The "You're Winner!" Gaming Thread

[roblo97]

I'm gonna wait a couple of years before I get an Xbox one

[Londoner]

Bah, I'm gonna go and buy a PS1 in the future, in the same way that I've told my friends I'm buying a record player when I'm older.

[Salamander]

I'm gonna wait a couple of years before I get an Xbox one

Don't. The PS4 will be for playing games. All the Xbone offers is things TVs can already do.

[Ataxia]

I'm gonna wait a couple of years before I get an Xbox one

Don't. The PS4 will be for playing games. All the Xbone offers is things TVs can already do.

Amen. Microsoft have forgotten it's a games console they're developing, not a non-portable Windows Phone.

Anyway, I've been PS1nning a lot of late; bought Hogs of War the other day and I'm hooked. If you're not sure what it is, think "Worms 3D" but with pigs voiced by Rik Mayall.

[Salamander]

Anyway, I've been PS1nning a lot of late; bought Hogs of War the other day and I'm hooked. If you're not sure what it is, think "Worms 3D" but with pigs voiced by Rik Mayall.

Also it's INCREDBLY BATHPLUGGING AMAZING. Played that game a ridiculous amount as a kid, shame it never got a sequel.

[MinardiFan95]

I won't be getting either of the consoles, as least until they become about the same price as the current gen consoles are. Besides, the current crop of consoles still have quite a good selection of games on the way - GTA5, GT6, Watch_Dogs, Project Cars and even Grid 2 spring to mind.

On the subject of the XBox One (what a ridiculous name), I find the whole emphasis on TV quite hilarious... considering the display device that most people will hook their consoles up to. From what I've heard, the TV tuner is not even integrated into the console and it'll only work in America when it is launched. Not to mention that Sony already has an external TV tuner (playTV) for the PS3. Bad as that might sound, it's not the worst feature of the Xbone... if you want to take a game to a friends place and play it on their account, you'll have to pay a fee to do so - not just a small fee, but the recommended retail price of the whole game .

[Julien]

Xbone? That's a fancy abbreviation for a console

[Salamander]

Xbone? That's a fancy abbreviation for a console

Blame Mike Bithell (Creator of the absolutely amazing Thomas Was Alone).

[Shadaza]

Gamers are probably the worst fans of any product ever.

1 hour teaser trailer of a console and some are acting like it is the end of times, they have not even shown any gameplay yet or announced many of their games.
Many people are shooting rumours that have yet to be confirmed or denied and it is all looks like judging a book by it's cover.

[AndreaModa]

Gamers are probably the worst fans of any product ever.

1 hour teaser trailer of a console and some are acting like it is the end of times, they have not even shown any gameplay yet or announced many of their games.
Many people are shooting rumours that have yet to be confirmed or denied and it is all looks like judging a book by it's cover.

Couldn't agree more. Biggest bunch of volatile crybabies I think I've ever seen. People need to have a perspective on life, and if the day comes that the most important aspect of theirs is whether they'll be able to play someone else's copy of a game or not on a new console...well.

[Salamander]

Gamers are probably the worst fans of any product ever.

1 hour teaser trailer of a console and some are acting like it is the end of times, they have not even shown any gameplay yet or announced many of their games.
Many people are shooting rumours that have yet to be confirmed or denied and it is all looks like judging a book by it's cover.

Couldn't agree more. Biggest bunch of volatile crybabies I think I've ever seen. People need to have a perspective on life, and if the day comes that the most important aspect of theirs is whether they'll be able to play someone else's copy of a game or not on a new console...well.

... what. What's your problem with people buying used games? A lot of people don't have the disposable income necessary to buy every game new. The majority of physical games that I own were bought used. If I still cared about console gaming, the games I would buy would be used most of the time.

Also, if the Xbone's 15 exclusive titles were so amazing, why didn't they show any of them? Or even say what they were?

[DemocalypseNow]

Gamers are probably the worst fans of any product ever.

1 hour teaser trailer of a console and some are acting like it is the end of times, they have not even shown any gameplay yet or announced many of their games.
Many people are shooting rumours that have yet to be confirmed or denied and it is all looks like judging a book by it's cover.

Couldn't agree more. Biggest bunch of volatile crybabies I think I've ever seen. People need to have a perspective on life, and if the day comes that the most important aspect of theirs is whether they'll be able to play someone else's copy of a game or not on a new console...well.

I have to say, some of your recent posts about "perspective" have been bordering on discriminatory. This one included. Why are you telling people how to live? How do you know of all people know the correct path? I think you need to dismount from the high horse and see that some people live very differently to yourself, and that doing so is not necessarily a bad decision.

[AndreaModa]

Gamers are probably the worst fans of any product ever.

1 hour teaser trailer of a console and some are acting like it is the end of times, they have not even shown any gameplay yet or announced many of their games.
Many people are shooting rumours that have yet to be confirmed or denied and it is all looks like judging a book by it's cover.

Couldn't agree more. Biggest bunch of volatile crybabies I think I've ever seen. People need to have a perspective on life, and if the day comes that the most important aspect of theirs is whether they'll be able to play someone else's copy of a game or not on a new console...well.

