into next-gen? Will the PS5 controller have these features as standard? Let us know what you think in the comments below.