Xbox 360, released November 22, 2005. PlayStation 3, released November 11, 2006.(17th in US). Microsoft was the lead competitor in the Console war of the 7th gen systems. The Xbox 360 sold roughly 2.5 million units during the first 90 days of launch in the US while the PlayStation 3 sold roughly 1 million units in the first two months of launch in the US. Start of 2013 around 77 million 360's and PS3's each have been sold worldwide. Now wait, why would I say Microsoft was the lead competitor if the PlayStation 3 has obviously sold the same amount of units in a year less of time? Two words, Xbox Live. $60 a year for a membership, just so you can talk and play with your friends or complete strangers worldwide as long as you were connected to the internet of course. Think about it. That's $4.62 Billion if everyone had Xbox Live for one whole year, and just for being online! Of course it has access to the other features to take money from you such as music, arcade, movies, etc. Well, what about the PlayStation Network? It's free and you have access to basically the same thing, plus one of the best deals on a blue-ray player. So wouldn't you say Sony has the better deal? Especially when you stack up the specs of the PS3 and compare it to the 360, it should be all around better. Well, think about it this way for example, lets say I have one of the best quality computers loaded with all the best specs from an amazing graphics card to an intense processor and not have internet access. What's the point of having such a decked out system if I'm not able to be online? Anyways you get the idea.
The question still is, what about the PSN? Well, whats the biggest difference between Microsoft and Sony? Sony, makes entertainment devices; TV's, music devices, desktops, laptops. etc. What does Microsoft make? Programs. Say hello to Windows, ring a bell? My personal opinion is Microsoft knows how to function an online database better than Sony can. Now I didn't say Microsoft is great at it, just better. I don't know, does anyone recall April 20, 2011 which was the day of the PSN hack? But enough of my stereotypical views. Now each console themselves aren't perfect, especially after a first launch. The "red ring of death" is a good example on Microsoft's part. Almost half of the units Sony let loose to sell in stores didn't even show up. There is always a problem during launch and it usually takes a long year or more for them to finally "perfect" there product. They believe if you make a slim version it will automatically be a better console. PlayStation 3 slim did function better, but it pissed half the world off when they couldn't play PS2 games on it. The Xbox 360 slim was much more compatible for one it was QUIETER, finally had the WiFi built in, plus the cooling system for when you stay up 36 hours straight playing Halo. It just took Microsoft 5 long years.
In the mists of perfecting the system, Microsoft and Sony were watching Nintendo from a distance trying to figure out what the deal was with the controller. Nintendo was getting all the families attention instead of a gamer's love. So the Move and Kinect was developed. Kinect was a clever idea especially with voice activation, not to mention the dotted grid it shows in Infrared to see the registration of the human body. Microsoft said, "Hey, how about no controller." while Sony said,"Hey how about the same thing as Nintendo with giant glowing balls." Sorry, but I don't even know someone with a PlayStation Move, but besides my opinion it did sell 1.5 million units in a month which is impressive along with the positive feed back major reviewer websites gave.The Kinect sold 8 million units in 60 days. Guinness World Record much? I don't know of a device that sold that much in that small time span.
Time for the big picture, 8th gen consoles. Lets not talk about the Wii-U.. So the PlayStation 4 looks neat. DUELSHOCK 4? No surprise there, but a huge improvement. For those who don't know the DUELSHOCK is now revamped with cool features, the biggest being the new touch pad in the top/middle,
I think it would be easier to function if I had 4 thumbs and not 2. The other feature are the duel sensitive cameras to recognize the new six-axis sensor. If you understood a word of that it means it will be more sensitive, so if your hands shake a lot you might have problems. Besides the controller, not much as been shown with the console itself. The specs are looking impressive. Maybe not to my full expectations but you should check it out for yourself. For more info on the PS4 check out:
www.playstation.com/PS4
As harsh as I am towards Sony I am still a gamer at heart and love Console competition. Gaming makes my world go round even if I don't like the ideas the company gives out and sells, I will support what I can for the greater good of gaming. The console shouldn't matter, because Batman Arkham City is still awesome on the 360 and the PS3. Don't forget where you stand during the 8th gen console war. With the Games not the console.
