XBox One AND PS4 Discussion

[Aristo]

I thought that the PS3 had more horsepower than the 360, and it was just the year head start and lower price point that created an install base that drove developers to target the 360 and port (often poorly) to the PS3.

The difference this time is that, not only is Microsoft not getting a year head start (actually losing by a week), but they have the higher price point. Microsoft really does need to sell well early in order to avoid falling into a sort of Nintendo status. The wildcard Microsoft has is $$$, and the belief that if they can get Sony into a spending war, Sony either won't keep up, or will really hurt itself.

I don't think, however, that Microsoft has to win the sales battle, they just need to be close. If they are, I do think you will see developers once again target the Xbox and port to the Playstation. There was a real danger during introduction of the consoles that sony did wallop Microsoft enough to really damage their launch day sales. I believe that has abated. But the proof will be in what actually gets sold by New Year's. There is a good chance that both consoles will be kind of a dud. Sony has lost a little bit of the hype, as there was really no way to maintain the levels we saw pre E3.

But if the most likely scenario happens, both the PS4 and XBO will sell their fare share, and consumers are generally happy with their purchase, Sony will fail to get the benefits of their horsepower in third party games. But they will have some amazing looking exclusives. And Halo, Forza, and Titanfall will still sell a bajillion units.

[Spooky]

But if the most likely scenario happens, both the PS4 and XBO will sell their fare share, and consumers are generally happy with their purchase, Sony will fail to get the benefits of their horsepower in third party games. But they will have some amazing looking exclusives. And Halo, Forza, and Titanfall will still sell a bajillion units.

This^.

[Brando70]

Saw the Xbone in action today at a local Best Buy, with many launch games running on a demo loop. Not as impressed with the jump in graphics as I expected.

Still very nice, and I know I'll get one at some point, probably sooner than I think. But my jaw was not left on the floor.

The leap from the PSX/N64 era to the Dreamcast remains the most mind-boggling jump in graphics in console gaming I can recall.

I think those leaps are going to be a little different now. I agree with the Dreamcast leap -- seeing NFL 2k at E3 was one of the most impressive experiences I've had as a gamer. The leap was a little less with the PS2, but when I played Halo on the XBox, I was pretty blown away.

The 360 was different. I remember popping in Call of Duty 2 and, while the visuals were good, it wasn't the same leap. However, it was seeing games like Elder Scrolls: Oblivion or Dead Rising (especially the parking garage FILLED with zombies) where I realized how much consoles had advanced. I suspect this will be similar -- once the developers have a little time to tap the power, I think we'll see some impressive achievements.

[pk500]

The 360 was different. I remember popping in Call of Duty 2 and, while the visuals were good, it wasn't the same leap. However, it was seeing games like Elder Scrolls: Oblivion or Dead Rising (especially the parking garage FILLED with zombies) where I realized how much consoles had advanced. I suspect this will be similar -- once the developers have a little time to tap the power, I think we'll see some impressive achievements.

Good point. It's almost comical to look at the graphics of Rainbow Six Vegas, released in late 2006, compared to those of Battlefield 4. Developers probably are barely squeezing any of the performance potential from the new systems.

[dbdynsty25]

Good point. It's almost comical to look at the graphics of Rainbow Six Vegas, released in late 2006, compared to those of Battlefield 4. Developers probably are barely squeezing any of the performance potential from the new systems.

And then you look at NBA 2k14 on the 360 or The Show on the PS3 compared to the PS4...and uhhh...I think they are doing alright on their first next gen effort.

[LAking]

I feel like the whole idea of a console war is outdated. It seems like both of these consoles are basically the same. PS4 might have a slight power advantage but i doubt we will see games that look significantly better on it. I also think both consoles will sell roughly the same amount of units in the long run. Both systems are using x86 architecture, which means it will be much easier for developers to make their games cross platform.

