It’s not the hardware underneath, or the line-up of games that allow for love at first sight when deciding which console to buy. Much like real life, looks really do matter, and fortunately for the Playstation 4, it’s got a sexy shell housing all those electronics inside of it. A design which the original Xbox designers recently critiqued.
Speaking to Fast Company via Kotaku, John Mabry and Roger Jackson gave a quick design review of the angled console and its improved controller. The duo happen to be from Teague, the company that helped design the look of the first Xbox console. Here’s what they had to say:
Overall, the new controller feels solid, not light and toy-like like the previous generation. While the footprint doesn’t deviate far from the original, a subtle increase in scale makes the redesign feel just right. A unique texture on the bottom improves grip and gives the controller a high-end feel.
Next in line—the slanted, angular body. On its own we liked the effect—it adds visual interest and energy to the form—but is that really the best choice for a box that will likely live side-by-side with the rectangular boxes that fill most of our living rooms? Probably not. On a functional note, we found the angle makes installation unnecessarily difficult as it obscures visibility for cable connection in the back.
Fair points, and ones that will most likely resonate with professional designers. I’ve been digging the design of both next-gen consoles so far, and as long as they come in black, so that they match my Blaupunkt tape deck and my Beta-Max player, I’m happy.
Last Updated: November 20, 2013
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 20, 2013 at 08:10
The second point seems a touch petty to me.
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2013 at 08:21
They’re sour because they wished they thought of it.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 20, 2013 at 08:22
I don’t know, they sound quite proud that their rectangle fits in with the other rectangles. Millions of dollars went into that innovation.
John's (JJ's) Annihilation
November 20, 2013 at 08:25
I’ve seen a rectangular design for something before…where was it again?…
Trolololo!
RinceandShrubbery
November 20, 2013 at 09:36
Win 🙂
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2013 at 08:28
Exactly, Darryn’s Beta-Max will fit snugly on the XBOX One.
squat251
November 22, 2013 at 22:55
About the same damn size, I was shocked at how huge the XBOX one is, reminded me of a VCR. How are you supposed to travel with that boat anchor?
Hammersteyn
November 23, 2013 at 00:50
Mob bosses can tie bricked XBOX Ones to guys feet that they want to toss in the ocean
Captain GUZ
November 20, 2013 at 08:23
One word *Wobbles
Not a serious issue as most people will stand it up.
Justin Watson
November 27, 2013 at 02:58
Most things said out of envy and jealousy are usually petty lol MS knows they fucked up again this time around, possibly worse than xb360…
John's (JJ's) Annihilation
November 20, 2013 at 08:11
Yes, yes. A rectangular box is just filled with design ideas.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 20, 2013 at 08:14
You’re forgetting that it’s two-tone.
John's (JJ's) Annihilation
November 20, 2013 at 08:14
Oh yes. Makes all the difference.
SaintsRowNigri
November 20, 2013 at 08:11
Man, any way you look at it, that is some damn fugly design right there. I honestly don’t like the designs of both the Xbone and PS4…
John's (JJ's) Annihilation
November 20, 2013 at 08:13
But do you really care what they look like? I don’t exactly sit and stare at my PS and wonder whether it fits in with my home decor. It’s a gaming platform (blu-ray player in my case) so it’s really more about function than form.
SaintsRowNigri
November 20, 2013 at 08:15
Not as much, but seeing that this article was about design critique, I felt it the appropriate place to speak my mind.
John's (JJ's) Annihilation
November 20, 2013 at 08:18
Yes, agreed. I wasn’t really aiming it at your comment, I just meant, who really cares what it looks like, so long as it does what it should, doesn’t give you a RROD or in the PS’s case a RLOD and doesn’t stare at you uncomfortably.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 20, 2013 at 08:16
It matters now though, because people are going to be staring at their new consoles… and wondering if they’re staring back. At least make the spy pretty. trollol!
John's (JJ's) Annihilation
November 20, 2013 at 08:16
Hahaha. Or staring at their consoles, wondering whether it was worth the money. Boom!
Captain GUZ
November 20, 2013 at 08:26
The name is Sony….Sony PlayStation *queue golden eye theme song
SaintsRowNigri
November 20, 2013 at 08:51
Sony Behavioural Monitoring institute. 7:30 AM.
“Sir, the Wednesday early morning report…”
“Thank you, Jenkins…. What do we have?”
Jenkins cannot help but notice the slight twang of unease in his Commanding Officer’s voice. He feels sorry for the man, for Jenkins knows, his CO has seen a lot of…wrong… in this world. He hands the file over nonetheless and waits.
The CO opens the file with trepidation.
“Shit.”
He flips a page. “Fuck!”
Flips another page. “Oh.My.Gosh!”
Flips again. Silence. “Jenkins. Come have a look at this…”
Jenkins dutifully makes his way round the desk. Upon seeing the picture, he vomits a bit into his mouth.
“Jenkins, is… is this man shoving a lobster claw up his anus?”
uliveinacave
November 20, 2013 at 17:02
you are new with trolling aren’t you, you aren’t supposed to shout trolol after attempting to troll and failing miserably by stating again “trollol!” idiot
boet
November 20, 2013 at 11:37
There is no reason why it has to be ugly. Its in your living room and design is important to alot of people. Im not an apple fan but look at their products, thats how design is done. The new consoles looks like ugly PCs. Why cant they have function AND form?
John's (JJ's) Annihilation
November 20, 2013 at 15:30
Personally I think the basic look of the PS isn’t bad. Possibly nicer than the original PS3. But I don’t even see my PS, it’s stowed away, because I care about aesthetics in my house. So yes, it’s important to some people, but I am a pc gamer after all and my pc is built into my desk.
