Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler PS4 vs. Xbox One

Just some of the advantages I have noticed for each console.

The advantages of the PS4:

No daily (24 hour) internet check in to play games.
No DRM on exclusives. No restrictions on used games. DRM left up to publishers on 3rd party games.
Better GPU and slightly better RAM.
Controller has a mini touch pad.
$100 cheaper.

The advantages of the Xbox One:

Fully integrated voice and gesture commands. Facial recognition, can detect stuff like heart rate.
HDMI in that will allow you to connect and control your satellite/cable.
MS is really aggressive about pushing cloud processing. Launch titles like Forza 5 will implement it and Titanfall to some degree.
4k gaming later into the life cycle?
300,000 servers on day one of launch.

To me Microsoft is more ambitious about pushing "next gen" but hindering it at the same time. If you have a monthly bandwidth cap, this console is going to end up being useless.
Obviously Microsoft is alienating a lot of people with just the daily internet connection check in and other DRM nonsense.

This thread topic ought to be fun. I would say that this will potentially get as agressive as some political threads.

For me, I like my XBox 360, I am not jumping on to any new platform any time soon.

One thing to keep in mind is that several of these things can change over time. The DRM, internet check, adding 4K, new controllers, etc.

I think that people with an XBox will *tend* to stay in that camp, and people with PlayStations will *tend* to stay there too. There will obviously be some switching going on, and some people will love it while others will get burned by it not meeting their expectations.

As with anything like this, I don't like being on the cutting edge with it. Let someone else iron out "real world" usage first. I mean, if it is anything like the current platforms that came out a while ago (Nov 2005 for XBox and Nov 2006 for PS3), you have quite a long time before the console will be replaced again, so missing out on a month or two while the bleeding edge users basically test out the systems and changes/fixes come flowing won't really be missing out much in the total lifespan of the products.

Well I am an Xbox guy, I have a pre-order for both an Xbox One and PS4. I'm leaning towards changing to the PS4. Though I want to see how things will play out when more information is released in the coming months to make my final decision.

Everytime a new game machine comes out, I think about buying one, then I don't. I don't like first person shooter games. Not really much into magic games. Not sure what that leaves.

Cool thread idea. Nick's right, could make for spirited discussion.

I have enjoyed my PS3, but I admit that its primary use has been as a bluray and mp3 player. I have been hitting Gran Turismo 5 pretty heavily lately and am up to level 24 and the Extreme series of races now. I've always wondered how Forza compared, but I've never played an X-Box.

Most of my family gaming comes on the Wii with my 7 year old, who just discovered Skylanders Giants. Before that, he was into LEGO Star Wars, and I enjoyed Wii Sports.

So I'll let you early adopters sort it out for me and jump in once the dust has settled. If only I'd done the same thing for HD-DVD vs Blu-ray.

Is this like your "How to build a World Series" analysis, Bluejay1?

Sorry, that was uncalled for. They are disappointing me too.

I'm really disappointed with the XBox policy on making used and traded games difficult and that is likely a game changer for me. I'm not a big console gamer so I tend to trade games with buddies when we get bored or buy used vs. paying 70 bucks a shot.

I also disagree with the Internet (almost) always on requirement. My console is always connected anyways but it's the principal of the thing. If I'm paying 400+ for a dedicated hardware console, I expect it to be self sufficient, patches and stuff aside.

Cat,
not sure what you mean by "magic games" but there are also tons of driving/racing games, every kind of sport simulation you can think of, Rock Band & Dancing type games, arcade style games, puzzle games, fitness helpers, flight sims, space sims and more.

Of course, that doesn't mean you have to like any of those. If it's not for you, then it is not for you. I'm not sure I'm investing in this round of consoles either. Maybe if my PS3 dies someday but I have no immediate plans.

There is just nothing immensely new to excite me like last time.

Back in the day.... I enjoyed playing Mario, Zelda, Final Fantasy, Robot shooting aliens, Island, and on the PC, the Myst series, Kings Quest, Infocom non graphic games as an example. Zelda and Final Fantasy had some magic, but not wanting a game that is only about casting magic spells. Yawn.

