The battle for next generation console supremacy won’t be decided this holiday season alone.
Sony’s PS4 got off to a rapid start by selling over a million units its release day. PlayStation Vita will be fully compatible offering cross-platform gameplay, something that Microsoft cannot. For $399, one hundred dollars cheaper than Xbox One, PS4 has the superior hardware and offers users free use of system applications. The biggest downfall of the system is its lackluster lineup of exclusive launch titles. Additions to the Killzone and Infamous series should help but “Knack” is hardly a system seller. Improvements to the Duelshock controller help alleviate some complaints of the previous gen. The shape and feel of this version is as nifty as it is ergonomically pleasing.
The company has a running start on motion capturing games as they continue development of their widely popular Kinect. Microsoft wisely invested in America’s new pastime by acquiring exclusive rights to an NFL app. Hopefully, fans won’t have to deal with anything like the “red ring of death” that plagued the Xbox 360’s launch. The company opted to not beat Sony out of the gate and will likely avoid the same careless mistake. Xbox One does deliver a notable list of exclusive titles. “Dead Rising 3,” “Ryse: Son of Rome,” “Forza Motorsport 5” and another installment of its real breadwinning series Halo will give Microsoft a punching chance at outselling the competition.
One of the biggest factors that gamers must consider is what their friends plan on buying. Although you may be a loyalist, being stubborn and being the only one in your group to get the other system may leave you playing the computer. Aside from that, both systems have impressive hardware and will push the envelope.
Ultimately, with a smaller price tag and more user friendly policies, the PS4 seems to be the better option for gamers wanting to play the future now. Sony has kept its promises of seven year system lifespans and hasn’t forced petty taxes on its users to play, unlike the competition.
Microsoft may have shot itself in the foot with used game and gameplay restrictions. Voice control seems to be the main selling point for the Xbox One and it is hard to see this being enough to validate an extra hundred dollars and a number of extra fees. We will see Nov. 22 when it launches, but for now PS4 seems to have positioned itself well to win next generation console supremacy.