Ben-DutkaNow that we've seen the media briefings for both Sony and Microsoft, what's your take? Sony undoubtedly came in with the edge, but did they leave with that same edge?
Some believe that Sony extended their lead while others argue that Microsoft had the better conference, and the Xbox One is rapidly rising in favor among gamers and analysts. After all, Microsoft has responded to the negative feedback; DRM has been curtailed, Kinect is no longer mandatory, etc.
Then you've got the launch lineups, which appear to be relatively similar. Each system has a small handful of exclusive titles that will help spur sales, and both feature a slew of high-profile third-party games. Those games include huge names like Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag , Call of Duty: Ghosts , Watch Dogs and Battlefield 4 , not to mention all the next-gen sports offerings. This may be the first time in the industry's history where so many huge third-party games have been immediately available at the launch of a new console. In this case, two new consoles.
It's interesting that we got an exact launch date from Sony for the PS4 – November 15 for North America and November 29 for Europe; Japan TBD – and Microsoft still just says "November 2013" for the Xbox One. We have heard the new Xbox was delayed in certain regions, although we have to assume it will definitely not be delayed here. What if the two consoles came out on the same day? Or within a few days of each other? Everything being considered, which company has the advantage right now? And was it significantly affected by the Gamescom presentations?
I think MS is rising due to their exclusivity purchases on top of dropping the anti-consumer policies. Sony not having revealed any more launch titles that matter is a problem, the PS4 needs a flag ship game like Resistance was and I don't think Shadow Fall can handle it.
Cross gen titles, well look back at Spider-man 3 and Tomb Raider Underworld.
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 8/21/2013 10:47:32 PM
Don't you hate it when people downvote you for saying the facts.
yeah, I hate it more when they do it just because they dislike me. I mean, come on here and be a man (or woman) and disagree with me like an adult.
I think when Resistance was coming the PS camp was still waiting for that BIG fps game. Sure there were decent PS2 shooters, but the full materialization of FPS on PS didn't happen until PS3 launched, at least in my eyes.
Now I see games like CoD Ghosts, BF4, KZ leading the next-gen launch 7-8 years later, and it just feels blah. It doesn't help that AC is standing right there with ANOTHER game. Can't the series take even one year off?
But what has Microsoft announced since E3? Fighter Within?
PS4 is getting some nice PSN exclusives like Resogun and Shadow of the Beast.
Microsoft is coming back because they are starting to look more and more like what the Xbox user fan base wants….. an Xbox 360 with updated graphics. We don't really expect twitch gamers to have any depth to them now do we?
PSN games are the last thing I'm interested in, well second to last after portable games.
I down vote you because you do not make any sense. MS did not announce anything better than what Sony announced at Gamescom. Also MS has one platform while Sony has 3 and the PS3 is still a focus unlike the Xbox360, second Killzone is bigger than Resistance, and third MS was forced to drop those policies because of the PS4 killing them in pre orders (which is still killing them). We know what Sony will deliver so the launch is irrelevant as MS can not carry a console which is why Sony still has the advantage. Forza is not going to carry the XboxOne so it is MS who needs Halo to sell the console. Why would anyone pay $100 more at launch when the best games on both console are multi plat? That makes the PS4 more appealing than the XOne out the gate.
I agree World, The PS4 does not have a real system seller yet. When you look at Killzone, it's not in the same league as CoD, Battlefield or Halo. So then it just becomes another FPS – Even if it is one of the better ones outside that tier.
I can't see myself buying one for quite some time to be honest.
@Darth
I think momentum has a strange power that sometimes ignores the whole of what is offered.
They do have momentum in increased public appeal due to backtracking, a current massive stake in NA markets (it's a common household saying to say gonna get an XBOX, or jimmy is always playing XBOX by people who don't know games even though the system could be a PS3 or Wii… lol seriously.), and Sony doesn't seem to be offering a whole lot more than what they announced at E3.
If the talk changes in light of momentum, you'd be surprised at what people will do. Sure, hardcore gamers who pay attention to gaming sites might know the truth, but most people buy hype more than quality.
