Are you ready for the next generation of game consoles? That is the question of the season here as we're less than two months away from the release of the PS4 and Xbox One. The PlayStation 4 in particular is of note because if you've followed the media coverage over the last 10 months - this launch is posed to go off like fireworks. Sony is projecting sales of 5 million units before the end of 2013 (I'm assuming FY13), which is faster than either Sony or Microsoft's previous launch numbers from the preceding console generation. They've had great media treatment but more importantly they've enamored the hardcore gamers.
Pretty straightforward.
In recent months, and more visibly in the past few weeks - allegations have come out claiming hardware superiority in favor of Sony's PlayStation 4 versus Microsoft's Xbox One. Citing unnamed developers - several sites have reported that the PlayStation 4 is faster by "up to 50%"over the Xbox One. Regardless if this is true or not - the prevailing narrative is that, in some way, Sony's hardware is better than Microsoft's alternative. Response to the Xbox One's bundled Kinect camera has been tepid and these persistent remarks of inferior hardware (however slight), have exacerbated the price differences between the two. Oh you didn't catch that? The Xbox One will be $100 more expensive at retail. The price difference has perhaps caused some, to scrutinize more deeply what each platform has to offer. In particular this has led many to take a harder look at Microsoft's recent DRM debacle and subsequent reversal as well as what it really is they're offering. Both consoles will require their own form of a subscription service to play games online and to extrapolate what those experiences will be, let's look at the current hardware and services to perhaps give us a preview of what's to come.
A glimpse into the future?
Few things have changed structurally for the next generation. The Xbox One offering is nearly identical to its predecessor's - nearly everything is behind a paywall. Similarly, the PlayStation 4 offering is identical to the PlayStation 3 albeit online play is behind a paywall. They now both offer the same services (subscription-based online play, access to third-party apps, game DVR), yet Microsoft's are behind a paywall and beyond online play - Sony's are not. (Sony also consistently offers critically well-received games monthly, for free as part of their service.) Doesn't this seem like starkly contrasting approaches? And would anyone be looking as closely if they were more similarly priced?
As it stands, the PlayStation 4 is a supreme value at $399, with a lower cost of ownership and an overabundance of perks. Personally, I will inevitably own both (how could I not?), but at least at launch and until Microsoft reduces their cost of ownership and retail price - I will be thoroughly enjoying the PlayStation 4.
What will you be getting at launch? Post in the comments below or on twitter @techandjunk
