Tuesday 28 May 2013

Small Speaker | What Playstation 4's Dualshock 4 brings to the table

Image courtesy of Vamers.net



Being an audio guy, the most noticeable feature of the Playstation 4's Dualshock 4 controller is the small speaker implemented into the front of the handset. I'm intrigued yet apprehensive as from my experience with small speakers it doesn't bode well for this one. I can only hope for good things to come from it.

If you have ever had a go on the Nintendo Wii then the speaker implemented within the Wii remote is probably what springs to mind as you gaze between the PS button and new multi-gesture touchpad at the home of the Dualshock 4's speaker. Upon first impressions I really want the speaker to work for Sony but dread that the results are going to be tinny and a mere novelty.

Scott Rohde, SVP, Product development featured in Sony's video as they unveiled more features of the Dualshock 4. His speaks on the controller having a speaker; "That adds a lot of dynamic sound when you are in a shooter for example and you've got bullets whizzing by you"and also that "more personal and intimate elements will come out of the controller"
I can see clearly why they have implemented a speaker into the Dualshock 4, the next generation is bringing the experience out of the box (TV) incorporating other elements into next generation gaming.

If we move away from the hardcore gaming such as the First Person Shooters, Third Person Shooters and Action-Adventure titles and toward more arcade/indie games for more casual gamers and younger audience's perhaps the integration of the speaker will work nicely. Some gentle touches say from collecting a specific item in a platformer to alerting the player when it is their turn (much as the Wii remote does) may be what the main intention of the speaker is for. Catering for a wider audience than that of the 18-34 male demographic.

As we look ahead to E3 in June I am curious as to the implementation of this mystery speaker within the gaming experience. If the response isn't that of a corded telephone it should be a promising feature for Sony.


Thanks for reading,

Rob Tyler
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