***official*** all things Microsoft Xbox One (1 Viewer)

[Worm]

I'm surprised XB1 is launching the week after PS4. I thought for sure they were going to target the Friday before.

 

[madshot31]

I'm surprised XB1 is launching the week after PS4. I thought for sure they were going to target the Friday before.

They are just plain stupid. Maybe they don't think they can meet demand of distribution two weeks earlier.

 

[Sand]

Looks like all the good PS4 deals are sold out. Bummer.

 

[thecatch]

Any 360 guys still on the fence, or reconsidering their decision to jump to the PS4? I was starting to lean PS4 when the new systems were both announced, but I've had a less than satisfying experience playing my PS3 for the last six months or so, and am now back to preferring the XB1 all things being relatively equal.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I'm surprised XB1 is launching the week after PS4. I thought for sure they were going to target the Friday before.

They are just plain stupid. Maybe they don't think they can meet demand of distribution two weeks earlier.

One week doesn't matter when you're talking about a 6-8 year console life cycle. The important thing was to get it out there in time for Christmas shopping. A few days here and there probably won't affect sales at all.

 

[Slapdash]

Any 360 guys still on the fence, or reconsidering their decision to jump to the PS4? I was starting to lean PS4 when the new systems were both announced, but I've had a less than satisfying experience playing my PS3 for the last six months or so, and am now back to preferring the XB1 all things being relatively equal.

I'm not sure if I will get a PS4, but the XB1 still is out of the question.

 

[Jobber]

Any 360 guys still on the fence, or reconsidering their decision to jump to the PS4? I was starting to lean PS4 when the new systems were both announced, but I've had a less than satisfying experience playing my PS3 for the last six months or so, and am now back to preferring the XB1 all things being relatively equal.

I'm not sure if I will get a PS4, but the XB1 still is out of the question.

Why out of the question?

 

[FreeBaGeL]

They're already cutting out countries and are still making changes, I'm sure they'd love to release ahead of the PS4 but don't feel they can.

On the other hand, while 11/22 puts them a week behind the PS4 in the US, it puts them a week ahead in Europe.

 

[TLEF316]

Leaning Xbox over the PS4. There's just absolutely nothing I like about my Ps3 other than Blu ray. I hate the controller (seems flimsy, hate that I have to plug it into to charge it), HATE the software updates and DESPISE the dashboard system. Add in the fact that I really haven't been tempted by many exclusive titles and its probably one of the worst purchases I've ever made.

Going Xbox for this gen barring disaster or 90% of my friends going over to play station. And even if everything was even, Titanfall would be the tiebreaker.

 

[Gianni Verscotchie]

Leaning Xbox over the PS4. There's just absolutely nothing I like about my Ps3 other than Blu ray. I hate the controller (seems flimsy, hate that I have to plug it into to charge it), HATE the software updates and DESPISE the dashboard system. Add in the fact that I really haven't been tempted by many exclusive titles and its probably one of the worst purchases I've ever made.

Going Xbox for this gen barring disaster or 90% of my friends going over to play station. And even if everything was even, Titanfall would be the tiebreaker.

I agree with you 100%.

My PS3 has been reduced to a machine that's only use is for my kid to play "MLB The Show". I can't remember the last time I even watched a Blu Ray.

That being said, I pre-ordered both.

 

[Tony Jabroni]

Leaning Xbox over the PS4. There's just absolutely nothing I like about my Ps3 other than Blu ray. I hate the controller (seems flimsy, hate that I have to plug it into to charge it), HATE the software updates and DESPISE the dashboard system. Add in the fact that I really haven't been tempted by many exclusive titles and its probably one of the worst purchases I've ever made.

Going Xbox for this gen barring disaster or 90% of my friends going over to play station. And even if everything was even, Titanfall would be the tiebreaker.

Exactly. Going XB1.

 

[zDragon]

Any 360 guys still on the fence, or reconsidering their decision to jump to the PS4? I was starting to lean PS4 when the new systems were both announced, but I've had a less than satisfying experience playing my PS3 for the last six months or so, and am now back to preferring the XB1 all things being relatively equal.

I see no reason to move to the PS4 when my PS3 just gathered dust.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

Leaning Xbox over the PS4. There's just absolutely nothing I like about my Ps3 other than Blu ray. I hate the controller (seems flimsy, hate that I have to plug it into to charge it), HATE the software updates and DESPISE the dashboard system. Add in the fact that I really haven't been tempted by many exclusive titles and its probably one of the worst purchases I've ever made.

Going Xbox for this gen barring disaster or 90% of my friends going over to play station. And even if everything was even, Titanfall would be the tiebreaker.

Exactly. Going XB1.

I was 100% going with PS4 until MSFT made all the changes to XB1. I now have both on order but will more than likely cancel the PS4 .

 

[ydoc]

are there any deals for pre ordering anywhere specific....??

 

[Herc]

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/09/04/xbox-ones-digital-sharing-will-return-when-the-time-is-right

I didnt see this posted so I thought I would throw it out there. For the record I am getting the PS4 but have had the 360. Microsoft reimplementing all the DRM etc scares the crap out of me and by reading this article I get the feeling once the XB1 are out the door they will revert all the stuff they took out. Same may like it but I dont trust MS since they are in bed with NSA. My sister works for NSA and I wouldnt trust any electronics from any American company right now. I'll just leave it at that.

The game sharing sounds cool, but is it full unlimited use or is it demos only? I thought I read it was a timed loan so you couldnt have 10 guys split the cost of single player games and then just share it. The developers would lose huge amounts of cash if that was OK so I just dont see how this can work.

I may at some point get the XB1 since my kid may want one. He's spending his own $$ for a PS 4 at launch, but if his friends all get an XB1 at Christmas he may end up with both consoles.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Leaning Xbox over the PS4. There's just absolutely nothing I like about my Ps3 other than Blu ray. I hate the controller (seems flimsy, hate that I have to plug it into to charge it), HATE the software updates and DESPISE the dashboard system. Add in the fact that I really haven't been tempted by many exclusive titles and its probably one of the worst purchases I've ever made.