... what. What's your problem with people buying used games? A lot of people don't have the disposable income necessary to buy every game new. The majority of physical games that I own were bought used. If I still cared about console gaming, the games I would buy would be used most of the time.

Also, if the Xbone's 15 exclusive titles were so amazing, why didn't they show any of them? Or even say what they were?

Oh I absolutely agree. Every single one of mine are second hand too, mainly though because my laptop could never handle a game made after about 2007. My point is not that having a problem with it is wrong, it's the perspective. People taking things way out of context when the reality is that it's just a bit of overpriced software you push some buttons to. It's not that big a deal at the end of the day.

[Shadaza]

Also, if the Xbone's 15 exclusive titles were so amazing, why didn't they show any of them? Or even say what they were?

E3 is in a few weeks . That is the hope at least.

I rarely ever get consoles on release because of the big expense and small amount of content and I must admit I don't like the idea of not being able to play second hand games (Ubisoft have already started limiting their games to only 1 online connection) but the overwhelming negative response to the product seems very melodramatic and unfounded.

If I was to put a gaming system on my christmas list, it would be a Nintendo 3ds rather than the "no games WII U" or the other main consoles. E3 may change my mind, a damn sight more to look forward too then last year.

[Salamander]

Couldn't agree more. Biggest bunch of volatile crybabies I think I've ever seen. People need to have a perspective on life, and if the day comes that the most important aspect of theirs is whether they'll be able to play someone else's copy of a game or not on a new console...well.

... what. What's your problem with people buying used games? A lot of people don't have the disposable income necessary to buy every game new. The majority of physical games that I own were bought used. If I still cared about console gaming, the games I would buy would be used most of the time.

Also, if the Xbone's 15 exclusive titles were so amazing, why didn't they show any of them? Or even say what they were?

Oh I absolutely agree. Every single one of mine are second hand too, mainly though because my laptop could never handle a game made after about 2007. My point is not that having a problem with it is wrong, it's the perspective. People taking things way out of context when the reality is that it's just a bit of overpriced software you push some buttons to. It's not that big a deal at the end of the day.

Maybe it's not that big a deal for you, but for some people video games are a significant part of their entertainment. It's perfectly understandable that people are pissed off about this.

Also, if the Xbone's 15 exclusive titles were so amazing, why didn't they show any of them? Or even say what they were?

E3 is in a few weeks . That is the hope at least.

Yeah, but I still don't see why they couldn't at least whip up 3 or 4 teaser trailers instead of making the majority of the gameplay coverage devoted to universal sports cames and COD.

I rarely ever get consoles on release because of the big expense and small amount of content and I must admit I don't like the idea of not being able to play second hand games (Ubisoft have already started limiting their games to only 1 online connection) but the overwhelming negative response to the product seems very melodramatic and unfounded.

Let me spell it out for you, then. The PS4 announcement showed Sony were committed to gaming with their console. Which is brilliant, because that is what a console is supposed to do. The Xbone, on the other hand, is committed to allowing users to watch TV. Wait, what?

[Wallio]

And as I said in response to it,

Gaming is fine, and will continue to be so no matter what happens on consoles. You're just being Chicken Little. Perhaps a headless Chicken Little. Video games are a larger industry than movies, and have been for years. Microsoft may have shot themselves in the foot, and repeatedly (which is a worrying trend as of late), but the industry will still go on.

For those that didn't catch the announcement of the Xbox One, or, as I will be henceforth calling it, the Xbone, here is an abridged version. Also, GameSpot is running a Twitter battle between the PS4 and the Xbone. It's not looking pretty for Microsoft.

Obviously PC gaming will never die, and Microsoft will no doubt keep making consoles, but otherwise..........

As I said during my PS4 post, Nintendo is losing a SHITETON on money on the Wii U (the numbers keep getting worse) and I still say by 2020 they go back to being handheld only (that's how they started. Remember the Game and Watch series?) Sony as a company is hurting as well, and many economists said the PS3 (and SCEA itself) was really the only thing keep Sony profitable. If that goes away....... Keep in mind too that the indie Android-based console has been scrapped. Gaming isn't nearly as big as it was 15 years ago when we had The Dreamcast, PS1, N64, Neo-Geo, Jaguar and 3DO all available (and the Virtual Boy, but let's not talk about that) Now its Sony or Microsoft. That's it. And both companies stocks fell after they announced their systems (although Sony got a bump yesterday after Microsoft's announcement.)

If you really think gaming is invincible read this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_crash_of_1983 there are a lot of pararells, and as a historian, I can tell you history does indeed repeat itself. Also pick up "The Ultimate History of Video Games" and "Game Over". Both can be had on Amazon quite cheaply, and are excellent. They will be quite an eye opener for you.

Gamers are probably the worst fans of any product ever.

1 hour teaser trailer of a console and some are acting like it is the end of times, they have not even shown any gameplay yet or announced many of their games.
Many people are shooting rumours that have yet to be confirmed or denied and it is all looks like judging a book by it's cover.