What do you think CoD is so popular?
I think Shadowfall is the launch title PS fan can boast about. I don't really like FPS, but it's pretty much the only exclusive launch game I have heard has been gaining a lot of hype, so I wouldn't say it can't handle it. It may not be the "breakthrough" resistance was in PS FPSs, but it's still a massive title which I'm sure won't disappoint.
Darth it's cool if you disagree, but I think I was being coherent.
@World,
PSN games can be just as good in terms of quality and just as compelling to purchase, and sometimes even more so than retail games.
Your lack of interest in them is baffling.
well in the Sony vs. MS thing, Sony lost most of the edge over Xbox and was really just riding the hype success wave made of MS failures. BUT, MS turned their console into a PS4ish thing and that says alot. Unless you seriously can't live without Forza why are you gonna get an Xbox One at launch?
MS is throwing down money on third party stuff but as far a launch, Watch Dogs is the biggest game and Playstation has the lockdown on exclusive content.
Last edited by EndZero on 8/21/2013 11:22:25 PM
After Gamescom, Amazon has now sold out on Standard Edition PS4s, the non guaranteed edition. Vita sales have risen also.
yah, I dunno. maybe we need some polls to tell us. looks like the PSXe one here had the majority believing Gamescom would really boost the launch lineup, where in fact it hasn't. Where's all the dissapointed people who voted?
Anyway, I watched MS's and Sony's stuff. I thought Sony did pretty okay. MS has totally been trying to fight their rep as of late. Complete with having 2 stiffs stand in a 'down to earth' setting and chit-chat games and stuff. I'm getting really tired of hearing the bullcrap from both camps actually. All of these definitive absolutes being expressed. Feels like a political campaign. Anyway, as it stands MS simply has more games hitting at launch. Yah, many here probably don't care for Forza, but Turn 10 is very good at what they do and their audience does respond. The free title Evolution is handing out just can't stand up to the expertize of a seasoned motorsports dev. Also, KI has a fighting game angle where Sony has a blank. Then there's the spiritual successor to Panzer Dragoon in Crimson Dragon that has that cult classic appeal. Add to that the AAA production of Ryse (game play remains to be seen but it has a quality dev nonetheless), and there's Dead Rising 3 (for what it's worth, but zombies sell). Then there's the FPS that feels fresh for those not sick of seeing the same crap. And that's Titanfall. Sure it's more FPS, but I have to admit it looks pretty slick from a game play standpoint and it may be the first real evolution of the genre we've seen in some time.
Sorry, I don't want this to seem like a pro-XboxOne message. I suppose it is. I don't want Xbox One based on any of this, but when I just look at things objectively I just can't see how many would think PS4 had any kind of upper hand at launch without ignoring critical details. Strictly games wise that is.
Anyway, I'm a very happy gamer with what I've got.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 8/21/2013 11:54:42 PM
and when I say evolution of FPS in Titanfall, I mean a game that is cut from the same cloth but evolved. I know it's nothing like Bioshock or nothing so everyone calm down.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 8/21/2013 11:59:39 PM
Titanfall's coming to PS4 also. I agree though that MS has more exclusives, and a better launch lineup.
yah, that's what the rumor is. But I'm sure MS will straddle the lead on it for the generation with this timed exclusivity bit. And if the game does real well for them, like Gears did, I won't doubt that MS wouldn't lock it down for another few years.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 8/22/2013 12:10:57 AM
but I think once Infamous lands and Naughty Dog starts strutting their stuff things will look nicer PS4 side.
Don't forget that it is EA who is publishing the game though.
What are they chances of them allowing it to stay exclusive?
seeing that MS is hosting all of it's servers for Titanfall without EA paying a dime, it seems MS has already sacrificed handsomely. Also, EA seems to have penned up all kinds of exclusive deals with MS, including a free copy of their football game in the UK. Like when the crap does that ever happen?
