PlayStation has just revealed a new limited-edition DualSense controller, as well as new PlayStation 5 console covers, both of which were designed by NBA superstar LeBron James, inarguably one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
This release is part of the recently revealed PlayStation Playmakers program, a marketing campaign in which PlayStation will collaborate with various influencers and athletes, who will help create, reveal, and release different forms of PlayStation content. The biggest of those listed stars was undoubtedly LeBron James, and PlayStation wasted no time bringing him into the fold in a big way.
A post on the PlayStation Blog goes further into the creation of these limited-edition accessories, stating that they were designed with "personal imagery and adages that have been meaningful throughout [James'] journey." James described being able to design a PlayStation controller and console cover as "a pretty cool thing," particularly because he was able to give a nod to his "I Promise" students.
As seen on the bottom right of the DualSense controller, the "I Promise" phrase is a reference to the public school that James opened in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, a school specifically dedicated to helping underperforming students who are "in danger of falling through the cracks." Both on the center of the console cover and the controller is the phrase "Nothing is Given. Everything is earned," a quote long associated with James. He describes it as "a mantra" that he and his family live by.
The blog post later describes James as the "first-ever collaborator to design limited-edition PlayStation products," suggesting that other PlayStation Playmakers may potentially design other limited-edition accessories in the future. Unfortunately, information regarding actually getting your hands on these accessories was quite vague, the post simply stating that pre-orders will open "later this year." It's unclear when the accessories will actually release.
Furthermore, it's stated that they will only be available for fans "in select markets," but it doesn't specify which markets these could be. There is currently no information regarding price, but given the recent pricing of the Hogwarts Legacy controller, the LeBron James DualSense will probably be about $79.99. The post also confirms that the accessories will only be available via PlayStation's direct online store.