The always online and used games fees have been confirmed by Microsoft themselves. How is that a rumor? Yes you can play games off line, but the system itself MUST be hooked to the internet. And while we don't know how much Microsoft will charge for used Games, (I personally doubt it will be full retail price, more likely $5.99-$9.99 IMO)Microsoft has confirmed you WILL have to pay for them. They also said the system, while not required to, is designed to work best when hooked to cable Tv. Again these are not rumors. The only rumors I have seen are in regards to price, and until E3, we'll never know, but $599-$699 seems likely. As Altaxia said, Microsoft has forgotten its a gaming console. The PS4 had a bunch of useless garabge on it, but they at least showed games (running on PCs, but still).


I for one won't be buying either, UNLESS they release versions that aren't online only, and don't have all the social media BS. Hell I'd even pay money for that and there are tons like me. (Hint, Hint Microsoft and Sony).

[Salamander]

As I said during my PS4 post, Nintendo is losing a SHITETON on money on the Wii U (the numbers keep getting worse) and I still say by 2020 they go back to being handheld only

I disagree. Sales numbers for the Wii U are very poor, but only because they don't have a library worth being called such. Once Pikmin 3, Mario, Metroid, and Zelda all have games, more people will get a Wii U, and then games will start to be released on it. Yeah, it's a horribly gutless machine, and would do well to break even, but it won't sink Nintendo. I expect them to release a new console in about 2.5-3 years which should get them back on track.

And both companies stocks fell after they announced their systems (although Sony got a bump yesterday after Microsoft's announcement.)

Speaking of Sony's stock, this is pretty damn funny.

Gaming isn't nearly as big as it was 15 years ago when we had The Dreamcast, PS1, N64, Neo-Geo, Jaguar and 3DO all available

What? Gaming is much larger than 15 years ago! What the hell are you thinking!?

Having a glut of consoles does not mean there was an equally huge amount of console sales. Out of all of those consoles you named, only the PS1, the N64, and maybe the Dreamcast had a library worth getting excited about.

If you really think gaming is invincible read this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_crash_of_1983 there are a lot of pararells, and as a historian, I can tell you history does indeed repeat itself.

I'm aware of the crash of '83. I'm also aware that it happened largely because of companies assuming people would buy any old tiny, crappy game, hiring a couple programmers, and then have them make one, all the time not having a damn clue what they were doing. About the only thing on the hardware-side which influenced the crash was the saturation of the market with crappy consoles on top of the crappy games. You could argue that competition from PCs is another parallel, since the PS4 is the only console with any edge at all on PCs, and one which I think will last a couple of years at most.

I do believe the industry will shrink in the coming years, as publishers inevitably either go bankrupt or realise spending millions and millions trying to clone COD's success is stupid when they end up in situations where Resident Evil 6 can sell 5 million copies and still be called a failure. But worst case scenario, we will still have indie developers making excellent games, like Thomas Was Alone, Fez, Defenders Quest, Don't Starve, Sanctum, not to mention Minecraft, and many many more. But will gaming die? Hell no. It will survive the same as any art form will.

And for those of you still thinking the general reaction to the Xbone is too negative, Jim Sterling sums it up here just about perfectly. The announcement was shockingly bad. Honestly Microsoft would've been better off cancelling it and unveiling the Xbone at E3 along side it's supposed 15 awesome exclusive games.

[Wallio]

Gaming isn't nearly as big as it was 15 years ago when we had The Dreamcast, PS1, N64, Neo-Geo, Jaguar and 3DO all available

What? Gaming is much larger than 15 years ago! What the hell are you thinking!?

Having a glut of consoles does not mean there was an equally huge amount of console sales. Out of all of those consoles you named, only the PS1, the N64, and maybe the Dreamcast had a library worth getting excited about.



.

While it is hard to argue with that graph, I will anyway To me, it was healthier back then because there was so much more competition. And there was much better older system support. In addition to the ones I listed, stores carried games for the SNES, Genesis, 32X, and Saturn as well. Now? Its PS3 or 360. Sure they're selling more, but is it healither? Mayne, maybe not. And I really doubt Pikmin or Mario will make someone by a Wii U. As I said before, I've owned literally every console Nintendo has made, and I'll never buy a Wii U (unless they drop it to $99 bucks). It looks no better than a Wii, and has a really dumb controller to boot. Rehashing the same old titles won't change tat, no matter how good Pikmin looks (and it does look good).

[AndreaModa]

I've been thinking about all of this during the afternoon, and I've come to the conclusion that gamers will always be disappointed from here on in, because of the law of diminishing returns. Unless there's some massive new innovation like holograms or something like that, nothing is really going to be that impressive that you can justify spending hundreds of pounds/dollars/euros on it, because at the end of the day it won't be that much different to the previous console. In the early days the technology would come on in leaps and bounds, and even comparing the 6th and 7th gen consoles the graphics are markedly different, but will the 8th gen improve by the same amount? Highly unlikely. So by expecting the same, you're always setting yourself up for failure. What could Microsoft or Sony have done instead to make the Xbox One/PS4 better?

