This PS4 concept render is far from the real thing

Playstation launched a teaser video earlier this week that showed off the new designs of its upcoming PS4. Quick shots of the console were glimpsed in a 40-second video that left most of us more confused than confident. It took the design work of artist Andy Gilleand to breathe new life into our dying dreams.

The front of the concept PS4

A rear shot. Note the placement of the hardware copyright logos

Except that it looks like a homely version of the Xbox One. Cnet.com dug around and found Gilleand’s concept shots that combines parts of the teaser video into a 3D render of the PS4. We’re being a little mean perhaps, but this is in no way an indication of how the PS4 will look. These shots have been cobbled together to produce something that is technically accurate, but stylistically incorrect.

Keeping cool

The most puzzling addition to the PS4 is the ventilation ring that is briefly glimpsed in the teaser video. We say “ventilation ring,” but it could be for anything. It could even be a design on the bottom of the PS4 that we never see. But Gilleand’s design puts the ventilation fan front and center, and directly across from the blu-ray drive. Gilleand’s says that the ventilation fan may not even be part of the final design of the PS4, and that it could just be an accessory. Perhaps a USB 3.0 coffee warmer?

Gilleand also creates a three-toned effect with the PS4, as the top of the machine gradients from dark grey to almost white. It’s an interesting idea, but if Sony was going to do this with the PS4, it wouldn’t be such a stark gradient, but one that smoothly transitions from dark to light.

Those metallic squares seem to be in the correct position though. We guessed that these were the actual ventilation ports, and Gilleand lines them up at the front, next to four USB 3.0 slots. His rear angle design, though, places the disc and licensing info on the side. Example: the “Dolby Certified” and “Blu Ray” logos that are on the front of the PS3. Sony has a history of keeping these logos on the front, so that’s one idea Gilleand will have to scrap in his next mock-up. To see how the PS4 will really look, tune into our E3 coverage when the world’s largest gaming event starts up 11 June.