Note: This article is not speaking about today — it’s speaking about the next years (day of writing: 24th Dec 2018) in which mobile technology will go even deeper to capture users’ attention from new angles, not simply a screen in front of their eyes.

Experiences acquire depth as they either engage more senses (which are limited) or immerse the user even more into where they’ve got their attention already. In other words, either build from another angle or build on top.

Today’s micro analysis is about the PlayStation. Maybe the Xbox or some other consoles have got it as well but I happen to have Sony’s product so I’ll talk about that.

This is how the Playstation 3’s controller looks like:

This is how the Playstation 4’s controller looks like:

Notice how above the newer generation’s remote “P” logo, there are small pores meant to play audio feedback. That’s how the newer generation started adding one small extra dimension to the way their product interacts with the user. And please notice the word choice – it’s not only a matter of users interacting with a product anymore. It’s also the other way around.

What that means in practical terms is that the developers of games have had now for the last years the possibility of scaring the newcomers of these consoles with sound coming from another direction outside the TV/screen on which the media is running. It means if it’s your first time on a PS4, you’d expect sound to come out only from the directions you’re used to (one generally, more directions if you have a surround system) but something out of your hands plays feedback from time to time.

It’s not a lot but it’s a step forward towards deepening the experience. One won’t be able to not enjoy the game experience if this is not working properly but it does enhance it — the small details that matter.

What matters is this: people love a tiny addition to the controller.

What does it mean for a SaaS company?

It’s true that, as of today, smartphone interaction doesn’t go as deep as a console, where you can deploy more senses in a deeper manner. This will change in the next years as the future tech becomes more generally available.

What does it mean today? It could mean that the way your office is being arranged matters. And not simply following the classic cliché tech company layout with bullshit like “it’s open space because this and that and moreover X is facilitated”. I mean actually structuring what’s something we want to achieve with the way our office looks like, what feelings we want to evoke and to whom.

Our visitors — who are they going to be? Psychographics like university and income are cool but what do they fear? What do they read? What makes them say “wow” and what makes them wince? And here’s another perspective: who do we want to keep away from our office? Do these people drink tea, smart water or a glass of whiskey? And on and on.

How many dimensions do you add to something like this? Consoles could have been mundane just like a normal office can stay — but that doesn’t mean one should miss the opportunity. 

Another thing it could mean is the physical way someone is guided through exploring the office. And more importantly: how many stray away from that and why. What gets their attention other than the way we have paved for them specifically? Think Ikea’s maps, alluding to yesterday’s article

And hey, don’t get me wrong — if you think all this is bullshit and that’s not what matters, it’s fine. It’s not for everyone to want to have an office that facilitates something. There are many problems to be solved before one should care about this. But once thriving is checked, these things matters as they make the difference between “just another company” and “the company. Could make the difference between a million dollar valuation and a billion dollar valuation.

Now please change the word “office” with “website”, “app”, “demo”, “keynote” and you will have got the point of what I’m saying 😉

About Ch Daniel

I run chagency, an experiences design agency that specialises on helping tech CEOs reduce user churn. We believe experiences are not only the reason why users choose not to leave but also what generates word of mouth. We’re building a credo around this belief.

I’ve also created an infinitely-valuable app for sneaker/fashion enthusiasts called Legit Check that impacted hundreds of thousands over millions of times – check it out at chdaniel.com/app

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