Why choose Xbox?

The only real life decision avid gamers must face throughout their gaming career is the choice of the console type. They’re virtually left with two choices: Sony’s PlayStation 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One. They both feature graphics and gameplay never seen before, but the Xbox One finds itself with the edge over the competition including a better choice of games, better entertainment, and more bang for your buck.

Even after all of the talk about the tech specifics (pixels, RAM, frames per second, etc.), there remains only a few obvious reasons for kids to want a certain new toy to such extent: the enjoyment, and the enjoyment that is given off from these consoles resides in its games. There are an incredibly large amount of games that have only one of the consoles to call its home — the Xbox — so it is more efficient to only focus on the best. The video game series, Halo, was first released in 2001, and it has proven to be the most successful video game in history. Halo 3 is the highest selling video game in existence, with nearly 16 million copies sold worldwide, and Halo 4 won Best Action Game and Best Online Multiplayer Game at the 2013 E3 awards.  Sony does not have the rights to release any Halo game, so PS4 users will not have the ability to play the top video game out there. Microsoft combines the best online gameplay with one of the largest online communities. “I play Xbox because all of my friends play it, the online community is really just so much larger, it makes it more fun to play,” junior Britt Parkhill said.

It appears that gaming consoles are not just for games anymore. They now let you watch movies, see what’s going on in the world, and socialize with the community. Xbox One proves to provide these services in a much more effective manner than the PS4. Much like a computer, the Xbox One allows you to create tabs and visit them at any time, even if you want to use multiple tabs at once. Microsoft calls this feature Xbox One Snap, and it comes free with any Xbox One. Users can talk to friends, play the latest game, and watch TV all at once, but PS4 users would have to do each action one at a time, wasting even more time, and creating more of a hassle. This truly creates the ultimate entertainment room, enabling users to be content even though they are only moving a couple muscles in their hand.

Many would look at the price tags and say PS4 is the way to go (Xbox One retail price: $499, PS4: $399), but, Xbox One gives you more than just the console itself, which explains the price. An Xbox Kinect sensor comes free with the Xbox One; the Kinect detects your motion and lets you navigate screens and play many games with just your body’s motion. Gaming has moved on to a new generation of technology and Sony simply hasn’t caught up yet. The Playstation Eye for the PS4 will be sold separately for an estimated additional $60, and with a very limited amount of compatible games. Microsoft has released 129 games, and already two Xbox One Games, which incorporate the Kinect’s function, proving it is worth the extra $100.

With all these advantages of buying the Xbox One, it truly shows its superiority to the PS4.

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Why choose Playstation?

Sony may have really gotten its act together… this time. After seven years of living in the shadow of Microsoft, the PlayStation 3 makes it seem as if the developers have finally realized how sucky it is to exist as the little brother to your main competitor. Beginning with the launch on Nov. 15, the PS4 has shoved its formerly superior out of the gaming spotlight.

Months before the release of the consoles, it appears the PS4 already had the clear advantage. Microsoft sheepishly admitted to its potential buyers that the Xbox One will come fully equipped with an arsenal of Digital Rights Management (DRM) policies. Microsoft’s hope was that consumers would somehow see past the mirage of money-grubbing tactics the developers were proposing. To its disappointment, the information-hungry, Internet-fed gamers quickly became weary of the company’s tactics. Microsoft seemed almost surprised at the idea of a console that wouldn’t let players go offline, would render the second-hand video game market obsolete, as well as a mess of other stipulations isn’t one its consumers relish. The company did a complete U-turn as the gaming community angrily responded to the manipulation, and reversed its policies.

All Sony did was lie back and watch as Microsoft self-destructed. To capitalize on the failings of its competitor, the developers kicked dirt on the crash and burn that was the Xbox One media reveal. They omitted the harsh DRM policies, shaved $100 off the price of the former’s system, and revealed a revolutionary new controller to an overjoyed fan base.

The new Xbox, however, has little to brag about with its release. The creators are quick to point out its exclusive lineup of new titles such as Titanfall or Ryse: Son of Rome, along with sequels to its familiar games like Halo 5 and Dead Rising 3. Conversely, PlayStation 4 advocates will argue that all these games will run on a slower processor and an (arguably) inferior graphics card on the Xbox One. Sony’s next-generation console has bragging rights to titles like The Order: 1886 and Killzone: Shadowfall unique to the system.

Although both consoles have an assortment of similarities, PS4 has a number of minor assets to further its superiority. Both systems will require a subscription to its respective networks for online play, but PlayStation fans will still be able to enjoy beloved entertainment apps like Netflix and Hulu Plus without additional costs. The console itself is also considerably smaller and lighter in comparison.

In summation, the PlayStation 4 will reign as the dominant next-generation gaming system for the coming years. Players will revel in the lower price, unmatched processor and graphics, futuristic touch-screen controller, and freedom from a greedy developer.