Sony Announces the PlayStation 4

[Nerds_feather]

I've had mine ordered for a good while now and will get killzone the second controller.
It's been quite interesting seeing the first proper comparisons of games on this and the XBone as well. Looks like MS might have cocked up a bit here.

Do you have links to reputable sites that show this?

All I've heard so far is that BF4 has been confirmed to run at a higher res on the PS4 (900 vs. 720p). But this is based on accounts of beta, when games are being tested for bugs. Both systems can run 1080p, so I'm fairly sure that's what games like BF4, CoD: Ghost, etc. will run at when launch comes. I have trouble believing there will be significant differences in multi-platform games at launch.

 

[Nerds_feather]

That said, I'm waiting until early 2014 to get a console. I was solid X1, then solid PS4 then back to "not sure." I want to see how things shake out, see tests of actual shipped games, find out how the online experiences compare, etc. before plunking down the money for a new console.

 

[Dr Zoidberg]

Yep, there's plenty of sites confirming that the ps4 is doing much better.

Call of duty ghosts is 720p on the XBone and 1080p on the ps4.
Battlefield 4 has a similar difference.

Call of Duty: Ghosts 720p on Xbox One, 1080p on PS4 • News • Xbox One • Eurogamer.net

The PS4 trumps the Xbox One for Call of Duty: Ghosts | Technology | theguardian.com

 

[Nerds_feather]

First, on CoD: Ghosts, the output is 1080p in both cases--just native 1080p on the PS4. This is good for console fanboy points-scoring online, and bad PR for Microsoft with hardcore gamers, but in reality very few people will be able to tell the difference. Second, the fact that CoD: Ghosts is not native 1080p on the Xbox One is a function of developers being unfamiliar with the platform and having to work with a very different hardware setup in a short window (rumor is the eSRAM is making things difficult, a la Sony's Cell Processor at PS3 launch, and the resolution issue will be fixed with a patch). These are familiar launch title problems--the Xbox 360 wasn't even capable of 1080p at launch, though it eventually would be.

Key quote from one of the CoD producers:

First launch, first time at bat at a new console is a challenging one. That's just the way it is. For people fearful one system is more powerful than the other or vice versa, it's a long game.

I think trying to turn bits of information about launch titles into proof that one system is "inherently better" is a bit wrongheaded. We're going to have these consoles for at least 5 years, and probably more like 8, and developers are going to squeeze a lot out of them that isn't apparent now--just like they always do.

My feeling is that the PS4 has a small-to-moderately higher ceiling for graphics, but that this will barely register on multiplatform games over the long-term--exactly how it's been this generation.

For me, this isn't a reason to buy the PS4. Price and value, however, potentially are. Online network may be a reason to get an Xbox One. We'll see.

 

[Dr Zoidberg]

There's a very noticable difference between 720p upscaled to 1080p and native 1080p, and I know it's a new hardware environment they are having to get used to but that applies equally to both consoles.

The simple fact is that the hardware specs on the PS4 are significantly better than the XB1 and that's not going to change.

 

[Nerds_feather]

There's a very noticable difference between 720p upscaled to 1080p and native 1080p, and I know it's a new hardware environment they are having to get used to but that applies equally to both consoles.

The simple fact is that the hardware specs on the PS4 are significantly better than the XB1 and that's not going to change.

I've watched the videos--there are differences, but on BF4, at least, they are mitigated to a degree by better anti-aliasing on the Xbox One. And I'd also point out that you are not the typical console gamer, but rather part of a very small subset of console gamers who will both notice the differences and care. Very few people will notice the difference or even have a baseline for knowing one exists.

As for difficulty developing for new launch titles applying "equally to both consoles"--that's just not true. If you paid attention to the gaming press for the 360/PS3 launches, and I assume you did, then you know that systems are not equally difficult to develop for. PS3 anyone? Cell processor?

As I mentioned earlier, the issue with the Xbox One at present appears to be eSRAM, and that developers are struggling to apply it. That being the eSRAM that evens out the discrepancy in memory between the consoles.

Again, the PS4 architecture should convey a small-to-moderately higher ceiling for graphics over the long-term. But both consoles are going to produce significant strides in output over the next 5 years, and I sincerely doubt that any of these will be major. As with this console generation, I suspect Sony's graphical advantages will be mostly apparent on exclusive titles.

Now, I do see some reasons to pick the PS4 over the Xbox One--better price, no forced motion-sensor bundle, cheaper online service. And I think if you couple this with the small-to-moderately higher ceiling for graphics and arguably better slate of exclusives, it does appear to be a better value. I'm not completely sold on that yet, but at present I'm leaning that way.

 

[thaddeus6th]

Just heard that the Xbox One will need a day one patch (which I already knew) but that without it the console is essentially a doorstop. Apparently it won't even play games.

So, if you don't have internet access then you can't get the patch, which you need to allow the console to be played if you don't have internet access.

Did Microsoft let Sony design this process for them?

However, the PS4, I think, also needs a day one patch. Hopefully that's not quite as awful and irrational. [I'll probably buy a PS4 eventually. Whilst I have internet access I think the way Microsoft was trying to behave was both stupid and unreasonable].

Edited extra bit: on the PS4, there will be a day one patch. The console *will* play games offline without it, however. The patch will be needed to do most other stuff (background download then a quick restart).

 

[Nerds_feather]

You would think that it was possible to ship a product that works out of the box without tinkering.

That said, in all honesty, it's not really going to affect most users--except to be a mild pain-in-the-ass.