Going Xbox for this gen barring disaster or 90% of my friends going over to play station. And even if everything was even, Titanfall would be the tiebreaker.

I would assume that they'll have the dashboard/update stuff ironed out for next gen, but yea the controller is a dealbreaker for me. That and Gears, not to mention Titanfall looks awesome.

I'm still a MP guy at heart and that's the one spot where I don't think the PS4 can really compete. They've got some sweet SP exclusives though for people that prefer that.

 

[Sand]

Eff it. The XBOne has some more Day one bundles out for preorder at Best buy, so I took the plunge. I'm hoping they change their minds and announce that all US preorders will get a free game, as has been rumored heavily. Forza would be sweet.

 

[madshot31]

I went with Xbox One. I was originally leaning heavy PS3 but have liked much of the back tracking and updates on the X1. Also the controller and especially Xbox live with servers versus the PS version is a huge thing. I will gladly pay more for the much better multiplayer interface and functionality while having the kinect for thr occasional gimmicks and workout games.

Forgot to mention that Titanfall is the cherry that ends the discussion.

 

[Jobber]

http://www.itworld.com/hardware/371478/microsoft-emerges-cpu-force-xbox-one-and-kinect

"Then came the Kinect group, and that was even more impressive. The new Kinect is an amazing piece of motion capture at its price point. It can detect objects as small as 2.5 centimeters, with 20 millisecond latency and a 1080p camera with a 70-degree viewing angle and can detect movement from as close as 0.8 meters to as far as 4.2 meters, even in low light.

The Kinect on the Xbox One actually “illuminates” the room with its own modulated light and measures the time it takes to come back. This is technology Microsoft acquired from Canesta in 2010. An Xbox One can recognize up to six different players, way better than the original device, which maxed out at two people.

In addition, Kinect has a 4-channel beam forming microphone with multiple antennas to direct the audio signal where you want it to go. So games and other apps can direct audio in the direction of a specific person.

"I'm almost disappointed we're not seeing it more broadly available in the market. They are probably ahead of others trying to do the same thing. First it identifies a person, then identifies their hand. Then their fingers and tracks all of them. Now do it in a broad range of lighting for multiple people. To do it for more than two is a monumental task," said Jim McGregor, president of Tirias Research, who saw the demo."

So it sounds like the Kinect will know where you are in the room, and adjusting the output of your speakers to account for your position. I may just have to invest in surround sound now.

ETA: I think they call this 3D or Holographic audio. Ask an audiophile (not me)

 

[Insein]

http://www.itworld.com/hardware/371478/microsoft-emerges-cpu-force-xbox-one-and-kinect

"Then came the Kinect group, and that was even more impressive. The new Kinect is an amazing piece of motion capture at its price point. It can detect objects as small as 2.5 centimeters, with 20 millisecond latency and a 1080p camera with a 70-degree viewing angle and can detect movement from as close as 0.8 meters to as far as 4.2 meters, even in low light.

The Kinect on the Xbox One actually “illuminates” the room with its own modulated light and measures the time it takes to come back. This is technology Microsoft acquired from Canesta in 2010. An Xbox One can recognize up to six different players, way better than the original device, which maxed out at two people.

In addition, Kinect has a 4-channel beam forming microphone with multiple antennas to direct the audio signal where you want it to go. So games and other apps can direct audio in the direction of a specific person.

"I'm almost disappointed we're not seeing it more broadly available in the market. They are probably ahead of others trying to do the same thing. First it identifies a person, then identifies their hand. Then their fingers and tracks all of them. Now do it in a broad range of lighting for multiple people. To do it for more than two is a monumental task," said Jim McGregor, president of Tirias Research, who saw the demo."

So it sounds like the Kinect will know where you are in the room, and adjusting the output of your speakers to account for your position. I may just have to invest in surround sound now.

ETA: I think they call this 3D or Holographic audio. Ask an audiophile (not me)

That whole description combined with the always on feature just sounds creepy as hell.

 

[Gianni Verscotchie]

Yeah no way i can bone my wife in the living room without throwing a towel over it at least.

 

[EYLive]

I'm surprised XB1 is launching the week after PS4. I thought for sure they were going to target the Friday before.

They are just plain stupid. Maybe they don't think they can meet demand of distribution two weeks earlier.

One week doesn't matter when you're talking about a 6-8 year console life cycle. The important thing was to get it out there in time for Christmas shopping. A few days here and there probably won't affect sales at all.

Even if they launch 2 weeks before PS4, it won't matter because smart people aren't in a hurry to throw away their money for an inferior product.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I'm surprised XB1 is launching the week after PS4. I thought for sure they were going to target the Friday before.

They are just plain stupid. Maybe they don't think they can meet demand of distribution two weeks earlier.

One week doesn't matter when you're talking about a 6-8 year console life cycle. The important thing was to get it out there in time for Christmas shopping. A few days here and there probably won't affect sales at all.

Even if they launch 2 weeks before PS4, it won't matter because smart people aren't in a hurry to throw away their money for an inferior product.

They did last time. Sony might make a better speced product, but if they don't win the user interface and online experience, this may be the nail in the coffin for the Sony Game dept.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Even if they launch 2 weeks before PS4, it won't matter because smart people aren't in a hurry to throw away their money for an inferior product.

They did last time. Sony might make a better speced product, but if they don't win the user interface and online experience, this may be the nail in the coffin for the Sony Game dept.

I agree that Sony really needs to step it up in terms of their online functionality. PSN was fine this generation considering that it was free, but now that they're charging for online play, they're competing with XBL Gold on features as opposed to price.

My personal hunch is that the XB1 will still be the go-to console for people who are more or less online-only if for no other reason than those people have 360s now and they're reluctant to switch horses. But Sony could really help themselves out by turning PSN+ into something closer to Gold.

 

[SlaX]

I'm surprised XB1 is launching the week after PS4. I thought for sure they were going to target the Friday before.

