XBox One vs PS4 (Ongoing Battle-Comparisons)

[HacheMan]

Microsoft’s $100 Offer Exposes its Fear That Sony Will Win the PS4 vs Xbox One War

Last week, Microsoft offered U.S. gamers $100 credit toward the purchase of an Xbox One if they "ditched" (traded in) their Sony PS3s.
This offer, which lasts until March 2, has raised the eyebrows of investors and gamers alike.

In a previous article using data compiled by GameSpot's GameTrax, I noted that only 10% of surveyed Xbox One buyers previously owned a PS3, compared to 28% of PS4 buyers who previously owned the Xbox 360. Those unbalanced conversion ratios indicated that Sony would gain an edge over Microsoft as the eighth generation console race progressed.

There's one question on everyone's mind: "Is Microsoft really that worried about competition from Sony's PS4?"

Meanwhile, the most recent sales figures from Vgchartz.com show that Microsoft has sold 3.37 million Xbox Ones, while Sony has sold 4.88 million PS4s. Both consoles, which were launched last November, are closing in on Nintendo's Wii U, which has sold 5.62 million units since November 2012.

There is now a trail of clues indicating that the gap between the Xbox One and the PS4 is widening:

• On Jan. 31, Sony unveiled sales figures from market research group GfK's Chart-Track service that indicated the PS4 was outselling the Xbox One by 50%.
  
• On Feb. 3, the PS4 version of Square Enix's Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition in the UK outsold the Xbox One version 2:1.
  
• On Feb. 4, Amazon.com UK's Ketu Patel made an ominous statement that the Xbox One has "a lot of catching up to do," but Electronic Arts' Titanfall (a PC/Xbox 360/Xbox One exclusive) might help it catch up.
  
• There are now persistent rumors that Microsoft plans to drop the price of the Xbox One and possibly remove the Blu-Ray drive. Microsoft has denied these claims.
  

The logic behind Microsoft's $100 trade-in offer

All of these clues indicate that sales of the Xbox One are slowing more than expected. What could offering a $100 trade-in rebate to PS3 owners accomplish? Let's crunch the numbers.

An Xbox One has an estimated manufacturing cost of $471 and sells for $499. A price cut to $399 would cause a loss of $72 per console, so that wouldn't be employed unless Xbox One sales completely stalled out.

Removing the Kinect ($75) and the headset ($10) could shave $85 off the production cost, which has led to speculation that the Kinect, at least, could be removed in a cheaper version later this year.

A pre-owned PS3 sells for $200 to $230 at GameStop.
However, GameStop only pays $100 for a 500GB PS3 system. Therefore, all Microsoft is really doing is offering the same trade-in deal as GameStop, but using it as a publicity stunt to desperately boost its conversion rate of PS3 gamers.
Gamers who don't want an Xbox One can simply go to GameStop and trade in their used PS3 systems for $100 in store credit to reduce the price of a new PS4 to $299 instead.

Why Titanfall might not matter

EA's Titanfall, which is scheduled to be released on March 11, is widely expected to boost sales of the Xbox One. The Xbox One and PC versions will arrive first, and the Xbox 360 version will be released on March 25.

It's fairly obvious, based on the fact that Microsoft's "$100 for your PS3" promotion runs to March 2, that Microsoft expects Titanfall to provide the boost it needs to catch up to the PS4. In other words, Microsoft expects Titanfall to be to the Xbox One what Halo: Combat Evolved was to the original Xbox.


While that's certainly an optimistic view of things, there are five huge problems with that theory:

• According to GameSpot GameTrax's January 2014 survey of 3,500 gamers, Titanfall ranked 16th in the most anticipated games of the year. Only 67% of gamers were even aware of the title, and of those gamers, only 30% planned to purchase it.
  
• EA's profit-maximizing strategy of releasing the game on the PC and Xbox 360 will inevitably dilute sales of the Xbox One version.
  
• The cross-generation release of the game also makes Titanfall look like a mere half-step up from seventh generation consoles.
  
• Titanfall doesn't have a single-player mode, meaning the player is required to play online at all times.
  
• Considering EA's terrible track record with "always online" games like Simcity, server problems could crush the game's reputation the moment it launches.
  

Moreover, Titanfall doesn't look much different from Crysis, Halo, or most other modern shooters. The only thing that stands out about the game is its acrobatic freedom and seamless swap from ground-based combat to mech-based combat.
It's definitely pretty, but there's nothing so Earth-shattering about the title that makes it a "must buy" title for eighth generation consoles, especially without a dedicated single-player campaign.
I'm not sure why Microsoft believes that Titanfall could be the Xbox One's Halo, especially since Activision's Destiny, from Halo developer Bungie, has a much better chance of claiming that title.

The bottom line

In conclusion, Microsoft's $100 PS3 rebate is just the latest in the company's new strategy of petty pokes against its rivals, and will do very little to boost Xbox One sales.
Encouraging gamers to "ditch" their PS3s isn't much different from its attack ads on Apple's iPads using Siri's narration, or its "Scroogled" campaign against Google -- it's simply desperate, immature, and embarrassing.
Perhaps Microsoft believes that the rebates could hold it over to Titanfall's arrival, but I have serious doubts that it will be the Xbox One's salvation.

