Xbox One vs PS4 is Awesome

When talking about games, both Sony and Microsoft managed to present balanced products at E3 this year. However, gamers tend to think that Sony will come up with better games and will provide these exclusively for PS4, as they did in the past with PS3, and these will be better than the ones available for Xbox One (like on Xbox 360).

Although precious little was revealed about the PS4, the recently held event by Microsoft gave us a lot of information about the upcoming Xbox One. This successor to the popular Xbox 360 console is touted to be the all-in-one entertainment system for the living room.

Xbox One Vs The PlayStation 4

Newest releases of the gaming industry’s biggest players, Microsoft and Sony, are two consoles which have more in common than just similar release dates. Here we put these two major consoles on one plate and compare their features and specifications.

Firstly, the most obvious similarity is in the look. Both are black, with matte and glossy finishing and shapes like video recorders of the past. This makes both of them identical to PS2, the second release in the PS series. However, the size of the two vary by a mile. While the Xbox One is a large, masculine console which is likely to dominate the space under your TV, the PS4 is rather sleek and slim, with elegant edges but not as imposing as the Xbox One.

Under The Hood

If we go to consider what is inside the dark, elegant outer look, we would see eight-core processors with a frequency of 1.6GHz, custom AMD graphics processors, Blu-ray drives, and other specifications which both the consoles share with each other. However, there are some essential dissimilarities. The GPUs of these devices employ AMD's cutting-edge Graphics Core Next design, which is divided into working blocks known as Compute Units. The PS4 has 18 CUs generating 1.84 teraflops of processing power, while the Xbox has only 12 CUs; which, gives PS4 the edge as it means that Sony's machine has a 50% advantage in terms graphics.

It is considered one of the points where the PS4 takes the battle away. However, there are other design and technical elements at play which also determine a whole lot. Furthermore, where PS4 uses 8GB of GDDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 176GB/sec, the Xbox One comes with its 8GB of DDR3 RAM. GDDR5 memory is adjusted for high bandwidth, making it perfect for graphics intentions. It also has greater latency than DDR3 RAM but since PS4’s design seats the GPU and CPU on the same die, this difference between the two may be curtailed.

Camera Features

The Xbox One comes with the Kinect device upon purchase, which can tracks up to six people at once and handles smaller, darker rooms very effectively. Its 3D scanner can detect much subtler actions, and it can identify voices and faces. It also has a 1080p camera and can measure heart rate of the users. Meanwhile, the PlayStation Eye (PlayStation Camera) will come as an add-one, and works with the DualShock controller to track the player's movement in 3D space. It, too, allows motion-controlled play and contends with Kinect pretty strongly.

Controllers

Moving on to the controllers, with its newly introduced DualShock 4, Sony offers a great change in terms of shape and features in its controller.  Sony has also added a speaker and an audio jack in their controller, along with the new Share button which will allow the users to be able to record their real time gameplay and upload it online for their friends to see. In contrast, the Xbox One controller has better-quality triggers that claim greater equivalent sensitivity. The d-pad is now cross-shaped and the sticks are more comfortable to use. There's a headset socket, too. Both controllers are a delight to use, and while the DualShock has more tricks, the Xbox One’s controller features smart ergonomics and an amazing gaming ease.

External Devices

Next we consider the external screens that these devices offer. This feature allows for portable devices like smartphones and tablets to be connected to the consoles and act as a second screen. This feature is essentially exactly the same, however, PS4’s compatibility extends as far as PS Vita, which is Sony’s latest portable gaming device.

Games

After this, we approach the launch games. There are some games that both of these consoles offer upon launch. These include Assassin's Creed IV, Call of Duty Ghosts, Watch Dogs, Fifa 14, Madden 14 and Lego Marvel Super Heroes. However, both these devices also offer some exclusive games. Most notably, PS4 offers “DriveClub” and “Knack and Kill”, while Xbox offers Forza Motorsports 5, Ryse: Son of Rome, Dead Rising 3, and others.

Backward Compatibility

Another important aspect for all the gamers out there is that of backward compatibility and other details regarding titles. Firstly, none of the two offer basic backward compatibility. However, it can be deemed possible that in the future, we can see old titles being offered to be downloaded via emulation and digital download. Microsoft has abandoned plans to control the sale of pre-owned titles, something it previously planned on adopting. Sony does no such thing, not before and not now, and allows for free exchange to happen.

