PS4's Focus On "Social Features" Rather Than Improved Specs?
See Full ImageIt's the teaser that's sweeping the gaming community, and evidence is pointing towards confirmation rather than contradiction.
Sony has teased February 20 as the day when we'll "see the future," and everyone is assuming that that's the time we'll see the PlayStation 4. The good news is that the Wall Street Journal supports that idea.
In fact, they're flat-out saying that Sony will indeed unveil the PS3's successor at the special press event on February 20. According to their sources, "people familiar with the matter have said the new device will make its debut there." Apparently, "social features and the user experience" will be key focal points of the new machine and although gamers are often interested in better specs, this machine will emphasize "changes in how users interact with the machine."
That may not be exactly what some want to hear. In fact, it may worry the hell out of a great many...
Tags: ps4, playstation 4, new playstation, orbis, sony
2/1/2013 11:06:29 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (61 posts)
Highlander
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 12:00:25 PM
10 up, 1 down
Doppel
Saturday, February 02, 2013 @ 9:21:12 AM
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 11:38:17 AM
Reply
If that is the focus of the PS4, Sony might as well file chapter 11 now. Those are all peripheral issues that have nothing to do with the core business of gaming.
Home was their attempt to redefine user experience, social interaction and how gamers interact. That is not central to gaming, Home is a fun distraction sometimes, but that is really what it is about. PS4 can't simply be a commodity architecture running bespoke OS and an new social gaming experiences/interfaces. That's not a game console, it's a Facebook@Home console.
If all they do is throw up a x86 architecture system with heavy emphasis on social BS an 'user experience', it will be little more than rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Such a product would sink PlayStation.
Last edited by Highlander on 2/1/2013 11:41:10 AM
12 up, 5 down
Cesar_ser_4
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 11:51:08 AM
1 up, 1 down
Highlander
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 11:57:40 AM
The optimist (who is still there, though he's almost in tears at this point) is trying to say that perhaps this is all about GaiKai and some kind of Future Home that leverages GaiKai, and is a PlayStation experience targeted at the social/casual gaming market; where the core Playstation gamer, and games are not abandoned, but rather this becomes a separate branch on the PlayStation tree. In which case, it may not be PS4 itself, but a new network service for PlayStation that looks to other types of gaming instead of the traditional console gaming.
That is my optimistic side. my realistic side is really, really worried about the future of gaming.
6 up, 3 down
Siris86
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 1:59:23 PM
4 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 3:24:32 PM
1 up, 2 down
maxpontiac
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 6:32:01 PM
5 up, 1 down
Excelsior1
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 7:16:28 PM
Could it be that squandering away approximately 44% of their market share this generation has affected Sony in negative manner?
1 up, 4 down
Bonampak
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 11:40:00 AM
Reply
And that such an approach, was being used due to the anemic condition of the current market place in the Western world. Where AAA games fail to sell as expected (RE6, DmC) and where new consoles (Wii U) and handhelds (3DS, Vita) have a hard time staying relevant.
So I wonder if there is any truth to what the Wall Street Journal is implying there.
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 11:47:19 AM
That's not gonna work for Sony. It doesn;t work for Sony in any area of their business. Trying to compete in the HDTV market that went into the stack 'em high, sell 'em low commodity stage killed Sony's TV business. Commodity PCs are hurting their PC business. Commodity cameras hurt their camera business. Sony is not a Chinese sweatshop operator, they can't compete in such low margin market segments. That is the lesson of 20-30 years of their Consumer electronics business.
If Sony starts to chase that horrible low cost low margin, high volume market segment in gaming, they are killing themselves in the long term. Someone needs to cut through the casual/social gaming BS and realize that core gamers actually pay for their games, and consoles, and they are the only ones who ever have. That is the market they should focus on.
8 up, 4 down
Cesar_ser_4
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 11:55:46 AM
1 up, 1 down
Highlander
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 11:59:44 AM
7 up, 4 down
Cesar_ser_4
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 12:08:41 PM
Last edited by Cesar_ser_4 on 2/1/2013 12:11:52 PM
0 up, 1 down
Highlander
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 12:19:32 PM
6 up, 3 down
0_o
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 11:46:18 AM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Clamedeus
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 11:46:31 AM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Alejandro562
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 12:00:51 PM
Reply
6 up, 0 down
Knightzane
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 12:02:01 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Lord carlos
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 12:06:15 PM
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I've got a friends list on ps3 thats all i need,when i play video games i want to escape the real world...& not be bombarded with social interaction rubbish.
