'The Division' dev on buying an Xbox One or PS4: 'I play games, not brands'

One of the biggest games that was unveiled at E3 this past June was Tom Clancy's The Division and an extremely common question that consumers, journalists, developers are throwing around is, will you buy an Xbox One or PS4?

While answers to this can cause some uproar from extreme fans of both consoles, The Division's lead game designer Mathias Karlson gave a smart answer to the Xbox One vs. PS4 question.

[Walker]

But i play games on the which console runs games better, so my choice is the most powerful console on the market or PS4!

[darthv72]

And yet it isnt always the power of a system that denotes if a game is fun and entertaining.

some of the most addictive games have been from the least powerful platforms. no fancy graphics or heart thumping sounds but just straight up fun and addictive gameplay.

Fun is subjective when it comes to different people but it is universal when it comes to everyone. Everyone enjoys things that are fun.

[zebramocha]

@ darth which one? As I recall people liked resi 4 on the gc because it was fun and after the ps2 version came out looked better,you really can't use the ps1-2 as an example because they both were released befor any nintendo console excluding the ps3.

[Kemistri]

I'm inclined to agree.

Hardware can only take you so far. It always boils down to the studios that actually develop the titles. This is the key point everyone keeps missing.

Take Nintendo for instance. They generally have what is concerned to be "under-powered" systems, especially when it comes to competing with the consoles put together by Microsoft and Sony. Yet the games they are able to produce still have some of THE BEST art directions and addictive game play of pretty much EVERY generation.

Titanfall is another example. Everyone is going on and on about how it's using a dated Source engine and that it doesn't "look" next-gen. But really, does that matter? I'm in it for the fun GAME PLAY. I think that's literally the only reason why the COD games are so popular as well. Fun overall game play, on yes indeed, a dated graphics engine regardless of the platform.

Another example would be essentially most Crytek games. The engine produces gorgeous visuals, at the cost of overall game play. Which generally struggles to hold my attention for more than half the games produced. I have tried all the Crysis games and the recent Ryse.

At the end of the day, I still look forward to being blown away by visuals and game play. Which is why I hold such studios in such high regard such as Naughty Dog, 343 (yes halo 4 was fun and looked great), Bungie, etc. The studios make the consoles, not the other way around.

[riverstars86]

I have PS4 for single player games and Xbox One for online games.

I'll take dedicated servers over better graphics any day of the week.

[RuleNumber5]

Couldn't have said it better. It's about the games.

[EasilyTheBest]

I choose the X1 as it has more features than the competition.
Sorry..

[Insomnia_84]

We are talking about games here.

[CYCLEGAMER]

It also has more and better new next gen games.

At the moment the xb1 is offering a better gaming experience...which is kind of ironic.

[pompombrum]

^^^ It has better games now maybe but if the last three years is anything to go by, I know where I'd be putting my money if I could only choose one system. The old saying fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me comes to mind.

[KingDadXVI]

For the PS4 You have: Killzone, Knack, Drive Club, Infamous, Daylight, The Order, Outlast, and Uncharted.

For the Xbox One you have: TitanFall, Dead Rising 3, Ryse Son of Rome, Forza 5, Quantum Break, Halo 5, D4, Fable Legends, Project Spark, Sunset Overdrive, LocoCycle, Killer Instinct, and Max the Curse of Brotherhood.

IMO there is a much better selection of games available now or in 2014 for the Xbox One which is why I got that console first. I will probably get a PS4 next holiday.

Currently PS4 does not have any exclusives that are at the level of TitanFall, Quantum Break, or Halo 5. We will probably have to wait until 2015 for them.

The games really determined which console I bought first.

[TH3BR3W]

@KingDadXVI I'm sorry to say but if a game is coming out for PC as well that does not make it an exclusive. Yes I am talking about titanfall. The rest of those for the moment, yes they are exclusives. Titanfall is not an Xbone exclusive.

BTW Halo doesn't have the same appeal anymore. It's the dead horse of last generations 'Exclusives'. It's Xbox division's way of trying to capitalize on the mouth breathers who still buy that just like they still buy the carbon copied COD games.

Killzone is not safe from that same zone either. It's a dead horse as well. Don't think I am fanboying Sony because they are just as bad in capitalizing on games that should have stayed dead. Forza 5 and GT 6 are suck for the reason being they have now graduated to the MicroTransaction era which will lead to nothing but paying full price for half a game.

Out of all the exclusives the only two that caught my interest (this is solely my opinion and nothing else) are Infamous Second Son and Quantum Break. Will I pick up some of the others? Sure if I'm bored with NHL next year and need something to try out. The order I will check out but I feel failure surrounding the game outside of it's graphics. Is Ryse any good? 6/10 across the bored.