They are just plain stupid. Maybe they don't think they can meet demand of distribution two weeks earlier.

One week doesn't matter when you're talking about a 6-8 year console life cycle. The important thing was to get it out there in time for Christmas shopping. A few days here and there probably won't affect sales at all.

Even if they launch 2 weeks before PS4, it won't matter because smart people aren't in a hurry to throw away their money for an inferior product.

You may want to wait for the specs on the final XBone product. From what I've read, the preliminary specs are now out of date and the system is a stronger product than it was. I don't think I've seen the new specs yet, that I recall.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I'm surprised XB1 is launching the week after PS4. I thought for sure they were going to target the Friday before.

They are just plain stupid. Maybe they don't think they can meet demand of distribution two weeks earlier.

One week doesn't matter when you're talking about a 6-8 year console life cycle. The important thing was to get it out there in time for Christmas shopping. A few days here and there probably won't affect sales at all.

Even if they launch 2 weeks before PS4, it won't matter because smart people aren't in a hurry to throw away their money for an inferior product.

You may want to wait for the specs on the final XBone product. From what I've read, the preliminary specs are now out of date and the system is a stronger product than it was. I don't think I've seen the new specs yet, that I recall.

PlayStation 4 is currently around 50 per cent faster than its rival Xbox One. Multiple high-level game development sources have described the difference in performance between the consoles as “significant” and “obvious.”

Our contacts have told us that memory reads on PS4 are 40-50 per cent quicker than Xbox One, and its ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) is around 50 per cent faster. One basic example we were given suggested that without optimisation for either console, a platform-agnostic development build can run at around 30FPS in 1920×1080 on PS4, but it’ll run at “20-something” FPS in 1600×900 on Xbox One. “Xbox One is weaker and it’s a pain to use its ESRAM,” concluded one developer.

Microsoft is aware of the problem and, having recently upped the clock speed of Xbox One, is working hard to close the gap on PS4, though one developer we spoke to downplayed the move. “The clock speed update is not significant, it does not change things that much,” he said. “Of course, something is better than nothing.”

Even this close to launch, “the hardware isn’t locked,” said another source. Sony and Microsoft are each still working on the graphics drivers for each console, and Xbox One is lagging behind in this regard – Microsoft “has been late on their drivers and that has been hurting them,” said one source. Another described Xbox One’s graphics drivers less charitably as “horrible”. Both consoles’ graphics drivers will continue to improve right up to – and beyond – launch, which will even up the difference in performance a little.

Xbox One does, however, boast superior performance to PS4 in other ways. “Let’s say you are using procedural generation or raytracing via parametric surfaces – that is, using a lot of memory writes and not much texturing or ALU – Xbox One will be likely be faster,” said one developer.

Both platform holders are, of course, encouraging developers to take advantage of each console’s unique features (the DualShock 4’s touch pad and Kinect, for example) but there’s little enthusiasm for either among the developers we spoke to. “They really want us to make use of platform specific stuff to give their version a leg up over the other,” said one source. “But unless there’s a good design reason or incentive we rarely do.”

Indeed, despite that gulf in speed, the differences between cross platform launch window games will be negligible; with tight deadlines to meet, it’s more expedient for developers to deliberately create near-identical versions.

“The poor [graphics] drivers have made it difficult to push either of them, and the developers aren’t familiar with the hardware yet,“ said one source. Another stated that we’ll begin to see far greater use of each platform’s unique features once we’re past the first wave of releases, when developers have more time and experience with each console’s quirks.

One source even suggested that enforcing parity across consoles could become a political issue between platform holders, developers and publishers. They said that it could damage perceptions of a cross platform title, not to mention Xbox One, if the PS4 version shipped with an obviously superior resolution and framerate; better to “castrate” the PS4 version and release near-identical games to avoid ruffling any feathers.

This claim was later countered by a contact at a different studio. “It would be totally fine for us to make one version prettier without any political difficulties but it usually doesn’t make financial sense,” they said, “unless it’s a very simple tweak.”

The difference between cross platform launch window games will be small, and improved graphics drivers plus the power of the cloud might yet tip the balance in Xbox One’s favour. Nonetheless, at launch, PS4 will be the more capable console.

Link

 

[Spanky267]

I'm surprised XB1 is launching the week after PS4. I thought for sure they were going to target the Friday before.

They are just plain stupid. Maybe they don't think they can meet demand of distribution two weeks earlier.

One week doesn't matter when you're talking about a 6-8 year console life cycle. The important thing was to get it out there in time for Christmas shopping. A few days here and there probably won't affect sales at all.

Even if they launch 2 weeks before PS4, it won't matter because smart people aren't in a hurry to throw away their money for an inferior product.

You may want to wait for the specs on the final XBone product. From what I've read, the preliminary specs are now out of date and the system is a stronger product than it was. I don't think I've seen the new specs yet, that I recall.

PlayStation 4 is currently around 50 per cent faster than its rival Xbox One. Multiple high-level game development sources have described the difference in performance between the consoles as “significant” and “obvious.”

Our contacts have told us that memory reads on PS4 are 40-50 per cent quicker than Xbox One, and its ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) is around 50 per cent faster. One basic example we were given suggested that without optimisation for either console, a platform-agnostic development build can run at around 30FPS in 1920×1080 on PS4, but it’ll run at “20-something” FPS in 1600×900 on Xbox One. “Xbox One is weaker and it’s a pain to use its ESRAM,” concluded one developer.

Microsoft is aware of the problem and, having recently upped the clock speed of Xbox One, is working hard to close the gap on PS4, though one developer we spoke to downplayed the move. “The clock speed update is not significant, it does not change things that much,” he said. “Of course, something is better than nothing.”

Even this close to launch, “the hardware isn’t locked,” said another source. Sony and Microsoft are each still working on the graphics drivers for each console, and Xbox One is lagging behind in this regard – Microsoft “has been late on their drivers and that has been hurting them,” said one source. Another described Xbox One’s graphics drivers less charitably as “horrible”. Both consoles’ graphics drivers will continue to improve right up to – and beyond – launch, which will even up the difference in performance a little.

