Concept #1 This first concept is derived from the aforementioned PS4 console trailer (which can be viewed at the bottom). A designer has taken the features depicted in the trailer and combined them together to deliver an artists representation of what could be the finished console. They have utilized every given feature and formed a sleek and slim body around them meaning this likely to be the closest concept we’ll see before images start to leak.
Building on the touchscreen elements of its predecessor, this concept presents the classic ‘black box’ shape we’re all expecting from a PlayStation console but gives it a little modern twist. Many concepts show a lower area near the disk drive (like the PS3) however this concept adds a touch screen to the façade delivering some interesting features. The touch screen shows different colored symbols that notify the user to things like a new message, how many PSN friends are online, updates and strength of their wireless connection. Although quite far removed from the snapshots in the trailer, you can’t argue that one-look notification symbols would be a brilliant addition to an otherwise monotone exterior.
Whilst some designers stick to practicality and realism in their concepts, some just like to exercise their creativity, which is, how concepts like this are born. One of the earlier concepts to surface, this’ll be one of the first few hits when you Google the PS4 console. The concept shows a beautiful glass body that houses a disk drive in the center with some sort of screen on the front. The glass bodywork also appears to be a touchscreen, allowing for navigation between gaming and other media entertainment. The controller design is equally impressive, maintaining the glass-touchscreen bodywork. Whilst technologically unlikely and almost certainly not the finished product it’s a rather good-looking console that I’m sure many wouldn’t complain to residing in their living rooms.
Another example of designer eccentricity is putting vibrant colors in a PlayStation console concept; this designer has done just that. The spine of the console is a bright turquoise color that contrasts pleasantly to black everything else. The bodywork is aggressively geometric with sharp corners and sheer slopes that actually result in a rather elegant design. This is also one of the few concepts to display the console in a vertical and horizontal position, something that has become ever more important since the new of the Xbox One’s horizontal orientation. Some aspects such at the controller ports that were seen in the trailer are present however much else is missing leaving it an unlikely candidate for the finished product.
Lastly, another concept that takes a fair bit of inspiration from the trailer. This design maintains a familiar black color scheme but breaks it up with some interesting relief seemingly derived from the contours of the already revealed Dualshock 4. Whilst being similar in shape to the blurry image the trailer presents us with, this concept also shows the ports and bodywork features. This concept seems to be an amalgamation of many of the current concepts floating around creating a console that showcases the best of each along with crucially practical (yet normally overlooked) elements such as the on/off and eject buttons. It’s mirroring of the Dualshock 4 design along with the features and overall shape of the console make this a high possibility for being one of the closest designs to the final product.
Which concept design is your favorite and if none then which? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. Oh and here’s the official teaser trailer for the PS4 for your viewing pleasure, let us know how you think the real console is going to turn out!
Obviously all of these are just concepts and the final PS4 console will most likely not look like any of them however many of the designers present some excellent ideas. A quick thank you to the designers/owners of the above images who are welcome to contact BGG for credit to be placed beneath their images.