You can apply this to game franchises as well. They all eventually run out of steam.

[Salamander]

To me, it was healthier back then because there was so much more competition.

What competition? It was Sony and Nintendo, with Sega way behind, and the others specks on the horizon.

Sure they're selling more, but is it healither? Mayne, maybe not.

Given that this has been the most even console generation yet, with the Wii, 360, and PS3 all selling equally and all being solid consoles, yes. Yes I would say it was healthier. No other generation has had 3 consoles so equally successful. Next gen, probably not so much, what with the PS4 already set to carry it.

And I really doubt Pikmin or Mario will make someone by a Wii U. As I said before, I've owned literally every console Nintendo has made, and I'll never buy a Wii U (unless they drop it to $99 bucks). It looks no better than a Wii, and has a really dumb controller to boot. Rehashing the same old titles won't change tat, no matter how good Pikmin looks (and it does look good).

You would be surprised. You might not be motivated to buy a Wii U on the back of it's exclusives, but there are plenty of people who will be, especially if they turn out good. The screen controller is a really interesting innovation - it's not a console seller by any means, but I'm really interested in seeing if Nintendo can come up with any more uses for it, like they did with the Luigi's Ghost Mansion minigame.

I've been thinking about all of this during the afternoon, and I've come to the conclusion that gamers will always be disappointed from here on in, because of the law of diminishing returns. Unless there's some massive new innovation like holograms or something like that, nothing is really going to be that impressive that you can justify spending hundreds of pounds/dollars/euros on it, because at the end of the day it won't be that much different to the previous console. In the early days the technology would come on in leaps and bounds, and even comparing the 6th and 7th gen consoles the graphics are markedly different, but will the 8th gen improve by the same amount? Highly unlikely. So by expecting the same, you're always setting yourself up for failure.

If graphics made games, you would be right. But they don't. Gameplay, and in some cases, story, is what makes games. If your game is fun to play, it will sell - even if it looks like ass. See Minecraft.

What could Microsoft or Sony have done instead to make the Xbox One/PS4 better?

The PS4? Not much, to be honest. It's as good as it could be. The Xbone? Well, perhaps not focusing on making it a way to watch television, when it requires a TV to operate in the first place? I think that would be a good place to start.

You can apply this to game franchises as well. They all eventually run out of steam.

New IPs come out all the time, though. Franchises can die, but new ideas for games will keep coming up.

Also FOR BATHPLUGS SAKE MICROSOFT

[AndreaModa]

I've been thinking about all of this during the afternoon, and I've come to the conclusion that gamers will always be disappointed from here on in, because of the law of diminishing returns. Unless there's some massive new innovation like holograms or something like that, nothing is really going to be that impressive that you can justify spending hundreds of pounds/dollars/euros on it, because at the end of the day it won't be that much different to the previous console. In the early days the technology would come on in leaps and bounds, and even comparing the 6th and 7th gen consoles the graphics are markedly different, but will the 8th gen improve by the same amount? Highly unlikely. So by expecting the same, you're always setting yourself up for failure.

If graphics made games, you would be right. But they don't. Gameplay, and in some cases, story, is what makes games. If your game is fun to play, it will sell - even if it looks like ass. See Minecraft.

Exactly. Graphics don't sell games, but graphics most definitely sell consoles. Why buy a new console when your existing one does the same thing with marginally fewer pixels whilst the rest of it is largely the same? That's my point. In the ever-increasing fight for market share, the console manufacturers are racing to get new products out that will net them a few more percentage points. What they're failing to realise is that in order to do that you need weight behind the console, not just a few new bits here and there. So not only do they put out a product that fails to get them the extra customers, at the same time they alienate their existing audience with a product that is of little improvement over the existing one. Hence why people will hold onto their money and wait for the price to come down.

The problem with that though is that the console manufacturers are then forced into a price war, cutting back on profit margins and harming the future prospects of the company. In order to just shift the consoles they have to cut the prices, but by cutting the prices they don't have the income they need to go on and manufacture something better next time out. And they are therefore forced into a downward spiral of falling sales and profits that is very difficult to reverse, unless a new innovation comes along to shake the market up a bit - a bit like a new set of rules in F1 that shakes up the established order.

And that is going to be the problem with the games industry if things carry on as they are. There'll be fewer improvements in the consoles, the prices will at best remain flat, at worst go up, and the paying public will stay away, especially in times like these. The only saving grace will be the games, but as has already been mentioned here, the costs for developers are spiralling out of control with consoles that have ever increasing requirements and potential. It's an unsustainable model, and can't carry on infinitely. And that is why gamers will continue to be disappointed, until the whole thing goes bust, or something new comes along.

And for clarification, through all of this I'm talking about the console market, that is Xbox/PlayStation/etc. Indie gaming is a completely different kettle of fish.

[Shadaza]

It's obvious the XBONE needs a share button! *flees*

[Wallio]

http://penny-arcade.com/report/article/the-kinect-is-mandatory-and-cant-be-turned-off-welcome-your-new-motion-sens



This as well as its "spy mode" are just worrying.........

