Wishful Thinking: Predicting the PlayStation 4
GameSpot staff from around the globe sound off on their hopes and dreams for Sony's new console.
Zorine Te, Community Manager, GameSpot AU Follow
Will Sony be showing us the future or a modified version of the present?
Sony has made the bold claim that it will show gamers the future at its much-hyped press conference. For some reason, I've always envisioned future technology encompassing holographic projections, reality warping, and online links to everything.
Will Sony's PlayStation 4 possess the capability to scan your entire lounge room and detect the owner's presence?
If the PlayStation 4 were to include a feature that switches the console on upon a person entering the zoned area, would that be so far-fetched? Imagine coming home, ready to get your game face on. Your linked smartphone pings straight to the console as you enter the wireless range within your residence. You sweep into the lounge room, toss your backpack onto the floor, and collapse onto your couch. The PlayStation 4 is already on, primed and ready for you to pick up where you left off. Adding commonly used technology to consoles is one way to cement its role in everyday life, and I think Sony will like to tack on to that.
Perhaps augmented reality will be part of the new focus. Will the PlayStation 4 possess the capability to scan your entire room and detect the owner's presence? Create a virtual replica of the player to integrate into the game world? An in-built camera to monitor the gaming habits of its user base, big brother style? While AR technology has been explored already, there is still plenty of untapped potential.
I think the physical appearance of a console also plays a big part in its success. Though a levitating piece of hardware that serves as much decorative purpose as it does function would be pretty cool, the PS4 will probably not float in mid-air. If current technology trends are any indication, we'll probably see a sleek console with lots of shine. The minimalist style will carry on to its interface, redesigned to look more like the customisable home screen that smartphone users are accustomed to.
Claiming to show gamers the future is a hefty statement. I can only hope that Sony delivers and surprises us, bringing technology that impresses and is, above all, fun.
Follow Zorine on Twitter: @ztharli