Matewis Jubilai
November 20, 2013 at 08:16
As if X was such a creative idea… Whooo X, as in EXXXTReeeme and EExxxceptional! Ooohh look at me, tralalala I’m a sparkly fairy borg who can’t fall in love because my tears will short circuit my cortical node and I will base my box on the 24th letter of the alphabet. We get it already! Your gay!
John's (JJ's) Annihilation
November 20, 2013 at 08:19
I’m sensing you like the PS.
Matewis Jubilai
November 20, 2013 at 08:25
nah 🙂 I just can’t forgive MS for what they did to Agies. I’ll forgive them though the moment they announce mech commander 3…
John's (JJ's) Annihilation
November 20, 2013 at 08:29
Haha. Oh, fair enough. If I was in the market for a new console I seriously would not have a clue which to pick.
JustAnotherGamer
November 20, 2013 at 13:26
It’s X-TREME! Like how everything was X-TREME in the 90s. Maybe that’s why the kids at my school aren’t interested in xones, because they’re targeting an older and more nostalgic generation.
Melasco
November 20, 2013 at 08:22
The XBONE looks like a ITX PC, and you can’t even stand it upright… I’m sorry, MS has no right to comment on the PS4’s design…
@ Es, stop reading my comments and work a bit 😛
JWT-80
November 20, 2013 at 11:54
lol (jy’s een om te praat…)
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2013 at 08:27
“we found the angle makes installation unnecessarily difficult” Did they glue the PS4 to the table?
Otto "Die Hond"
November 20, 2013 at 08:29
Agreed that was just a useless comment from them, I think it looks smexy.
John's (JJ's) Annihilation
November 20, 2013 at 08:30
They’re nitpicking. Clear sign that the PS is making them nervous.
e1ace
November 20, 2013 at 08:31
What does everyone think of the USB port being on the left side of the Xbox One though?
It’s going to look silly with a USB Flash plugged in. Perhaps it’s better like that so you don’t have cables hanging out the front of your console (like an external hard drive). But when charging your controller it would help if the cable was coming out the front.
iAmWeasel
November 20, 2013 at 08:31
These guys designed the first Xbox? That thing was fugly!
Anon A Mouse
November 20, 2013 at 08:35
This just in: PS4 is actually going to make Sony a bit of money it seems.
Aaaaand: They’ve already released a new Firmware update for the PS4. Luckily not Day One, but still.
Lydon McG
November 20, 2013 at 08:38
I much prefer the PS4 design to that of the Xbox One.
MacDoodle
November 20, 2013 at 08:38
Funny thing is; whether you lay the ps4 flat or vertically and look at it head on its also rectangular
Unavengedavo(aka. MadeYouLook)
November 20, 2013 at 08:46
Both are just trying to immediate the master race 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 20, 2013 at 08:49
That’s what I thought right away.
SaintsRowNigri
November 20, 2013 at 08:52
immediate?
John's (JJ's) Annihilation
November 20, 2013 at 08:53
He means imitate immediately impossibly and impeccably
Unavengedavo(aka. MadeYouLook)
November 20, 2013 at 08:54
Ag vok… Google spell check is not the best :O I meant imitate
SaintsRowNigri
November 20, 2013 at 08:58
Master race fail? #Trolling
2da9thpwr
November 20, 2013 at 09:03
Does anyone know if I can get the new Xbox 360 mini in SA yet?
Bull Terror
November 20, 2013 at 09:06
It’s all a pissing contest now. Xone sort of screwed themselves with the launch, but you can not say which is better until both have matured by 6 months.
Maverick
November 20, 2013 at 09:09
i just looked at DionWired’s 2014 catalogue and shows the ps4 killzone bundle for R7800.
Will wait for price drop…. sigh…sniff sniff
HvR
November 20, 2013 at 09:14
LOL on their functionality comments, typical visual designer (had many fights with these types over the years).
The PS4 is actually the best design functionality wise.
Back ports are angled upwards which makes cable entry at the back easier.
The lip over the back ports provides a lot of protection for the back ports, the weak point of HDMI and USB connection is pressure at the connection point.
The backward slant at the front makes insertion of discs and USB cables easier from the front since your typical view will be from above when working with the console.
And no ports on the side.
Brady miaau
November 20, 2013 at 09:21
Bull. My BetaMax player is silver in colour. Therefore they all are.
Got your facts straight, please
bartleby451
November 20, 2013 at 15:39
As opposed to a black rectangular cuboid or block, wankers
hassan
November 24, 2013 at 10:17
Brand new Sony Ps4 original come with accessories $350usd.
ous buyer should contact us via email: faisa.hassan01@hotmail.com
Skype: hassan.inc1
Justin Watson
November 27, 2013 at 02:54
The design of the xb1is garbage, looks like a VCR, the performance of that machine is wretched, destroys discs, kinect works very shitty, the hardware is failing just like xb360, and the games are shit besides ryse which is decent, Xbox fucked up and dropped the ball once again, in everyway the ps4 is superior and this has nothing to do with being a fan boy, I own both systems or owned both within twelve hours the xb1 destroyed 2 discs would not read the others the Kinect did not respond well u have to pay for every individual feature or else its more of a brick than when it actually works and most of all IT ONLY DISPLAYS IN 720p with 60 fps? Lmfao GG MS way to shoot yourself in the foot and face at the same time! Hahahaha returned my xb1 in less than 12 hours and saw at least 6 others doing the same in the 20 mins I was there LOL!