Sometimes I feel that EA's Peter Moore, once the head of Xbox for many years, can bridge deals with MS other companies may not want.
I just think it wise no one gets their hopes up too high for a PS Titanfall.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 8/22/2013 12:24:50 AM
This is my objective analysis as well. It's not fun but it's true. Xbox 360 did this same thing and locked up plenty of exclusives early on that made it stronger too and I have full faith that PS4 will have the better games, get those non-1st party games, and put together a fuller, more diverse library over time but right now our side is looking like the one leaning on 3rd party games to get by.
@Temjin,
Driveclub isn't trying to compete with Forza, so I don't see why those two games are being mentioned in the same breath.
Turn 10 foolishly believes that Forza is a sim racer, and as long as they keep living in that dream land, the GT franchise will continue to laugh in their face and dominate.
I believe Sony still has the lead and it won't matter if Microsoft releases its console before or after. It's just such a shame that they didn't take advantage of their conference. To summarize it all up as long as Sony can come up with Exclusives in the first two years it should dominate the sale charts.
Overall PS4 still has the edge… I don't know how much work it would of taken but you would think exclusives like Beyond Two Souls & GT6 would be available on PS4. Gamescom really wasnt all that exciting But TGS will be happening soon.
Last edited by bebestorm on 8/22/2013 12:26:56 AM
Whatever camp you sit in, one will have an edge over the other at some point. My decision was already made a long time ago and it was not based of what will be available at launch. But rather what will be available down the road based on Sony owned developers, their franchises and whatever new awesome titles that will be available.
Exactly both launch lineups are underwhelming, but MS did not reveal anything interesting and are once again relying on third party games like Fiva which is not even guaranteed if you don't pre order before they run out of supplies.
Exactly my thoughts, I'm looking long term, not short term.
Must say that conference by Sony was pretty poor. Nothing new to learn except the UI which was cool (that was the first 2mins of the show) and then we had to wait wait wait till the end to get the release dates.
NO real surprises so I would say that MSFT did better at this conference by unveiling a number of U-turns and the fifa14 announcement. Sony still in front though.
I think the edge is still in Sony's favor because of what they have done with the PS3 which will be the same for the PS4. MS has done a terrible job with exclusives on the Xbox360 other than the usual and that trend looks to continue the next generation.
The X1 U-turns have got me proper miffed. And now they're trying to spin it as a "two-way conversation" when it's wholly and solely due to them getting ripped to shreds by media outlets is a joke. I'd ask how stupid they think people are… but I have to admit to sharing their mentality on that front. 😉
As for the article question, I'd say not. FIFA free on the X1 is a massive boost for the system in the Euro regions, and Ryse is getting a lot more positive buzz than it was earlier. Sony, on the other hand, pretty much reiterated that indie focus. That's not a bad thing, but it does nothing for me; not because I don't think indie games are good – many are great – but because, as of right now, I can't play the frickin' things. If they had just lifted the lid on one more major AAA exclusive that seems like a must-have, I'd be keen as. Either way, still not getting a PS4 within a year of release without a couple of huge somethings being added to the release list.
It is laughable when they "thank" gamers for their "input" in the "ongoing" process of "deciding" the features of the X1. They don't want to admit they took a smackdown.
Not at all, the Gamescon conference was one of the worst I have ever seen. Just indie title after indie title. Fine you want to give a place for indie games on the console, but don't overload the entire conference full of them. It wasn't until an hour before full developed studio projects were mentioned and to be honest nothing remarkable was mentioned about any of them.
I was hoping these new IP's would be games which show off what the console is capable of, not games that should be on iOS. Especially when you are trying to pitch the console to an audience. I expect better things from a PS4 than to play Angry Birds or Minecraft (software). If this is the direction next gen is going I am simply not interested.
Regarding the PS4's launch status. There is not a title which I find appealing at all. At least the Xbox has Dead Rising 3 – Which looks a lot better than the previous games. So far I am just waiting on Metal Gear Solid V, as soon as that is released I will hop over to next gen.
