Since the original hardware reveal, many users have spoken out about the odd design choices Sony has made with the PlayStation 5. Concerns about the look of the PS5 jumped back into the spotlight recently when a video detailing the internal layout of the PS5 was released by Sony. In the video, Sony tears down the PS5 completely, showing just how easy it should be for gamers to upgrade the internal components. “Sony’s decision to make the Playstation 5 more upgradeable and customizable this generation could be a real game-changer” said award-winning author and gamer Alex Beene in an email interview. “The idea of having easily expandable memory options and side panels that can be switched out for custom options seems so much better than the array of special edition consoles we’ve grown used to seeing each console cycle.”
A Thought Out Design
Masayasu Ito, the EVP of Hardware Engineering and Operation at Sony Interactive Entertainment wrote in a blog post about the development team’s commitment to the PS5’s look and customization. “Our team values a well thought out, beautifully designed architecture,” Masayasu Ito wrote in the blog post. “Inside the console is an internal structure looking neat and tidy, which means that there aren’t any unnecessary components and the design is efficient. As a result, we’re able to achieve our goal of creating a product with a high degree of perfection and quality.” Commitment to the design doesn’t change the fact that many users have been completely aghast by the way the PS5 looks. When the console was first revealed, some Twitter users took to making memes about the exterior design, even going so far as to mock the PS5as looking more like generic tech items like routers and hard drives.
This Thing is Huge
When asked about the console’s size, Beene replied, “I’m completely floored by just how big the Playstation 5 physically is. The space-age aesthetic is gorgeous and makes it feel like the console of the future, but Sony releasing a device this massive in 2020 when the emphasis for years has been on making tech slimmer and sleeker seems incredibly strange.” Beene isn’t wrong about the size of the console, either. Back in early September, Jim Ryan, President & CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment revealed the exact specifications of the PS5 in a post on the PlayStation Blog. At approximately 390mm x 104mm x 260mm, the PS5 is bigger than any other console, present or upcoming.
Not All Looks
Concerns about the look of the PS5 pale in comparison to the excitement surrounding the upcoming console. With console exclusive titles like Horizon Forbidden West, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and even a sequel to 2018’s God of War, PlayStation fans have plenty to look forward to. In fact, Beene believes that it’s about the games, not the console. “At the end of the day, as big and strange as parts of the console look, I think it’s the software that matters most,” he said. “Games like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and God of War 2 offset any quibbles I have with the PS5’s design. My preorder is locked in.” As with previous generations, it looks like the success of Sony’s console could come down to what kind of games and unique experiences the company has to offer.
Coming Out on Top
Despite the various reactions to the PS5, there is still quite a bit of excitement surrounding Sony’s upcoming console. Preorders sold out instantly following a surprise announcement, and users have spent the past several weeks trying to snatch up any extra units that go on sale. Beene isn’t the only one excited, either. Many Twitter users have also shared tweets praising the console’s look and the performance that Sony is promising. When all is said and done, the weight of the PS5’s design and look all comes down to how you feel about Sony’s next-gen console fitting in your entertainment center, for many gamers like Alex, the software is the most important part of the experience.