Xbox One does, however, boast superior performance to PS4 in other ways. “Let’s say you are using procedural generation or raytracing via parametric surfaces – that is, using a lot of memory writes and not much texturing or ALU – Xbox One will be likely be faster,” said one developer.

Both platform holders are, of course, encouraging developers to take advantage of each console’s unique features (the DualShock 4’s touch pad and Kinect, for example) but there’s little enthusiasm for either among the developers we spoke to. “They really want us to make use of platform specific stuff to give their version a leg up over the other,” said one source. “But unless there’s a good design reason or incentive we rarely do.”

Indeed, despite that gulf in speed, the differences between cross platform launch window games will be negligible; with tight deadlines to meet, it’s more expedient for developers to deliberately create near-identical versions.

“The poor [graphics] drivers have made it difficult to push either of them, and the developers aren’t familiar with the hardware yet,“ said one source. Another stated that we’ll begin to see far greater use of each platform’s unique features once we’re past the first wave of releases, when developers have more time and experience with each console’s quirks.

One source even suggested that enforcing parity across consoles could become a political issue between platform holders, developers and publishers. They said that it could damage perceptions of a cross platform title, not to mention Xbox One, if the PS4 version shipped with an obviously superior resolution and framerate; better to “castrate” the PS4 version and release near-identical games to avoid ruffling any feathers.

This claim was later countered by a contact at a different studio. “It would be totally fine for us to make one version prettier without any political difficulties but it usually doesn’t make financial sense,” they said, “unless it’s a very simple tweak.”

The difference between cross platform launch window games will be small, and improved graphics drivers plus the power of the cloud might yet tip the balance in Xbox One’s favour. Nonetheless, at launch, PS4 will be the more capable console.

Link

Thats all well and good. But if the developers cant or wont optimize for that significant difference in capability then its worthless. Sony never really capitalized on its hardware superiority in the last generation. Perhaps they will this time it remains to be seen.

 

[OC Zed]

Does anyone know of any good PS3 trade-in offers now?

 

[SlaX]

I'm surprised XB1 is launching the week after PS4. I thought for sure they were going to target the Friday before.

They are just plain stupid. Maybe they don't think they can meet demand of distribution two weeks earlier.

One week doesn't matter when you're talking about a 6-8 year console life cycle. The important thing was to get it out there in time for Christmas shopping. A few days here and there probably won't affect sales at all.

Even if they launch 2 weeks before PS4, it won't matter because smart people aren't in a hurry to throw away their money for an inferior product.

You may want to wait for the specs on the final XBone product. From what I've read, the preliminary specs are now out of date and the system is a stronger product than it was. I don't think I've seen the new specs yet, that I recall.

PlayStation 4 is currently around 50 per cent faster than its rival Xbox One. Multiple high-level game development sources have described the difference in performance between the consoles as “significant” and “obvious.”

Our contacts have told us that memory reads on PS4 are 40-50 per cent quicker than Xbox One, and its ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) is around 50 per cent faster. One basic example we were given suggested that without optimisation for either console, a platform-agnostic development build can run at around 30FPS in 1920×1080 on PS4, but it’ll run at “20-something” FPS in 1600×900 on Xbox One. “Xbox One is weaker and it’s a pain to use its ESRAM,” concluded one developer.

Microsoft is aware of the problem and, having recently upped the clock speed of Xbox One, is working hard to close the gap on PS4, though one developer we spoke to downplayed the move. “The clock speed update is not significant, it does not change things that much,” he said. “Of course, something is better than nothing.”

Even this close to launch, “the hardware isn’t locked,” said another source. Sony and Microsoft are each still working on the graphics drivers for each console, and Xbox One is lagging behind in this regard – Microsoft “has been late on their drivers and that has been hurting them,” said one source. Another described Xbox One’s graphics drivers less charitably as “horrible”. Both consoles’ graphics drivers will continue to improve right up to – and beyond – launch, which will even up the difference in performance a little.

Xbox One does, however, boast superior performance to PS4 in other ways. “Let’s say you are using procedural generation or raytracing via parametric surfaces – that is, using a lot of memory writes and not much texturing or ALU – Xbox One will be likely be faster,” said one developer.

Both platform holders are, of course, encouraging developers to take advantage of each console’s unique features (the DualShock 4’s touch pad and Kinect, for example) but there’s little enthusiasm for either among the developers we spoke to. “They really want us to make use of platform specific stuff to give their version a leg up over the other,” said one source. “But unless there’s a good design reason or incentive we rarely do.”

Indeed, despite that gulf in speed, the differences between cross platform launch window games will be negligible; with tight deadlines to meet, it’s more expedient for developers to deliberately create near-identical versions.

“The poor [graphics] drivers have made it difficult to push either of them, and the developers aren’t familiar with the hardware yet,“ said one source. Another stated that we’ll begin to see far greater use of each platform’s unique features once we’re past the first wave of releases, when developers have more time and experience with each console’s quirks.

One source even suggested that enforcing parity across consoles could become a political issue between platform holders, developers and publishers. They said that it could damage perceptions of a cross platform title, not to mention Xbox One, if the PS4 version shipped with an obviously superior resolution and framerate; better to “castrate” the PS4 version and release near-identical games to avoid ruffling any feathers.

This claim was later countered by a contact at a different studio. “It would be totally fine for us to make one version prettier without any political difficulties but it usually doesn’t make financial sense,” they said, “unless it’s a very simple tweak.”

The difference between cross platform launch window games will be small, and improved graphics drivers plus the power of the cloud might yet tip the balance in Xbox One’s favour. Nonetheless, at launch, PS4 will be the more capable console.

Link

I saw this. Looks like while Microsoft was upgrading the XBone, so was Sony. I'm still on the wait and see sideline. If I buy one, it won't be until at least 6 months after launch.