Dead rising 3 seemed fun for about an hour than it got old. Knack was ok but it is like beer, you have to drink it for a while to start liking it. Uncharted is just Tomb Raider without tits IMO. The multiplayer is fun but I was 'meh' about the storyline in all of them.

Fable died after 2. Project spark is a meh at best. Sunset Overdrive *rasberried*. Killer Instinct is all right but we all know a new tekken will cure that one.

I'm tired of typing so I'll just close with:

The line up for the next year from both is pretty bland until Destiny comes out. Lucky enough for everyone except PC players it seems we all get to enjoy that one.

Point I will make about the consoles is that we all have our preferences and I will probably be shunned like a leper just based on my opinions/preferences I stated in this comment. At the end of the day you need to let you control your gaming happiness based on what you like and not what everyone else likes. Why do you think indie games are making a huge statement right now?

[Activemessiah]

You're right, the XB1 does have more features... expect them to "Flip the switch" back very soon ;)

[Majin-vegeta]

I'm sure people here also play games.But when deciding with what console to go with.You gotta put everything into position.Price,games,support for the system,.

Some us just rather spend are money wisely or we can't afford both systems.

-YOBO

[infectedaztec]

I had that attitude too and went with an xbox. But being a gamer ill prob buy a cheap ps4 went it has games worth buying. May be a while though, i only considered the ps3 when TLOU cane out. Uncharted and GOW doesn't do it for me. Hope the ps4 has a better choice

[Joe913]

This is why this whole thread is stupid the guy was just trying to not sound like a fan boy but most of us buy brands if you got hooked on uncharted, The last of us, God of war, and Infamous and if you want to play the next game in that franchise you are going to go with the Sony brand if you like Gears or Halo then you will go with the Xbox brand yes you can get both consoles but ppl like me do not want to spend $1000 on consoles and even though I think the new kinect features are great Im already invested in Sony franchises and can not justify paying for a Xbox one so far there are only 4 games i want to play on that system in the next year or so unless something pops out of nowhere.

[JsonHenry]

Love the PR statement that is obviously full of crap, answers nothing, and the masses will argue over it like the statement was one of substance that was to the point and answered the question.

This guy would make a good politician.

[Godmars290]

"And really, ignore graphical quality, even though we strive and promote graphical quality."

[MasterCornholio]

Since both consoles will have a similar library of games i chose to go with the PS4 because it will offer the superior experience with multiplats which are the games that i play the most.

[riverstars86]

Single player, yes.

Online, no.

They both have strengths and weaknesses.

[76erz24]

I think some people could learn something from this.

[kingcasper]

amen brother!! dont care if u support asia or xbox..support gaming first!!

[MatriXcian]

Hes right. I play games not brands as well but when said brand tries to screww you over again and again i tend to switch to a brand I trust.

[christocolus]

What a wonderful comment from a dev.very true...hats off to you my good sir . Some of my friends and i got an xbx one first cos of the games we are looking forward to..others got a ps4 first yet we all still get along so easily.

I happen to be the only one of all my close friends still currently on n4g. Most of the others have since stopped using the site cos they found fanboys very insulting and immature.. some of my friends on ps4 cant wait to play halo5 with me and the ones who love xbx cant wait to play uc4 and the order its always been that way and we get along so easily. Its only on n4g you find gamers so immature and chldish.making so many hateful comments and people killing themselves over a brand...glad i have a circle of very level headed and balanced minded gamer friends outside here who i can actually play games with and also have reasonable conversations and arguments with. I agree fully with this dev...need more guys like him out there and gamers should pls try to get along

[Golden_Mud]

Best answer EVER !!!

[MegaRay]

Nope. If he said WiiU then that would be the best answer ever. Everybody would've facepalmed

[Corpser]

Will look on best on pc like all multi plat games

[Convas]

Multiplats on PC, Exclusives on Consoles.

Winning everywhere.

[Kayant]

My plan for the near future ;)

[Stryfeno2]

Couldn't say it better myself.

[zypher]

"I play games, not brands."

Oh, is THAT why you decided the XBox One version of The Division should get exclusive content?

[Manic2014]

It's a bidding, MS paid a certain amount for the content. Same did Sony with watch dog's and other games.

[TrueJerseyDevil]

Sony is partnered with Ubisoft that is why they get exclusive content for all of their games

[Manic2014]

@TrueJerseyDevil
Yes though they paid for the content, The partnership could of gone to either MS, Sony or Nintendo but Sony put higher bid. Oh yeah btw MS have partnered with ubisoft for exclusive content on certain games.

[creatchee]

Lead game designers don't broker exclusive content deals - publishers do.

[Duke19]

"I want to play everything to be honest with you,"

Completely agree - Brand loyalty in this industry is dumb - and totally bypassing a system means you're only limiting yourself.