In terms of the Xbox One you can share your game library for free digitally with up to ten people. Though the caveat is that each of you will need to be "always online" as your only allowed 1 hour of being offline when playing each others games. The amount of internet bandwidth will be massive for those who have to monitor their monthly use. So this feature is rather limited for a lot of people.

There are a lot of compelling features about the Xbox One, but there is usually a catch involved.

But playing a FPS and things like touching your temple enables night vision on your character is awesome.

With Forza 5 they are eliminating computer AI for single player through cloud computing.

With M$ sayin things like, if you don't have always on internet don't bother buying a Xbox 1 , they are going to piss off more than a few customers. I don't see the xbox 360 or ps3 goin the way of the doodoo bird like previous versions. I don't think people will buy the 1 for the bluray player and I personally don't like their position on used games. FWIW I wont be buying either for myself though I am sure I will have to get the ps4 for my youngest son. Oh and no backwards compatibility really is BS as well. Don't really want yet another black box.

END RANT

Richard

I was waiting for the "backwards compatability" to come up.

I know that in the world of computing (where I have been working for about 25 years), every time you add backwards compatability, you:
1) Slow/limit the hardware's potential.
2) Make the software more complex and potentially buggy.
3) Have higher costs to get it all to work.

So while somewhat painful, dropping backwards compatibility has many benefits (take the reverse of the above points).

Now, from a consumer point of view, people might say "that sucks" and I won't try to argue that you should or shouldn't feel that way.

But

as someone else put it, it isn't like you are going to make a boatload of cash selling an "outdated" console. Why not just keep the current console AND get the new one (one as in new console, not saying specifically the XBox One LOL).

One thing that MS did is on the XBox One it has a HDMI **INPUT** port that you can directly connect your XBox 360 into and get a hybrid system where you can play your 360 games and One games and still only use the single HDMI connection to your TV from the One. I also heard that you can use the interface from the One to run the 360, so you shouldn't have to swap back and forth. It is kind of like adding an external device to a computer.

One thing about the internet piece. You will still need to connect up any console in order to get patches, enhancements, supplemental game/program data, etc. Nothing is truly “off-grid” anymore it seems.

I am not a fan of the quick connection nightly, but dang, our satellite provider used to make a land-line phone call nightly. Now it does it via the internet every night to get patches, report on-demand purchases, etc. This really isn’t a new idea.

I am also not sure how the internet “cloud” computing would play out (pun intended), but I can’t imagine that MS would require everyone to download content from the “host” Xbox One. They will hit a server and the server will pass down the software. The idea behind cloud computing is to pass just the amount of data that you need in order to provide you with functionality. I would hope that MS’s version of cloud computing would take that into account as well, otherwise it isn’t cloud computing, but more like file sharing. Doing actual cloud level data transfers means that someone playing, say, Forza 5 will get base data and enough bits to race the specific track/course that they are on, and that is it. They get just the cars that are racing and their own, not the full set of cars, tracks, music, etc. That would be substantially less than a full blown download. If they didn’t and they required a large download upfront, then people would rarely ever do that since it will take a lot of people an hour or so just to download data on a decent connection. That is instant death for a console and I don’t think that anyone (even Microsoft) is that stupid.

So with all of that, mainly focused on the Xbox side of things because I own an Xbox and thus that is where my focus has been on my research, I so still have problems with both systems that again, I will let someone else buy at the full retail (or above via eBay) and let things get ironed out in a year before ever even considering getting something different. Then again, I play more on my PC than I do the Xbox or Wii anyway. LOL

My understanding of Microsoft implementation of whats going on in the cloud is very complex and are large sums of data, processed and what is sent to the Xbox One are only small files (KB). At this point what they are doing with cloud processing the speed of your internet won't matter. But as the life cycle progresses years down the road and they try to use the cloud to push "the power of the Xbox" the data packs I'm sure will get much larger(MB's) and the games will become "always online". The quality of your internet connection will become critical.