I mean I bought a kinect for my 360 to use with Forza 4, but otherwise it sits idle (much like my 360 in general) and as a gaming platform its pretty awful (fruit ninja being the exception). Microsoft really bathplugged up I think.....

[Salamander]

I've been thinking about all of this during the afternoon, and I've come to the conclusion that gamers will always be disappointed from here on in, because of the law of diminishing returns. Unless there's some massive new innovation like holograms or something like that, nothing is really going to be that impressive that you can justify spending hundreds of pounds/dollars/euros on it, because at the end of the day it won't be that much different to the previous console. In the early days the technology would come on in leaps and bounds, and even comparing the 6th and 7th gen consoles the graphics are markedly different, but will the 8th gen improve by the same amount? Highly unlikely. So by expecting the same, you're always setting yourself up for failure.

If graphics made games, you would be right. But they don't. Gameplay, and in some cases, story, is what makes games. If your game is fun to play, it will sell - even if it looks like ass. See Minecraft.

Exactly. Graphics don't sell games, but graphics most definitely sell consoles. Why buy a new console when your existing one does the same thing with marginally fewer pixels whilst the rest of it is largely the same? That's my point. In the ever-increasing fight for market share, the console manufacturers are racing to get new products out that will net them a few more percentage points. What they're failing to realise is that in order to do that you need weight behind the console, not just a few new bits here and there. So not only do they put out a product that fails to get them the extra customers, at the same time they alienate their existing audience with a product that is of little improvement over the existing one. Hence why people will hold onto their money and wait for the price to come down.

The problem with that though is that the console manufacturers are then forced into a price war, cutting back on profit margins and harming the future prospects of the company. In order to just shift the consoles they have to cut the prices, but by cutting the prices they don't have the income they need to go on and manufacture something better next time out. And they are therefore forced into a downward spiral of falling sales and profits that is very difficult to reverse, unless a new innovation comes along to shake the market up a bit - a bit like a new set of rules in F1 that shakes up the established order.

And that is going to be the problem with the games industry if things carry on as they are. There'll be fewer improvements in the consoles, the prices will at best remain flat, at worst go up, and the paying public will stay away, especially in times like these. The only saving grace will be the games, but as has already been mentioned here, the costs for developers are spiralling out of control with consoles that have ever increasing requirements and potential. It's an unsustainable model, and can't carry on infinitely. And that is why gamers will continue to be disappointed, until the whole thing goes bust, or something new comes along.

And for clarification, through all of this I'm talking about the console market, that is Xbox/PlayStation/etc. Indie gaming is a completely different kettle of fish.

Yeah, I've thought for a while now that the console market is doomed to irrelevency at best. Between diminishing returns, and the massive success of mobile platforms with such rapidly evolving hardware that is on track to eclipse consoles within a generation or two, I just don't see a future for them. Though I have one correction to make - the development costs on games are only spiralling out of control because every publisher wants every game they make to be COD - a cash cow which generates profits in the tens of millions with a new £60/$60 game every year, and they all think the formula lies in torturing the original premise of the game to be more like COD.

[Hound55]

First off, I must say that the Sony stock chart did make me laugh.

Secondly, I don't really understand why there is the joint notion that the PS4 is going to destroy the Xbox One. Most of the ideas brought forth by the Xbox One do seem fairly interesting. The idea that I can integrate my TV, laptop, and phone seems really cool to me. I'm not always going to be playing video games when I have free time, so what's so wrong if I multitask with my TV? Hell, I thought it was cool when I learned I could use my Ipod touch to select videos from Youtube for my 360 to play on the tv. Considering this is an entirely new addition, what is so wrong with it being there?

Based on an article I read, both are fairly comparable spec wise. Both are running with 8 core processors. The Xbox One has 8GB DDR3 while the PS4 has 8 GB DDR5, both of which have their own advantages and disadvantages. Both (I think) have motion sensing devices. So why is their such a dislike for Microsoft's product?

As far as Call of Duty being the finale of Xbox One's reveal, I think that is being overly criticized as well. While COD is a series notorious for its multiplayer mode, both for good and bad reasons, it must be pointed out that the series is incredibly popular, and, as long as you keep a level head, fun to play. It's a game that is designed for playing with your buddies on a late night, yet with the ability to appeal to a group of pro gamers. And while there are consistent criticisms thanks to "cheap kills," much has been done in order to remove that aspect. Many of the cheap kills in COD are no worse than any other FPS, like Battlefield 3. So I believe the criticism it receives is over the top.

Some of the issues with privacy do bother me, but not terribly. I'm more concerned with the games available and the console quality.

Now, I may be a huge fan of the 360, and I did watch the live reveal of the Xbox One (cause I got home and noticed it was on), but I genuinely want the best console I can get. I'm buying one, currently leaning towards the Xbox. But I need to know why everyone is criticizing the Xbox so much and why (more importantly) the PS4 is receiving such praise.

[Salamander]

I'm just gonna leave this here.

[DemocalypseNow]

The idea that I can integrate my TV, laptop, and phone seems really cool to me.

