Video game culture is growing ever more popular each year and is constantly changing to adapt to new technology. It has been about seven years since the last major gaming consoles, the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3, were released in the U.S. Now Microsoft and Sony, manufacturers of the 360 and PS3, respectively, have announced their follow-ups to each console. Both Microsoft’s Xbox One and Sony’s PlayStation 4 will be available this holiday season.
Both companies are taking fairly different approaches to their devices and each console will for the most part appeal to a different audience. The new Xbox is taking the route of an all-in-one device, hence the name. It will focus on multimedia features alongside being a gaming console.
Much like devices such as the iPhone, it will allow someone to watch movies, play music and video chat. The video chat will be enabled through Skype using the system’s Kinect camera.
The included camera is a huge part of the console itself, as it will be required for the console to operate at all. While some may not like this requirement, it actually enables some unique features such as face recognition and incredibly accurate voice control.
One interesting use of the facial recognition is the system’s ability to detect who is sitting in front of the screen, automatically sign in the user and set up their preferred controls for games. Voice control can be used to instantly switch between programs on the system. For example, the user can have the system play live television while using features such as Skype or gaming by simply saying “Xbox, watch TV.”The motion controls and multimedia features the console enables lets the system appeal to a much wider audience than those who just want to play games.
While the Xbox One attempts to draw in casual users and families, Sony is doubling down on the core gamers with its upcoming PS4. Over the summer, Sony has shown off many great looking exclusive games for the PS4, hoping to draw in those who were turned off by Microsoft’s focus on non- game features.
While the PS4 does have a camera like the Xbox’s Kinect, it will not be required and will not be as integral to the console’s operating system. The biggest part of the system though, is the controller’s share button. This button will allow the user to instantly upload and broadcast their game footage. While the Xbox One can do this to a certain extent, the PS4 seems to have a more robust system for communicating with friends and streaming gameplay live. An example of this is the system’s ability to actually let a friend take control of your game for a time in order to help you out.
Both systems are of course much more powerful than their predecessors in the graphics department. The difference in graphics between the two will undoubtedly be minimal, much like the current generation of consoles. But there is no denying that the companies are shooting for vastly different audiences based on the current trends in popular technology. These systems are major investments with the PS4 launching at $399 and the Xbox One at $499. Come holiday season, it will simply be up to the consumer to decide which system best fits their interest.