Post-E3 Console Wars: There's Only One Way To Find Out

[HBR-Roadhog]

I saw in a thread here somewhere that the PSN+ subscription covers online play for a console indicating that if you have 2 or more players or accounts that you still only need 1 subscription to play online where as with XBL you need one for each gamertag or you need to get the family plan which is a bit less than double the cost of a single subscription.

 

[Joel]

Neither at the moment but long term I'll get a PS4 eventually for the new GT games, some Sony exclusives, and the NHL series. Just can't really justify spending $400 on a PS4 this year after spending $1300 on a PC this spring. The Xbone is a bit of a non starter for me, the privacy concerns are tough to justify and while I think the hate is a bit exaggerated, it's just something I don't want to pay to support.

 

[Pupik]

Just realized there's a Don't Know option, but voted neither/neither because my PSX and PS2 still work, and recently picked up an old 360 to go with the Wii. I know, I know...but I figured it would be me to speak up.

Can I just say that using anything that requires constant updates and pushes me to do something other than I intended to do bugs the ever-loving crap out of me? It's marketed as an option, but it is just a huge annoyance compared to consoles of the past 25-30 years. I guess that's the way it's going, and there's no stopping it from trying to be over-convenient to the point of harassment, yet it's at the expense of simplicity.

Curious though, what has the media dubbed this generation of game consoles?

Okay, carry on.

 

[AudiMan2011]

I was undecided on the PS4 before E3 but it's made a better case for itself now.

I think it looks better than the Xbox One (X1 looks like a 90's VHS recorder) and the price is certainly a plus point. The PS4 not needing a permanent internet connection and the less restricted used game support are a bonus as well.

However, the kicker for a lot of people (myself included) is that PS+ will be mandatory to play online. I never looked into PS+ on the PS3 as I didn't think it would be worth it. Also the lack of backwards compatibility with PS3 games will put off a few people unless the Gaiki cloud service offers something.

So far I am initially impressed with the PS4, but having to pay to play online still leaves me undecided.

 

[F1 fan]

Which console impressed you most at E3?

PS4. I had already decided on a PS4 prior to E3. Only region locking or a ridiculous price would have changed my mind. Fortunately, neither of those came to fruition.

Which console are you more likely to buy on the strengths of the E3 presentations?

I will say that MS' conference was very well done. Sony's was a bit awkward and drawn out, but they just delivered that series of knockout punches at the end.

What shortcomings do the consoles have?

Both lack backwards compatibility which is disappointing. It's not really a big problem for me as my ps3 will sit in the same tv unit. Other than that, the ps4 looks great.

MS on the other hand... It's well documented so I'll summarize. Mandatory Kinect and the surveillance that could come with it, mandatory online checkins, the whole used game situation... And region locking. I live in Japan. The majority of my games are import copies I pick up in akihabara, however, a great deal of jp ps3 games have english support. I can pick those titles up anywhere. That's not going to be possible on the xbone.

What advantages do the consoles have?

PS4: No mandatory surveillance in your own home, lower price, better value for money subscription, no region locking for games, familiar controller, gaikai, used games and exclusives that appeal to me.

Xbox... Erm. I'm sure there will be good games for it, but due to the reasons stated above, I really can't think of any advantages.

 

[ussr]

PS4 always was mine pick.

 

[Darren.]

I was going with the PS4 the moment it was announced, and E3 only strengthened my decision. The overall design is cleaner and sleeker than the Xbone (as always with Sony) and the support for used games is a smart move by Sony that could potentially drive Microsoft out of the console market.

I do like the new PS Plus strategy. I'm all for supporting a service that delivers, which Plus already does. I mean, Driveclub on day one, for free pretty much sold it to me. I just hope Sony gets dedicated servers for each game (ala XBL), and doesn't slap adverts on the UI even though I paid for Plus, like Live.

 

[cuco33]

All I'm going to say is poor poor Forza 5... I went from getting both consoles, XO on launch, to I might skip out of XO entirely and get a PS4 a few months after launch. Will be too busy with GT6, Last of Us, current backlog and of course my PC. MS needs to changed DRASTICALLY

 

[Earth]

Local Gamestop had 2 PS4 preorders (including mine) within 5 mins of opening. The guy also told me they were open to Xbox One preorders all day Monday but have only taken a total of 3.

