PS4 Wins Many Hearts; And Wins E3

So let’s talk about the PS4. A lot of us have been worried since February about what Sony was going to do with the system. It was evident from their press conference that A) they learned a lesson from the PS3 episode and B) they paid close attention to Microsoft’s Redmond Campus catastrophe, focusing on TV, Sports, a Water Cooler and a Real Seal Team Dog. I’ve said that enough times- let’s focus on the Playstation 4.

I was entirely impressed by the press conference. There looks to be a couple of good exclusives like Order 1886 that I am interested in. However- there aren’t enough exclusives for me to jump at this right now, especially if the multiplats are coming out on the PC. My PC rig is much faster than the current console generation.

With the Playstation 4, Sony has placed their bets with gamers. It was revealed and look like a rhombus, reminiscent of the fat PS2 model. There were unconfirmed rumors that Sony would allow publishers to lock out used games, though it was also confirmed that Sony does not have an option like that in the PS4 to “lock out” used games. That source comes from videogamer.com. 

So that’s cool- I can rent, loan share and buy PS4 games, as illustrated in Sony’s sarcastic 22 second commercial of the CEO handing the SCEA CEO a game, showing how games are shared on the PS4. It has garnered viral attention among gamers and is linked in the video description. I thought it was classy. Well played.

PS4 does not come with a camera. There is a camera peripheral, but it’s only for the PS Move stuff that I’m not really interested in anyways. You won’t have to go online to register your games or download them- the GAME IS ON THE DISC and you can play games OFF THE DISC or install them to the upgradeable HDD. You will need to pay $4-5 bucks a month if you want to play multiplayer though. With free games and goodies offered, if the server quality improves with this payment, I’m ok and on board with it. It makes me feel valued, and that’s important.

You can hook the thing up to the internet and be done with it if you want. Get different streaming apps for fee, pay for that app, and watch the content streamed through your console. No other fees or nickel and diming here- PS+ is not required to operate multimedia, as confirmed by Sony.

Unlike its competitor, the Xbox One, the PS4 is centered on gaming, but offers you social media options if you want them. They are there, they aren’t complicated, but they aren’t featureless. The primary focus is on getting in, playing the game, and making that experience great if you want DLC or multiplayer through PS+.

The PS4 will not be backwards compatible with the PS3. However, Gaikai will launch in 2013. Gaikai is a streaming service which will allow you to stream PS3 games through to your PS4. I’ll pass on Gaikai and go right for my PS3, thanks. Cloud gaming will be available in the future. Where Sony shines is their strong support for indie gamers. The industry is already buzzing about the PS4 and how easy and friendly it is to develop for the system. The PS4 will have dedicated DDR5, which is graphical memory used for the sole purpose of generating pixels and doing graphics card stuff. Nice touch, Sony.

The system, of course will be blu-ray capable. In this 8^th generation, Sony has moved on and will not offer traditional composite cords, so now red/white/yellow chords or SCARTs. We are now in the HDMI age. At the conference Sony dropped a huge bomb on the convention center: the PS4 will retail for a respectable $399, $100 cheaper than their competitor Microsoft.

For a console I am impressed with what Sony has to offer. This generation proves that gaming consoles are becoming more like PCs, both in capabilities and architecture. Will I be buying a PS4? Yes, they sold me on it. But I won’t be getting one for about a year or two. I’m just not ready to jump in right now, but I will definitely jump in early in its lifespan. It offers what I want and need as a gamer, and makes me feel good doing it. They’ve done a good job catering to gamers, and it will ultimately be the sheeple buying the console this holiday season who will determine its success or not. Here's the thing about the average, dumb sheeple consumer though- when it comes to gadgets and tech; and it doesn't help that the internet makes purchases easier- sheeple are getting more intelligent when it comes to their purchases. I think Microsoft will have a lot of apologizing to do when One's become bricks.

I have a feeling Sony is going to sell pallet loads and won’t be able to keep up- at the price they are offering it at. It’s only $40-$50 more than its competitor Wii U- but blows it out of the water in terms of the hardcore gaming experience.

My final verdict? I highly recommend a Playstation 4. Look into it.

Sony Trolls Microsoft

I have to give these people credit. Sony knows what they are doing and they are about to get a **** ton of business. I am "highly considering" a PS4 purchase.
Youtube peanut gallery:



Xbox 1 for the money, Wii U for the show, PC to get ready, and PS4 TO GO!!

