Thoughts of the Xbox One and PS4

[0098386]

I just think of it as MS's version of TVii. Just like Nintendo wanted the Wii U to be the only box in your living room so they let you control your cable box through the unit, build custom profiles, use second screen tech, etc, this is MS's solution.

All these devices are converging - consoles, set top boxes, etc, you're really only gonna need one box for Netflix, TV, and all the TV functionality. So all the console companies are battling it out trying to position themselves with proprietary front end solutions they hope become standards in the end. I'm pretty sure Sony will have something similar when they showcase their hardware. Without the TV front end tech (Gamepad, Kinect commands), the only real product differentiation you have is game IP.

The games will be there, I think that's a given. I'd be more worried about the share button on the PS4 controller than about MS focusing on TV integration. For someone to decide it was worthwhile to devote a whole button to connect to FB makes me think the PS4 was designed by people who play Farmville.

It's not a button that connects to Facebook though. The primary sharing platform is the system itself, looks how Steam handles it. I imagine it'll be the same, "STEAM ID uploaded new screenshots of GAME X".

It's just there's also the option to upload to YouTube, social media sites.

And personally, as anyone on my Steam friends list will know, taking screenshots of games is quite fun especially in game with killcams. Steam also auto-tags anyone in the shot so they can see the pics I took of them. It's all rather great and I hope the PS4 matches it.

 

[2nyRiggz]

I can see an Xbox working very well in the living room though if it does remove the need for the billion boxes and cables underneath the TV.

That's all great but it really seems that MS is moving away from the core games bit. I'm sure the PS4 will be able to do similar htpc things as well but Sony is still pushing games as the focus and that's what I'm looking for.

What really boggle my mind is these services will only be available in the US at launch but I'm sure they are pushing for a worldwide console launch...how's that going to work?


Bless

 

[SilentPanda]

Only slightly related but humorous...

 

[LethalWolfe]

That's all great but it really seems that MS is moving away from the core games bit. I'm sure the PS4 will be able to do similar htpc things as well but Sony is still pushing games as the focus and that's what I'm looking for.

I think we should wait for E3 before making any assumptions. They did tease 15 exclusives and I think 8 new IP the other day. I think this reveal was mainly to focus on non-gaming features so at E3 they could focus primarily on gaming as talking a lot about non-gaming things during an E3 presser usual gets you flamed fast and hard.

What really boggle my mind is these services will only be available in the US at launch but I'm sure they are pushing for a worldwide console launch...how's that going to work?

Considering the problems every company has trying to go global with media (Apple, Netflix, BBC, Spotify, etc.,) I'm not sure why people are surprised that media-centric features won't be equal world wide.

 

[takao]

Considering the problems every company has trying to go global with media (Apple, Netflix, BBC, Spotify, etc.,) I'm not sure why people are surprised that media-centric features won't be equal world wide.

it's hardly surprising that services aren't equal ... the problem is that their big unique selling points are all part of those features

according to Microsoft Austria "Live TV with Kinect Navigation, Live TV with intelligent program guide One Guide, Community Search "Trending" and NFL for Xbox won't be available in europe for launch"

also in austria there is neither hulu nor netflix and i suspect the german language market won't get the halo tv series before late 2015 ... if at all

so what can i take from that press conference ? rumble in the triggers(excellent), Skype on TV(meh), Quantum Break (looks interesting), Forza and Fifa (was to be expected) and knowing how the box looks (not bad)
so don't be surprised if xbox sales abroad are worse

side note:
*according to some rumors Microsoft paid 400mio dollar for that NFL deal
*another snippit i heard the FIFA demos on screen were "rendered using next gen assets"

 

[LethalWolfe]

so what can i take from that press conference ? rumble in the triggers(excellent), Skype on TV(meh), Quantum Break (looks interesting), Forza and Fifa (was to be expected) and knowing how the box looks (not bad)
so don't be surprised if xbox sales abroad are worse

I totally get how announcements can be underwhelming when many of the talked about features aren't available in your area. I just don't understand why people are surprised these days when media related features aren't ubiquitous across all regions and why some people seem to blame MS as if they are the only company to have these problems.

 

[0098386]

Lol at the Kinect video. I heard there were problems with people watching the announcement stream on their Xbox similar to that video.