 

[Jobber]

I'm surprised XB1 is launching the week after PS4. I thought for sure they were going to target the Friday before.

They are just plain stupid. Maybe they don't think they can meet demand of distribution two weeks earlier.

One week doesn't matter when you're talking about a 6-8 year console life cycle. The important thing was to get it out there in time for Christmas shopping. A few days here and there probably won't affect sales at all.

Even if they launch 2 weeks before PS4, it won't matter because smart people aren't in a hurry to throw away their money for an inferior product.

You may want to wait for the specs on the final XBone product. From what I've read, the preliminary specs are now out of date and the system is a stronger product than it was. I don't think I've seen the new specs yet, that I recall.

PlayStation 4 is currently around 50 per cent faster than its rival Xbox One. Multiple high-level game development sources have described the difference in performance between the consoles as “significant” and “obvious.”

Our contacts have told us that memory reads on PS4 are 40-50 per cent quicker than Xbox One, and its ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) is around 50 per cent faster. One basic example we were given suggested that without optimisation for either console, a platform-agnostic development build can run at around 30FPS in 1920×1080 on PS4, but it’ll run at “20-something” FPS in 1600×900 on Xbox One. “Xbox One is weaker and it’s a pain to use its ESRAM,” concluded one developer.

Microsoft is aware of the problem and, having recently upped the clock speed of Xbox One, is working hard to close the gap on PS4, though one developer we spoke to downplayed the move. “The clock speed update is not significant, it does not change things that much,” he said. “Of course, something is better than nothing.”

Even this close to launch, “the hardware isn’t locked,” said another source. Sony and Microsoft are each still working on the graphics drivers for each console, and Xbox One is lagging behind in this regard – Microsoft “has been late on their drivers and that has been hurting them,” said one source. Another described Xbox One’s graphics drivers less charitably as “horrible”. Both consoles’ graphics drivers will continue to improve right up to – and beyond – launch, which will even up the difference in performance a little.

Xbox One does, however, boast superior performance to PS4 in other ways. “Let’s say you are using procedural generation or raytracing via parametric surfaces – that is, using a lot of memory writes and not much texturing or ALU – Xbox One will be likely be faster,” said one developer.

Both platform holders are, of course, encouraging developers to take advantage of each console’s unique features (the DualShock 4’s touch pad and Kinect, for example) but there’s little enthusiasm for either among the developers we spoke to. “They really want us to make use of platform specific stuff to give their version a leg up over the other,” said one source. “But unless there’s a good design reason or incentive we rarely do.”

Indeed, despite that gulf in speed, the differences between cross platform launch window games will be negligible; with tight deadlines to meet, it’s more expedient for developers to deliberately create near-identical versions.

“The poor [graphics] drivers have made it difficult to push either of them, and the developers aren’t familiar with the hardware yet,“ said one source. Another stated that we’ll begin to see far greater use of each platform’s unique features once we’re past the first wave of releases, when developers have more time and experience with each console’s quirks.

One source even suggested that enforcing parity across consoles could become a political issue between platform holders, developers and publishers. They said that it could damage perceptions of a cross platform title, not to mention Xbox One, if the PS4 version shipped with an obviously superior resolution and framerate; better to “castrate” the PS4 version and release near-identical games to avoid ruffling any feathers.

This claim was later countered by a contact at a different studio. “It would be totally fine for us to make one version prettier without any political difficulties but it usually doesn’t make financial sense,” they said, “unless it’s a very simple tweak.”

The difference between cross platform launch window games will be small, and improved graphics drivers plus the power of the cloud might yet tip the balance in Xbox One’s favour. Nonetheless, at launch, PS4 will be the more capable console.

Link

Thats all well and good. But if the developers cant or wont optimize for that significant difference in capability then its worthless. Sony never really capitalized on its hardware superiority in the last generation. Perhaps they will this time it remains to be seen.

Exactly. And unless these "unnamed developers" put their name behind their comments, I don't buy it. This read like a hit piece.

This will all play out in November, when the X1 games are as good or better than anything the PS4 offers.

ETA: Carmack and Kojima are both on record saying both consoles should perform the same.

 

[Herc]

I'm surprised XB1 is launching the week after PS4. I thought for sure they were going to target the Friday before.

They are just plain stupid. Maybe they don't think they can meet demand of distribution two weeks earlier.

One week doesn't matter when you're talking about a 6-8 year console life cycle. The important thing was to get it out there in time for Christmas shopping. A few days here and there probably won't affect sales at all.

Even if they launch 2 weeks before PS4, it won't matter because smart people aren't in a hurry to throw away their money for an inferior product.

You may want to wait for the specs on the final XBone product. From what I've read, the preliminary specs are now out of date and the system is a stronger product than it was. I don't think I've seen the new specs yet, that I recall.

PlayStation 4 is currently around 50 per cent faster than its rival Xbox One. Multiple high-level game development sources have described the difference in performance between the consoles as “significant” and “obvious.”

Our contacts have told us that memory reads on PS4 are 40-50 per cent quicker than Xbox One, and its ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) is around 50 per cent faster. One basic example we were given suggested that without optimisation for either console, a platform-agnostic development build can run at around 30FPS in 1920×1080 on PS4, but it’ll run at “20-something” FPS in 1600×900 on Xbox One. “Xbox One is weaker and it’s a pain to use its ESRAM,” concluded one developer.

Microsoft is aware of the problem and, having recently upped the clock speed of Xbox One, is working hard to close the gap on PS4, though one developer we spoke to downplayed the move. “The clock speed update is not significant, it does not change things that much,” he said. “Of course, something is better than nothing.”

Even this close to launch, “the hardware isn’t locked,” said another source. Sony and Microsoft are each still working on the graphics drivers for each console, and Xbox One is lagging behind in this regard – Microsoft “has been late on their drivers and that has been hurting them,” said one source. Another described Xbox One’s graphics drivers less charitably as “horrible”. Both consoles’ graphics drivers will continue to improve right up to – and beyond – launch, which will even up the difference in performance a little.