Alternatively, custom build a desktop unit that hooks up to your TV. Install Skype after the OS has been put in. Put a TV tuner card in one of the PCI bays.

There. Better kit and no restrictions on what you can and can't do. The webcam turns off when you want it to. You have one hundered trillion times more freedom to do what you wish with your machine.

I really really don't understand how the gaming console isn't dead yet. If people had any sense, PCs would have obliterated them by now.

[Salamander]

Based on an article I read, both are fairly comparable spec wise. Both are running with 8 core processors. The Xbox One has 8GB DDR3 while the PS4 has 8 GB DDR5, both of which have their own advantages and disadvantages. Both (I think) have motion sensing devices. So why is their such a dislike for Microsoft's product?

That's a gross oversimplification. DDR3 is well outclassed by GDDR5. Hell, DDR3 will probably be phased out in a year or two. The PS4's GPU (the thing which actually generates all those lovely graphics) is also 50% faster than the Xbone's. Also Kinect is mandatory for the Xbone. Move isn't required for PS4. Xbone has to connect to the internet once a day before you can play games, so if you have a crappy internet connection (like I do), tough shite. No Xbone for you. Furthermore. the used games market for it is already more or less dead on arrival. All the fancy schmancy TV and social things are nice I guess, but gamers care about playing games on their games console first and foremost, and in that regard the Xbone is outclassed by the PS4 on every front.

As far as Call of Duty being the finale of Xbox One's reveal, I think that is being overly criticized as well. While COD is a series notorious for its multiplayer mode, both for good and bad reasons, it must be pointed out that the series is incredibly popular, and, as long as you keep a level head, fun to play. It's a game that is designed for playing with your buddies on a late night, yet with the ability to appeal to a group of pro gamers. And while there are consistent criticisms thanks to "cheap kills," much has been done in order to remove that aspect. Many of the cheap kills in COD are no worse than any other FPS, like Battlefield 3. So I believe the criticism it receives is over the top.

It's not that it was COD, it's that COD was the only gameplay showcased. Everything else was stupid TV and sports crap which no gamer cares about on their console. It's a massive snub to every gamer who bought a 360, and needless to say, most of them are very unhappy with it.

[roblo97]

Everything else was stupid TV and sports crap.
It's a massive snub to every gamer who bought a 360, and needless to say, most of them are very unhappy with it.

what the xbone can play T.V?

so can my samsung 22" flatscreen

[Shadaza]

Odd thought, but if the WiiU could do the stuff the next Xbone can do that would be really cool. Imagine what you could do with the WiiU controller and the ability to effortlessly switch between TV, Skype and gaming. It would be the ultimate tablet.

[Wallio]

Secondly, I don't really understand why there is the joint notion that the PS4 is going to destroy the Xbox One. Most of the ideas brought forth by the Xbox One do seem fairly interesting.

The Xbox will spy o you. It will send your viewing, gaming and shopping data to marketing companies and they will tailor ads to you based on it. Also, Kinect, even when "off" will listen for keywords, both to turn on, and to get more marketing data. Microsoft has confirmed this. If this doesn't both explain all the hate, and terrify you, I doubt anything will.

I know nothing about the processors, so I won't go there, but the Kinect HAS to be hooked up to function. The Move doesn't. The Xbox has to be hooked up to the internet, and is supposed to be hooked up to your cable. The PS4 requires neither. The Xbox does not really allow to to play used games, the PS4 does. And lastly the Xbox may cost up to $699.

The PS4 is only going to "destroy" the Xbox as you put, because the Xbox is that bad, not because the PS4 is that good. My good buddy is the biggest Xbox fanboi there is, and he's not buying one. I think Microsoft really screwed the pooch here. Of course I thought Sony screwed up too, and now they look brillant. How scary is that?



And if those Wii U sales figures are true, I'm speechless. Sony and Microsoft take note.

[Shadaza]

And if those Wii U sales figures are true, I'm speechless. Sony and Microsoft take note.

A friend of mine honestly said that he wondered what Nintendo's new console will be like, I thought he was joking, he wasn't.

[Hound55]

The idea that I can integrate my TV, laptop, and phone seems really cool to me.

Alternatively, custom build a desktop unit that hooks up to your TV. Install Skype after the OS has been put in. Put a TV tuner card in one of the PCI bays.

There. Better kit and no restrictions on what you can and can't do. The webcam turns off when you want it to. You have one hundered trillion times more freedom to do what you wish with your machine.

Hadn't thought of that. Mostly cause I don't have a high quality PC Just a pretty solid Probook. But why is it somehow less restricting than the Xbox One? Cause Kinect isn't spying on you?

I really really don't understand how the gaming console isn't dead yet. If people had any sense, PCs would have obliterated them by now.

Well, there is the massive problem of upfront costs, and for a really nice PC you will spend upwards of $800 (I considered building one myself, as I was willing to make the transition, but I wasn't getting much for what could work for me money-wise), while a console costs significantly less (several hundred dollars cheaper). Once you have a PC, you continuously make upgrades as game quality increases. Consoles are bought as massive sorts of upgrade packages upon the previous generation. From the outside, it looks like consoles are cheaper because most people don't consider the next gen console they will have to buy in order to stay up to date. Thus, people are thwarted by what appears to be cheaper and more practical, the consoles.