I don't see the point in voice activation when it's so basic at the moment. By all means work on it in R&D until it's perfect. But if a cheap controller works better then just stick with that cheap controller.

I totally get how announcements can be underwhelming when many of the talked about features aren't available in your area. I just don't understand why people are surprised these days when media related features aren't ubiquitous across all regions and why some people seem to blame MS as if they are the only company to have these problems.

They're the ones touting this as a key feature, though. The Wii U's TVii feature isn't available in the UK yet but it's not a key part of the system (there's no record function and only the minimum streaming services).

 

[LethalWolfe]

They're the ones touting this as a key feature, though. The Wii U's TVii feature isn't available in the UK yet but it's not a key part of the system (there's no record function and only the minimum streaming services).

So companies should only talk about features of their products that are available to everyone globally?

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

All I can see is a load of men whispering to their xbox's once the partner has gone to bed 'xbox watch porn'.....

If they get their desire and the channel changes. Kinect then goes ballistic trying to work out another type hand gesturing that follows....

Don't forget that Kinect 2.0 can sense emotions/mood, heartbeats, blood flow, smaller objects (or large)

The way I think it'll work is the Kinect replaces the remote and outputs the IR signal. Instead of pushing a button, you're issuing a voice command but the same exact IR signal comes and goes to your TV or cable box

That's how TVii works



They didn't even showcase Illumroom, which is gaming related tech that everyone wanted to see. MS hasn't shown all their cards yet.

Microsoft has made it crystal clear that Illumiroom is still in beta and won't be available for consumers in the short term. And plus, they've already showcased it before.

I would like to also point out that PS4 has better/faster hardware than Xbox One. 50% more GPU cores (each of which are and clocked the same as an Xbox One GPU core) and ~250% more memory bandwidth. PS4 also uses GGDR5 memory vs Xbox One DDR3 memory. GDDR5 memory has significantly more bandwidth. For high bandwidth usage like video playback and gaming, GDDR5 memory is better. DDR3 memory is more suited for general purpose computing, lower latency.

 

[SilentPanda]

So companies should only talk about features of their products that are available to everyone globally?

No. The main disappointment was if we like it or not, or they like it or not, the XBox is a gaming system. I'm not so blind to think "well they didn't show much for games so it's not going to work for games." But the people tuning in were there to see the new system and games. They weren't tuning in to see an Apple TV replacement. I'm sure it'll be rectified a bit after E3 but first impressions and all...

 

[Mr Kram]

i'm guessing that like all previous generations, i'll get one of each. they will offer enough differences in content and features that i won't be able to resist. furthermore, i'll probably grab the new wii also.

 

[LethalWolfe]

No. The main disappointment was if we like it or not, or they like it or not, the XBox is a gaming system. I'm not so blind to think "well they didn't show much for games so it's not going to work for games." But the people tuning in were there to see the new system and games. They weren't tuning in to see an Apple TV replacement. I'm sure it'll be rectified a bit after E3 but first impressions and all...

So it's disappointment it the announcement itself and not negative feels towards MS for having a feature that, beyond their control, isn't available in all countries?

 

[0098386]

So companies should only talk about features of their products that are available to everyone globally?

At least outside of one region would be nice, or at least not hyped up to be the main feature of the system.
Could you imagine if when Sony announced the PS3, hyped up Bluray playback but would launch with only a Japanese DVD/bluray playback function, but a patch would come out eventually (time indeterminate) later?

 

[LethalWolfe]

At least outside of one region would be nice, or at least not hyped up to be the main feature of the system.
Could you imagine if when Sony announced the PS3, hyped up Bluray playback but would launch with only a Japanese DVD/bluray playback function, but a patch would come out eventually (time indeterminate) later?

Games are still going to be the main feature of the system (I doubt very many people who never play video games would buy a console) and they'll talk about those at E3. I don't have cable so many of the features aren't applicable to me either. I dunno, never thought to get worked up over something like that. It's also out of MS's hands. If they could push a button and have all the Xbox One features work globally they would but they can't and I'm not going to begrudge them (or company) for having different features regionally due to circumstances beyond their control.

