The naysayers might assume that this week’s PS4 controller leak, in which images surfaced of a late prototype of the revised DualShock 4 alongside a development kit, might be bad news for Sony. The platform holder is set to reveal the console properly next week, so surely these early shots have spoiled that party? Right? Sony are running around with their hands in the air screaming?
Nonsense.
There’s a saying that any press is good press, and whilst we like to live within our little gaming industry bubbles from day to day, it’s worth remembering that even the biggest gaming sites in the world can’t hold a candle – traffic wise – to sites that aren’t as specialised in their coverage. And news of the leak Sony’s PS4 controller has, over the last few days, spread well beyond the likes of what we think are the “big” industry sites.
I’d imagine that when Destructoid first leaked the initial shot, somebody high up at Sony skipped a heartbeat – but the reaction from fans was (and will always be) priceless: any initial concerns from gamers can be addressed, at least in passing, on Wednesday. And yes, whilst (I assume) the leak broke a few NDAs the end result, especially after the second shot emerged, was hugely positive.
But more importantly, news has spread far outside the likes of Destructoid and the gaming copy/paste mentality. Whilst it took some sites a little longer to join the party, I can’t think of a single gaming website that has run the story: gamers know that the PS4 is coming, even if they didn’t do before. They also know that the controller will offer something new: a touch pad, built-in Move, and that’s wildfire spreading press that no amount of money can buy.
And whilst IGN, easily the biggest gaming website out there in terms of traffic, dwarves most other outlets, here’s some perspective: Alexa ranks IGN as the 352nd biggest website on the planet – that’s impressive, but the Daily Mail’s UK site is ranked 126. Think about that, and how many people read the Daily Mail compared to IGN’s entire network of sites. And then consider that the Daily Mail ran a story about the controller.
“Pictures allegedly showing the new PS4 controller reveal the device will incorporate a touchscreen built into the middle of the familiar DualShock layout,” said the paper. “Excitement over the next-generation console is building after Sony sent out invitations to an event on ‘the future of the PlayStation’ to be held next week.”
So that’s every Daily Mail (online) reader aware that there’s a PS4 coming, and that there’s a big event next week. And this is in the face of a Microsoft executive that thought nobody would know about the upcoming reveal. Funny how things turn around sometimes, isn’t it? And it doesn’t stop there on the Mail. “Video gamers have been horrified by rumours that the Microsoft machine will only work with the Kinect sensor plugged in and that it will only run games registered to the machine – potentially blocking not only second-hand games but also games borrowed from friends.”
This is massive: huge plus points for Sony, equally negative for Microsoft. And the event hasn’t even happened yet.
Fox News also weighed in (Alexa rank 153) with a similar focus. “It is thought Sony will announce the new console – rumored to be titled PlayStation 4 or Orbis – at a press conference in New York next Wednesday. Other whispers have claimed the new device will feature ultra-HD , and eight computer chips in its electronic brain to give it TEN times the processing power of the PS3.”
Yeah. I mean, things like “chips” and “electronic brains” and a capitalised “TEN” aren’t aimed at core gamers, but that’s the point – Sony’s getting a massive amount of free press here, and it’s wholly positive from where I’m standing – that they probably wouldn’t have without that leak to ensure that everybody feels the need to cover the photograph.
There are plenty of other non-gaming sites reporting this too. Plenty. It’s perhaps a cynic that might suggest the whole thing was staged (“let’s pick a site that normally gets away with reporting on the edge a little”) but I’m sure that’s not the case. A developer with a trigger happy camera button likely got a little carried away and chanced his luck – he’s unlikely to get into too much trouble and the outcome has been great for Sony.
Hopefully next Wednesday can live up to the huge expectations we’ve all got now for the PlayStation 4. The console itself hasn’t been leaked yet (and Sony are no doubt thanking their stars that the dev kits are still a PC-like silver box) and we’ve still not got any confirmation of any games that Sony will be showing off so there’s still loads to look forward to.
The Future Of PlayStation is just 4 days away, but everyone’s already talking about it. Funny that.
LycanGav
One thing Alex, not to be too picky. “Potentially” every Daily Mail reader knows, it’s by no means a sure thing. While the reach of the story will no doubt grow as a result of this attention, many will not click the link to read the story, too caught up in commenting on the fact that immigrants have stolen all our jobs, money and houses.