Launch titles like Forza 5 you can play offline, but as soon as you connect to the internet it sends your Drivetar info it collected during that 24 hour period to the cloud and then updates Drivetar profiles onto your console.

I'm pretty sure you are correct about being able to connect the Xbox 360 along with a PC or a set top box to the HDMI IN port on the Xbox One.

Meh... I doubt I will buy a next gen box. I got value out of the PS3 because it was one of the best bluray players when I picked it up and my son had some games he really wanted to buy.

I tend to buy most games used, so Microsoft's game rental philosophy doesn't work for me. And it IS game rental when you cede control over the title you 'buy'.

Years ago (and I presume still) in the medical industry it was all about consumables. None of the big companies made $ off the hardware. They used the million dollar machines to lock medical centers into their brand of consumables. MS is trying to turn games into a 'one use' consumable.

Based on input so far, I would by the PS4. I hate messing with the cloud if I don't have to. I also have a slow internet connection.

I have both preordered but am undecided. Always been a bigger Xbox fan. I use my ps3 mostly as a blurry player, with the exception of dark souls most recently. I prefer Microsoft online system, etc.

I may end up with both but most likely ill get one at launch and one after price drop.

Yeah. Best to let it play out right before launch to make a decision.

MS has done a poor job in the PR department explaining a lot of the features like how advanced the Kinect is, cloud processing, HDMI IN. They also need to get into more detail about the concerns about the system like the 24 hour check in, DRM ect.

Based on the pre-orders MS is losing A LOT of customers that previously used the 360 and are now switching to the PS4. Even with the perfect controller MS has designed I might be switching too.

Too funny!

Ha. I wondered why it wasn't crisp HD!

My kids can grind through a game in a couple days, so not being able to recoup at least a small portion of that is a deal buster.
Youth today have short attention spans and lose interest even when online play is available. I really see nothing wrong with the graphics they have already and I already have an oppo. Most of this is the result of people pirating games and M$ trying to circumvent it. The backwards compatibility explanation makes sense ,never thought of it that way.

Screw consoles. Buy a PC and enjoy games the way they're meant to be enjoyed.

My PC could outperform both those consoles combined .

+1

Is 14 ga wire OK with these or shoul you use 12 ga?

Does this announcement from M$ change things for you guys?

http://news.xbox.com/2013/06/update

That definetly would fly for me, though it seems open ended, in that they could change their mind anytime they so choose. What say you. Oh and thanks for finding that and sharing it with us, it was weighing heavily on me .

Yeah, that's certainly an improvement. I'll get one a lot sooner now, though I still don't see it replacing my PC as my primary gaming system.

Cool! I buy most games used so that is good news

Now, if they'd just drop the Kinect, and shave $100 of the price, we'd have a nice system on our hands.

Anyone else have their PS3 bricked with last night's update (that was pulled after about 3 hours)? My narrowly escaped total brickdom, but I had to format the hard drive (some people formatted their drive, and the system still wouldn't start). I think today was a bad day for Sony.

What does everyone here think the styling of the new 1. ??

Chris, I hadn't heard. Fortunately I did not turn my ps3 on last night. I was busy playing monster hunter.

I approve of both systems being flat on top.

It looks like a VCR.

They are trying to make them look more like squared off home theater equipment, so neither is too "sexy" in my opinion.

So looking back at the first post, the list should be:

The advantages of the PS4:

Better GPU and slightly better RAM.
Controller has a mini touch pad.
$100 cheaper.

The advantages of the Xbox One:

Fully integrated voice and gesture commands. Facial recognition, can detect stuff like heart rate.
HDMI in that will allow you to connect and control your satellite/cable.
MS is really aggressive about pushing cloud processing. Launch titles like Forza 5 will implement it and Titanfall to some degree.
4k gaming later into the life cycle?
300,000 servers on day one of launch.

I'd like to see what the new version of the Kinect will do, but like mentioned above, it seems that you would be paying a $100 premium but that also gets you the Kinect. Offer a Kinect-free option (as in no Kinect) for $100 less and match the PS4 price. That is what I would do, but I don't work for MS, let alone in their marketing department and can't set pricing models.

