This article titled “PlayStation 4 vs Xbox One: The next-gen consoles compared” was written by Matt Kamen and Jordan Erica Webber, for The Observer on Monday 2nd December 2013 17.48 UTCOver the past seven days the battle lines of the gaming industry have been drawn more distinctly and closer together than ever before, as Microsoft pits its paradoxically named third console, the Xbox One, against Sony’s resurgent PlayStation 4. But are these technological behemoths worth your time and money? While the newest generation of gaming hardware was ostensibly inaugurated last year with the release of the Wii U, Nintendo has increasingly become a law unto itself, distinct in its successes and failures from the rest of the industry. For many, the real “next gen” experience has only just arrived. It’s unusual to have two potential titans launching only a week apart – there were 15 months between the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 launching in the UK in 2005 and 2007 – and the “clash” speaks volumes about the vast sums of money invested in each format and the consumer appetite for them.Pre-orders for both formats set records, and the campaign trail, from announcement to release, has been bitter for both camps. But while their predecessors both offered a leap to high-definition gaming, there’s no such immediate payoff here. So how do they stack up? MK
Xbox One by Matt Kamen
Best bit
After viewing the original Kinect with disdain, it is a hugely pleasant surprise to find how impressive the new model is included with Xbox One. Voice commands actually work and the camera sensor is far more accurate. Dead Rising 3 offers the best in-game implementation so far, in calling out support commands to allies while slaughtering zombies.
Biggest letdown
Many of the launch titles – conspicuously, largely first-party titles published by Microsoft – are filled with micro-transactions (ie charging you, albeit small amounts, for extras). Forza Motorsport 5, although a great racer mechanically, offers constant nagging to buy better cars with real money, while Crimson Dragon and Ryse both lure you into the Xbox Marketplace for upgrades. Digital consumables in full-price games is disheartening, to say the least.
Unique feature
More a suite than a single feature, Xbox One’s dedication to all-encompassing media consumption is very well implemented. Alongside Blu-ray playback and the usual array of on-demand services (Netflix, LoveFilm, iPlayer et al), an HDMI input allows you to control and record TV. The ‘Snap’ function is also useful, running a second app, such as Skype alongside game sessions.
Controller
Improvements to the Xbox One controller over the 360’s are largely “under the hood”, with dedicated rumble motors on each trigger. On the surface, the A, B, X, Y buttons are a whole millimetre closer together, start and back are replaced with menu and view – largely retaining the same functions – and the battery compartment is less intrusive. Comfortable, but unremarkable.
Connectivity
Microsoft’s SmartGlass, a companion app for tablets and smartphones, is coming into its own on Xbox One. While the strength of each title’s integration lies with developers, functions such as being able to control your apps remotely, pre-load movie purchases, participate in multiplayer games and reply to messages using your device’s touch keyboard are fantastic.
Social
The maximum number of Xbox Live friends now clocks in at a monstrous 1,000, a vast and welcome increase. Players can also form parties, groups they play with regularly or only on specific games, and communicate through Kinect or a headset. Once you’ve downloaded the free Upload Studio app, sharing clips of your gaming prowess is quick and easy too.
Room for improvement
Beyond fewer microtransactions, home screen navigation is the area most in need of an overhaul. In trying to simplify the user experience, the minimalist approach is instead confusing and oddly cluttered. Favourite apps can be pinned but otherwise get clumped together in a sub-menu, making it trickier to organise. Hopefully, better categorisation is only a software update away.
Overall
Despite its relatively strong launch line-up and promising upcoming titles such as Titanfall, the Xbox One is very deliberately positioned as a multimedia server, rather than a dedicated games console for the hardcore. TV integration may be irrelevant for the young and tech-savvy, eschewing broadcast in favour of streaming or downloading, but for families wanting gaming, video, music and more, Xbox is the One. Score: 7/10
PlayStation 4 by Jordan Erica Webber
Best bit
The PlayStation 4 demonstrates a refreshing self-awareness from Sony. Gone is the advanced Cell processor that put developers off getting properly acquainted with the PS3, so while the PS4 is powerful, it’s simpler to develop for. It’s less bulky than the PS3, too, and old hands will be relieved to know that the controller is significantly improved.
Biggest letdown
Unfortunately, early purchasers will likely struggle to justify buying their console at launch. Promising games such as DriveClub and Watch Dogs have been delayed, and the exclusives Killzone and Knack are only mediocre. However, plenty of great multi-platform games – such as Assassin’s Creed and Lego Marvel Superheroes – look even better on PS4, with some in higher definition than on the Xbox One.
Unique feature
One feature to make Xbox One owners jealous is “Remote Play”, through which you can play PS4 games on your handheld PlayStation Vita. Lag makes the streaming experience less than perfect, especially if you connect from afar, but being able to use the Vita as a second controller in games such as Knack and Lego Marvel Super Heroes is a blessing.
Controller
The DualShock 4 strikes a balance: is similar enough to the previous DualShock controller to maintain the brand but without its significant flaws. Both the touchpad and speaker are interesting additions – in Killzone the former is used for menu selections and the latter to play audio logs – but most welcome are the concave triggers and a shape clearly designed for comfort.
Connectivity
Aside from the DualShock 4 and Vita, you can also have some control over your PS4 with the PlayStation Camera, an optional accessory left out of the basic console bundle to keep costs down. However, its response to voice commands is inconsistent, and its facial recognition feature, while impressive, is no quicker than using a controller to log in.
Social
With long-awaited group chat and the ability to log up to 2,000 friends, it’s clear the interactive aspect is a key component to the PS4. While the record of everything your friends have done is excessive, the ability to capture segments of in-game footage and to stream as you play shows a real understanding of the modern gaming landscape.
Room for improvement
As the PS3 and all it has to offer have evolved over the years, so too will the PS4. Let’s hope it won’t be too long before Sony releases an update with options to customise the home menu, which is currently no more than a horizontal line of every game and app installed on the device.
Overall
Sony’s goal for the PS4 was simplicity, and that’s reflected in both the physical design and internal architecture, which paves the way for a console that is focused on gaming. While only a few of the exclusive launch titles are worthwhile, those delayed big-budget titles and a promising roster of independent developers should fill the gap before long. Score: 8/10
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There have been an extreme battle between the two. But as a fan of Sony and from my personal choice, I would go for PS4. It’s cheaper and has all the games I want. Nevertheless, Xbox will surely surprise users with its new cool features.
Dave
http://www.mediaplayera.com
Well, it depends in personal choice for me am also a PS fan but I was heavily disappointed with Sony with the PS4. For not putting video and music playback from USB devices is a fail.