I've been paying close attention to those rumors due to the fact that I'm still "sans PS3," as my French friends say. (OK, so I only have one French friend, and he never says "sans PS3." Or at least I don't remember him ever saying that particular phrase.)
So, how did I react after seeing the photos below, which spread across the Internet like a swarm of Smorgs yesterday (starting with this blog post) and which show what appears to be the aforementioned redesign in the flesh, so to speak?
Honestly, my first thought was: Damn, that thing is ugly. And then I thought: Wait, that's not really the new PS3, is it? Please don't let that be the new PS3.
Now that I've had a few hours to digest this shocking bit of news, do I feel any differently? Not really. Before anyone rakes me over the coals, though, I'd like to say that I realize these photos are rather terrible (to put it lightly) and that the final product probably will look at least a smidge better than the one depicted above.
Also, I'd like to say that all will be forgiven by moi (yep, another French reference) should this third PS3 system hit store shelves in my neck of the woods for less than $200 (which is what it'll take for me to jump back aboard the PlayStation train).
How about all of you? What do you think of this redesign--should it be shown to be the real deal, of course? Are you delighted? Disgusted? Disinterested? Some other word beginning with "d"?
20 comments:
Well, it's not like the old toaster design's much better. I think they're terrified of doing anything flat, because that might remind people of how much better the PS2 was.
When I first saw the PS3 I thought it was a big toaster thing and joked about how it can cook toasted sandwiches and/or grill meat!
This supposed new look just looks like a thinner variation of that.
Sony certainly does not make "pretty" consoles - TV or portable.
It certainly looks like a Foreman.
Ha! I like the way you think, warp -- esp. that comment about Sony being scared of reminding people about the PS2 :)
Igor: Yeah, I've heard other people refer to the original PS3 design as looking like a grill or toaster, too. Maybe Sony should start making kitchen equipment rather than game consoles?
I don't completely agree with your comment about Sony not making pretty consoles, by the way. I think the PSP is pretty attractive, for starters. Also, I loooooove the PSone design. Granted, that was from years ago, but still...
Justin: Maybe that's how they're going to try to earn the attention of the masses this time around? "Hey, everyone, it looks like that George Foreman Grill we bought a few years ago!" :P
It's not original Xbox ugly, but it's getting there. I hope I never have to own one at any rate!
Ha! "Original Xbox ugly." I have to agree with that one, Kimimi :)
Do own a PS3, by the way? I can't remember. If so, which one do you own?
I own a Japanese 60GB PS£ Bryan, although for me it's really just a giant PS2 with a HDMI port :)
Ah, one of the original releases, eh? With full backwards compatibility? If so, consider me jealous :)
Yeah that's the one! It's very handy, but I wouldn't call it pretty :)
Well, I think it's prettier than this revision, at the very least! Nothing beats the adorable PSone in my mind, though :)
Sweet merciful heavens that thing is HIDEOUS! I haven't gotten a PS3 yet but if that turns out to be the next model and the standard PS3 unit, I'll have a hard time looking at myself in the mirror every morning.
That's funny, as soon as I saw the pictures I thought UGLY, and then you wrote the same thing!
I have to agree though, if it's 200 bucks, I might hop aboard, if only for a nice DVD/BluRay player, too. :)
I'm going to guess it's the real deal, Reggie. I wish it weren't, but what can you do? Also, I guess you could always pick up one of the current 'Slim' systems if you really hate this one, esp. since I'm guessing they'll see a price drop after this one is announced/released? Me, I'll go with whichever one is cheapest :P
Adam: Yeah, price is king, IMO. I mean, it's not like I'm going to sit and stare at the thing after I get it. I just want it to play games and movies! Still, I wouldn't mind if it were just a bit more attractive. Oh, well...
I can't do it. I'd like to replace our old PS3, which will now be two generations too large, but the damn things never get any more attractive.
As a creative professional with a lot of design work on his desk at any given time, I'm forced to imagine what the "proofing process" for this might have been. I imagine an angry email chain, thousands of entries long, between way too many people, all weighing in, until the final result is this heinous warmed-over version of the two prior designs. It makes me genuinely wonde what the professed goals of that team were. What were their leaders demanding? Who fought back? Did anyone listen?
Nothing was good about the first PS3 design, and it was huge. There have now been two opportunities for this situation to correct, and the results are just shrunken, melted versions of the original travesty.
The PS2 hardware was so attractive when it launched, and every later version stayed hot.
The PS3 seems hell-bent on staying ugly.
Hey there, Curtis! I missed you around these parts. Where have you been? Are you even still in Seattle??
Anyway, I agree with every single word you said here. You really have to wonder how a company like Sony could take the time to redesign such a system not only once but twice and still end up with what looks to be a big, ugly mess.
It's not like they haven't come up with attractive consoles in the past, right? Like you said, both versions of the PS2 looked great (especially the second one), and the PSone still brings me to tears (OK, not really) due to its adorableness.
Given that, what the hell has happened here? I have no idea. Maybe Sony just doesn't give a shit anymore. Of course, you'd think if that really were the case they'd just have put out the first PS3 and called it a day...
Isn't it a possibility that this design was done with intention of launching in emerging markets i.e. China?
My friend in China often tells me of very rampant piracy is there, and you can imagine Sony would keen on correcting that, and redeeming themselves for the reported mess that was their attempt at launching the PS2 there. Sony announced their intentions to launch the PS3 there early last year, but has been relatively quiet since.
Actually, is there even a disc slot on that thing? I can't see for the life of me.
Interesting thought, Jyr! As for how likely it is or isn't: I couldn't tell you. Regardless, it wouldn't surprise me at all to hear that Sony's working on yet another redesign of this system, as you know they're keen to get out a cheaper version (and by cheaper I mean one that costs less to make *and* is sold to consumers for less money than the current model) ASAP so they can improve their bottom line between now and whenever the PS4 is released.
There is a disc slot on this thing, BTW. Actually, it's not a slot. It's a top loader, apparently, with most folks thinking that the square panel on the right side of the system will slide to the left, revealing the disc drive. I'm really hoping that's not true, as such a design seems guaranteed to break over time. I guess we'll see!
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