Release a social interactive console if you like thats compatible with PS3 games.....but JUST DON'T CALL IT PS4.
3 up, 2 down
wackazoa
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 12:16:53 PM
Reply
Then everyone will think I have no life/am now gonna go on a violent rampage. This just keeps getting better all the time.
5 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 12:18:21 PM
Reply
'BigFest'
It's a trademark Sony registered in 2012 and published in January of this year.
Here's how BigFest is described;
The trademark describes a service that involves “hosting on-line web facilities for interactive game play; hosting web sites of others for video and computer games or parts of video and computer games created by others on a computer server for a global computer network.” It also mentions “introduction and social networking services, namely, introducing video game players to each other for the purposes of playing multiplayer games online, participating in online games communities and competitions, and online player networking and social introduction.”
Could it be?
3 up, 2 down
Lord carlos
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 12:25:10 PM
Ps4 needs to be a beast.
3 up, 0 down
MyWorstNightmar
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 4:02:43 PM
PS3 is king right now. Enjoy that and concentrate on Vita for Gods sake.
4 up, 0 down
Geobaldi
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 12:19:32 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
jugheadjones
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 12:41:58 PM
Reply
4 up, 2 down
wiley_kyotee
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 6:01:42 PM
Last edited by wiley_kyotee on 2/1/2013 6:02:20 PM
2 up, 2 down
daus26
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 12:42:50 PM
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Some people just want things unrealistically. They'd want a super beast machine, but also want it cheap. Now that it might be cheap, they're worrying about weak specs? It's one or the other, and if we want both, expect a premium price.
If Sony does go this route, you can thank everyone who complained "deeply" about high prices. You want something cheap? Then this is the answer, a.k.a Nintendo.
Last edited by daus26 on 2/1/2013 12:44:14 PM
4 up, 2 down
josiahlo
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 1:46:00 PM
2 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 12:49:50 PM
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Sony will not go all casual on us.
10 up, 1 down
infamousgodV2_0
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 12:57:50 PM
Reply
0 up, 3 down
CrusaderForever
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 1:18:38 PM
Reply
9 up, 1 down
telly
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 1:36:38 PM
5 up, 1 down
Beamboom
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 3:28:28 PM
3 up, 0 down
cLoudou
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 1:33:45 PM
Reply
3 up, 1 down
telly
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 1:34:26 PM
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5 up, 1 down
PSTan
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 1:43:07 PM
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The only time anyone should complain is if we: lose our core experiences as a result of this new connectivity, or: it becomes a mandatory part of our experience (which I'm pretty sure it's not going to be).
13 up, 0 down
Deleted User
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 2:21:40 PM
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It's all about letting the whole world know everything about you now. Ask Courtney Webb. Kudos to the people here who want nothing to do with it because it is silly and can be downright dangerous to your mental outlook, too.
4 up, 0 down
VampDeLeon
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 2:23:15 PM
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As long there's an option for people who like their game-playing hobby to remain private (like an invisible-mode option while online) so others can't interfere with their playing, there won't be a problem.
Last edited by VampDeLeon on 2/1/2013 2:25:23 PM
1 up, 0 down
The Real Deal
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 2:32:22 PM
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Whats interesting and promising about this news is that if the design hasn't changed much, then all these developers will have an easier time transitioning; which should result in games releasing quicker then any other launch hardware effectively giving us an extension of the ps3 release windows. That is Awesome and hopefully that is there direction. If so be prepared to be amazed at the launch titles.
