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McDonaldsGuy on 25 February 2015
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If you were in charge of the PS4 in 2008, what would you have done? Did this for the Wii U and it was fun so now doing it for the PS4 = D. Mine is pretty detailed (been working on it for a week) but give us some of your ideas!

Backward compatibility

There would be three options I'd try for BC:

  • Hardware. The Cell processor cost around $37 in 2009, so now it's probably not even half that. With an external PSU and a better cooling system it could work well. The x86 architecture is fast enough to handle the subsystems necessary to emulate the PS3 properly, due to having 512MB of the memory it needs.
  • Software emulation. This one is a little more difficult because of the complex PS3 system, but if possible something similar to the Xbox 360's BC. Come out with the top PS3 games and then hopefully get 2/3rds of the PS3 games BC with the PS4 by 2015.

    PS1 and PS2 games would be BC via emulation.
  • Add-on module. If emulation is not possible, then there would be an add-on module similar to the Genesis' Power Based Converter an embedded Cell/RSX graphics chip that would connect to the back of the PS4 via an external PCI bus adapter so it can have access to the PS4's I/O and AV-Out subsystems.  It would either attach to the back (like the Kinect) or be snapped on the top like the ugly Nyko hard drive bay, except smaller and more pleasant looking. It would cost around $70. It would be a great solution because people who really want PS3 BC would get it.

    Downloaded PS3 games would be BC if you have PlayStation Plus.
Hardware
PS4 hardware is great as it is, but there would be a few adjustments:
  • External PSU for better cooling
  • CPU/GPU clock speeds upped to 2GHz/1GHz respectively
  • 2GB extra RAM for the OS
  • SATA 6 Interface for the HDD for higher transfer speeds
  • 500GB 7,200 RPM hard drive standard
  • Improved analog sticks, triggers, more reachable Share/Option buttons, and more ergonomical
Also a strong focus on VR and making it into the next Wii or at least Kinect in terms of popularity.
PlayStation Network
Free version features:
  • Basic online matchmaking via P2P
  • Access to PlayStation Store and Apps
  • Up to 100 friends
  • Limited text messaging
  • Intrusive ads (for example ad notifications while playing online)
Plus version features:
  • SmartMatch matchamking via dedicated servers. Superior matchmaking, plus (optional) ability to play opponents based on locality, language, reputation, age, etc. etc.
  • Ability to change username once for free ($5 after)
  • Up to 12 accounts
  • Unlimited friends, ability to categorize them and receive notifications
  • Unlimited text messaging or voice messaging, as well as party chat
  • Instant game collection (but better games!), early released demos and discounts
  • Family share plan
  • 10GB cloud storage
  • Significantly faster downloads
  • Ability to appear offline and have specific notifications
  • Ad free
PlayStation Home would be retooled as a social network integral to PSN. Trophies (better synchronized) would be displayed, and you could put the ones you are most proud of in front. Also a full profile with your favorite movies/games/music, a wish list, people could comment on your profile, rate you, you can put your in-game screen shots and videos on the profile, and it will have Facebook/Twitter/YouTube integration.
First/second party software
2013 launch titles: Killzone: Shadow Fall, Knack, Driveclub (get this out ASAP), Infamous: Second Son (same)
2014 games:
  • The Last of Us - make it PS4 exclusive. Naughty Dog always starts off with a new IP each generation and The Last of Us would be a perfect exclusive for the PS4's first year. PS2 had so many killer apps in 2001 - Gran Turismo 3, Final Fantasy X, Metal Gear Solid 2, Grand Theft Auto III, etc. etc. so the PS4 could also start off strong with The Last of Us
  • Gran Turismo 6 - as well as this game. I didn't even know it came out. Had no hype on the PS3 at all and the sales are showing this.
  • The Order: 1886 - support Ready at Dawn more to get it out by Q4 2014. Also make sure this game is like twice-three times as longer, and has extra modes (like The Mercenaries from Resident Evil 4, and online multiplayer)
  • Titanfall - Get this before EA gets it. Microsoft regrets not publishing this game, and the reason it's so barebones is because EA was going to cancel it before Microsoft bought exclusive rights to it. If I could get this game I'd let Respawn add a single player campaign and a few more modes and release it as a tentpole holiday game. Sony needs a killer app first person shooter franchise and this would be perfect
  • New IP from Sony London - Eight Days looked interesting.  Something similar to that but with next gen destructibility and action sequences
  • Sunset Overdrive - Let Insomniac keep the IP and publish the game but promote it more
  • LittleBigPlanet 3 - just market it more
  • Singstar type game - something for the non-gamers, perhaps a Singstar type game with dancing elements
  • Fitness game - once again for non-gamers
2015 games:
  • Horizon - Guerilla Games new IP. PS4 needs WRPGs badly and this would fit the bill. WRPGs are even bigger than JRPGs these days
  • Bloodborne - Oh yeah!
  • Jak and Daxter 4 - developed by Sanzaru Games
  • Ratchet and Clank: PS4 - not a remake/remaster but a full fledged sequel
  • Uncharted 4 - biggest release for Sony in 2015
  • Sony Santa Monica new IP
  • Social game like Fantasy Life/Animal Crossing/Tomadachi Life
  • The Last Guardian - getting this out would be a priority!
Third party games
  • Final Fantasy XV - was actually offered to be an exclusive for the PS4. I'd get it exclusive and help co-develop it (like rumors said) to get it out by 2015
  • Metal Gear Solid V - keep this franchise exclusive to the PlayStation brand, or at least timed exclusive for a year
  • Street Fighter V
  • Kingdom Hearts III - moneyhat again
  • A WRPG from Obsidian/Bethesda/Bioware-EA
  • Level 5 game
Operating system/features
  • Folders and tags to tag games
  • USB headphone support
  • Multimedia (DLNA, MP3, CD, etc. etc.) support
  • More apps
  • Optimized OS and better organized
  • PlayStation Vue a first year feature and marketed heavily
  • Suspend/Resume day one feature
  • Custom themes