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Wishful Thinking: Predicting the PlayStation 4

By Staff

GameSpot staff from around the globe sound off on their hopes and dreams for Sony's new console.

Zorine Te, Community Manager, GameSpot AU

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

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307 comments
chun-IDGAF-li
chun-IDGAF-li

what i expect for the ps4: at least 30% better graphics than ps3 best graphic games (mgs4 final fantasy13) fully interactive environments (if a shoot a gun i want the bullet hole to stay there for ever, the same with dead bodies) that the controller dont suck like the 360's does aaaand a new MGO! please mr kojima MGO MGO!!!!

chipwithdip
chipwithdip like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

Just don't take my discs. Use online passes. I don't care. Just don't take my discs.

Barazon
Barazon like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

Idiot decision from the PS3 that needs to be corrected: add an infrared receiver so that universal remotes can easily control the PS4 as part of a home entertainment system.

LukeWesty
LukeWesty like.author.displayName 1 Like

@Barazon  

Listen pal, the maker's of the PS4, are better than what you are. Stop trying to show off your intelligence with something that clearly has flaws.

deathblow3
deathblow3

@LukeWesty wow really jealous much? why attack this man for his intelligence? you have no proof that he is not better than sony engineers.  he may be making rocketships  which in my opinon would be harder than the next sony product and take more intellect. seeing as everything sony announce for the ps4 is still 6-8 years behind the pc.

erix43
erix43

@Barazon 

Coming from who? Are you an engineer? 

Sniggih
Sniggih

@erix43 Sounds like "le foot" got lodged solidly in your mouth there

Barazon
Barazon like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 6 Like

Yes I am actually; I have a Bachelor's in Computer Engineering and a PhD in Computer Science (plus another BS and an MS).  However I don't think you need an engineering degree to see that it would be nice to be able to use one remote to turn on your tv, receiver, and PS4 with one button push, then being able to hit 'Play' on that same remote.  Compare this to turning on everything but the PS4 with one remote, then picking up another remote to turn on the PS4, hitting 'Play', then changing remotes for volume, changing remotes to pause, etc.  Every television, cable box, receiver, blu-ray player (except PS3) on the market uses infrared transmissions (thus universal remotes do also), whereas the PS3 uses only Bluetooth.

I would be surprised if the PS4 has backwards compatibility.  The Cell architecture is already a nightmare for developers, in that the core and the cells use completely different architectures, machine languages, compilers, etc.  From everything I've seen, both Sony and Microsoft are going with fairly standard PC processors.  It would be possible for an 8-core CPU to emulate both the core and cell processors of the PS3, but it would not be easy.

chipwithdip
chipwithdip

@erix43 @Barazon So make the game sell the TV? HOLY HELL, SONY HIRE THESE TWO! THEIR ARGUING MIGHT MAKE YOU MONEY!!!! O_O

IJONOI
IJONOI like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

@erix43 @Infinity_Gauntl 

When Samsung make a console to go with my blu-ray, tv one remote combo. Then maybe. However Sony TVs suck a$$.

erix43
erix43 like.author.displayName 1 Like

@Barazon 

They could do it with "Sony TVs," but Sony Tvs only. Good marketing gimmick. Sony TVs are decent. 

erix43
erix43 like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

@Barazon 

You'd have to find codes for different TVs to allow it to work on your TV or sync it via Blue tooth I suppose. I can see that. Good idea, but I wouldn't call them idiots. They only work for Sony...  

HipHopBeats
HipHopBeats

With games like Bioshock Infinite, GTAV, Last Of Us, Beyond 2 Souls on the way,  it seems a little rushed bringing on PS4 so soon.

MelodicMizery
MelodicMizery

@HipHopBeats  you failed to remember that ps2 was just now discontinued in 2013, almost 7 years after the ps3 came out. even when the ps4 is out ps3 will still continue to put out product. they have contracts that game servers have to stay online for a set amount of time and the ps3 is good till something like 2020

deathblow3
deathblow3

@MelodicMizery @HipHopBeats yeah but he is right it still feels rushed 10 months to finalize and test a product is really short. no matter the price i will wait and have the paying product testers make sure my ps4 is working right. remember the yellow light of death or the ps2 disk read errors? hell my ps 1 overheated so bad it would shut down after 30 mins had to play it with a giant fan blowing cold air on it

X-7
X-7

Sad thing is that the event starts 15 minutes before I go to Microbiology tonight. :P

Daveiops
Daveiops

@X-7 I actually feel sorry for you. Will you be able to concentrate? lol

Infinity_Gauntl
Infinity_Gauntl like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 6 Like

I'm about to have some microbiology all over this screen once they show the PS4

daveg1
daveg1

we will see hardleys nothing tonight mark my words.. hope im wrong and we see some very cool stuff..one thing for me though il be getting the ps4 late in its life when its cheasper and theres some great games to play..

2611mp
2611mp like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

I'm still yet to purchase a PS3, needless to say I am a rather late adopter... and due to this I have little to no interest in the PS4 and will most likely buy one via the worldwide all-inclusive omni-purchase cloud in 2021 when they are $8.99 for two.

Infinity_Gauntl
Infinity_Gauntl like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

Wow thats dumb.....