I say keep the Kinect standard, as it's the only feature I find compelling enough to make me buy sooner rather than later.

I agree the Kinect is pretty sweet especially for multi-tasking. It is the device that will set itself apart from the PS4. It will allow seamless control and integration of your media library, television and games through voice and gesture. Turn on the console, pause, resume movies, switch, and close apps/games. If you still want to use a controller you can too. The Kinect 2.0 can even detect changes in blood flow. Playing a FPS with a standard controller and having the Kinect there only acting as an accent to the experience like having to touch your temple to enable night vision...that is next generation gaming right there.

I have no problem with the Kinect being mandatory. It actually helps push innovation with the console knowing the entire user base has its functionality.

I've been an Xbox 360 owner for a long time, but will be switching to a PS4 at some point--maybe when Destiny comes out. If the Xbox One forces you to utilize the Kinect, then it's not for me. I game in my home theatre. My equipment is located on a cabinet at the back of the room. I don't believe the Kinect cable will reach the projection screen 20 feet away and the room will probably be too dark for it to work anyway. So long as Mass Effect 4 comes out for the PS4, then I have no reason to remain loyal to Microsoft.

I was concerned about cable length, too, but it seems like it's not an issue with active USB extenders. If it can't deal with darkness, though, that is a problem. I wasn't even thinking of that aspect.

I'm pretty sure the Kinect has an IR light built in. So it provides it's own light for outline tracking (I'm guessing it can also read the heart rate info in the IR range). Only the color over-lay needs light in the room.

Still, I've grown to hate motion gaming, and won't be bothering with it any more.

I'll admit I never did much with the current Kinect. What part of the experience do you dislike that hasn't been addressed in the new hardware?

The only thing motion gaming is good for is dancing. There it has a real 1:1 mapping with the actual activity it's trying to mimic. There is no other action that we humans perform where the point is to move our hands and touch nothing. Every movement we make is to either touch or avoid another object. Trying to simulate any action where we'd touch something, by instead having us touch air is counter to any sort of immersion.

Isn't the new Kinect supposed to be always on, watching and listening for commands? If so, who wants to bet that within a week of the Xbox One being on the market that someone will have hacked it and posted video of unsuspecting owners on Youtube.

I don't need or want anything in my console besides the ability to play a few decent games a year. I see what Microsoft is trying to do with their new machine if you want an do-all box, but having to ungulate around the room just to start playing a game is not something I want to be forced to do. Perhaps the new Kinect will be given a voice once it can be connected to everything in my home? We can call it Hal-360. What can possibly go wrong?

I have to believe that if it's too annoying of a use of the Kinect, developers will stop doing it. I also believe that if it's there, they'll find a way to use it that isn't annoying. I'm not sure shooting it down before anyone has a chance to refine how it's used is the way to go when I see no other reason to use the One over my PC.

I'll agree that not actually touching something makes it weird. That's why I'd still like to see genre-specific input devices that the Kinect is simply supporting. Of course, this fragments the audience, too.

I just really don't like the fact they're making consumers pay for and use the Kinect, even if they don't want to. All in all, Microsoft's attitude about the Xbox One has been very childish. A quote like, "Fortunately we have a product for people who aren’t able to get some form of connectivity. It’s called Xbox 360," really turned me off.

I'm just glad having no backwards compatibility has freed me up to persue other options.

Good point. Who wants to imitate a big horned sheep just to get their game console to load a game.

I wasn't a fan of motion gaming at all and the Kinect didn't appeal to me with the Xbox 360. But what MS is doing with the advancements in the tech and integration where it is acting just as an accent or extension to the controller is the way to go. Sure there will be a few Kinect eccentric games. I just won't buy those. Xbox still develops towards the hardcore gamers. The Xbox One is also going to be a superior multi-media machine and the ability to control everything through voice commands is an interesting concept.

http://gizmodo.com/the-xbox-one-requiring-kinect-is-a-great-thing-for-cont-512772774

I can get aboard this.