AvastYeBilgeRat
Shared on Thu, 11/21/2013 - 07:48What an exciting time to be a console gamer! Here we sit, bookended by the PS4 launch last week and the XB1 coming tomorrow. I myself pledged to sit on the sideline for a few months, thinking I'd give the "system sellers" time to be created (and that I wouldn't be able to find a system anyhow) but that I'd eventuall go XB1 because of the functionality beyond gaming that it offers, and maintain my gaming PC to experience some indie/MMO/PC-centric content.
That was all before I lucked into one of Amazon's last-ditch Day One preorders for the XB1, so that will be here Friday, although I'm expecting the normal launch week sketchiness and don't plan on doing much apart from setup and poking around this weekend (ok, if BF4 or CoD: Ghosts work I'll do that a bit too).
There have been a lot of comments (many passionate and not well thought out) about both systems, their games, their shortcomings, etc. so I'm not going to rehash any of that. I'll just say that as a fan of irony, I find it interesting that at launch both companies seem to be outdoing the other in their respective area of differentiation they chose to land consumers:
The PS4 promised to be THE console for hardcore gamers who just wanted the best and greatest gaming experience...and then launched with precisely ZERO incredible "must-have" games! On the other hand, first impressions on the UI, the PSN (once it was stable), the navigation, the "experience" have been overwhelmingly positive.
The XB1 promised to be THE digital hub for your living room. Not only would it have great games, but also be a revolution in how you consume and interact with your media via TV integration, dozens of other apps, and Kinect motion and voice control. Turns out that at launch most of those features are inconsistent or buggy in execution and that most of the navigation is less frustrating just with the controller. However, the actual exclusive GAMES launched alongside the system have been getting some glowing reviews (i.e. Forza 5, Dead Rising 3, Ryse, Zoo Tycoon, Killer Instinct).
Either way, I think both consoles have a lot to offer gamers, and it might be the same historical categorization of exclusive AAAs that puts one over the top of the other. I also would not be surprised that if Microsoft irons the bugs out of the UI and TV integration, selling their digital hub approach to the masses, we may see Sony incorporate some additional functionality to keep pace.
Have fun this week folks!
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Comments
Submitted by OutcastB on Thu, 11/21/2013 - 10:32
It is exciting. Both party's are catering to different audiences which is going to make this console gen very interesting. I can see the X1 being a huge hit with sports fans, videophiles and family/casual gamers, while I think the gaming focus goes more the PS4. I don't think that there will be a clear cut "winner" of this gen because these products have a different focus and user in mind. The X1 is an entertainment hub first that also happens to play games, whereas the PS4 is a gaming device first that is very basic in what it does and does it very well. As far as zero games at launch?... Well I'm sure there are plenty of KZ fans that will argue that and everyone I've talked to about Knack say's the critics are idiots. I'll take a user eview over a "game" critic anyday of the week. I can't think of any launch that has had a stellar line up. We don't adopt a new console day 1 for the games but for the new tech (at least that's what Shadow told me). SONY doesn't need to keep pace as they've set the bar on the gaming end of it and MS has it on the T.V. end of it. My PS4 camera has voice recognition and I can launch all my apps with it with 0 issues. My desicion was that I already have a smart T.V. and a DVR which I'm sure 80% of homes in the U.S. do in one way shape or form so why should I sacrafice gaming for entertainment, and I think that's the question at hand. What is more important to the user? Which again is why these products are so different. It's almost like 05/06 again and they flipped visions. I want the games that are a year or two down the road that really push the tech. I'm excited to see what the folks on the site here thinkof the X1 and hope they give honest opinions based on ease of use and tech, not just because they're loyal to a brand. It will be an exciting weekend for the X1.
Submitted by AvastYeBilgeRat on Thu, 11/21/2013 - 11:46
I will definitely blog my thoughts around the setup, patching, functionality, etc. once I set everything up. Likely Friday night.
Submitted by char on Sat, 11/23/2013 - 09:30
Nice blog. I look foward to reading your thoughts on the new systems.
Submitted by CiaranORian on Thu, 11/21/2013 - 16:08
See you on Battlefield 4. Thats the only game I will be buying and the only one I am interested in for now.
Submitted by char on Sat, 11/23/2013 - 08:35
Well said!
Submitted by BlowMonkey on Thu, 11/21/2013 - 11:27
Ryze....glowing reviews? mmmm I don't think I've seen one lol
but it is a great time for all my console chums right now - I'm holding off for a few months content with my PC gaming.
Submitted by AvastYeBilgeRat on Thu, 11/21/2013 - 11:44
I hear you. Quite the backlog on Steam myself, and this is before the Xmas sale! Yikes!!!
Submitted by CiaranORian on Fri, 11/22/2013 - 06:14
It seems Ryse is crap. I never planned to get it anyhow.
Submitted by char on Sat, 11/23/2013 - 09:26
I game more on my PS3 than my Xbox 360, but not because I don't like my XBox. The PS3 just has more of the games and exclusives I like -- and I prefer the PS controller. For me, it's that simple. I have no doubts I'll game more on my PS4 over XB1. Which is why I'll purchase an XB1 later next year.