10. Cloud Gaming

Sony’s purchase of Gaikai more or less confirms that we’ll be seeing cloud computing services, such as games streaming directly off the internet, for the console. The question then is when. As it stands, the PS4 looks like the best time to introduce the technology.

With its rumoured specs detailing the console’s emphasis on lower power consumption and heat production, it can form the basis for a strong, always-on internet gaming machine. Things would be even better if Sony released a handful of classics for the Playstation Network that were free (or at least, certain portions of which are) for players to try out via Gaikai. With that in mind, we also come to the next point…

Likelihood: High

9. Improved and Inbuilt Motion Controller With More Functionality

Let’s be honest: While the Playstation Move and Eye combination might have been more accurate than the Kinect when it came to tracking basic movement, it ended up having far less functionality. We want to see Sony combine these two technologies into one killer technology – because who wants to spend more on accessories? – Besides opening up its technology to the public sphere.

With Kinect constantly being improvised for different functions, thus increasing awareness and word of mouth about it, there’s absolutely no reason Sony shouldn’t be able to do the same. Also: We’d love to be able to play FPS shooters without a complicated device like the Killzone 3 gun or rail-shooter controller schemes. Props to Sony if they build said device into the console itself.

Likelihood: High

8. Fix Playstation Certified for Mobiles

Xbox SmartGlass may or may not be doing gangbusters in app downloads but it’s confirmed that connected devices are the future. Users should be able to successfully access Playstation Certified games on their smartphones and tablets, and also form a gateway for successfully syncing up to the progress on their consoles.

If Gaikai is introduced with PS4, there’s no excuse for not being to do this – look at what Apple has done with Mountain Lion OS X and iCloud. If Sony can expand this to include media management, also incorporating SmartGlass’s functionality, it will certainly help it grow out of its niche as a glorified Blu-ray player/hardcore gaming machine and gain more mainstream media attention.

Likelihood: Average

Next Gen consoles will most likely feature some sort of anti-used games tech or always on internet connection DRM, according to the latest rumours we have received from unnamed sources. The future is not looking pretty for good for gamers. PlayStation 4 is rumoured to have AMD CPU and GPU and is looking to be a true leap over the PS3 specs wise. However, we don’t want Sony to implement these features that could pose a big threat to the system when it comes to gaining a big audience and potentially reduce their market. Sony is very well capable of implementing them because they are, well, Sony.

We don’t want to see these things in the PS4 and hopefully most gamers as well.

Anti-used games:

There is absolutely no need for Sony to go with this, absolutely no reason. It will reduce their market penetration worldwide and also ensure that their competitors get an advantage over their console as it is a good selling point. Gamestop may even stop carrying their next gen console and Sony doesn’t want to miss out on 3000 stores in the US, does it? Selling games is a basic right of every consumer and no company should take it away from them.

Slower Blu Ray Drive

Blu-Ray was undoubtedly the redeeming thing about the PS3, and while it was great for movies and for carry massive games, the slower read speed was a huge negative point, which Sony should be aiming to fix in their next-gen console. It’s a widely reported fact that the BD in the PS3 is slower than the DVD in the 360, but that’s not really a fault of the BD tech, it is capable of much higher speeds.

Xross Media Bar

Vita’s OS, while perfect for touch based devices, is very poorly designed when it comes to the general visuals, and while XMB is superior in this aspect, it’s also quite archaic and Sony needs to change this with the PS4. Something based on the Metro UI for the Xbox 360 sounds amazing, or they can also modify the Vita OS a little bit for the PS4 so that there will be a good consistency between the two devices.

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