 

[gkarris]

The online requirement and the huge DRM imposed by MS on XBox One games is already a huge negative.

We know Nintendo's stand for a fact. We will now see how Sony responds...

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-5...edly-to-take-cut-on-used-xbox-one-game-sales/

Here's the latest comparison chart PS4/XB1/WiiU

http://www.ign.com/wikis/xbox-one/PS4_vs._Xbox_One_vs._Wii_U_Comparison_Chart

 

[apolloa]

Microsoft failed to show any gameplay, the device still uses a power brick which can be clumsy and I believe the controller still uses AA battery's from what I can gather, I don't like MS attitude so far, your backwards if you want backwards compatibility!, insulting your customers is not very intelligent.
I have an Xbox 360 which will be traded in as MS have utterly lost my interest, sure they will show some flashy games but I don't want Kinect always connected and on, I also think this whole pre-owned games thing is a disaster and NO Microsoft, plugging my satellite box into the XBO is NOT revolutionary it is utterly pointless.

Sony showed actual gameplay running on dev kits, Killzone looked great, they have pushed very hard in recent years with the games and the indies, they are an indie devs best friend and that counts for a lot! I use Netflix which will work fine on it and the PS4 is more powerful all of the time (MS have said devs can use their cloud service to boost games performance but what if your internet goes down?), overall Sony are doing a far better job for gamers and with titles like The Last Of Us and Uncharted I'm hooked, I think next gen will see a LOT of multiplats as they both use the same architecture and I like the Share feature Sony have.
Also PSN Plus is a lot better value as you get so many free games or free game play.

I only have time for one console, but it is my hobby still so will also be getting a new TV, and I am going all Playstation next gen.

Another point is I have read the PS4 has 5GHZ Wireless N, I have not read that about the XBO and as I use wireless that will make a difference.

 

[Jovian9]

I'm waiting for E3 to really pass judgment on these reveals. The Xbox One event was for the console to be shown, not games. We'll hopefully get great news on the gaming front at E3.

And yeah....couldn't help but add this pic b/c I think it's ridiculous. An event about your PS4 shows the controller instead of the PS4

 

[Scrub175]

The killzone demo isn't the best barometer of the PS4 hardware. Sony bombed showing in game footage of killzone 2 before the PS3. There was debate whether the demo was in game or cgi. It ended up being a few years after launch to get up to the demo level graphics. Even the. The game play was meh. Very clunky controls.

Current gen I like the 360. Next round I'm concerned the price point of the One will be ridiculous. If so I'm switching back to Sony. Assuming Sony keeps a reasonable price compared to the One. If Sony learned their lesson, which the focus is back on games with this hardware launch, we potentially could see a significant gap between the console prices. I can't wait to see the price announcements.

 

[Woodcrest64]

Don't forget that Kinect 2.0 can sense emotions/mood, heartbeats, blood flow, smaller objects (or large)



Microsoft has made it crystal clear that Illumiroom is still in beta and won't be available for consumers in the short term. And plus, they've already showcased it before.

I would like to also point out that PS4 has better/faster hardware than Xbox One. 50% more GPU cores (each of which are and clocked the same as an Xbox One GPU core) and ~250% more memory bandwidth. PS4 also uses GGDR5 memory vs Xbox One DDR3 memory. GDDR5 memory has significantly more bandwidth. For high bandwidth usage like video playback and gaming, GDDR5 memory is better. DDR3 memory is more suited for general purpose computing, lower latency.

That's right. Though to make up for the less amount of memory bandwidth on the Xbox One in terms of the DDR3 memory their Jaguar core has 32mb of SRAM. However it still won't make up for the 50% in lack gpu shaders compared to the PS4.

The interesting thing is will developers build around the slower system and not do anything with the extra power on the ps4 in terms of cross platform games.

 

[0098386]

And yeah....couldn't help but add this pic b/c I think it's ridiculous. An event about your PS4 shows the controller instead of the PS4

I thought it was bang on the message - PS4 games, PS4 games, PS4 games.

The original Wii reveal video just had the controller and showed players reactions to games. Remember, reveal events are very important. It's the first shot the manufacturers have to show you where they intend to take the system. It's an honest view, which is what made Microsoft's reveal very sad to me.