I'm one of those who had decided not to purchase either of the new generation machines at launch which is quite telling as I bought the PS2, PS3, XBox and 360 all either at launch preordered or within a couple of weeks of release.
Even after this latest list of launch/Pre Christmas releases I haven't seen anything that I so desperately want to play that I can be persuaded to get a PS4/XB1 on release, pulling me away from my PS3/360. Infact as I still intend to pick up a couple more PS3 games in the next couple of months that will push the PS4 purchase even further away without BC.
Last edited by Gabriel013 on 8/22/2013 4:51:55 AM
@ Gabriel013
You and me both dude. After seeing gamescon im less inpressed with both the Ps4 & XBOX1. and more excited about the future of the Ps3. Most of the launch titles can be played on my Ps3 and the rest of the games are eeh.
i think i depends on wat games u like but i think they(sony) are looking gud. i think we need series need to stop this annulization thing cos as we can see with cod qualtiy suffers alot developement needs to stay aleast 2 years but more like 3+ for the sake of actual quality idk wat u guys think but the gaming industry is suffering atm and i think this annual thing is to blame how much idk but i will be a signicicant part of it. wat u guys think???
happy gaming =)
definetly M$ has the advantage ATM.
dead rising 3, ryse, forza 5, crimson dragon, killer instinct, and lococycle look a hell of allot more appealing than a shooter, god ANOTHER shooter, a racing game which i swear was ripped off of facebook the amount of times they say social, and the one decent looking ps4 launch title knack.
really nothing mind blowing exciting I MUST GO BUY THIS NOW!!!!!! till feb when infamous comes out.
sad!
though that said, WTF is going on with these events!?
E3 comes, the BIGGEST event in the industries calendar, and very few games are announced.
then gamescom comes and all we get is indie, indie, indie, indie, indie!
thats like Ferrari turning up to the geneva motor show to announce they have signed a new license with leggo!
yea, i dont think people travel halfway across the world to one of the biggest most prestigious motor shows to see some crappy lego car!
nor did people travel halfway across the world / get up at 3AM, so they can see a reveal trailer for murasaki baby!
as cool as it looks, come on this is GAMESCOM!
next instead of seeing supercars at our car conventions, theres going to be nothing but cheap eco hatchbacks!
yea, thats totally why people go to motor shows!
Ryse looks to be one of those typical long on promises and short on results games that features over one billion QTEs from the start of the game to the finish.
And Killer Instinct is a micro-transaction riddled shell of a game better left on the shelf rather than being dragged through the mud and disrespected like it currently is.
go actually watch some live gameplay then come back and comment.
I'm not worried at all. I think they had a good showing, they showed 1 or 2 big games. Sony is playing it smart, don't reveal too much, but show just enough to get people interested, the big guns will be shown in due time.
@Ben
When you create articles like this it would be cool for you, yourself to answer your own questions below in the comments section. Don't get me wrong, but it would be cool to know what you think as well. I and many others value your opinion when it comes to gaming news. Just a thought.
I still think Sony maintains their lead. Like you said Microsoft still hasn't given a concrete release date. Also, it's true that Sony has not wavered or flip flopped. Sony has been a constant with their policies.
Also, I think the ACIV Black Flag remote play was mighty impressive and will sway some on-the-fence gamers over to Sony's side. There are a lot of gaming Dads out there that fight for the TV.
Oh yeah, I also think Sony has more up their sleeve. They haven't told us everything. I wouldn't be surprised if there was at least one more exclusive going to be revealed at TG!
Last edited by CrusaderForever on 8/22/2013 8:57:49 AM
I still think sony has the edge. I think they showed a ton of games at gamescom that looked really cool, indie or not. Sony did it right initially at e3 so all they had to do was not screw up like they have in previous gamescom conferences. MS can reverse policies all they want but the fact remains that they showed their true colors from the get go. If they change their policies once, they'll probably do it again. Makes it hard to trust a company who was so anti consumer from the get go. Pretty much all the xbox owners i know have already bought or preordered their ps4. That speaks volumes as to what kind of "Edge" sony has. There are those who'll still flock to MS but as someone else said, since the big games are 3rd party, there really is no reason to shell out and extra $100 to play the same game with the same graphics unless all your friends have already done so. I congratulate sony on their candor and their pro gamer stance. They've stated from the get go that they built this machine with gamers in mind and that is pretty much all they've pushed from the beginning. They've been consistent this whole time and i applaud that. The console war means nothing to me now because sony has my vote.
