Let me start this off by state, I am not a Microsoft Fan. I love games and content regardless of the system. I have done so many system swap just to play exclusive titles that I have lost count. My happiest gaming day so far was when my apartment complex game room got 2 40 in LCDs with PS3 and Xbox 360 attached. After weeks of debate with my gamer/engineering friends and looking at the information put out at E3 press conferences, I think the Xbox One is logical choice for the next generation of gaming.
Always Online.
I know I will catch a lot of shit for this, but I have to give Microsoft kudos for being upfront and requiring daily check in. By
now you are all thinking, I am Microsoft employee trying to win you back, not the case. Lets take an in depth at the third party games announced so far to understand why. A great start point is Bungie’s Destiny, which would be reason enough to buy a PS4 if it was an exclusive. Back in February, Bungie announced Destiny will require an internet connect to work(source 1 2 3 ).
Destiny is “Shared World Shooter” which in my understand and based on the gameplay trailer is much like the “Living World” from Guild Wars 2. It all boils down to must be online to play. EA/Ghost Games is following Bungie with new Need For Speed: Rivals. Rivals features a new social system called AllDrive. Rivals will be playable offline, the online world of All-Drive will bring together racers in a completely organic way.
To demonstrate this concept, EA showed off two player perspectives: one driver doing a little street racing, the other a cop on a chase. These players initially started playing alone, but the end result was multiplayer. How? By making the two racing experiences literally collide into each other. During the demo, the two racers overlapped, starting a cops-and-drivers chase that brought the two players together.
The idea of All-Drive is that players are racing in one unified world, and you may crash into another gamer’s race without even realizing it. The concept is intriguing, and the potential for a seamless transition between lone wolf racing and multiplayer sounds amazing. While Rivals is playable offline, you lose a lot by doing so.
Don’t forget about the second screen technology. This is honestly where Sony out shines Microsoft. As an adult, who moves around a lot, I need an adult handheld, not a toy DS. So if I am able to continue playing my games when I am on the road, kudos to Sony. However a constant internet connection is require to do this, since the games will be stream to the Vita via the PS4 cloud Gaikia, not active at launch.
In the end, both consoles require a constant internet. The difference is X1 will stop you playing altogether, while the PS4 turns off most of the next generation features. It seems Microsoft went to its developers and ask what do you need in the next gen gaming console, while Sony plans to shifting the blame for internet connection requirement from the console to the developers. Daily check, no check, either way you will need internet to get the most out of your game.
Games and DRM
As far as games are concerned, I can sit here for days making an argument for either system. Both companies have announce a outstanding future line up. Personally, I am wondering can my budget handle two next gen systems or can I find someone local who I can trade systems with to play InFamous Second Son. As for DRM, It will always existing until we are able to and willing to move to a digital game distribution similar to the Steam network. Having to put a disc in a drive is another form of DRM. Accept it and move forward.
Futureproof
The best thing about the X1 is that is almost for futureproof. It provides satisfaction for the entire family. With the Kinect 2.0 coming standard, you have something for the young children in your life like Ubisoft Raving Rabbids and the Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare. The kinect 2.0 improved specs make it decent for group game like DDR style game. With the kinect you can play differently. Check out this review of Ryse: son of Rome here. The PS4 does have a motion controller system, the PS Eye and PS Move $50USD each sold separately. Thus raising the PS4 price to the same as the Xbox One @ 499.
The X1 entertainment hub addition to your TV if you have the significant other that just not that into gaming. I can’t wait to see how fast game/app switching real is. Hopefully I will be able to sneak a few minutes of actual game during commercials of my GF’s favorite shows instead of load screens. The Smart Glass system looking like it will assist in helping me too make the most of out commercial breaks I hope.
The reason I say the X1 is almost future is Microsoft’s lack of handheld gaming system. Come on, Microsoft still is you 3 console and still no handheld system. Even Google Android has a handheld. With Sony’s requirement that all PS4 game be compatible with the Vita unless it needs component specific to the PS4 to run, Microsoft is looking kind of slack in this department.
Final Thoughts
This new generation is all about whats going on in your life and what kind of gamer you are. Kinda like Goldilocks and the three bears, Casual gamer with children , the Wii U is where it is at. Hardcore Bachelor/Bachelorette gamer dormitory lifestyle, the PS4 seems to be more your style, and for the maturing adult gamer who maintains other interest there is the Xbox One. While I am still unsure of my selection(Lack of handheld), I can saying I am leaning to the Xbox with 68% certainty.
