Should the PS4 have a new name? 86% of PS3 gamers think not
- Posted July 4th, 2012 at 04:30 EDT by PSU Staff
- 11 Comments
With Microsoft reportedly thinking up a fancy new name for its next-gen Xbox, it made us wonder: should Sony follow suit and come up with something more inventive than just plain old PlayStation 4?
After a survey conducted with PlayStation Universe readers, we discovered that PlayStation owners would actually be happier if Sony kept it simple. Our poll revealed that 86 percent of readers would prefer the name 'PlayStation 4', while only 8 percent said they would prefer something more in line with the name of Sony’s handheld, PlayStation Vita. 6 percent said they would like to Sony dump the PlayStation name altogether.
Despite the overwhelming majority of PlayStation fanatics wanting Sony to keep the basic numerical system for naming the new console, we still have a sneaky (if unconfirmed) suspicion that the next PlayStation will have a fancy name that brings it more in line with the company’s plans for making all of its devices connected in one way or another, like a huge PlayStation Universe. Hey, now there’s a good name?
There was a rumour some time ago that Sony may call the PS4 ‘Orbis.’ 'Orbis' is the latin for orbit, ring, or circle, which would tie in very nicely with the idea of connectivity. It's also worth noting that the number 4 is very unlucky according to Japanese superstition and manufacturers rarely brand their products with that number. Check out this piece of information.
"There are several unlucky numbers in Japanese. Traditionally, 4 and 9 are unlucky. Four is sometimes pronounced shi, which is also the word for death. Because of these unlucky numbers, sometimes levels or rooms with 4 or 9 in them don't exist in hospitals or hotels."
The question is: is Sony superstitious? Of course the company could get around this issue by simply ensuring that the branding of the next console doesn’t contain the actual number but instead the word ‘four.’ We've seen examples of Japanese developers avoiding this superstition with a few games, including Mario Party Four.
Personally, we really think that Sony will switch things up and move away from the numerical system in an attempt to deliver a fresh and exciting marketing message and to attract a new audience as well as the core PlayStation gamers. Until the next-gen console is officially announced though, who knows what will happen?
Email
Related Content
Comments
-
-
-
Ghost-Rhayne |
Ghost-Rhayne- 5:42am EDT - July 4th, 2012
- 3
I think that quote about Japanese numbers is from me hehe. :D For those very reasons, I highly doubt it will be called PS4, I think it will get a tag name like Vita.
-
-
HiMyNameIs
- 8:42am EDT - July 4th, 2012
- 5
Im still sticking with The Playstation because whatever is coming next is def going to be considered the system to beat.
-
-
Beasley2K
- 9:15am EDT - July 4th, 2012
- 7
Those 6% are crazy, they should without a doubt stick with the PlayStation brand name. As for the actual console name, I'm rather divided myself. PlayStation 4 seems to come naturally - after PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3, it seems wrong to change that; moving to something like PlayStation Orbis, for example, feels unnatural. However, likewise, sticking to tradition and giving the console a numerical title doesn't go along with the Vita. PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita doesn't sound right. PlayStation Vita and PlayStation Orbis, however, go together quite naturally. Additionally, I believe the PlayStation is the only console to have traditional numerical names. Nintendo's consoles were never numbered (NES, SNES, 64, Gamecube, Wii, Wii U), and Xbox avoided the obvious by not calling the 360 the 'Xbox 2'. (However, despite seeming dull, having each subsequent console numbered makes the PlayStation range somewhat unique). Furthermore, Sony have always had names for their various electronics ranges; Bravia, Vaio, Vita, etc. Orbis goes quite well with all that. Overall, I'm very undecided as to whether Sony's next console should be called PlayStation 4 or PlayStation Orbis, I'll be getting it regardless, so I guess I'll just wait and be happy with whatever Sony calls it, as long as it isn't terribly awful.
-
Petra_Kalbrain1
- 9:55am EDT - July 4th, 2012
- 8
As long as they have "Playstation" in the title of the unit, it is fine by me.
I do like the idea of them changing it up for this one and not going with the numerical 4 as a suffix. Give it a fresh new go. Besides, I've talked to my Japanese girlfriend quite a bit about this cultural obssession with the superstition surrounding the number 4. She is quite persistent in her understanding that it is a very deep rooted and serious traditional superstition that has lasted a very long time. And, because of that we are both of the strongest assumption that, given the Japanese predilection for tradition and traditional cultural values, Sony will avoid alienating their own home country consumer base by tagging their next console with something other than the number 4.
-
Don Oliveira |
Other_- 11:38am EDT - July 4th, 2012
- 9
I wouldn't mind seeing something a littler edgier, like Orbis. But I agree, PS4 sounds fine.
I say they call it 'Vita PlayStation' and just destroy consumers with confusion.
-
joeyjoejoeshababadoo
- 12:27pm EDT - July 4th, 2012
- 10
PS4 does sound great. But if it means death in japanese, then I could see those japs changing the name
-
Jeremy Brown
- 9:27am EDT - July 31st, 2012
- 11
PS4 is good im wondering how will it be different but in the name i thing it wouldnt be PS4 more like PlayStation *Something* You know the PlayStation Logo is to well known...
This will permanently ban this user and delete all associated comments. This action is irreversible, are you SURE you want to do this?!
