• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

If I were to design a console

Page 3 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Wingznut said:
Where did the horse's mouth say this? Happen to have any evidence?
Click to expand...

I don't think they ever said it but it was heavily emphasized in the early marketing. Their initial unveiling showed little in the way of gameplay. Which of course allowed Sony to say PS4 has ALL THE GAMES! Rule #1 of marketing, never let the competition define your brand before you do.
 
I would stick with the PS4 footprint, make it twice as tall, and use low rpm 80mm fans to cool the console. I would also install 1/2in risers underneath to keep it off of wood surfaces, which tend to bake most consoles. I would add in hardware based backwards compatibility and include robust DLNA support (including MKV and ISO playback). It would have GbE onboard and optional wireless external adapters so the wireless tech can keep up with the times. The wireless adapters would be reasonably priced. The controllers would have user replaceable batteries.

All games would have physical media + CD-Key DRM or optional online authentication DRM with a 1 week offline mode. The console would ask every month for the original game disc to be inserted or the user could agree to online authentication DRM with the ability to revoke the license for resale purposes. Gamesaves and games could be downloaded from your home console via P2P protocol when you sign in on another console with your account. Multiple games could be played on multiple consoles under one account provided you insert the original physical media. If only one game is being played on one account, then normal DRM policy applies. Digital downloads could be resold within the walled garden of the console's marketplace to people on your friends list, and those funds could be used to purchase new games. Also, I would offer a mailed physical backup for the cost of manufacturing + S&H as an option for any fully Online digital purchases. I would include automatic game updating and scheduled gamesave backups to local media as options in the software of the console. Finally, games would be playable on a remote screen that simply streams the video output to the screen via wireless or wired connection, and the games are played normally with the console's controllers; this is an optional accessory.
 
Last edited:
Golgatha said:
I would stick with the PS4 footprint, make it twice as tall, and use low rpm 80mm fans to cool the console. I would also install 1/2in risers underneath to keep it off of wood surfaces, which tend to bake most consoles. I would add in hardware based backwards compatibility and include robust DLNA support (including MKV and ISO playback). It would have GbE onboard and optional wireless external adapters so the wireless tech can keep up with the times. The wireless adapters would be reasonably priced. The controllers would have user replaceable batteries.

All games would have physical media + CD-Key DRM or optional online authentication DRM with a 1 week offline mode.
Click to expand...

So...you would make it worse?
 
cmdrdredd said:
Taller for better airflow, using CD keys like you do on PC is what I got out of that.
Click to expand...

The PS4 is cooler and quieter than the PS3 and they both work just fine in a standard entertainment center so this is a whole lot of work for no gain.

DRM just makes the game more difficult to install for no reason whatsoever. He's talking about reinstating the Xbox One's always online mode that they backtracked out of. Horrible idea.
 
Rakehellion said:
The PS4 is cooler and quieter than the PS3 and they both work just fine in a standard entertainment center so this is a whole lot of work for no gain.

DRM just makes the game more difficult to install for no reason whatsoever. He's talking about reinstating the Xbox One's always online mode that they backtracked out of. Horrible idea.
Click to expand...

The PS4 is louder than the XB1 though so it could have been much better in that regard.

The install is so you never need the disk. Why install if you always have to have the disk in? That's backwards to me at this point.
 
cmdrdredd said:
The PS4 is louder than the XB1 though so it could have been much better in that regard.

The install is so you never need the disk. Why install if you always have to have the disk in? That's backwards to me at this point.
Click to expand...

And the Xbox One is louder than a SNES. What's your point?

Download the game if you don't want to use discs.
 
Rakehellion said:
And the Xbox One is louder than a SNES. What's your point?

Download the game if you don't want to use discs.
Click to expand...

You must have missed the memo. A lot of people still want the disk.

The point about it being louder is the PS4's cooling system could have been designed better.

It doesn't take a genius to figure this out...I guess I expected too much.
 
Last edited:
I've only rarely heard my ps4 spin up the fans. The blu Ray drive does make some odd sound when you load a disc.

I would still want a disc drive, a processor that can handle multithreading better, unified memory, and 1tb hard drive standard. Or a hybrid drive option. The first thing I did to my ps4 is put in a 1tb 5400 rpm hd. I kept the original in case I ever need to send it back.
 
sze5003 said:
I've only rarely heard my ps4 spin up the fans. The blu Ray drive does make some odd sound when you load a disc.

I would still want a disc drive, a processor that can handle multithreading better, unified memory, and 1tb hard drive standard. Or a hybrid drive option. The first thing I did to my ps4 is put in a 1tb 5400 rpm hd. I kept the original in case I ever need to send it back.
Click to expand...

I hear it occasionally, like when I pause the system. In contrast to that I can't hear my XB1 ever unless it's reading a disk. Neither is terrible but I'd prefer a larger, slower fan.
 
Wingznut said:
Where did the horse's mouth say this? Happen to have any evidence?
Click to expand...

Um...wow, were you living under a rock? Their spokespeople did nothing but say all the wrong things, including what he stated. It amazes me all the people who pretend none of this happened. WE SAW THE INTERVIEWS.
 
ImpulsE69 said:
Um...wow, were you living under a rock? Their spokespeople did nothing but say all the wrong things, including what he stated. It amazes me all the people who pretend none of this happened. WE SAW THE INTERVIEWS.
Click to expand...
Oh, I don't disagree with their absolutely horrible introduction/marketing/whatever. That will probably go down in history as one of the worst product introduction periods ever.

But they never said they had "gaming as a second priority." And claiming it came "straight from the horses mouth" is disingenuous at the least.
 
It's clear that the emphasis was on power saving and low cost.

My design is still low cost but a little less emphasis on power saving because I think a lot of people would prefer a more powerful console and would gladly take the extra 30-50 watt hit you might get from moving from an 8 core tablet cpu to a 4-core desktop cpu. Cost is about the same.
 
futurefields said:
It's clear that the emphasis was on power saving and low cost.

My design is still low cost but a little less emphasis on power saving because I think a lot of people would prefer a more powerful console and would gladly take the extra 30-50 watt hit you might get from moving from an 8 core tablet cpu to a 4-core desktop cpu. Cost is about the same.
Click to expand...

Do you like the red ring of death? Cos thats how you get a red ring of death.
 
Sony managed to build a hotter console than the 360 that didn't break (for a few years at least and even then YLoD was nowhere near as big as RRoD).
 
lamedude said:
Sony managed to build a hotter console than the 360 that didn't break (for a few years at least and even then YLoD was nowhere near as big as RRoD).
Click to expand...

Exactly. And the Xbox One got a huge oversized cooler. MS simply went cheap on the cooler with the 360.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top