I have to admit, Microsoft have done a pretty good job turning themselves around and appealing to the gamer again. The PS4 still leads in popularity, and I will definitely be getting a PS4 and Wii U before I pick up an Xbox One. However, there's a few games exclusive to Microsoft that definitely piqued my interest, including:
Dead Rising 3
Forza 5
Ryse
Quantum Break
Sunset Overdrive
Below
Fantasia: Music Evolved
Killer Instinct
Fable Legends
Lets not forget that games like Just Dance 2014 and Zumba Fitness are a better fit for Kinect than Move. I know I'd prefer the body tracking version over the motion controller version.
Now, the PS4 will have exclusives as well, including a LOT of Indie titles. To go up against the MS exclusives, PS4 has:
Killzone Shadow Fall
Infamous Second Son
Driveclub
Knack
The Order: 1886
The Witness
Rime
Believe it or not, the release window of exclusives is looking better for Xbox One than the PS4, and that's NOT including Halo!!
Sony still have a lot more exclusives to announce, but after E3 and Gamescom, MS have made a mighty comeback after the clusterf**k that was the May revealing, followed by backwards pedaling of many of the unpopular features.
All I can say is, I am now interested in Xbox One, but the PS4 and WiiU will definitely come first, especially with my wallet ruling the purchase limitations.
I just hope there's always a Sony in place to keep MS in check. I feel so many of these 180's have happened in response to gamers turning to the PS4. If their was no competition to run to I have little doubt MS's attitude would've been 'up yours' nothing is changing.
That's all I'm saying. Dead Rising will grab the zombie crowd right away, Quantum Break appears to hit that young crowd right where they want it, Ryse could be their God of War (ours is pretty outdated), Killer Instinct is an exclusive fighter, and Fable is an exclusive RPG (We don't have any of those).
There are a lot of what-ifs on the table still, like if Fable can survive as an always-online game and if gamers today can play a fighter that you can't button mash in. Ryse could still be too easy, etc.
As much as I personally love the setting and idea behind The Order I have no clue if stuff like that connects to core gamers these days enough to get them excited.
Did Microsoft announce they're having a Kinect-less SKU that costs US$399?
No?
Then Sony still has the edge.
BTW, the "free Fifa 14 with every Xbone pre-order" sounds great, until you realise that PS4 + Fifa 14 is still cheaper than Xbone + free Fifa 14. It wouldn't take much advertisement for Sony to get that point across either.
No they haven't. It would seem it's not out of the question. Word has it now that the Kinect is NOT required to be connected. This opens some competitive pricing avenues for MS. As I see $500 as the last major obstacle they have in becoming a dominant player.
Re-read that Temjin. lol
He said a Kinect-less SKU. 😛
Last edited by Clamedeus on 8/22/2013 6:23:03 PM
MS did gain ground and will continue to because XBox customers have very short memories and a good majority bought the system simply because their friends did also. The way I see it is like this:
Boy: Sir, I'm going to take your daughter out tonight, have my way with her, and bring her back whenever I feel like it
Dad: What? Then you can get the hell out of my house!
Boy: I was just playing. I'm not going to do any of that. I'll be a good boy, I promise.
Dad: Ok then, you kids have fun now.
The fact that MS backed off of everything means little to me. They basically said they were going to do whatever they wanted to because there was nothing anyone could do. Then when consumers "had the nerve to turn against them" they said "We were just joking" under the guise of "listening to our fans".
And that's a big part of why the Xbox One isn't as popular as PS4 (online anyway). That kind of move isn't quickly forgotten.