 

[sems4arsenal]

undecided before E3,won't be getting a Xbone yet still the whole pay to play online for the PS4 is dissapointing 5$ may not sound like much but to me it requires some sort of money sorting monthly ,I'll probably just wait till 2014 unitll we get a next gen Granturismo game along side Project CARS and maybe get Watchdogs and BF4 later.

 

[Xavier2342]

Prior to E3, I had absolutely no intentions on purchasing a PS4 and planned on purchasing a X1 (despite it's downfall). However, after watching Sony take a stand for gamers, I think I'll be saying goodbye to Forza (xbox exclusive I care about) unless the X1 and PS4 cost the same during Fall of next year.

 

[eran0004]

Neither before E3 - neither now.

Mainly because I didn't see any games that looked interesting enough to me. I'm a bit curious about Forza 5, but my allergy towards the Xbox Nineteen Eighty-Four makes it an impossible purchase for me :/

Maybe in a few years time if there's a Gran Turismo title developed for the PS4 I might get that. Or if some other awesome game pops up.

One thing about the driveatars in Forza 5:

It brought an interesting twist to the always online requirement. Might be good to replicate human behavior, but what if your friends are not very good drivers? Personally I would prefer an AI that acts like professional drivers, but maybe these driveatars are able to keep a high enough standard? Some sort of difficulty setting would be good I suppose. Would be interesting to find out more about that...

(Also, a computer collecting data about your behavior in order to create an artificial "clone" of you - in combination with this 1984 thing and the US government spying on people through social media - it does sound like the intro to a bad action movie.)

 

[E28]

Before- I had little preference, but was leaning towards the PS4. Now- PS4, PS4, PS44444444!!!

So yeah. E3 basically killed the Xbox, especially with the price, and no games that would tempt me. Even Forza 5, which seems so far to be a prettier FM4 with a McLaren P1.

Besides, GT6 looks pretty good, and it's essentially £400 cheaper.

 

[UKMikey]

They could come out with the greatest game ever made - a game that literally allows you to become God - and if it were an XBox One exclusive I still wouldn't buy an XBox One simply because they want me to install a mandatory corporate, networked CCTV system in my house.

No deal. Not ever.

It'd be simpler for someone to write a hack to allow you to turn the Kinect and mikes off and still be able to play games.

I hope someone does somewhere down the line because I think Turn 10 are the ones I feel most sorry for in all this.

 

[Pupik]

It'd be simpler for someone to write a hack to allow you to turn the Kinect and mikes off and still be able to play games.

Black electrical tape? Market as a mass-attenuation device: Xtape.

 

[sumbrownkid]

The Metal Gear trailer was just too much for me to handle.

I guess that's the highlight for the Microsoft show for me. Halo was cool, but Big Boss > Master Chief, all day everyday.

 

[ASH32]

It'd be simpler for someone to write a hack to allow you to turn the Kinect and mikes off and still be able to play games.

I hope someone does somewhere down the line because I think Turn 10 are the ones I feel most sorry for in all this.

No it'd be simpler for Microsoft to remove this rubbish and that wouldn't be illegal too. They are not going to though so loads of people are not going to buy their system.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

I have always been a multi-console gamer. I currently own a PS2, PS3, (2) 360s, and (2) gaming PCs. I am not in a hurry to make a decision on either console. I have always preferred the online experience with xboxlive. I only used the PS3 for blu ray and a few exclusives. The only thing the PS2 and PS3 had going for the online was that it was free. That is no longer the case with the PS4. PS4 is no longer free online. There is no way I would pay for 2 online services. X1 has dedicated servers and that's huge.

I really enjoy Halo, Gears Of War, and Forza. Plus I prefer the online experience with live. I didn't buy a 360 until almost a year after release so at this point I am just going to wait and see. I don't need another console but if I had to pick I think I would go with the X1. But that's not written in stone. It will also depend on where my friends and family go. Most of the friends I play with on a regular basis are leaning toward the X1. Some toward the PS4. Well until they heard the PS4 is no longer free online. Each has its pros and cons.

