The Next Generation Of Game Consoles Are Here But Is There Anything To Compare?
We now have the next generation of games consoles with the release of Xbox One, PS4 and Wii U. While the latter is not really in contention for the market Xbox One and PS4 attracts, the other two are left to battle it out. Ever since the arrival of the original Xbox we have had the argument of Xbox vs Playstation. First time around the PS2 stormed the console wars and took the number 1 spot outselling Xbox by a ratio of 6:1. However, the next time out Microsoft introduced the Xbox 360 and left PS3 trailing behind until Sony’s system managed to catch up this year, seven years after their launch. With competition now tighter than ever before a surge of Xbox One VS PS4 based debates has flooded the internet. It appears teenagers everywhere have actually stopped getting through Kleenex like Taylor Swift gets through boyfriends and used this free time to rant online. While I realise that most of these internet warriors are not teenagers, their arguments tend to be about as petty as teenage melodrama and they probably are still using a lot of Kleenex (especially after they googled Taylor Swift).
The problem I have with these console comparisons is that they often revolve around the concept of a ‘war’ or the ideas of a fanatic. The above graphic shows the hardware stats of each console, but in the hands of a console loyalist these stats act as ammo used to sling insult based arguments at the opposing console’s fan base. Arguments about any factual information like published statistics soon become crazed rants and information regarding the sexual promiscuity of their rivals mother. Classy. The difference between the fans and the product manufacturers is that they actually show a higher level of class and take to the rivalry in a more professional manner. Microsoft’s recent congratulatory launch message to Sony and Sony’s reply is proof of the respect these two electronic giants have for this healthy competition. From this evidence it would seem that it is the ‘hardcore gamer’ or console consumer that fuels the ongoing feud about who’s box of joy is the most shiny. If most of what we read then is biased due to a personal preference of console is there any point in taking a comparison review, that hasn’t been written by the large gaming websites, seriously? Of course there is! My reason is that some of them make me laugh to the point a little bit a wee comes out, but I’m sure many of you will find other, more mature, reasons to be interested in fan articles.
The intriguing part of the eighth generation console ‘vs’ debate is that both PS4 and Xbox One are very similar in terms of hardware specs. The ram, albeit different versions, is the same size as well as the USB 3.0 ports. The unique and more complicated (to the point that would put indie developers off making games for the console) cell structure of the PS3 has been ditched in favour of the x86 architecture chip which is the same as the new Xbox. This time around Xbox has also made a change and installed a blu-ray player unlike their previous attempt of using HD DVD which sank like the frozen meat stick that was Jack in Titanic. With both system’s hardware closely matched the actual differences are down to software and services. Both consoles will have your standard YouTube and Netflix type apps as well as the similar future apps that I’m sure are being prepared. If you listen to music a lot on your device the PS4’s music service has drawn a lot of criticism because it is a paid for service (like Netflix) and is your only option as the PS4 does not support mp3 files. While this is a key comparison for those who like music and want to listen to their MP3’s right now, the rest of us prepared to wait will be happy to know Sony have announced they will patch the system to play MP3 files later on. So we are back to square one on who has the better audio/visual services.
The real differences in these two machines is down to what they can do for you, the individual consumer. Do you love Halo and can’t live without it? Or maybe anything that the Naughty Dog team makes you have to play. Exclusive games are a big selling point to the gaming audience because we buy these consoles to play games and therefore we want to play the best ones. If neither console’s games sell their system to you maybe your choice is affected by the hardware you already have; if you have a PS Vita then why not get the PS4 and use remote play or use smartglass on your Xbox One through your Windows phone. These are just two examples of differences between the console but does either make one machine radically better? No. What makes the machine better is what value you give the service, whether you think that it is a better gaming device based on what you want from it. The argument of PS4 vs Xbox One is really an argument between the gamer’s personal preference and should be gamer’s opinion vs gamer’s opinion. So long as gamers have opinions the console comparisons will still carry on which is fine with me as long as the notion is not Xbox One vs Ps4, but Xbox One and Ps4 what can they do for you? Also it would be great if gamers realised their own opinion is just that and I can stop getting messages from people with names like DoomSl4yer123 commenting on my sexuality and telling me how much he disagrees with me through the art form of swearing non-stop. I mean come on guys can’t we all just grow up and shoot each other in the face on Battlefield or even take a leaf out of Sony and Microsoft’s twitter and just be nice.
Unless we all want to be like South Park episode ‘Black Friday’ which would also be acceptable.
Thanks for reading,
jBAM out.
jBAMgamingman 
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