According to Destructoid, this image has been floating around the internet today, although it appears to originate from their site. It’s impossible to say whether it’s the real thing or not, but chances are it’s either a sneaky photo of a PS4 dev kit (and controller) or an elaborate mock-up based on rumours.
Either way, that looks like a central touch pad, tweaked analog controllers and a coloured strip on the top, likely to be the Move strip that has also been rumoured recently. It also looks like it’s using a d-pad from a Vita, which is a good thing.
That thing in the back that looks like it’s from the 70s? Probably a development kit, the machine that developers are using to build their PS4 games – presumably the same innards as a real PS4 but obviously in a very different outer box. It looks like the controller has a tiny button near the touch pad – is that the (also rumoured) ‘Share’ button?
You can also see the cameras on the dev kit in the background.
So what’s new? In order, then, top row left to right are: a USB 3 port (it says 2 but that just means the second port); one of two cameras on the dev kit (but are likely to be mounted on a Kinect-like array); the ‘share’ or ‘option’ button and finally the PS button and what appears to be a speaker grill.
Bottom row is the touch pad; the Move strip (that’ll presumably change colour depending on the surroundings, like the Move stick); a redesigned analog stick (the d pad is also new and looks just like the one on the Vita) and finally what looks like a headphone jack underneath the PS button.
Note that – even if this is real (as Kotaku seem to think) – it’s still technically a prototype and the final design may well be totally different. Sony are expected to reveal the PS4 next week in New York, so we’ll likely find out for sure then.
Via Destructoid, via GAF.
KeRaSh
Obviously the controller design is not yet finished but I have some issues with the design choices:
-I don’t like the texture of the control sticks. Either keep them convex or make them completely concave but this inbetween design looks like a cheap third party design.
-Mounted cameras in the console could pose a real limitation to people as to how they position their PS4 in the living room. I asume the PS4 has to face the player and the player should ideally face the cameras so the PS4 should be positioned really close to the TV. Directly under the TV probably being the optimal position but I doubt that this is a viable option in most living rooms.
-The move section on top doesn’t stick out like it does on the standard move controller but i can’t think of a way to comfortably swing this controller around one handedly to play a move game.
-I’m not convinced of the DPAD but I’m willing to give it a try before I judge it. I don’t have any problems with the current DPAD and I haven’t really heard any complaints about it so I wonder why they felt the need to change it.
-I hope they manage to squeeze Start and Select back to somewhere around their original position or at least use the same rubbery texture.
-I still can’t see the point of the touchpad. On the Vita it’s an actual touchscreen so it’s easy to hit your target but even the rear touch pad is awkward to pin point a certain spot on the screen from behind on a first try so if they try to mimic the TV screen with the touch pad I can already see the awkwardness of trying to hit a specific area proportional to the TV screen.
If they are going for swype gestures then that just seems like they were adding it just because they think it’s hip…
I’m still hoping for a deep Vita integration to the point where it rivals the Wii U’s dual screen set up. If remote play is not a thing on the PS4 then I’ll probably just go ahead and sell my Vita.
Other than the list above I like the general direction of this prototype. I hope they can manage to not bulk it up too much. I always preferred the slim nature of the DS3s compared to the 360 controllers.
scion_tc1
I hadn’t thought about the cameras hopefully it’ll be an external camera setup otherwise my current ps3 location won’t work at all. my PlayStation and Xbox are both on a desk to the side of my TV you see but then again I’d probably never use the move feature due to a lack of space.
ignorbert
Hahaha..
I really like the DEV Kit.. Would love to have the Final Product to have a look and feel like a normal audio/video product so it matches with the rest of the audio rack.
But after reading the comments I’m the only one.. Strange you all prefer the plastic curvie end products over a quality metal product that fits better with the rest of the equipment under the TV?
Kennykazey
But it looks like an old server-computer of sorts. Like the ones installed under desks at my work.
ignorbert
For me it looks like my AV Receiver Sony STR-DA1200ES and would be a great set ;-)
http://www.avreview.co.uk/news/images/Sony_STR-DA1200ES.jpg
carson321
I was doing pretty well at not getting worked up about the meeting next week, and then you had to go and drop this on me!
gaffers101
I’m sure the look of it will change before launch. What I’m more interested in is it’s weight.
I like my controller to be a little on the heavy side, but with all that extra kit I wonder if it’ll weigh too much?
scion_tc1
looks like they have incorporated a good few features that the ps3 controller was lacking. The headset input is a great feature. if they include a wired headset that would greatly add to the psn experience as people wouldn’t need to spend more money on a Bluetooth one. (most of us won’t have to but new buyers might) the grill may be a microphone / speaker. I’m really not a fan of the controller though. the current ps3 controller needs some work for those of us with giant hands so I welcome the bigger grips I however don’t like the look of that d- pad or analog sticks. the photo also makes it look cheap and tacky like some knock off china console. it is however probably just a prototype so hopefully the final one will be better.