Also, this whole hoopla about 1080p/60 fps is perplexing. As someone who games on the PC quite a bit I understand that a static, non-upgradable PC built in 2013 will not be able to run every game at very high resolutions at 60 FPS for eternity while still being able to enable all of the extra bells and whistles that new graphics engines make available. Resolution is one tiny part of video game graphics. Resolution just makes things sharper. A game's overall resolution doesn't improve the character models, lighting effects, physics, textures, etc. All those things use up processing power as well as memory. If you ask me those things are WAY more important than the resolution that a game is presented in.

As these games get better looking you can bet your ass that they will NOT be capable of running at 60 FPS at 1080P. I can also assure you that the game with much more advanced post processing effects, character models, and textures running at 30 FPS on an upscaled 720P res will look a hell of a lot better than the graphically outdated game running at 1080p/60 FPS.

[dbdynsty25]

Of course resolution matters, and the higher resolution, the more visual cues and fidelity you can achieve. If you only have 1024x768 pixels to render an object, do you really think that can come anywhere close to looking as good as a 1080p rendered image? Yes, processing power and ram is hugely important but that's more for framerate rendering. I also think as developers get more comfortable with the consoles themselves and the limitations, you'll see a lot more 60fps games, rather than the opposite which you seem to think will be the case.

[Pete1210]

The difference this time is that, not only is Microsoft not getting a year head start (actually losing by a week), but they have the higher price point. Microsoft really does need to sell well early in order to avoid falling into a sort of Nintendo status. The wildcard Microsoft has is $$$, and the belief that if they can get Sony into a spending war, Sony either won't keep up, or will really hurt itself.

I don't think, however, that Microsoft has to win the sales battle, they just need to be close. If they are, I do think you will see developers once again target the Xbox and port to the Playstation. There was a real danger during introduction of the consoles that sony did wallop Microsoft enough to really damage their launch day sales. I believe that has abated. But the proof will be in what actually gets sold by New Year's. There is a good chance that both consoles will be kind of a dud. Sony has lost a little bit of the hype, as there was really no way to maintain the levels we saw pre E3.

Saw a few articles stating that Xbox One and PS4 preorders are both double the preorder numbers of Xbox 360 and PS3.

[LAking]

Of course resolution matters, and the higher resolution, the more visual cues and fidelity you can achieve. If you only have 1024x768 pixels to render an object, do you really think that can come anywhere close to looking as good as a 1080p rendered image? Yes, processing power and ram is hugely important but that's more for framerate rendering. I also think as developers get more comfortable with the consoles themselves and the limitations, you'll see a lot more 60fps games, rather than the opposite which you seem to think will be the case.

EDIT: I misread this post. Anyway I just don't see how 60 FPS will become standard, no matter how comfortable developers get with the console. I suspect that maintaining 60 FPS will be low on the priority list. Pushing other graphical barriers will be much more important.

[Danimal]

I feel much better about my XB1 pre-order today. The videos were nice, I got to try it today at lunch and the stories I am reading from places I trust tell me its a good machine. Seems the rumors of the non-functioning UI was bullshit just like I thought it would be.

Now I wonder why we learned so much about the XB1 today but we haven't seen anything about the PS4 which is out in a week.

[Rodster]

I feel much better about my XB1 pre-order today. The videos were nice, I got to try it today at lunch and the stories I am reading from places I trust tell me its a good machine. Seems the rumors of the non-functioning UI was bullshit just like I thought it would be.

Now I wonder why we learned so much about the XB1 today but we haven't seen anything about the PS4 which is out in a week.

There's a mandatory day one update or the X1 is a paperweight.

[Aristo]

Wind Waker is a more engaging and fun game than the latest Tomb Raider, despite what is basically a similar game style. And I really, really, enjoyed Tomb Raider, and think it looks pretty great. But it is silly to think that resolution affect gameplay that much. I think a good case for fps can be made, but I don't think 30 fps is somehow unplayable, either.

[Diablo25]

PS4 freebies...

Sony has announced on the PlayStation.Blog that people who pick up the PlayStation 4 will get a few extra freebies.

In the US and Canada, every PS4 box will contain a special promotional voucher that can be redeemed for a 30-day free PlayStation Plus membership trial, a 30-day free Music Unlimited service trial, and a $10 Sony Entertainment Network wallet credit for the PlayStation Store.

