PSMove and the PS4

We all remember when the Wii hit the market with motion-sensor technology. Then we were thrilled when Sony PlayStation announced PS Move and released the motion-sensor gaming device in September 2010.

While we do love the idea–it uses the PlayStation Eye and PS Move wand-controller to sense the players movement–we’ve seen other technology that does not use controllers: the Xbox Kinect. Which one is better? It’s probably all subjective, depending on the player, but why can’t the PS Move have controller-less play?

Well, we have heard several times that the next generation PlayStation, the PlayStation 4, will house motion-sensor gaming more like the Kinect. No more wand-controller necessary; that’d be awesome.

However, we do worry about accuracy in this case. While we know Sony is the best at technological gadgets, there will always be room for error. Perhaps if they can make a device that utilizes both controller and controller-less, depending on the game; or maybe a little sensor you clip onto your body, rather than hold in your hand. Perhaps a glove? Several ideas, but we have no idea which direction PlayStation will take.

Another thing we don’t like: Sony treated the PS Move as if it were it’s own platform. While we see how it added new features to the already awesome PS3, we still want a new platform. Incorporate the PS Eye camera into the PS4; tweak up the performance on the Move sensor, tweak the innards of the device to suit the 2012 devices we’ve already seen, and maybe we’ll be happy.

What do you think? What kind of motion-sensor technology should be used for the PS4? Should the PS4 even have motion-based gaming?

The PlayStation 4 Controller

We’ve talked about design concepts for the PlayStation 4 already. Now we’re curious about what you think the controller for the PS4 should look like.

Earlier this year, the announcement of the Wii U controller was pretty awesome, just because of that tablet-style controller. Are we really moved by touch technology so much that we want it to be everywhere?

Well, a new controller design was recently spread around the web. I wish I know who created the art (so many people steal SonyPS4.com’s concepts without acknowledging it, it is not even funny), so if you do know, tell us.

This controller is obviously a picture of the standard PS3 dual-shock controller with an extension: a touch screen media center in the middle. While it’s a cool idea, the feel of that long of a controller would just be awkward.

Perhaps an easier way to fix the feel dilemma would be to leave the controller as-is, but add the screen on the top. That way we can still game like we love to, but still enjoy the digital revolution.

We don’t honestly know if the PS4 controller will be any different from the PS3 controller. In the past, PlayStation has stuck with what has worked. We’ll see.

Something interesting we also found in our search: a display for the “Joypad Evolution”, which shows the design patterns and innovations in game controllers over the years. The graph reveals how gaming consoles picked up the controller ideas of other companies to make their own! Thanks to GNVR in UK for the image.

New PlayStation 4 Concept Design

We’ve been providing you with fan-crafted PlayStation 4 concepts for a long time now. Recently, a new concept hit the market, but this one is a little different: the creator, Joseph Dumary, also says what specs it should have and the capabilities.

Dumary’s PS4 has a brand-new feature: ECO Restart. Basically, the console uses a rechargeable battery to stay in a power-friendly mode after turned off, making it easier on the console when it is turned back on for play later.

This PS4 will also be made of 60% recycled materials, with magnesium alloy and carbon, making the overall console weight considerably light.
We’ve talked before about how Sony should incorporate and integrate the PS Vita and Sony S1 and S2 Tablets into the console, and that’s what Dumary did. You can use either as a remote control, a way to browse the web, or play games from a distance, knocking the Wii U controller out of the water.

The PS4 would have a 1.5TB harddrive, Blu-Ray and 3D support, USB 3.0, Sync, Cloud, and so much more. Even cooler? The PS4 controller would have a light sensor and an adjustment option for the analog stick, incase it’s too loose or too tight for the player’s gameplay.

The model is sleek, futuristic but not crazy looking, and fits the current models of PlayStation that we adore. What do you think? (Click on the images below if you want to see a larger view.)

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