Secondly, I don't really understand why there is the joint notion that the PS4 is going to destroy the Xbox One. Most of the ideas brought forth by the Xbox One do seem fairly interesting.

The Xbox will spy o you. It will send your viewing, gaming and shopping data to marketing companies and they will tailor ads to you based on it. Also, Kinect, even when "off" will listen for keywords, both to turn on, and to get more marketing data. Microsoft has confirmed this. If this doesn't both explain all the hate, and terrify you, I doubt anything will.

I don't want to sound like a badass or anything, but it really doesn't scare me. Electronic devices taking your viewing and shopping data is nothing new. Tailor made ads are nothing new. And it doesn't really bother me what my Xbox knows. What is Microsoft going to do with it? Sell it to a company? Oh no! Someone might put an F1 ad prior to my Youtube video! It's not like if I say "Sony rules and Microsoft sucks" there is going to be a convoy of armored vehicles driving into my neighborhood. Or if I accidentally tell a secret near my Xbox, it's not going to take that and post it on facebook or twitter. It's used for marketing. Not stealing your identity.

I know nothing about the processors, so I won't go there, but the Kinect HAS to be hooked up to function. The Move doesn't. The Xbox has to be hooked up to the internet, and is supposed to be hooked up to your cable. The PS4 requires neither. The Xbox does not really allow to to play used games, the PS4 does. And lastly the Xbox may cost up to $699.

It's a shame that it won't allow used games, but Steam already makes used game purchases fairly obsolete for PC. I think this is just the way gaming in general is heading.

The PS4 is only going to "destroy" the Xbox as you put, because the Xbox is that bad, not because the PS4 is that good. My good buddy is the biggest Xbox fanboi there is, and he's not buying one. I think Microsoft really screwed the pooch here. Of course I thought Sony screwed up too, and now they look brillant. How scary is that?

Okay, that makes sense. Nobody is raving about the PS4, which was primarily the source of my confusion.

Based on an article I read, both are fairly comparable spec wise. Both are running with 8 core processors. The Xbox One has 8GB DDR3 while the PS4 has 8 GB DDR5, both of which have their own advantages and disadvantages. Both (I think) have motion sensing devices. So why is their such a dislike for Microsoft's product?

That's a gross oversimplification. DDR3 is well outclassed by GDDR5. Hell, DDR3 will probably be phased out in a year or two. The PS4's GPU (the thing which actually generates all those lovely graphics) is also 50% faster than the Xbone's. Also Kinect is mandatory for the Xbone. Move isn't required for PS4. Xbone has to connect to the internet once a day before you can play games, so if you have a crappy internet connection (like I do), tough shite. No Xbone for you. Furthermore. the used games market for it is already more or less dead on arrival. All the fancy schmancy TV and social things are nice I guess, but gamers care about playing games on their games console first and foremost, and in that regard the Xbone is outclassed by the PS4 on every front.

...yes...yes it was... I remember being consistently recommended DDR5 over DDR3 in my failed PC build, I was never quite sure why. From what I read, DDR3 was more detail oriented, while DDR5 was big picture. And that was incredibly simple as is.

As far as Call of Duty being the finale of Xbox One's reveal, I think that is being overly criticized as well. While COD is a series notorious for its multiplayer mode, both for good and bad reasons, it must be pointed out that the series is incredibly popular, and, as long as you keep a level head, fun to play. It's a game that is designed for playing with your buddies on a late night, yet with the ability to appeal to a group of pro gamers. And while there are consistent criticisms thanks to "cheap kills," much has been done in order to remove that aspect. Many of the cheap kills in COD are no worse than any other FPS, like Battlefield 3. So I believe the criticism it receives is over the top.

It's not that it was COD, it's that COD was the only gameplay showcased. Everything else was stupid TV and sports crap which no gamer cares about on their console. It's a massive snub to every gamer who bought a 360, and needless to say, most of them are very unhappy with it.

And Forza 5 But I hope that better things will be brought for E3, as the reveal did seem much more tailored for the very casual gamers. Maybe some more details of the new exclusive titles that are scheduled to be released, coupled with the other gaming stuff set to be revealed at E3 will allow the Xbox One to redeem itself. After all, it has yet to even be released yet. We still have time.

Thanks for all the responses, and while I will maintain some faith that Xbox One won't be a total flop, I will definitely be trying to keep more up to date with what's going on with the PS4.

[Salamander]

Mostly cause I don't have a high quality PC Just a pretty solid Probook.

You have my sympathies.

But why is it somehow less restricting than the Xbox One? Cause Kinect isn't spying on you?

Well, yeah, obviously. And the fact that it doesn't require to be connected to the internet. And the fact that although PC's have no used games market because it's pretty much all digital distribution these days, they do have sales and large libraries to make up for it.

I really really don't understand how the gaming console isn't dead yet. If people had any sense, PCs would have obliterated them by now.