I wont be buying both consoles next gen that's for sure. It will be one or the other. Time will tell.

 

[Samus]

I won't be buying either console at launch, I never buy consoles at launch and these will be no different. When I do buy a console next year though PS4 will be the obvious first choice. The launch game lineup does look better for Xbox since most PS4 games were listed as 2014 but as I won't be getting one till then that's fine for me.

 

[fatkrakr]

One thing about the driveatars in Forza 5:

It brought an interesting twist to the always online requirement. Might be good to replicate human behavior, but what if your friends are not very good drivers? Personally I would prefer an AI that acts like professional drivers, but maybe these driveatars are able to keep a high enough standard? Some sort of difficulty setting would be good I suppose. Would be interesting to find out more about that.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/andyrobertson/2013/06/11/forza-5-gameplay-sled-wheel-rumble-gamepad/ This might answer have some answers for you.

 

[HBR-Roadhog]

For me the best part about Live over PSN is the party chat feature. Sounds like the PS4 will also have a party chat type feature which will make that a moot point. I also have more than one gamer tag that gets used online so that means Gold service costs me more where as it looks that PSN+ will allow multiple gamer tags to play online from the same console but only need a sinlge PSN+ subscription which means it will be about $30 or so cheaper per year than Live.

I also have a PS2, PS3 and XB360 as well as several PCs. Mostly I play Forza and GT on the consoles and was fully prepared to buy the XB1 this fall along with FM5 but once the info came out on the XB1 that changed everything.

I am just happy that GT6 is releasing for the PS3 this fall so at least I will have something new to play over the winter without having to spend a boat load of cash in the process.

Gold subscription will not be renewed.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

For me the best part about Live over PSN is the party chat feature. Sounds like the PS4 will also have a party chat type feature which will make that a moot point. I also have more than one gamer tag that gets used online so that means Gold service costs me more where as it looks that PSN+ will allow multiple gamer tags to play online from the same console but only need a sinlge PSN+ subscription which means it will be about $30 or so cheaper per year than Live.

I also have a PS2, PS3 and XB360 as well as several PCs. Mostly I play Forza and GT on the consoles and was fully prepared to buy the XB1 this fall along with FM5 but once the info came out on the XB1 that changed everything.

I am just happy that GT6 is releasing for the PS3 this fall so at least I will have something new to play over the winter without having to spend a boat load of cash in the process.

Gold subscription will not be renewed.

Nice part about the xboxlive family package is that it is only $25.00 per person. That is very cheap. I pay about $34.00 a year for live. I also agree its nice PSN is FINALLY getting a party chat. I hated trying to communicate on the PS2 and PS3. Took them forever but its finally improving with the PS4.



I noticed a few members are concerned or terrified that the X1 will be spying on them. Something about CCTV. I think its a bit exaggerated that the X1 will be "spying" on people in their home. Besides, if you are not doing anything illegal, why would that be a problem? They can spy on me all they want. I don't do anything illegal so I have nothing to hide. All they will see is me sitting on my couch maybe once in a while scratching myself.

I guess if you wanted to do something illegal you could just shut off the Kinect, cover it with a towel, or well don't do something illegal in front of it.

 

[sems4arsenal]

I noticed a few members are concerned or terrified that the X1 will be spying on them. Something about CCTV. I think its a bit exaggerated that the X1 will be "spying" on people in their home. Besides, if you are not doing anything illegal, why would that be a problem? They can spy on me all they want. I don't do anything illegal so I have nothing to hide. All they will see is me sitting on my couch maybe once in a while scratching myself.

I guess if you wanted to do something illegal you could just shut off the Kinect, cover it with a towel, or well don't do something illegal in front of it.

Kind of missing the point there abit.

 

[Samus]

I noticed a few members are concerned or terrified that the X1 will be spying on them. Something about CCTV. I think its a bit exaggerated that the X1 will be "spying" on people in their home. Besides, if you are not doing anything illegal, why would that be a problem? They can spy on me all they want. I don't do anything illegal so I have nothing to hide. All they will see is me sitting on my couch maybe once in a while scratching myself.

