PS4 Features: PlayStation 4 Looked Totally Different in Development Stages

By Justin Sarachik, Christian Post Reporter Friday, October 11, 2013

A PlayStation executive revealed that the PS4 initially had a totally different design than the one that is coming out in November.

Tetsu Sumii, PS4's chief designer, made this revelation on the PlayStation blog.

"When we started the product design for PS4, we didn't start by thinking about what the shape would be," Sumii said. "It was more about how we were going to create a new brand identity through the product."

He did not elaborate further on the old design, but did state he felt the Playstation brand needed a bit of a revamping.

"I think the PlayStation brand image needs to be changed a little bit, as it's a new console, and we have to show what we're pointing towards for the future," he continued. "So I thought it should be one of the most smart, cool, and intelligent products from Sony. Not just from Sony Computer Entertainment, but the company as a whole."

Sumii really focused on simplicity and making the design of the console look good from every angle, according to IGN.

"I just wanted to make a simple object for the living room. Sometimes products are a little too exaggerated. It should be simple. That's my thinking ... I think about the horizontal, not just the vertical. I think about the 360 degree view. The reverse should be beautiful, too," he said on the blog.

The PS4 is set to launch on Nov. 15, and pre-sales are already well over one million units.

Sony is reporting that due to careful planning they will have plenty of PS4s to go around come launch day and should not face any shortages.

Fox Business reports that President and CEO of SCEA (Sony) said the PS4's yield numbers are "phenomenal."

One of the key factors is delaying the console's launch in Japan, giving all of the extra systems to American and European audiences. Sony is even confident enough that they believe users will be able to pick one up around launch date regardless of over a million pre-orders.

Sony is turning their main focus to their biggest sales market for the holiday season, Japan, according to Bloomberg News. The console will be released on Feb. 22, compared to the November release dates for North America and Europe.

In 2006, the PS3 fell behind a bit after suffering parts shortages. The plan to only reach 32 markets before year's end increases their chances of keeping them running smoothly.

"We had a tough experience of supply not meeting demand at an early stage of introduction for PS2 and PS3," Sony executive Andrew House said. "This time, we want to avoid that happening again. We want to launch it when we can meet the volume."

The console will cost $399.