Let's be honest, Wednesday's PS4 event was a bit of a let-down. I for one would've loved to see what the console looks like. But it turns out Sony itself hasn't decided yet, and wasn't going to be rushed to meet the deadline.
Shuhei Yoshida, Sony's head of worldwide studios, told the Guardian: "We have not finalised the hardware yet and decided not to try to get it finished in time." Which is fair enough, I suppose. Still annoying though.
Yoshida points out "it's a long time from February to launch" and Sony has to "design our communication in phases", ie trickle info down to us as and when. Pressed on how important the actual look of the console is, Yoshida said he was "much more into how the games work, and the controller is crucial for us developers... A box is a box to us!"
Sony isn't completely blasé about the look though. "I appreciate that it's symbolic, people want a games console to look good so they can be proud of owning it and of course our hardware design team are working hard on that," Yoshida said.
Sony is also looking into a subscription model, like Spotify for gaming, but not until more titles are available. "We can do subscription services when we have more content -- especially now we have the Gaikai technology available," Yoshida said. "With one subscription you have access to thousands of games -- that's our dream."
While acknowledging the threat from tablets and mobiles, Yoshida said they could be the future of PlayStation. "In a couple of years I'd like to be playing PS4 games on all my devices," he said, "with the main experience on the big screen, and smaller sections on mobile screens... It will all be connected."
The very same Yoshida revealed yesterday that the PS4 can handle 4K video, but won't use it for gaming, which is something of a letdown. Let's hope the touchpad on the controller can make up for it.
What do you think of the PS4 so far? Were you disappointed Sony didn't show off the console itself? Or is how it looks by the by? Let me know in the comments, or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 9
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anonymous 23 February, 2013 11:40
What a joke of a journalist. Do you honestly care what your blu-ray player looks like?! Or would you rather or produced amazing picture quality?! Is rather play a game that looked nice than justify a crap one by saying"well at least the console is pretty"
Damien2701 23 February, 2013 13:16
Of course they know what it will look like. They ain't exactly gonna say "it's because we want to hold something back to take the wind out of the Xbox 720 reveal and announce it right after" are they. They are playing the underdog
A Non Mouse 23 February, 2013 15:00
I disagree 2701. I think that Sony don't know which design to plump for(guessing that they have at least 2-4 possible designs). I do think that your onto something with Sony's reveal with the after MS play their cards thing but that could be more to do with making sure theirs is dramatically different ie better looking as it might be to steal more thunder off MS.
anonymous 24 February, 2013 02:41
I was talking about this with a few of my friends, and to tell you the truth Sony diden't say much at all about the system, they posted there specs for down load with this on the bottom "February 20 2013. Specifications are subject to change without notice" Sony is really keeping everyone in the dark about whats the ps4 is really going to hold we know what it is, its the future of video gaming. its going to be more social, we no longer have to you tube lets plays we can just watch someone do it live streaming, give them tips help what ever. but I got a feeling that E3 this year is going to be the real surprise time with the ps4, do i think they are holding back because of MS hell yea, nintendo already launch there new system for the start of the year.do i think that x-box's fan well hold bragging rights anymore? to tell you the truth I dont know why they where bragging in the first place, the x-box, and x-box 360 is not some grand system, nothing special about it. it cant do more then the ps3 can, so does the 720 stand a chance no it don't what ever sony has in store we can all be safe to know that its going to be epic.
anonymous 24 February, 2013 06:15
I think sony has an image problem. Its the main reason why they've shrunk as a conpany, whilst company's like apple have gone from strength to strength. Image IS impotant. It decides what brand's are going to "burn into the mind's" of the everyday consumer, which in turn translates into sale's. Image is'nt just about how the product 'looks' or even 'works', but how the product "feels". And this transcend's all the way up to the company itself. To paraphrase ANONYMOUS at top, would you rather a black featureless box adorning the centre piece of your living space....I think not!!!
anonymous 24 February, 2013 09:22
To anonymous @24Feb-2:41: You're right that Sony are holding back for E3, that's the natural thing to do, but I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment if you're expecting drastic changes in it's spec or some earth-shattering blow to MS. If the rumours are correct, the Xbox 720/Infinity (or whatever) will be the more powerful console, with a slightly weaker GPU but two of them! The original Xbox was more powerful than the PS2, despite fanboy claims to the contrary :) The PS3 was only slightly more powerful than the 360, again despite fanboy claims. Which ever console is the most powerful this next-gen, it's not going to be a massive difference, so it really comes down to how that power it used to enhance our gaming experience rather than who can pump out the most polygons. That's why I found enough in the PS2 & Xbox and PS3 & 360 to buy them all. So to say the 720 doesn't stand a chance is wrong, we really do need to wait for E3. We may all be surprised, but possibly not in the way we expected :)
anonymous 24 February, 2013 19:14
Who cares what the console looks like....they have an amazing 3rd party support including Bohemia interactive...hopefully some arma games on ps4 as ghost recon sucks now....and the controller is very nice...watchdogs and killzone look awesome....why does everyone always find stuff to moan about...they could've saidscrew you wait til e3
anonymous 25 February, 2013 22:27
sony are holding there cards close to there chest. the console will be between 350 to 400 pounds to buy. plus sony are probably waiting for xbox 720 to launch first.
solar0night 25 February, 2013 22:54
interesting reading the comments that no one has mentioned the newcomers to the console market Steam box anyone? I don't really play on-line and really enjoy campaign modes, single player games which are becoming rare especially when there half finished! I live in the middle of nowhere so the lag is a problem with multi-player for me. I think when it comes down to console systems its all about the peripherals, what extras have either system got both supposable have blue ray both seem really similar I think it will come down to cost and yearly subscription costs and what people are used to I loved the Dual shock controller on the PS2 (still play mine daily) and the Xbox 360 I upgraded to was cheaper and still is which is why i went for it over the PS3