Well, there is the massive problem of upfront costs, and for a really nice PC you will spend upwards of $800 (I considered building one myself, as I was willing to make the transition, but I wasn't getting much for what could work for me money-wise), while a console costs significantly less (several hundred dollars cheaper). Once you have a PC, you continuously make upgrades as game quality increases. Consoles are bought as massive sorts of upgrade packages upon the previous generation. From the outside, it looks like consoles are cheaper because most people don't consider the next gen console they will have to buy in order to stay up to date. Thus, people are thwarted by what appears to be cheaper and more practical, the consoles.

You make a lot of the cost for a PC up through the games though. They're all cheaper than their console equivalents, largely because you don't have to cover the losses that Sony and Microsoft make with every console they make. Especially if you take advantage of the sales, and exclusive indie titles. With this generation's consoles not really looking that spectacular, in all honesty, now's a pretty good time to save up the extra bit and get a proper gaming PC. Hell, with Steam Big Picture, you can keep on gaming on your TV.

It's a shame that it won't allow used games, but Steam already makes used game purchases fairly obsolete for PC. I think this is just the way gaming in general is heading.

But Steam makes up for no used games with its sales. Something which Microsoft has thus far failed to grasp.

...yes...yes it was... I remember being consistently recommended DDR5 over DDR3 in my failed PC build, I was never quite sure why. From what I read, DDR3 was more detail oriented, while DDR5 was big picture. And that was incredibly simple as is.

... really? When was this? Because if it was any time before this year, I would highly question who exactly gave you this recommendation. Sony using GDDR5 was a gamble on their part, that it would be coming into fore right about now. Also, stop calling it DDR5. Not because it annoys me, but because you're gonna be confused to hell when DDR4 comes out in a couple years to replace DDR3.

And Forza 5

Was not gameplay.

But I hope that better things will be brought for E3, as the reveal did seem much more tailored for the very casual gamers. Maybe some more details of the new exclusive titles that are scheduled to be released, coupled with the other gaming stuff set to be revealed at E3 will allow the Xbox One to redeem itself. After all, it has yet to even be released yet. We still have time.

I'm not going to wait. If Microsoft doesn't think their official unveiling of the the Xbone required much actual gameplay, then even before the ridiculous always on requirement (which I can't meet), I'm already turned off. Video games provide most of my entertainment.

[Ataxia]

I think Sony stand to do well over this. I think their release was low-key for a reason, and if they've got a console where they're not charging people through the nose for the unit and other subscription services...they can pick up a LOT of sales.

I'll be sticking with Sony as far as I'm concerned. Hopefully I won't be too disappointed with them.

[dr-baker]

Only games consoles I have ever bought have been PSP and PS3 (plus I have played a few games on my PC/laptop). And I am not likely to buy any others any time soon. Mostly because I don't feel I have spent enough time on them to justify the amount I spent on the consoles and games. So new XBox/PS4? No thanks. Or maybe when I'm 45...

[Hound55]

BlindCaveSalamander, you are right on every front. Steam is many times cheaper than buying games for consoles. And when it comes to technical stuff, I only have a slight idea of what I'm talking about

For me, the whole issue with always being connected to the internet doesn't bother me because I have a reliable connection at my house. I can understand how others would be none too pleased.

[roblo97]

BlindCaveSalamander, you are right on every front. Steam is many times cheaper than buying games for consoles. And when it comes to technical stuff, I only have a slight idea of what I'm talking about

For me, the whole issue with always being connected to the internet doesn't bother me because I have a reliable connection at my house. I can understand how others would be none too pleased.

Same here mate

[dinizintheoven]

Meanwhile, as you're all bickering over which 8th-gen consoles not to buy, I'll go back to Ocarina of Time. Yes, that's right, a game approaching its fifteenth birthday and I've finally got round to playing it. I don't like to be rushed.

I'm not even half way through (Link's just aged seven years overnight, I'm at that point) and Navi has already turned me into Kimi Räikkönen. Leave me alone! I know what I'm doing!

[Ataxia]

Meanwhile, as you're all bickering over which 8th-gen consoles not to buy, I'll go back to Ocarina of Time. Yes, that's right, a game approaching its fifteenth birthday and I've finally got round to playing it. I don't like to be rushed.

I'm not even half way through (Link's just aged seven years overnight, I'm at that point) and Navi has already turned me into Kimi Räikkönen. Leave me alone! I know what I'm doing!

Would you like to hear my special piece of idiocy regarding Ocarina of Time? Then I'll begin...

In short, my local game store does trade-ins. I got bored of a game a week or two before Christmas (I forget what it was) so went to swap it for something. I had my eye of Ridge Racer Unbounded; always been a fan of the RR series so I thought it would be pretty cool. For the same price (£15 rings a bell here) Ocarina of Time was sitting in the cabinet of "loose" cartridge format games (y'know, GB, N64, Megadrive, etc) and was immediately placed in a quandary over whether to get it.

Yep, you got it. I bought RR Unbounded, and it was rubbish. Went in a few days later to refund/swap, but Zelda was gone. Chance blown. Sin bin.