Not all fans fell in love with the PS5's design when it launched last year, but in the time since, companies like dbrand have provided alternate faceplates for the console. After receiving a cease and desist from Sony for its faceplates, dbrand has released a new model that seeks to improve the PS5's design.
As far as customization options go for the PS5, Sony has not provided buyers with many official alternatives. While the company has released new DualSense controller colors, and even a new color for the PS5 Pulse 3D headset, there have been no other colors or faceplates made available by Sony since the console's launch. In this void, companies like dbrand and CMP Shells have provided PS5 owners with alternative faceplates, allowing them to change the color of the console. However, as the PS5's design is owned by Sony, and these external companies are not partnered with Sony, it was only a matter of time before legal action would be taken against them.
After dbrand discontinued its original PS5 faceplates at the request of Sony, dbrand has returned with a new version: Darkplates 2.0. In another long Reddit post, dbrand formally unveiled its newest PS5 faceplate product, an evolution of the original Darkplates that is a wholly original design. Unlike the first version Darkplates that were more or less identical components to the one's already found on the PS5 but with different polygonal symbols on the inside, Darkplates 2.0 have their own unique look, curving with the round center strip of the console, and including circular vent ports to increase console air flow on both sides. "By creating a brand new design, Darkplates 2.0 successfully closes the loop on this dispute and neutralizes any future infringement claims from Sony," Dbrand writes.
Continuing with the bold and flippant marketing as was seen with the original Darkplates and the company's response to the cease and desist, dbrand is unafraid to be cynical and direct with its language. Adding vents doesn't just distinguish dbrand's design from Sony's, but it should also improve the console's ventilation and temperature, dbrand stating of the base PS5's faceplates, "It doesn’t take an Airflow Scientist to tell us that covering intake fans with a plastic side panel is a wildly inefficient thermal design." Darkplates 2.0 are available for pre-order now in black, white, and a PS1-inspired retro gray for $59.
Many in the comments have mused about the timing of everything, from the announcement of Sony's cease and desist to the unveiling of the Darkplates successor—it was all coordinated very well to dbrand's credit. However, there are concerns that the Darkplates 2.0's fans will interfere with the system's already active cooling system, the base panels not featuring fans to help funnel air into the in-take vents. Either way, with a tagline of "Checkmate, lawyers," for now, dbrand's PS5 faceplates endeavors live to see another day.
Source: Reddit/dbrand