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PlayStation 4 vs. Xbox One: Games & Features

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Later this year Sony and Microsoft will release the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, respectively, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

While both consoles are still a few months out, there’s already a lot of information out there about both. With pre-orders starting to run dry, now’s the time to decide which console is right for you.

Thankfully, a month after E3 there is quite a bit of information available for both consoles. Here’s a breakdown of how the consoles compare in terms of services based on what we know about them so far.

PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

Exclusive Launch Games

While both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One will function as media boxes, the biggest reasons to buy either are the games. Both consoles promise at least a dozen exclusives in the first year, but only a few of those will make it to launch.

The PlayStation 4 has three big exclusives scheduled for launch: Killzone: Shadow Fall, Knack and Drive Club. The lineup includes something for a range of gamers including fans of shooters, platformers and racing games. The games show off the graphical capabilities of the PS4 and all look like fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rGlu3e9kdks

Xbox One exclusive launch titles include Dead Rising 3, Ryse, Forza 5 and the free-to-play Killer Instinct. Microsoft’s lineup seems to cater mostly to hardcore gamers, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The games will all make use of the console’s mandatory Kinect sensor, adding a new dimension to each.

https://youtu.be/r46D1lRpO1k

Both the Xbox One and PlayStation 3 will also have a number of multi platform games available at launch. Games like Watch Dogs, Assassin’s Creed IV, Need For Speed Rivals, Call of Duty: Ghosts and Battlefield 4. Those games won’t help sell either console, but will help ensure there’s no lack of games for either one.

Online Services

Both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One will both make use of the online services available on current consoles. Both will also require monthly subscriptions to play online.

PlayStation-Plus-vs Xbox Live

The PlayStation 4 will require a PlayStation Plus subscription to play games online, which costs gamers $50 each year. That subscription, however, comes with free games every month. Early PS4 adopters with PlayStation Plus will get Drive Club PS Plus Edition for free as a way to start off their game collection.

Microsoft’s Xbox One will use Xbox Live for online multiplayer, which costs $60 per year. The company will also use Azure and the cloud to help make games better. For example, the cloud will store driver data for Forza 5 gamers and create Drivatars which will replace the default AI in their friend’s games with racers that race just like them.

Sharing

Sony and Microsoft will include new social aspects beyond just their respective online services.

The PlayStation 4 will let gamers stream their games to their friends on PlayStation Network or to anyone around the world using UStream.

Xbox_One_Twitch

Microsoft will include a new Game DVR feature in the Xbox One which will let gamers edit and share clips of their best gaming moments with the world. The console will also have Twitch TV support so gamers can stream their games online for all to see.

Second Screen

This generation game companies toyed with the idea of expanding games beyond the TV to smartphones and tablets, and the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One will take that to the next level.

Sony will release a special PlayStation App for iPhone and Android devices that will let gamers communicate with their PSN friends from anywhere. The app will also let them buy games for their console no matter where they are, watch game streams, and interact with games when they’re at home.

psp-vita.jpg

The PlayStation 4 will also feature remote play with the PlayStation Vita. Remote play will let gamers stream their PS4 games to the Vita as long as they’re on the same Wi-Fi network. It’s just like tablet mode on the Wii U, but with more games.

For the Xbox One Microsoft will expand the features of its current Smart Glass app. The next generation of Smart Glass will provide more information to players in real-time and can add more to games than it currently does. Not every game will use Smart Glass, but Microsoft has shown that games like Ryse will use it in unique and interesting ways.

Conclusion

Both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One have their own strengths and weaknesses. The PlayStation 4 is more powerful on paper and costs $100 less at launch, while the Xbox One has some unique cloud features. There is no right answer to the question of which console is better. The easiest way to decide is to figure out which exclusives you want more, or simply which controller you want to hold while you play Watch Dogs.