Alex C
True enough, of course, but the same applies to any link on any site, no? :)
LycanGav
Oh definitely. Even if it’s just Joe Regular giving it a quick glance, it often then leads to water cooler chatter in the days that follow. Unfortunately it always seems to be me at the water cooler, and after five minutes chatting with said Joe Public, who is of course fully informed by the detailed article he read for all of fifteen seconds I want to drown him in the water cooler.
Alex C
*nods
Dom El
Lol – as a pub landlord I have similar conversations every day, where people inform me that they’re getting a PS4 because it’ll be TEN times more powerful, that they’re picking up a Wii U controller for their Wii or that the next Xbox has to be connected to the internet 24/7 so that it can turn itself on and see what you’re doing through it’s Kinect camera :/
I do try and correct them, or have an engaging conversation about it but it’s tough when ‘reputable’ sources like the Mail have already told them what they need to know!
Michael
Squeeee!
I want the touchpad thingy to be a screen. That would be ace. Someone sort it.
Alex C
Wouldn’t that be lovely.
cc_star
That’s what I said a while ago, whilst unaffordable it would be great if the DS4 was essentially what we see with the midsection stretched to reveal a 4″ capacitive mult-touch touchscreen.
Even better if they lumped a good Tegra or Snapdragon chip in it & ran Android on it with PS Mobile & Google Play compatibility.
On the face of it, as it stands with the prototype it’s difficult to see in – game uses beyond Uncharted Golden Abyss gimmick ‘rubbings’
KeRaSh
That would be great and I would gladly pay an extra 100€ to get some sort of second screen or remote play functionality. I’m still hoping that they are betting on the Vita as their response to Nintendo’s Wii U controller but I’ve been let down before on that account…
All I want is to play my PS3 games on the Vita while the missus watches TV.
If anything that functionality makes the Wii U a core gamer’s delight. Have kids or a wife that constantly hog the TV? Don’t want to sit in another room on your own in the short time you have between work and sleep? Play your games while you’re with your family!
Most underrated feature of the Wii U.
hol
So far, Sony seem to be getting this right? Roll on next week :)
cc_star
Think the controller leak was hugely important for Sony, before that there was curiosity & interest & occasional in the event, but actual hype was harder to find. That’s all changed now & the hype is far more widespread.
cc_star
*before that there was curiosity, interest & occasional indifference in the event.
gazo69
Is it Wednesday yet?
gazo69
Also on a negative note, imagine the stand alone price for one of them controllers 0_o
the bottler
I was thinking the exact same thing, will have to avoid Call of Duty next gen, as that has resulted in the death of at least 2 controllers as they were sent hurtling across the room in rage.
Adam Garrett
Heart of the Reich, Veteran *shudders*.
cc_star
FIFA & CoD sales plummet due to replacement joypad costs from gamer rage?
Awayze
HotR wasn’t the hardest for me. I did it quickly, died twice. It was Relentless that took me several days to do!
Sympozium
LOL
damoxuk
Nothing on par with Wii-U’s however. I’d say £10 more than current (expensive DS3).
KeRaSh
Aren’t DS3s around 60€? A Wii U controller is 100€, right? So 70€ wouldn’t be that far away, considering you actually get a screen built into your controller, compared to a measly touch screen. ; )
Foxhound_Solid
I’m so excited. I keep looking at the space prepared for my new addition to my playstation family. PSIV :-)
Ben
It is all going rather well. The unveiling should get massive press coverage regardless.
TSBonyman
Despite the fact that i know i won’t be buying one anytime near launch, the leaked controller image has posed all sorts of questions and wonder and i have to admit i’m fully aboard the hype train now.
doug
Why does everyone assume Wednesday will be a playstation 4 reveal it could be something totally different like a game streaming service from gaikai
I was thinking last night if that pad is real the touch pad could be a LCD display telling people info on what game they are streaming
Alex C
It’s PS4.
quinkill
It’s got to be PS4 look at the media sony are releasing. They wouldn’t start a ‘History of Playstation’ campaign a few days before only to end it with no new playstation.
TSBonyman
At least one of those invited to the press event tweeted that they were attending a PS4 event.
Alex C
Press aren’t aware of what the event is – the invite is as vague as the video you’ve seen. Trust me.