As Microsoft announces the Xbox One, Andy Naylor compares the two big players in the next generation of video game consoles…
After Sony’s unveiling of the PS4 (well not the actual console, that’s still to come), it was Microsoft’s turn to reveal their new next-gen gaming console. Ladies and Gentlemen let me introduce you to the Xbox One… Wait, what? Haven’t we already had that?
It would be bizarre of me to start with anything other than the bemusing name of this console – Xbox One. Just so we are all on the same page, this is actually the THIRD Xbox console to date. Quite what the logic is behind the name is anyone’s guess (apparently some sort of unification of all home entertainment into ONE box, but I never let facts get in the way of a good debate). Personally, I think it will just add a needless layer of confusion to the unaware consumer who will no doubt assume that 360 is better than 1. The actual console itself looks a little inelegant and boxy. For a next generation console I’d expect some wonderful vision of the future; it looks like my cheap Samsung Blu-Ray player, except a little larger. As of today, we have only seen a teasing glimpse of the PS4, so no comparison can be made at this point between the superficial looks of the competing consoles.
As for performance related specifications, there really isn’t an awful lot of difference between the PS4 and Xbox One. Both are, essentially, glorified gaming PCs. Both have similar CPUs, both made by AMD – although the PS4 clocks in slightly higher at 2GHz compared to the Xbox One’s 1.6GHz. But do not worry, both shall produce very similar pretty graphics for us all to “Oooooooh” at. To be honest, almost everything is boringly similar. Prices will be near enough identical, release dates will no doubt be around the same time too.
The deciding factor will come down to the software, whether that is gaming software, easy to use firmware or supported features. Games will, again, be quite alike, if anything Sony probably has the advantage in exclusive in-house developed titles, but there is one key difference which could have a massive effect: Microsoft has confirmed it will charge a “pre-owned fee” for previously used discs. Sony will not. This is a big risk from Microsoft as the second-hand gaming market is big business, and the developers and console makers get zero money for second hand games. From that point of view you can understand that approach, but as a gamer, how many times have you gone out and bought a game after borrowing it from your mate to have a go? Sony has confirmed that will not be taking that approach, which is a big plus in my opinion.
Microsoft seems to be continuing their policy of charging for Xbox Live Gold with the new console. Again, this is not something I am a big fan of. They were able to at the beginning of the current generation of consoles because Sony was caught out and their service wasn’t up to scratch. That is not the case anymore. Personally, I find it scandalous that if I want to watch BBC iPlayer on Xbox Live I have to pay £30 for the privilege for something that is completely free everywhere else. It simply makes no sense to me anymore and gamers should see that as a big negative against the Xbox One.
Overall the Microsoft conference was a bit of a let-down compared to the Sony one a few months ago., with only basic gaming information and videos of games that will also be out on their competitor’s console too. But, the real big news of the Xbox conference was that Call of Duty has added a dog as a companion.
What do you make of the Xbox One and PS4 so far? Let us know in the comments below…
Andy Naylor – Follow me on Twitter.