Xbox One does, however, boast superior performance to PS4 in other ways. “Let’s say you are using procedural generation or raytracing via parametric surfaces – that is, using a lot of memory writes and not much texturing or ALU – Xbox One will be likely be faster,” said one developer.

Both platform holders are, of course, encouraging developers to take advantage of each console’s unique features (the DualShock 4’s touch pad and Kinect, for example) but there’s little enthusiasm for either among the developers we spoke to. “They really want us to make use of platform specific stuff to give their version a leg up over the other,” said one source. “But unless there’s a good design reason or incentive we rarely do.”

Indeed, despite that gulf in speed, the differences between cross platform launch window games will be negligible; with tight deadlines to meet, it’s more expedient for developers to deliberately create near-identical versions.

“The poor [graphics] drivers have made it difficult to push either of them, and the developers aren’t familiar with the hardware yet,“ said one source. Another stated that we’ll begin to see far greater use of each platform’s unique features once we’re past the first wave of releases, when developers have more time and experience with each console’s quirks.

One source even suggested that enforcing parity across consoles could become a political issue between platform holders, developers and publishers. They said that it could damage perceptions of a cross platform title, not to mention Xbox One, if the PS4 version shipped with an obviously superior resolution and framerate; better to “castrate” the PS4 version and release near-identical games to avoid ruffling any feathers.

This claim was later countered by a contact at a different studio. “It would be totally fine for us to make one version prettier without any political difficulties but it usually doesn’t make financial sense,” they said, “unless it’s a very simple tweak.”

The difference between cross platform launch window games will be small, and improved graphics drivers plus the power of the cloud might yet tip the balance in Xbox One’s favour. Nonetheless, at launch, PS4 will be the more capable console.

Link

Thats all well and good. But if the developers cant or wont optimize for that significant difference in capability then its worthless. Sony never really capitalized on its hardware superiority in the last generation. Perhaps they will this time it remains to be seen.

Exactly. And unless these "unnamed developers" put their name behind their comments, I don't buy it. This read like a hit piece.

This will all play out in November, when the X1 games are as good or better than anything the PS4 offers.

ETA: Carmack and Kojima are both on record saying both consoles should perform the same.

All this means is that the multi platform games will be developed for the lowest common denominator just like this generation.

The real difference will be seen in the exclusives on each side.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

All this means is that the multi platform games will be developed for the lowest common denominator just like this generation.


The real difference will be seen in the exclusives on each side.

The multiplatform part is going to be interesting. On one hand, there's going to be very strong pressure from Microsoft to ensure that multiplats perform the same on both consoles. On the other hand, third-party developers have to compete with one another for sales, and if a few of them refuse to gimp their PS4 versions, it's going to be hard for the others not to follow suit.

That's especially true when first party studios don't have to worry about other consoles. It took a long time for Sony exclusives to really shine this last time around, but the dramatically simplified PS4 architecture figures to make the next generation different. If I'm Ubisoft for example, do I really want my multiplatform titles to look dramatically worse than PS4 exclusives? Probably not.

Early on I'm not sure that this will matter much since everybody is rushing just to get titles out the door. Down the road, my guess is that the install base is going to matter a lot. If the two consoles sell about the same like they did this time, it's easier for Microsoft to lean on developers a little. If the PS4 outsells the XB1 by the margin that some are predicting, that clout goes away a little and you might see more substantial differences in third party games.

 

[Jobber]

All this means is that the multi platform games will be developed for the lowest common denominator just like this generation.


The real difference will be seen in the exclusives on each side.

The multiplatform part is going to be interesting. On one hand, there's going to be very strong pressure from Microsoft to ensure that multiplats perform the same on both consoles. On the other hand, third-party developers have to compete with one another for sales, and if a few of them refuse to gimp their PS4 versions, it's going to be hard for the others not to follow suit.

That's especially true when first party studios don't have to worry about other consoles. It took a long time for Sony exclusives to really shine this last time around, but the dramatically simplified PS4 architecture figures to make the next generation different. If I'm Ubisoft for example, do I really want my multiplatform titles to look dramatically worse than PS4 exclusives? Probably not.

Early on I'm not sure that this will matter much since everybody is rushing just to get titles out the door. Down the road, my guess is that the install base is going to matter a lot. If the two consoles sell about the same like they did this time, it's easier for Microsoft to lean on developers a little. If the PS4 outsells the XB1 by the margin that some are predicting, that clout goes away a little and you might see more substantial differences in third party games.

This is all assuming the PS4 outperforms the Xbox One. I don't see that happening.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

All this means is that the multi platform games will be developed for the lowest common denominator just like this generation.


The real difference will be seen in the exclusives on each side.

The multiplatform part is going to be interesting. On one hand, there's going to be very strong pressure from Microsoft to ensure that multiplats perform the same on both consoles. On the other hand, third-party developers have to compete with one another for sales, and if a few of them refuse to gimp their PS4 versions, it's going to be hard for the others not to follow suit.

That's especially true when first party studios don't have to worry about other consoles. It took a long time for Sony exclusives to really shine this last time around, but the dramatically simplified PS4 architecture figures to make the next generation different. If I'm Ubisoft for example, do I really want my multiplatform titles to look dramatically worse than PS4 exclusives? Probably not.

Early on I'm not sure that this will matter much since everybody is rushing just to get titles out the door. Down the road, my guess is that the install base is going to matter a lot. If the two consoles sell about the same like they did this time, it's easier for Microsoft to lean on developers a little. If the PS4 outsells the XB1 by the margin that some are predicting, that clout goes away a little and you might see more substantial differences in third party games.

This is all assuming the PS4 outperforms the Xbox One. I don't see that happening.

Outperforms in terms of sales or raw firepower? The XB1 could do surprisingly well in sales because of lock-in from the 360 and because of Titanfall (which honestly looks like a system-seller). From following NeoGaf, the firepower angle doesn't appear to be in dispute.