I guess if you wanted to do something illegal you could just shut off the Kinect, cover it with a towel, or well don't do something illegal in front of it.

You really don't see that as a problem? I don't care what I'm doing and whether it's illegal or not, it's my house and I expect privacy whilst in my house.

 

[ZohsixGT5]

I noticed a few members are concerned or terrified that the X1 will be spying on them. Something about CCTV. I think its a bit exaggerated that the X1 will be "spying" on people in their home. Besides, if you are not doing anything illegal, why would that be a problem? They can spy on me all they want. I don't do anything illegal so I have nothing to hide. All they will see is me sitting on my couch maybe once in a while scratching myself.

I guess if you wanted to do something illegal you could just shut off the Kinect, cover it with a towel, or well don't do something illegal in front of it.

^Yeah I don't understand all the fuss either. Heck it might even be a turn on to your gf/wife to know that some MS nerd is watching you.

 

[Samus]

Seriously? You don't value your privacy in your own home?

 

[HBR-Roadhog]

I noticed a few members are concerned or terrified that the X1 will be spying on them. Something about CCTV. I think its a bit exaggerated that the X1 will be "spying" on people in their home. Besides, if you are not doing anything illegal, why would that be a problem? They can spy on me all they want. I don't do anything illegal so I have nothing to hide. All they will see is me sitting on my couch maybe once in a while scratching myself.

I guess if you wanted to do something illegal you could just shut off the Kinect, cover it with a towel, or well don't do something illegal in front of it.

It has nothing to do with what we are doing at home being legal or not but just the idea that it could monitor us in any way. I do not want anyone having the ability to watch me in my home who I have not invited in. I don't care if I am just sitting there watching a movie or doing nothing at all. The point is it is my home and I expect privacy. There is also the risk of someone hacking into the XB1 and watching for whatever reason or possibly even recording video from it and then posting on you tube or whatever.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

It has nothing to do with what we are doing at home being legal or not but just the idea that it could monitor us in any way. I do not want anyone having the ability to watch me in my home who I have not invited in. I don't care if I am just sitting there watching a movie or doing nothing at all. The point is it is my home and I expect privacy. There is also the risk of someone hacking into the XB1 and watching for whatever reason or possibly even recording video from it and then posting on you tube or whatever.

Use the off button. Or even more fun, put a mirror in front of it. haha

You really don't see that as a problem? I don't care what I'm doing and whether it's illegal or not, it's my house and I expect privacy whilst in my house.

Then shut it off. The Kinect can be shut off.

Besides, you think you have privacy anymore in this world? Type in your street address into google maps and tell me if privacy exists. You can literally walk around your house with that and its a public feature. Seriously some people are blowing this way out of proportion. It has an off button.

 

[fatkrakr]

Nice part about the xboxlive family package is that it is only $25.00 per person. That is very cheap. I pay about $34.00 a year for live. I also agree its nice PSN is FINALLY getting a party chat. I hated trying to communicate on the PS2 and PS3. Took them forever but its finally improving with the PS4.



I noticed a few members are concerned or terrified that the X1 will be spying on them. Something about CCTV. I think its a bit exaggerated that the X1 will be "spying" on people in their home. Besides, if you are not doing anything illegal, why would that be a problem? They can spy on me all they want. I don't do anything illegal so I have nothing to hide. All they will see is me sitting on my couch maybe once in a while scratching myself.

I guess if you wanted to do something illegal you could just shut off the Kinect, cover it with a towel, or well don't do something illegal in front of it.

I guess calling it spying isnt the correct term. I mean after all you do have to pay for the thing and set it up youself.
If your going to set this up in your house though you are setting your self up to be "observed" while in your own home.

 

[HBR-Roadhog]

Use the off button.


Then shut it off. The Kinect can be shut off.

Besides, you think you have privacy anymore in this world? Type in your street address into google maps and tell me if privacy exists. You can literally walk around your house with that and its a public feature. Seriously some people are blowing this way out of proportion. It has an off button.

The off button comes in the form of me keeping my money and not having this thing in my house at all.

As for google maps, you can't even tell what my house looks like on there much less what I am doing inside.