This is the biggest butch slap I've ever seen one company give to another.

From the looks of it today, Sony's been dick slapping Microsoft all around the place...

Here comes the butthurt.

Apply cold water to the burned area

I am a die hard XBOX fan... never liked playstation as much.... but with the shit microsoft was about to pulll.... ill flip the switch and join the PS4 gang if they do.... (US Marine)

I believe the appropriate term is "Danza Slap". THAT is what Sony is doing to Microsoft right now.

Combo kick in the M$ nuts by Sony

yeah..but the difference is that they give games for free..while MS just give you some discounts on the price of few games and add-ons. and PS+ is even cheaper than XLG.

'The foregoing instructional video applies only to disc based games.' hahaha

Sony absolutely destroyed Microsoft. I don't use either console but I love this rivalry.

I have an xbox right now, but after its reveal and all the other hardware bull they pulled. Ps4 is the freshest breath of air ever, i can't wait to switch over now

My wise old launch day PS2 watched the conference. He was in tears and when I asked him why he proudly said, "Now I can retire, that's my son (PS4)" The PS3 farted.

It is not about the games anymore. When people are choosing consoles not because of the games but the restrictions and unwanted junk one has, there is a big problem

Yup but still cheaper than xbox live and you get the free games that sony offers every couple months.

I giggled a bit.

You guys better make this an actual TV ad. parents who dont know will see these ads and ask questions.. like "does that mean its different for the xbox?"

My PS3 runs just fine online, Killzone and Defiance run smoothly, PS4's just a better deal even with the $5 extra for PS+ and multi access. PS+ itself is worth $5, with all the free games, discounts, wallpapers, and avatars. I'm not biased i also own a Xbox 360, but PS4 just beat down Xbox One.

First Class Fatality!

Instructions weren't clear enough I got my penis trapped in my ceiling fan

Chuck Norris just taught Sony how to punch people through a video!

I own an Xbox but this year has made me want to buy a PS3 and this Christmas it'll be a PS4 under my tree (plz Santa), should somebody get Don a stretcher to the burn ward?

SOMEBODY START THE SLOW CLAP!

This might be the single greatest gaming related video ever created.

They spread them buttcheeks. Microsoft wasn't sure at first but shhh shhhh it's ok. It's ok. You'll actually like it. Oh Sony-sempai. Be gentle it's my first time

Post E3 Coverage: Final Thoughts on the Xbone

So let’s talk about the Xbox one. A few weeks ago Microsoft revealed their new “entertainment center experience” called the Xbox One and centered its focus around water coolers, television, sports and a real seal team dog. The response wasn’t too good for Microsoft, and they exclaimed high on the mountain top ‘we haven’t forgotten you, the core gamer’.

Recap: My Expectations

Let’s take a quick recap: as a gamer I expect content and value for the money I am putting out. I expect to put the game in and play it. I also expect companies to keep their hands off of the product I just purchased, after I purchase it. Those are the core tenants of my gameplay philosophy and my expectations for game publishers. 

Xbox Claims It’s the Wave of the Future

Microsoft (according to the Wall street Journal) claims that the Xbox One’s new technologies, which we will call “DRM”, are the wave of the future of gaming and that they “the DRM measures” are the reason you should be buying their console. That’s a pretty ballsy move, and after the Redmond Campus incident they didn’t have much of a choice here. CNET says that Microsoft has regained “gamer credit” with E3’s showing. While that may be true just for the author of that article, the rest of gamerdom as a whole seems to disagree with him. One thing is correct though: Microsoft said not one thing about the intrusive DRM at E3.

There’s just one problem. Microsoft wants to demand what the future will be (that’s nice), but gamerdom as a whole has already spoken negatively about the intrusive DRM and privacy breaking Kinect 2.0. Hey- some people who adore and love Microsoft won’t care and are willing to shell out the money for the shiny new box. I’m here to pick between the three consoles- because every generation I like to pick, at a minimum, one game console.

Indie Support

According to TGS, Microsoft really has not gained indie support- and that can spell disaster for sales. Other sources I have looked into state that Indie developers are raving about the Playstation 4, it’s friendliness to work with and the capabilities it presents to developers. TGS also commented that “this is what Microsoft needed in terms of gameplay”. I disagree- they needed console exclusives at E3, and most of the stuff showed there was CGI or multi-platformed games. 