2611mp
2611mp

@Infinity_Gauntl it's as dumb as you are retarded.

bottaboomstick
bottaboomstick

It would be a mistake on Sony's part to call the console Orbis. They will stick with PS4 i'm sure.

ash162
ash162

Orbis is not a bad name. As for backwards compatibility Sony will yield in form or another maybe update last gen games as HD classics like they did this gen. And we should be able to play used games initially atleast unless all the like minded businessmen at sony have been brain washed by reapers!!

littleboomer
littleboomer like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

Okama Gamesphere=Obis=Playstation 4

IllegallyAwesum
IllegallyAwesum

@littleboomer when they did those concept images, I swear...shame on them for not recognizing the okama gamesphere, or at the very least the Game Sphere from Drake and Josh.

Clastor
Clastor like.author.displayName 1 Like

I kind of want it to be called the PlayStation 4...

Jak-25
Jak-25 like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

Why are people against having  a backwards compatibility add-on? I can understand that you don't want to have it built in because it would increase the price of the console but why do people care if some of us want the option available to us? I don't mind paying for it! Also before anyone says "Keep your PS3"  what makes you think I want 2 or 3 Sony consoles hooked up to my TV? Especially when I already have other consoles hooked up to my TV? Also, what makes you think the PS3 is built to last? It's not. 

I am not getting rid of my PS3 but it won't last for years to come. I am already on my second PS3 and I know some people that got the YLOD. The point I am trying to make is the PS3 is not built to last. Sure the PS3 generally lasts longer than the Xbox 360 but the PS3 is not reliable either.


Don't get me wrong. I want to buy the PS4 regardless if it's backwards compatible or not and I am excited for the PS4 and playing new games  but why do you people care if some of us want backwards compatibility?

bottaboomstick
bottaboomstick

@Jak-25 I had the original 60 gig backwards compatible ps3...yea the 30pounder. That thing was reliable and lasted much longer than most of my other electronics...it lasted longer than the TV i bought with that ps3 lol!

Jak-25
Jak-25 like.author.displayName 1 Like

@bottaboomstick @Jak-25 But it's not reliable enough to last for 10 years which is why ask for backwards compatibility for the PS4 even if it is an optional add-on. 

Jak-25
Jak-25 like.author.displayName 1 Like

@bottaboomstick @Jak-25 The point is that I would rather the PS4 have backwards compatibly even if I need an add-on because I don't like having multiple systems hooked up. 

This comment has been deleted

Jak-25
Jak-25 like.author.displayName 1 Like

Hardly anyone has a phat anymore, do some research. And on a scale of 1-10, how mad are you?

Midnight_Twelve
Midnight_Twelve

I think that, although the last guardian has been redacted for next gen, I doubt that it will be a launch title. 

People need to remember this announcement is going to be a "Coming to a store near you 2017"
They're going to make a announcement for the release date but I highly, highly doubt it's coming out this year at the least.  

edinsaw
edinsaw like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 4 Like

Backwards compatible with PS3 titles its a must!!! Seriously Sony if you are not thinking in backward compatibility you are gonna lost a lot of buyers including me of course I will wait until price drop, 1 or 2 years after release

gamerboy100
gamerboy100

@edinsaw 

If they can't do compatibility with PS3 games, they could at least give us compatibility with PS1 and PS2 games. That shouldn't be too hard or expensive to incorporate nowadays.

shingui5
shingui5

@edinsaw why is it a must?
does the PS4 send out a signal when it's within range of a PS3, that initiates it's self-destruct or something?

edinsaw
edinsaw like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

@shingui5 @edinsaw It is a must because not all of us have the money to buy the ps4 and keep the ps3, always its better to have an unified system, and remember all the money that we have spent in PSN and in games ???  

96augment
96augment

@Jak-25 One system to play all Playstation console games would be nice. But way too expensive for me.

HipHopBeats
HipHopBeats like.author.displayName 1 Like

@Jak-25 That's why backwards compatibility is a definite deal breaker for me. Streaming PS3 games sounds like some bullshit. I should be able to insert my PS3 discs into a PS4 with no problem. Hell, even playing PS2 games on a PS4 shouldn't be much of a stretch given current day technology.

Jak-25
Jak-25 like.author.displayName 1 Like

@edinsaw I agree! Well said! I agree completely  I want 1 system that can play all of my PlayStation console games. Why have 2 or 3 Sony consoles when we can have 1? Plus we would not have to worry if our PS3 broke or not. The point is, having 1 system to play all PlayStation games is better than having 2. I just don't know why some people don't understand.

Jak-25
Jak-25

@shingui5 @edinsaw Well the PS3 is not built to last. I still want a PS4 even if it's not backwards compatible, but still...

Furwings
Furwings like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

@Jak-25 @shingui5 @edinsaw Its very unlikely it will be backwards compatible with PS3 games. The architecture is so different in the PS4 they'd have to build the PS3's guts on-board which they won't as it will drive up the cost of the hardware. This is more likely why they purchased Gaikai. I'd bet on having the entire libraries from PSOne, PS2 & PS3 available to stream on the PS4. Not sure what the pricing structure will be like for this though. Or if you own a physical PS3 disc, if you put it into your PS4, can it at least detect it and tell Gaikai (or PS Cloud) "This user owns this game, let him stream it for free as long as the disc is in the tray"? I suspect we may find out today.

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