“Let’s make a really good theme for Mirror’s Edge Catalyst!” I eagerly suggested.
“We already have too much to do…”
“I want to make one! I’ll do it on my spare time, if I must. It’ll be worth it.”
Looking at the existing Playstation 4 themes, I knew I wanted to make something more elegant. A theme that set the mood, but doesn’t intrude or get in the way of your dashboard experience. After some experiments with available transitions, I realised we already had the perfect artwork: the city in day and night, by the talented Frej Appel. The sound department got me a custom made part of the music made, and Mark Sheurwater helped me with the more technical parts like the flying 3D drones. I added some blinking lights, custom draw the PS4 Dashboard icons, and it was a wrap!
And a video of the theme in effect, found on Youtube:
The reactions to the theme was overwhelming. The theme was offered as a pre-order bonus, and here are some quotes from forums and social media when the bundle went live:
“This is actually a decent incentive to pre-order, as opposed to in-game content.”
“That theme is fantastic… I’m tempted.”
“After watching the video, this is indeed a great theme. Nice icons.”
“More clean, readable themes, Sony!”
“I’d much rather have a beautiful theme with beautiful music than some crappy costume or 5 minute mission.”
“That’s a sexy theme.”
“Damn, that theme is gorgeous.”
“yeah I am just leaving my PS4 on the home screen and letting it play. Its a great calming song and is a good indication of how awesome the soundtrack is going to be.”
“I think the music is perfect for the theme and is nice and calming while sitting on the PS4 home screen. ”
“Shit, I want that theme for the song.”
And some salty people, who I completely understand, and I regret that we didn’t anticipate how popular the theme would get, and how complicated it would be to give out the theme at a later point:
“They should at least give us the option of buying the theme separately.”
“I really love the theme but I think it’s unfair it’s only for digital pre-orders.”
“It’s unfair to forget other fans who want to buy the game the other way and instead we’re stuck with crappy basic themes.”
“Said theme should be come available for everyone after said game’s release.”
“Something that’s already lacking on the Playstation store should be made available for a price.”
“At the most it’s some crappy costume/skin or something. Who cares? Themes are way better and something PS4 users really want.”
“It wouldn’t be so bad if the current themes weren’t such a steaming pile of shite and this is the only good one to come out of it.”
In 2019, three years after release, people are still posting forums threads about the theme, asking for ways to download or purchase it.
In September, 2019, the theme was finally available again for download. This time for free! https://store.playstation.com/en-gb/product/EP0006-CUSA01499_00-MIRRORSEDGETHEME