 

[Jobber]

All this means is that the multi platform games will be developed for the lowest common denominator just like this generation.


The real difference will be seen in the exclusives on each side.

The multiplatform part is going to be interesting. On one hand, there's going to be very strong pressure from Microsoft to ensure that multiplats perform the same on both consoles. On the other hand, third-party developers have to compete with one another for sales, and if a few of them refuse to gimp their PS4 versions, it's going to be hard for the others not to follow suit.

That's especially true when first party studios don't have to worry about other consoles. It took a long time for Sony exclusives to really shine this last time around, but the dramatically simplified PS4 architecture figures to make the next generation different. If I'm Ubisoft for example, do I really want my multiplatform titles to look dramatically worse than PS4 exclusives? Probably not.

Early on I'm not sure that this will matter much since everybody is rushing just to get titles out the door. Down the road, my guess is that the install base is going to matter a lot. If the two consoles sell about the same like they did this time, it's easier for Microsoft to lean on developers a little. If the PS4 outsells the XB1 by the margin that some are predicting, that clout goes away a little and you might see more substantial differences in third party games.

This is all assuming the PS4 outperforms the Xbox One. I don't see that happening.

Outperforms in terms of sales or raw firepower? The XB1 could do surprisingly well in sales because of lock-in from the 360 and because of Titanfall (which honestly looks like a system-seller). From following NeoGaf, the firepower angle doesn't appear to be in dispute.

Neogaf is skewed anti-Microsoft without question. There is an NDA between Microsoft and AMD that is lifting at the end of September. Speculation is that there is a very highly customized, new architecture in the Xbox One. There is a conference of some sort in Hawaii where I believe AMD is unveiling their new Volcanic Islands (or something like that) GPU. The very next day, Microsoft has a presentation on their Xbox One architecture. Could be coincidence, but I'm guessing we learn that the Xbox One is more powerful than what everyone has guessed.

 

[zDragon]

All this means is that the multi platform games will be developed for the lowest common denominator just like this generation.


The real difference will be seen in the exclusives on each side.

The multiplatform part is going to be interesting. On one hand, there's going to be very strong pressure from Microsoft to ensure that multiplats perform the same on both consoles. On the other hand, third-party developers have to compete with one another for sales, and if a few of them refuse to gimp their PS4 versions, it's going to be hard for the others not to follow suit.

That's especially true when first party studios don't have to worry about other consoles. It took a long time for Sony exclusives to really shine this last time around, but the dramatically simplified PS4 architecture figures to make the next generation different. If I'm Ubisoft for example, do I really want my multiplatform titles to look dramatically worse than PS4 exclusives? Probably not.

Early on I'm not sure that this will matter much since everybody is rushing just to get titles out the door. Down the road, my guess is that the install base is going to matter a lot. If the two consoles sell about the same like they did this time, it's easier for Microsoft to lean on developers a little. If the PS4 outsells the XB1 by the margin that some are predicting, that clout goes away a little and you might see more substantial differences in third party games.

This is all assuming the PS4 outperforms the Xbox One. I don't see that happening.

Outperforms in terms of sales or raw firepower? The XB1 could do surprisingly well in sales because of lock-in from the 360 and because of Titanfall (which honestly looks like a system-seller). From following NeoGaf, the firepower angle doesn't appear to be in dispute.

Neogaf is skewed anti-Microsoft without question. There is an NDA between Microsoft and AMD that is lifting at the end of September. Speculation is that there is a very highly customized, new architecture in the Xbox One. There is a conference of some sort in Hawaii where I believe AMD is unveiling their new Volcanic Islands (or something like that) GPU. The very next day, Microsoft has a presentation on their Xbox One architecture. Could be coincidence, but I'm guessing we learn that the Xbox One is more powerful than what everyone has guessed.

The whitepapers I have seen on the cloud processing is impressive.

 

[cstu]

The hardware on these looks almost exactly the same, moreso than I see in any previous console gen.

 

[cstu]

Neogaf is skewed anti-Microsoft without question. There is an NDA between Microsoft and AMD that is lifting at the end of September. Speculation is that there is a very highly customized, new architecture in the Xbox One. There is a conference of some sort in Hawaii where I believe AMD is unveiling their new Volcanic Islands (or something like that) GPU. The very next day, Microsoft has a presentation on their Xbox One architecture. Could be coincidence, but I'm guessing we learn that the Xbox One is more powerful than what everyone has guessed.

The whitepapers I have seen on the cloud processing is impressive.

 

[Sand]

Neogaf is skewed anti-Microsoft without question. There is an NDA between Microsoft and AMD that is lifting at the end of September. Speculation is that there is a very highly customized, new architecture in the Xbox One. There is a conference of some sort in Hawaii where I believe AMD is unveiling their new Volcanic Islands (or something like that) GPU. The very next day, Microsoft has a presentation on their Xbox One architecture. Could be coincidence, but I'm guessing we learn that the Xbox One is more powerful than what everyone has guessed.

The whitepapers I have seen on the cloud processing is impressive.

Or, in other words, link?

 

[cj*]

Preordered today. Kinect rivals for the kids and dead rising probably for me.

 

[Sand]

So my eight year old jumps on my back today and says I'm his mech and we need to go shoot things like in Titanfall. I guess I'm pretty much locked into the Xbone now.

 

[hxperson]

Just pre-ordered an Xbox One. Hope to see the rest of my FBG GB's on it as well

 

[Mad Cow]

All this talk of the PS4 being so much more powerful. Do we all remember the "Cell" processor for the PS3 and how it was supposed to be so much more powerful than the 360? Yeah, sure it was. Quite frankly, GPU is a moot point realistically. We are dealing with relatively low graphic requirements. 1080p is hardly ground-breaking when you consider PC gaming. The PS3 and 360 were using GPU's that were 1-2 generations behind. It all comes down to how easily they are to be used by devs.