 

[HacheMan]

Developers are more interested in releasing games on PS4 than Xbox One

By Jacob Siegal

Sony announced on Tuesday that the PlayStation 4 had stampeded through its goal for the fiscal year to hit 5.3 million sales since launch. The scales have tipped back and forth between Sony’s new console and the Xbox One for the past few months, but now that Sony is beginning to secure a lead, developers are picking sides. According to a poll conducted by the Game Developers Conference, nearly 20% of developers are hoping to release their upcoming games on the PS4, while just under 17% chose the Xbox One.

Analysts concur that the PS4 will continue to lead the home console race in 2014, but this mass approval from the development community is even more hard evidence that favor is swaying Sony’s direction.

Although Microsoft might be disappointed that developers are as intent on having their games released on the Xbox One, the situation isn’t nearly as dire as Nintendo’s. While the PS4 and Xbox One are both sitting above 16% in the poll, the Wii U barely irked out an appearance with just 4.4% of developer interest. In fact, more developers are looking to release their games on the PS3 and Xbox 360 respectively than on the Wii U. Check out the full chart below.

 

[HacheMan]

Xbox One's Price Drops After Three Months

By Tom's Guide / Marshall Honorof

Video game consoles usually have to wait years before manufacturers decide to drop the initial retail price; the Xbox One had to wait three months. Starting on Feb. 28, British Xbox Ones will cost £399; later on, select systems will come with a copy of anticipated sci-fi shooter "Titanfall."

The price of an Xbox One in the British Isles is currently £429, or approximately $713. The new price will place it at about $664 — a reduction of 49 dollars. At present, Microsoft has not indicated that a similar price drop will reach North America. If it did, however, a similar drop would bring the console to $449 here.

MORE: PS4 vs. Xbox One: Which Console Wins?

"Titfanfall," which launches on March 11, is a competitive first-person shooter where players can duke it out either on the ground or in gigantic, pilotable robots. Microsoft has hyped the title up as a system-seller: the first "must-have" title for the Xbox One (even though it will also be available for PCs the same day and Xbox 360s later in March).

A limited number of Xbox Ones will come with a digital copy of "Titanfall" at no extra charge, which may help move even more systems among prospective buyers who were waiting until the game's release to Invest in a console. These "Titanfall" bundles will be available in North America, too, although both territories will only receive limited quantities.

Regarding why (or whether) the Xbox One needs a price drop only three months in, Microsoft has not said much. Recent reports from Microsoft and the NPD suggest that the Xbox One could be trailing the PlayStation 4 (which retails for $399) by as many as 2 million units.

The Xbox One's price drop may not hit North American shores for some time, but the "Titanfall" bundle still represents a way for prospective buyers to save a little money. Cheaper still, though, is buying the title for Xbox 360 or PC.

 

[HacheMan]

Sony could unveil its secret weapon against Xbox One next week

Sony has already built up a consistent lead over Microsoft in the latest generation of the console wars and it may soon unveil a key new feature that could help maintain that lead indefinitely. IGN reports that Sony will host a panel at the Game Developers Conference on March 18th that will discuss “innovation at PlayStation” and the “future of gaming.” While this is a very vague teaser, IGN says that it could be a hint that Sony finally plans to make a formal announcement about a virtual reality headset for the PlayStation that will go head-to-head with VR headset Oculus Rift. IGN notes that two of the panel’s speakers — Sony senior director Richard Marks and Sony senior software engineer Anton Mikhailov — both “played integral roles in the development of the PlayStation Move and PS Eye for the PS3.”

 

[CHOPTALK]

If only they had the tv integration of XBOX.

I love saying go to ESPN and the channel changing.
Thats a big deal to me.

And oh yeah.
Halo.

 

[HacheMan]

Sony is increasing the price of the PlayStation 4 in Canada

There's an unspoken rule in the tech world that early adopters always pay more for the newest gear. "Just wait and the price will drop" is a sage piece of advice that we've all heard once in our lives. But any PlayStation 4 buyers going off of that logic in Canada will be sorely disappointed to hear that Sony is raising the price of the console by CAD$50 starting today to CAD$449.99.

The highly unusual case of a price hike is a "response to changes in the market environment," according to a statement Sony provided to the Financial Post. The company didn't clarify specifically what those changes are, but it's highly possible that a weakening Canadian Dollar has led to the price adjustment. On November 15th, launch day, the $399.99 price of the console in the US was roughly equivalent to CAD$417.55. Today, with exchange rate changes, that comes to CAD$444.19.

The price hike may have also been an easier decision for Sony to make because of continued low supplies of the console, which remains difficult to find in stores. But Sony's also changing the prices of some accessories and games. The Dualshock 4 controller and PlayStation Camera are both increasing to CAD$64.99 from CAD$59.99. In addition, two of Sony's upcoming first-party games, MLB The Show ’14 and Infamous: Second Son, will retail for CAD$69.99 instead of the usual CAD$59.99.