Also, the devices have diverse video-on-demand support, containing numerous content partners. Xbox seems to be the one with the more ambitious offerings, permitting owners to store in their cable or satellite channels and control them via voice and gesture controls. Here, it acts as the game changer by offering this interesting service that its rival does not. Xbox One also makes way for instant movement between TV, video content and games, while premium TV content is amplified with exclusive social and gaming features. Also, both consoles have the ability and capacity to accommodate Blu-ray and support 4K output when that does not work out as planned.

Price

XBox One retails at $499, PS4 at $399. The price difference may seem significant at once, however, it changes when we consider the fact that the PlayStation Eye won't be bundled with the console, unlike the Kinect with Xbox One. Both the next-generation consoles will charge an annual subscription for multiplayer gaming access, with PS4 also demanding a paid 'PS Plus' membership.

Making The Choice

This article explorers the similarities and differences that the two have with each other. What this article does is give you an insight into what these consoles are about and by no means, give you the ultimate winner. The choice depends on the user’s preferences. If you want pure gaming experience, with the best graphics humans can get their hands on, without much concern for other supplementary features and motion control play, you are better off with the Sony PS4. However, if you also want to experience the vast features that can come along the gaming experience and also care for the motion play, then you ought to go for Microsoft’s latest masterpiece. Henceforth, the right choice depends on what you want from your device and what you are prepared to pay for it.

Thinking About Overall Entertainment

These are not just gaming consoles. The increasingly demanding requirements of today has evolved these consoles from being able to only run games to being able to function as a fully-fledged computer. They can now run internet, windows’ features, and what not. They have, overtime, transformed into power-packed devices, which is something that has become an essential part of our daily lives. Now we do not even have to pick up the controller or manually turn on the console. All of that is available through voice and gesture controls. As astounding achievement for a specie which strives to be better every single day. What the future holds in this industry is unknown but we can certainly expect to be surprised every single time. 

PlayStation 4 Social Features

One of Sony’s main emphasis on its new PlayStation 4 is to provide the best social experience that the gaming consoles of today are capable of providing. The social experience that the new PS4 provides was one of five major areas that Sony talked about. Sony endows its new console with unprecedented social experience, while also leaving room for the few of those who might not want to use them, by making these features optional. A very wise move, indeed.

The Whole World

Getting into the details of the social features PS4 has, our gaming experience is not limited to us and now has the capacity to be shared to the whole world. The sharing option in Sony’s next generation platform allows the PlayStation Camera to capture moments from our live gaming experience and share them on social-networking websites. A truly amazing edition to an already power-packed console. The Dual Shock 4 controller includes a ‘share’ button, which permits the user to navigate through the last 15 minutes of gameplay and select a screenshot or video clip, which they would want to share. Selected media is then uploaded flawlessly from the console to other PSN users or social networking sites. These websites include Facebook, YouTube and others.

Social Interaction

For people out there who are connected to these social-networking websites closely and enjoy a friend-filled gaming experience, this is the feature to check out. With the streaming feature, such people can broadcast real-time form their gameplay to their friends and the rest of the world. Friends would now be able to see what each one of them are playing and how they are playing. They can also virtually look over each other’s shoulders and interact, providing a whole new gaming experience. The social experience, here, is certainly not limited to just watching our friends play but now friends can even transfer the control of the game to faraway friends, giving single player games a multi-player experience. If permitted by you, they also possess ability to comment on your screens. This experience has never step foot in the gaming world before and its inception by Sony marks a tremendous achievement in gaming innovation.

Video Streaming Services

With rising popularity of streaming services like Twitch, e-Sports, and gaming videos on YouTube, there is no questioning people’s interest in watching others play games. Adding to this the ability to interact with your friends at the same time, make fun of them or encourage them and have a good laugh, the gaming experience will never be the same again. The days, where we sat in our rooms alone and played games on our consoles, are long gone. Now the gaming experience does not have to be a lonely one in the social sense. The connection that Sony has provided us with deserves nothing short of an applause.

According to Ustream co-founder, Brad Hunstable, "Ustream’s integration within PS4 consoles will put gamers on a new media field. They will have the ability to direct, produce, and star in their own video game production, simply by being an awesome (or not so awesome!) gamer." So basically, if this social experience that PS4 brings along has to be illustrated in a nut-shell, we can say that gamers across the world are now connected. They are connected in a way where they can spectate each other’s game, interact with, and assist each other and broadcast live videos of their gameplay via services such as Ustream, allowing friends from all over the globe to view and comment on them.

This social integration has been the subject of much attention by Sony and has caught attention of the entire gaming world, ever since it was announced. It literally takes the gaming experience to a next level. Sony has always strived to deliver standout features and this is one of the best, if not the best, feature its latest PlayStation console has to offer.