You see- I have this awesome thing I am talking to right now through an integrated device known as a PC. For $500 I can get a machine that runs every single game in existence at a respectable framerate with room to upgrade in the future. One downside to consoles is that you are stuck with what you have until the next generation. There’s nothing mysterious or high tech about them- if you want that stuff you’ll have to look at high end gaming rigs, of which mine is not one. If It’s on the PC it’s going to run better and look better. Controller support is increasing for PC games. So…. If Metal Gear Solid V is on the PC or is a multi-plat game, for example, I’ll take a pass on Xbone.

Xbox Live Required

For the console to even work you’re going to need to pay a fee to Xbox Live to get the thing jump started. Just to update my games and for Microsoft to “authenticate” me, I’ve got to pay money. In addition, a new “reputation” system will come into play. Other players will be able to vote you up or down depending on if you play like a moron or not. I see this system being abused to the core and not a good idea in practice.

At ‘Authorized Retailers Only’

There will be no freedom to do what you want with your used games. You’ll be free to trade them into Gamestop, which is so far the only authorized retailer. No other information has been put out about that, but it is a fact that if you want to trade/sell games with your friends, or at all, you will only be able to do it once, and ONLY once, AND the person has to be on your friends list for more than 30 days. There will be no game rentals. Microsoft is exploring that option (which means they may or may not be looking into it).

Again, if they can come up with a competitive pricing model like Steam, then it isn’t such a big deal. However the industry’s track record has proven to be poor when publishers want $39.99 to $49.99 for used games that are five years old. Like I said previously, I won’t bite on that. Publishers will now dictate the sale of used games- and that’s going to open a whole lot of problems under First Sale Doctrine.

What’s the Kinect 2.0 Really For?

So what’s the dang camera for, anyways? Microsoft has not put out any exclusives that used motion controls let alone talked about them at great length. So what exactly is that camera for? It’s always watching and always listening. Contrary to what Microsoft has said, that “they” are the ‘stalwarts’ of privacy, I do not trust a corporation such as Microsoft to handle my private information.

With CISPA and government spying roaming around, and that’s a topic for another day, I am not about to trust Microsoft sharing private information with the government, the CIA, the NSA, or anyone relevant. Yes, they can do that with each other. Yes, it is unconstitutional. No, the majority of people don’t care. Microsoft also has a patent to charge pay-per-view from what the Kinect 2.0 sees. 

I don’t trust Microsoft to keep personally identifiable information secure. That information is open for Microsoft to misuse, or more practically- available to hackers, thieves, and corporations that want to sell me products. To top it all off- if Kinect doesn’t recognize someone in the room, they ask that person to identify themselves. The Kinect then stores that information, including if the person made a rude gesture.

Why You Should Really Buy a Console

The main reason you should buy any console is the availability of good titles, exclusives as well as, nowadays a network that allows you to play multiplayer games and download extra content/DLC through that Network. Microsoft wants to take it one step further to make you pay to get in the door, and pay to get your brick to work. That is an unacceptable practice.

Always online DRM has been implemented in Xbone. 

In order to “authenticate”, which is a fancy term for Microsoft checking that you aren’t pirating, you need to connect to the internet once every 24 hours, even for single player games. Failure to do so means your console is temporarily bricked until you authenticate. If you log onto a console not your own, you have to “authenticate” every hour.

So let’s conclude with my thoughts on the Xbone. It’s always on and always watching and listening. The Kinect 2.0 serves no other practical purpose. There is a requirement to be online once every 24 hours, you have to register your games through the console on the internet to authenticate, You can’t resell your game more than once, the camera stores personally identifiable information, you have to pay to get into the “online store” so to speak, let alone pay Xbox Live to even make the console work, and to top it all off- the games revealed at launch are multi-platformers available on other consoles. They then have the balls to ask me for $500 for this DRM ridden entertainment box.

This is an immediate no. I am still waiting to give the PS4 a chance though as I consider it and the Wii U for a console purchase. Overall I am disappointed with where companies such as Microsoft and Electronic Arts want to take the industry. Let them defy gamers at their own peril.