15 Comments

15 Comments

  1. Vincent (@VKoo816)

    07/17/2013 at 2:18 pm

    FYI – Playstation Vita’s PS4 Remote Play can be used over the internet. That means you can play PS4 games abroad only if you have an internet connection

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_Play#PS4_to_Vita

  2. Cameron

    07/17/2013 at 8:10 pm

    Also forgot f2p exclusives dcuo and warframe that are available day one.

    https://m.ign.com/wikis/playstation-4/PlayStation_4_Launch_Titles

    • Cameron

      07/17/2013 at 8:14 pm

      Sorry you didn’t forget, you were listing main titles, and I admit that dcuo is a bit old, but warframe probably should have got a mention.

    • Jordan

      07/18/2013 at 2:16 am

      No I think your right in that respect. there are actually gonna be 5 F2P games and three of them are confirmed to be available on day one:
      – DC Universe Online
      – Warframe
      – Planetside 2

      On another subject: Interestingly, I cant seem to find anyone who has noticed that SONY have confirmed the possibility of keyboard support. if this goes through, whats stopping Blizzard doing what they’ve wanted to do since day one- Port WoW to the PS4!!!

      • Mike Everett

        07/18/2013 at 2:52 am

        Dude WoW on ps4 would be awesome.. However the Xbox one is what I will be playing bcuz my experience on Xbox and live has been much better than PS.. With that said I may pick up a ps4 next year once I learn more about their gaikai implementation cuz that interests me

      • David Osah

        08/15/2013 at 7:15 pm

        What about Blacklight: Retribution?!

  3. Mike

    07/18/2013 at 3:39 am

    As I understand it, PS Plus will be tied to the console whereas Xbox Live is per account. Big difference when you have multiple gamers in the same household.

  4. jb227

    07/18/2013 at 1:19 pm

    Great and unbiased writeup here….only thing that you didn’t mention which could be a boon for some players is the additional hour of content that will release exclusively on sony systems for watch dogs & ac 4…although as i understand it, the content will be released on ps3 as well

  5. Simper

    07/18/2013 at 5:25 pm

    I own both Xbox n PlayStation. And am slightly biased on the PlayStation but no other reason than it is what I grew up on not because I think one is better than the other, possible( Xbox being better). That being said, from the information that I’ve gathered I feel PlayStation is just a better deal . Xbox has a lot of really cool innovations but for me it boils down to games. And with the price of PS plus n the console itself on top of better specs I feel that its a obvious choice of superiority. But I’m not sold , you never can tell on things , could suffer from tons of problems like the infamous red ring of death, or user interface could be a nightmare. Bottom line…..My vote is for PS but it can easily be swayed…

    P.S I think PS controller is way better to imo

  6. James Lawrence Murphy II

    07/21/2013 at 6:02 am

    You didn’t mention the 300000 servers on Xbox Live, or Twitch streaming from Xbox. And if you’re gonna compare them, why not mention the cameras on both systems.

  7. dom mac

    08/12/2013 at 1:55 am

    well i think more professional gamers would go xbox over ps3. Xbox has always been little more sturdy when it comes to controllers and the system running. Cant go wrong with ps4 but i have ps3 so i do not think i need ps4. Xbox has better games halo, new dlc for Call of duty comes out earlier. Spend the extra money i think xbox gives back better servers/ maintenance. I am completely sold ps4 but something deep down says go with the xbox one so i think im sticking with my gut. I am defiantly going to wait to check out both for myself and see what the majority of my friends get so that i am not the only one with a xbox or something lol…

  8. Daezore

    09/12/2013 at 1:17 pm

    I dont have a clue rite now. I was going to get ps4 until I just found out that the games aint backwards compatible like it was originally planned. I dont like xbox pricing. I had both xbox n ps and I will admit that sony has better games but the 360 has more games. My fav is Gears of War 2 and God of war 3. I love the features to xbox one but i have all those on different devices. Its enjoyable to have on all one. Playstation i like it cause it focus on games for the most part. Never the less I not giving up neither ps3 or 360. So I may shy away until all the newer systems been out a year first so all the kinks n issues they may have should be out the way. Good luck to whatever yall choose. It will be fun either way.

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