Xbox One vs PS4: Which is the better deal? - Inquirer

GAMES CONSOLE MAKERS Microsoft and Sony are due to spark one of the biggest console battles the modern video games industry has seen when both technology giants release their respective games consoles, the Xbox One and the Playstation 4 (PS4) later this year. With the Xbox 360 having launched on 22 November 2005 and the PS3 almost exactly a year later on 11 November 2006, this year will be the first time that console contenders Microsoft and Sony will pit their upcoming revised games machines head to head to win over punters looking for a shiny new gaming device in time for the holiday season. The releases of two high specification games machines are bound to cause some consumer confusion when they hit the market, as gaming enthusiasts and mums and dads deliberate over which console is worth splashing out their hard earned cash to buy. With Sony's black box set to retail for £349 when it is launched in the UK on 29 November, £80 less than Microsoft's £429 black box when that is launched, which is rumoured to be some time in November or December, the choice might be easy for those looking for whichever of the two is cheapest. However, for those not quite sure which is best in terms of what you get for your money, we've compiled a comparison to let you see which console will be the best for you by summing up the expected launch titles, bundled software and features, and available hardware. Launch titles While Microsoft has released a definitive list of games that the Xbox One will launch with, Sony has revealed its launch games lineup rather unsystematically, not providing dates for all of the titles it has crowed about and shown off in teaser trailers. Sony has so far confirmed 14 definite launch titles, including Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, NBA 2K14, Call of Duty: Ghosts Skylanders: Swap Force, Need for Speed: Rivals, Battlefield 4, Madden 25, FIFA 14, NBA Live 14, Killzone: Shadown Fall, Driveclub, Knack, Watch Dogs, Just Dance 2014 and LEGO Marvel Super Heroes. Microsoft has revealed that 23 titles will be available for the Xbox One console when it hits store shelves, including Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag, Battlefield 4, Call of Duty: Ghosts, Crimson Dragon, Dead Rising 3, FIFA 14, Fighter Within, Forza Motorsport 5, Just Dance 2014, Killer Instinct, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, Lococycle, Madden NFL 25, NBA 2K14, NBA Live 14, Need for Speed: Rivals, Peggle 2, Powerstar Golf, Ryse: Son of Rome, Skylanders: Swap Force, Watch Dogs, Zoo Tycoon, and Zumba Fitness: World Party/ Although several of the major titles such as Assassin's Creed IV, Battlefield and Call of Duty: Ghosts will launch on both consoles when they hit the market, there's no question about which wins in terms of quantity. However, Sony has said that a number of titles will be coming to the PS4 console exclusively a week or so after the launch, so it might be worth the wait, depending on what games you favour. Winner: Xbox One Software and services Both the Xbox One and the PS4 offer gamers more than just the ability to shoot guns and run around in large scale simulated environments from their respective consoles. Both consoles will feature an array of software and services bundled for each machine, making them full blown entertainment devices and one stop shops for music downloads, movie streaming, and online and multi-player gaming. Both game consoles will also have a host of software enhancements to make them run faster and more efficiently than ever before. The PS4 supports a new function called Playgo, which allows the console's owners to download just a portion of a game's data in order to start playing it. The remaining game portions download during play, reducing waiting time. The PS4 also takes advantage of Sony's portable gaming machine, the Playstation Vita, allowing it to be used for streaming video directly from the console to the handheld. This allows supported games to be played remotely and transferred easily from a TV to the portable device. Sony showed this off at its pre-Gamescom conference on Tuesday, playing Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, with the gameplay appearing smooth and responsive throughout. One of the software features bundled with the Microsoft Xbox One is Xbox Smartglass, which allows Windows Phone 8 smartphones as well as Windows RT and Windows 8 tablets to be used as second screens. This is great for users embedded in the Microsoft Windows ecosystem, integrating the console across a variety of Windows devices. The Xbox One also supports a voice command feature that will allow users to control Xbox functions via voice command. All voice control will be coordinated through the Kinect, also allowing Skype to run through the Xbox One system. The Xbox Music Store will also be featured on the Xbox One, giving those who prefer to own their music a comprehensive MP3 marketplace that lets them buy single tracks or entire albums. Although not brand new features for either console, both gaming machines will have their own online services for playing online multi-player games with other gamers across the world. While Microsoft's console will run Xbox Live for online gaming, Sony's PS4 will run on the Playstation Network (PSN), also allowing players to access a variety of cloud based services from the Sony Playstation Store including the Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited subscription services. Neither the Xbox Live on Xbox One nor PSN on PS4 subscription prices have been revealed yet. Neither games console will be backwards compatible with earlier versions of the consoles' games. Winner: Draw Hardware Although the Xbox One will cost £80 more than the PS4 at launch, it will ship with an updated version of the Kinect included that has an HD 1080p wide-angle camera. The PS4 doesn't come bundled with a sensor as such, but there will one available. The Playstation Camera, which will include two 1280x800 resolution cameras, will be released as a separate add-on accessory and will cost £54.99, the same price as picking up an additional PS4 Dual Shock controller. Therefore, buying a PS4 and a camera on top will still work out £25 cheaper than the Xbox One that comes with Kinect included. As for controllers, both the Xbox One and PS4 will come bundled with one gamepad, both of which have seen a number of improvements since the last generations. Both claim to be more precise, slimmer and lighter. Sony has said that its Dual Shock 4 controllers will retail for £59, whereas Microsoft's wireless Xbox One controller is up for preorder at Amazon for the higher price of £90. However, this might not be the final retail price of Microsoft's gamepad. In terms of hardware, it's clear that those looking for the best value for money will get a better deal with Sony's PS4. Winner: PS4 Overall Winner: Draw It seems from our console comparison that if you're looking for more hardware for your money, Sony's PS4 probably will give you more bang for your buck. However, if you want more game titles right from the start, the Microsoft Xbox One is bound to offer you more choice on launch day. µ via Technology - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNFBdyl8o5WiWcS1LgVxIdYUy3d4Cw&url=http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/feature/2290321/xbox-one-vs-ps4-which-is-the-better-deal

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