News of the price change comes as a particularly interesting move as Sony's primary competitor, Microsoft, has worked to discount its Xbox One console since launch. The company has released bundles that offer either Titanfall or Forza Motorsport 5 for free with the console, and it has already cut the price of the system in the UK. A Microsoft representative tells the Financial Post that no price change is set for the system in Canada, though Xbox One games recently increased to CAD$64.99 in the country.

 

[taylor13]

It's time to upgrade my living room entertainment. My current setup is a 40 inch toshiba and a blue ray player, that's it so its not real entertaining. I'm going to get a 55inch tv, Xbox one, and soundbar. Also, I'm putting the tv above the fireplace. I'm trying to keep the price in the neighborhood of $2000 for everything. The tv I'm looking at right now is a vizio for $699 and the soundbar is a Samsung for $269

I haven't had a video game system of any sort since the original Xbox came out. It's safe to say, I'm out of the loop in the gaming world. I was at a friends over the wkd and he has just bought the Xbox one. I played it, my daughter played the dance games for hours and hours. I am impressed enough to buy one. I think it will be a great thing for my daughter and I to have and enjoy playing together and hopefully keep us at home a little more often.

If anybody can help me out as far as the packages Best Buy offers, I'd appreciate it. As of now, i am considering buying the $880 pro package they offer. Come with:
2 games of your cchoice
2 controllers
2 years of Xbox llive
geek squad protection
gamers club (discount on future game purchases)

I went to best buy yesterday and got a price printout to see my options. The employee also said if i buy the tv, soundbar, xbox, and whatever else i need all at once, that "they will hook me up" not sure what that really means though. is this the best deal to buy that sets me up with pretty much everything I need? Or is some of it not really needed? Is the geek squad protection really necessary?

 

[HacheMan]

taylor I have both systems (Xbox One and PS4) and I would recommend the PS4.

That's saying a lot because I've always been an Xbox supporter in the past and preferred the original Xbox and then XBOX 360 over the Playstation systems.

As for XBOX One, I do know they just recently cut their price down for the 2nd time...

 

[taylor13]

Thanks for replying Hache......I've always preferred Xbox over playstation also. My daughters friends all have xbox so I just figured it would be easier for them to connect if we had xbox.

When you bought your Systems did you go with a package deal or just go with the system? Are the extra something you would recommend?
thanks

 

[HacheMan]

Thanks for replying Hache......I've always preferred Xbox over playstation also. My daughters friends all have xbox so I just figured it would be easier for them to connect if we had xbox.

When you bought your Systems did you go with a package deal or just go with the system? Are the extra something you would recommend?
thanks

The XBOX comes with the camera (kinec), and I purchased games separately.

The PS4 camera comes separately.

 

[HacheMan]

How the PS4 might crush the Xbox One once and for all terms of which next-generation video game console gamers think is better, the “console war” we hear about so often is somewhat trivial. In terms of sales, however, the competition between Sony’s PlayStation 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One shows us where the money is flowing and where it might continue to flow as time moves on. And right now, more than five months into this console generation, the competition isn’t even close.

Sony announced in mid-April that PS4 console sales to end users had topped 7 million units. The company also said more than 20.5 million copies of PlayStation 4 games had been sold at the time. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s last announcement stated that Xbox One shipments to distribution partners had surpassed 5 million units. It is unclear how many of those consoles have been purchased by end users.

Both video game consoles are incredibly successful right now, but there’s clearly no question that the PS4 has taken a big early lead in this generation. And according to noted video game industry analyst Michael Patcher of Wedbush Securities, that lead could turn into a full-blown trouncing if Sony makes one move in particular.
“If there is a $349 PS4 on the market, Microsoft has a real problem,” Patcher told GamingBolt while discussing the various directions the industry might head next year. If Sony does cut the current PS4′s price or offer a cheaper $349 model — which Patcher thinks will be the case sometime in 2015 — the Xbox One will be crushed unless Microsoft offers a cheaper version of its new console that does not include a bundled Kinect.

“[Microsoft is] gonna have to do something, and they’ll have to do it really quickly,” Patcher said. “I think that in 2015, you might see a $349 PS4, and an uncoupled Xbox One, and if you see both of those for $349, the consumer wins, and they will both sell very well. Microsoft is not looking to lose this cycle.”

http://news.yahoo.com/ps4-might-crush-xbox-one-once-155504250.html

 

[alexlixs]

Best bet is to save your money and get neither. Those screenshots are taken on a computer. A good gaming pc can be had for a little as $800 nowadays. Plug it into your tv buy a controller and you have the Xbox Two and PS5 before they release a couple years from now.

Same...

 

[JATTKING]

I have the Xbox Series X and it is wicked! Worth the price. I've never been a pc gaming guy, but have friends that are. I've notice they will always be pc gamers no matter what system comes out. To each their own but I'm loving the Xbox Series X. Don't even bother with the Series S imo.