 

[Jobber]

All this talk of the PS4 being so much more powerful. Do we all remember the "Cell" processor for the PS3 and how it was supposed to be so much more powerful than the 360? Yeah, sure it was. Quite frankly, GPU is a moot point realistically. We are dealing with relatively low graphic requirements. 1080p is hardly ground-breaking when you consider PC gaming. The PS3 and 360 were using GPU's that were 1-2 generations behind. It all comes down to how easily they are to be used by devs.

I agree wholeheartedly. I posted similar in another thread that if you're in it for the graphics, build a PC. Choose your console based on games. That said, the Xbox has far and away the better library - at least through next year.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

All this talk of the PS4 being so much more powerful. Do we all remember the "Cell" processor for the PS3 and how it was supposed to be so much more powerful than the 360? Yeah, sure it was.

Problem there was that the architecture was so complicated it took all that extra power to get the games just to run the same. This time around they're on the same architecture so that shouldn't be an issue.

That said, I think the actual gap in hardware specs is much smaller this time than it was last gen, so there won't be as much extra power to leverage. And, as others have pointed out, multi-plat devs will code to the weaker of the two anyhow.

That said, the main reason I'm going XB1 is because of XBox Live. It's entirely possible that Sony gets PSN up to snuff this time around, but I won't know that yet on day one and I'm not waiting. People gloss over a slick intuitive interface but that's the first thing I use every time I boot up my console and it makes a big deal to me. Additionally, Kinect actually a selling point for me rather than a hinderance. I think the thing is pretty cool, especially if they got the lag worked out in version 2.0, and unlike most FBGs I don't think I'm so important that the government is going to want to keep tabs on what I'm having for dinner every night.

While I think Sony generally has a "better" lineup of 1st party franchises/games in the generals sense (more highly rated 1st party games), I get a lot more out of Microsoft's offerings. When a new Gears or Halo game drops I play that thing for years. So while Uncharted and God of War are great games that are fun for a few weeks, it would take a dozen of those to hold me over as long as a single Gears game does and it would be 10x the cost.

Of course, Titanfall looks awesome as well. I wish it were a launch game.

 

[Buckna]

Debating canceling my preorder from announcement date. Just have too many of this generations games I haven't gotten around to playing or finishing. Dead Rising 3 looks good but Titanfall & Quantum Break are the only others so far grabbing my attention and they aren't launch titles.

Unless it looks like a bonanza to flip these on eBay like the last new console release date I may decide to wait until a particular must have game grabs my attention like Gears of War did.

 

[Jobber]

A new Xbox One TV ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1mfIg1I3zE

Pretty awesome really.

 

[Fennis]

A new Xbox One TV ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1mfIg1I3zE

Pretty awesome really.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I've mentioned several times that Microsoft's lineup of exclusive hardcore games took a nosedive after Kinect came out. It's conceivable that that's just a coincidence, but it's consistent with my hypothesis.

One other note: I'm very open to having a second gaming platform this time around. I can afford two consoles. The PS4 is kind of immaterial to all of this. What is material (for me) is what's available on alternative consoles that I can't get on the PS4. If we're talking PC or Steam Box, the answer is "a lot." If we're talking XB1, the answer is "not much," and Kinect is part of the reason for that.

I support your right to speculate based on limited information. You may be right. I certainly don't know if MS consciously decided to spent a larger portion of a limited budget on kinect than buying exclusive rights. But thats still just a guess by Ivan from the internet; let's not pretend like you've just handed down economics gospel here (and at best it describes issues with exclusivity, not whether far cry 15 is getting made).

I should probably wait another couple of weeks to revisit this point, when the performance of certain titles on certain platforms is 100% confirmed, but I think it's worth noting that Microsoft's decision to double down on Kinect meant cutting corners on hardware in order to keep the Xbox's price point at something reasonable. If that results in certain games -- certain very big names -- running worse on Xbox than they do on PlayStation, would that be enough for you guys to finally concede that Kinect has been a net negative for non-casuals?

If I had an Xbox preordered, and obviously I don't, I would be livid over the stuff that's swirling around out there right now. And it's all directly attributable to Kinect. There is absolutely no reason why Microsoft couldn't have built a system that would match the PS4 step for step if they hadn't been handicapped with a $100+ camera.

 

[SlaX]

I've mentioned several times that Microsoft's lineup of exclusive hardcore games took a nosedive after Kinect came out. It's conceivable that that's just a coincidence, but it's consistent with my hypothesis.

One other note: I'm very open to having a second gaming platform this time around. I can afford two consoles. The PS4 is kind of immaterial to all of this. What is material (for me) is what's available on alternative consoles that I can't get on the PS4. If we're talking PC or Steam Box, the answer is "a lot." If we're talking XB1, the answer is "not much," and Kinect is part of the reason for that.

I support your right to speculate based on limited information. You may be right. I certainly don't know if MS consciously decided to spent a larger portion of a limited budget on kinect than buying exclusive rights. But thats still just a guess by Ivan from the internet; let's not pretend like you've just handed down economics gospel here (and at best it describes issues with exclusivity, not whether far cry 15 is getting made).

I should probably wait another couple of weeks to revisit this point, when the performance of certain titles on certain platforms is 100% confirmed, but I think it's worth noting that Microsoft's decision to double down on Kinect meant cutting corners on hardware in order to keep the Xbox's price point at something reasonable. If that results in certain games -- certain very big names -- running worse on Xbox than they do on PlayStation, would that be enough for you guys to finally concede that Kinect has been a net negative for non-casuals?

If I had an Xbox preordered, and obviously I don't, I would be livid over the stuff that's swirling around out there right now. And it's all directly attributable to Kinect. There is absolutely no reason why Microsoft couldn't have built a system that would match the PS4 step for step if they hadn't been handicapped with a $100+ camera.

As someone who has a huge dislike of Kinect, I think Microsoft's decision to include it with the new system is a smart one. From a design standpoint, you're obviously going to have more devotion to developing good games for it since 100% of the user base owns one. At least, that's the plan and I hope they follow through. Otherwise, every argument against having it included is a valid one.