Long Live Sony!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
0 up, 1 down
Temjin001
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 2:38:53 PM
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The PS3 was also a MASSIVE leap in social networking in comparison to the PS2. PSN has meant for a more approachable entertainment device that has probably translated to more functional use for entertainment than any prior system of theirs. Sony needs the profits from healthy gaming products, that much won't change, but they, like every other company, are witnessing a change in the way consumers like to obtain and entertain their time. For them to not be proactive in adapting to the market, which includes social connectivity, (not the most appealing feature of the next-gen's design, but gamers are not all old stubborn hermits who hate change) can be of consequence. Sony hasn't done anything online-side that hasn't really moved faster than a snails pace so I'm really not worried. If this new controller has a 'share' button or something, whatever, some people will find it cool, others won't, but everyone will want to play great games. They'll be here for PS4 so stop the panicking.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 2/1/2013 2:39:21 PM
5 up, 1 down
Temjin001
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 2:54:48 PM
I actually own an OnLive console. It's not something I use anymore but it did have something pretty cool about it which I think this Gakai deal with Sony may provide. You can literally watch another person's game being played (of course if you don't want that you click the feature off). So lets say WorldEndsWithMe logs in and I see him playing DOA5. I could pull up his user and watch him play the game and kicking butt or using a zoom feature on a character where he SHOULDN'T! I can send him a live text or a built-in emot icon while he's playing in realtime. I could be seeing everything happen as it happens on his screen (or thereabouts)
I did something like that on OnLIVE with Batman AA. It felt cool having like 5 people watching me play through batman. They would rate how I did things as they happened... usually cheers of course ;)
Anyway this may sound terrible to some but pretty cool to others. You could also say post replays to your account for others to see. A person could watch you slay Omega in Final Fantasy and they could see the proof of it just by clicking the replay associated with you.
Anyway, I think this stuff may be pretty exciting and cool to many who find it interesting. Others, they can just not use those features and play the games how they like.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 2/1/2013 2:56:57 PM
3 up, 1 down
Knightzane
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 2:54:27 PM
Reply
0 up, 1 down
AcHiLLiA
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 3:16:08 PM
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5 up, 0 down
ethird1
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 3:19:29 PM
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I'm not paying 400 dollars for a fraking social machine. Now, if I can play wih 100 people at one time instead of 4, then that type of 'SOCIAL' system I could handle.
If there is not a SIGNIFICANT raise in the graphics department and how many peeps can play online, Sony can stick it's ps4 up it's arse.
End of Line.
1 up, 2 down
BTNwarrior
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 3:28:19 PM
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0 up, 0 down
DarthNemesis
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 3:37:04 PM
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People are doubting Sony again I see, just like they doubted the PS3. This information only states apart of Sony's ideas for the integration of social features which is not the only focus obviously for the PS4/Orbis. The important thing is the games and Sony always delivers. They have the best line up of software this year easily across the PS3/Vita and that is including the third party games. There really are no non Sony games that I am excited for and that is a first. Until Star Wars 1313, Dragon Age 3 or MGS0 release. I am not even excited for GTA5 as and would rather play Sly Cooper. That is my personal taste though.
1 up, 0 down
xnonsuchx
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 4:02:37 PM
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2 up, 0 down
trumpetmon65
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 4:14:14 PM
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I think the kind of interaction they need to focus on is known friend interaction. That's what microsoft tends to do very well. If they could make it easier for me to play with the friends that I want to I say I'm all up for it.
0 up, 0 down
SayWord
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 4:55:55 PM
Reply
have any of you actually looked at the rumored specs? here they are:
System Memory: 8GB (rumor using ddr5)
Video Memory: 2.2 GB
CPU: 4x Dual-Core AMD64 "Bulldozer", 1.6GHz
GPU: AMD R10xx (w/ Liverpool)
Ports: 4x USB 3.0, 2x Ethernet [extra for local sharing, dev. use]
that seems like a pretty powerful console to me.
3 up, 1 down
Highlander
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 5:08:47 PM
0 up, 1 down
klown4twnt
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 7:34:19 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Helghast
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 8:04:00 PM
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I believe Sony can continue their focus on great games and give more attention to social features. Everyone knows that the jump to next gen will be much smaller graphics wise than the jump from PS2 to this current gen. I think WSJ just means that there will be a bigger difference in social features than in gaming capabilities, which I don't think should be a shock to anyone.
Last edited by Helghast on 2/1/2013 8:09:01 PM
1 up, 0 down
RICHIECOQUI
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 8:35:17 PM
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4 up, 1 down
CH1N00K
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 10:10:50 PM
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I wouldn't worry to much about this. I'm sure the PS4 will still be a beast..
0 up, 0 down
___________
Saturday, February 02, 2013 @ 5:42:14 AM
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$ony DO NOT learn from their mistakes!
home a perfect example of $ony trying to bring a more social focous to the system, and that cost them a mega sh*t ton of money, had so many delays, and is really not half what it was made out to be.
eh, this is nothing new to me i knew this was going to happen.
i wont say i told you so!
1 up, 1 down
gumbi
Reply
Friday, February 01, 2013 @ 11:29:55 AM
I know I'm a rare breed these days, but if I want social interaction in my video games, I invite a friend over and plug in a second controller.