[sportdan30]

Just picked up a copy of FIFA 14 for the PS4 at BB. No NBA 2K14 just yet. They did have a few other titles.

[Danimal]

I feel much better about my XB1 pre-order today. The videos were nice, I got to try it today at lunch and the stories I am reading from places I trust tell me its a good machine. Seems the rumors of the non-functioning UI was bullshit just like I thought it would be.

Now I wonder why we learned so much about the XB1 today but we haven't seen anything about the PS4 which is out in a week.

There's a mandatory day one update or the X1 is a paperweight.

I'm not sure what your point is there is a mandatory update for both system on day 1.

[Danimal]

http://penny-arcade.com/report/article/ ... ve-the-pla

Found this piece interesting, now I know how to hook up my 360 and XB1 together.

[Macca00]

The interface video Dan was talking about;



I won't have my cable box connected to my XB1 so it's good they mention you can set apps such as Netflix as discrete 'channels' to navigate.

The Forza 5 Launch Trailer;

[MizzouRah]

That Forza trailer looks wicked good...

[greggsand]

http://penny-arcade.com/report/article/ ... ve-the-pla

Found this piece interesting, now I know how to hook up my 360 and XB1 together.

Backwards (and forward) compatibility solved! Interesting.

[Rodster]

Seems the rumors of the non-functioning UI was bullshit just like I thought it would be.

Now I wonder why we learned so much about the XB1 today but we haven't seen anything about the PS4 which is out in a week.

There's a mandatory day one update or the X1 is a paperweight.

I'm not sure what your point is there is a mandatory update for both system on day 1.

From what I read the XONE ships with the 360 OS so it needs an OS update to play X1 games so it's a non functioning device until you do the Day 1 update.

[pk500]

From what I read the XONE ships with the 360 OS so it needs an OS update to play X1 games so it's a non functioning device until you do the Day 1 update.

And? About 99.74 percent of Xbone owners will have an Internet connection and connect their machines to the Net. Anyone who bases a purchase decision on a required Day 1 software update probably should hop off Netcom or Prodigy and try broadband. Welcome to the 21st century.

[Jimmydeicide]

From what I read the XONE ships with the 360 OS so it needs an OS update to play X1 games so it's a non functioning device until you do the Day 1 update.

And? About 99.74 percent of Xbone owners will have an Internet connection and connect their machines to the Net. Anyone who bases a purchase decision on a required Day 1 software update probably should hop off Netcom or Prodigy and try broadband. Welcome to the 21st century.

Says the Rookie

[vader29]

From what I read the XONE ships with the 360 OS so it needs an OS update to play X1 games so it's a non functioning device until you do the Day 1 update.

And? About 99.74 percent of Xbone owners will have an Internet connection and connect their machines to the Net. Anyone who bases a purchase decision on a required Day 1 software update probably should hop off Netcom or Prodigy and try broadband. Welcome to the 21st century.

[Macca00]

From what I read the XONE ships with the 360 OS so it needs an OS update to play X1 games so it's a non functioning device until you do the Day 1 update.

That's crappy but the XB1 needed a one-time connection to the internet to authenticate it even before the OS update stuff - they announced that when they did the DRM 180. So either way, even if you didn't need the update you would have still needed to connect to the internet at least once to play games.

[Rodster]

From what I read the XONE ships with the 360 OS so it needs an OS update to play X1 games so it's a non functioning device until you do the Day 1 update.

That's crappy but the XB1 needed a one-time connection to the internet to authenticate it even before the OS update stuff - they announced that when they did the DRM 180. So either way, even if you didn't need the update you would have still needed to connect to the internet at least once to play games.

Xbox One won’t play games out of the box, requires day-one patch
http://www.theverge.com/2013/11/8/50807 ... play-games

Did the internet check in change regarding games? I thought they did away with that.

Xbox One Will Not Require Internet, Restrict Used Games No more game lending restrictions, daily check-ins or region locks.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/19/ ... e-policies