[ELpork]

So this guy is pretty much exactly the opposite of everybody posting on here? I LIKE HIM!

[AaronMK]

Of course we play games, not brands.

That is a great mindset to have, but unless you are going to purchase every console, you will be picking a brand, and the subjective question of which system one should get still remains.

[Convas]

Problem is, I have a LOT of devoted Playstation fans for friends, far more than Xbox fans.

Ironically, we have NEVER, EVER, EVER had any disputes about which console is best or anything of the sort. We all respect each others choices and leave it at that.

Somehow, on the internet, picking a brand also means you have to pick up your sword and shield and take burning death to the "heretics".

There's no balance here, only "my choice is right and yours is wrong" bulls*** that permeates EVERY level of discussion here.

[ltachiUchiha]

So what if I want to buy an xb1 but dont want to fork out $100 more for kinect? Does that make me a bad guy because i rather have options? Because alot of loyal xb1 owners will call me a cheap azz for not wanting to pay that extra $100 for something I dont even care for. I didnt buy a ps4 camera with my ps4 because all I want to do is play the games I want. Thats like sony adding a ps vita into every ps4 box & forcing gamers to spend more money for something they might not even want so im glad sony gave gamers the option.

[Nocando]

Kinect is actually an awesome feature and even though I was resistant, I now cannot imagine the Xbox One without it.

[ajax17]

I play games too. Which is why I choose PS4. They clearly have the developer advantage. Anyone who disagrees is oblivious to facts.

[Duke19]

Yes the PS4 is going to have an awesome library, but this article has nothing to do with "developer advantages".

To his point, by only choosing a PS4 you are likely missing out on M$ exclusives that you probably would have enjoyed, had they been PS4 exclusives.

[hazardman]

Yeah good breakdown, and he's right. Thats why I gotta have both Xbox One and PS4 at some point to many good games to pass up on both sides.

[JasonKCK]

Spoken like a true fanboy who plays logo's instead of games.

[BABY-JEDI]

I'm trying not to be controversial but I think the guy will be playing the PC version.

[aquamala]

even if you own all the platforms, it's obvious the game won't look the same on all, from all the multi plat games so far we know

PC > PS4 > XB1

[e-p-ayeaH]

True gamer words.

[edwick]

i know i'd play the xbox one if it was cheaper and had better power. that's not playing brands... that's using common sense.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

saying you wouldn't play something because its not cheaper or has less power isn't common sense. That is just being a bit ignorant. There are great games on the WiiU right now... would you not play a game on the WiiU if you had a chance because its not as powerful?

Now if you are talking about "buying" something... that is different. I would also argue I think your statement is more about your personal "preference" vs "common sense". The experiences of the new consoles are different enough that you cant just compare them apple to apple.

[edwick]

you really have no concept of the word ignorant, apparently.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Nope pretty sure I know what it means...

1. Lacking education or knowledge.

2. Showing or arising from a lack of education or knowledge

3. Unaware or uninformed.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

You can certainly have your preferences... I don't think there is anything wrong with that at all. That said, I think any "gamer" should be able to look at games not on their platform of choice and give them credit when its due. And certainly nobody should just blanket statement "call it crap" because it came out on something you don't own or play on.

[hazardman]

Well its clear theres not alot of people on this site who think that way.

[N2NOther]

Unfortunately, not a lot of people on ANY site think this way.

[staticdash22]

I choose PS4. Unmatched first party with proven resumes.
That's all there is to it.

[TrueJerseyDevil]

Exactly their exclusive games have always been amazing

[Belking]

Then you should love rockstar since they have beaten uncharted and TLOU with their games as GOTY. Red Dead and GTAV ring a bell?

[staticdash22]

I don't even own GTAV anymore. I traded it towards the PS4 camera. Not really a fan of red dead, but I heard its amazing. So no, I'm not going nuts over rockstar.

[creeping judas]

I play games. And I don't feel the need to tell anyone on what console I play those games on, in hopes of getting bubbles from the team. Or get high fives for my more educated choice on a console, from my fellow console game company stakeholders.
I just like to play games. I know it's kinda of a weird concept around here.
In fact I played a lot games last gen, and plan on playing a whole heck of a lot more this gen.

[jay2]

I've saved money, get better performance don't have to sit through installs and patch updates just installs.

[ErryK]

I play the one with better games. I'll leave that for you to take it as you will.

[leahcim]

but I do prefer to play games on 1080.

[Shinuz]

Ill be getting the division on pc.

[Ninjamonkey82]

I'll be getting an x1 at the first sign off a price drop. I'm happy with my Ps4 and wiiU and i got the rest off my console collection and my pc I'm well sorted for now.

[Visiblemarc]

Yeah man, problem solved.

Just go to Amazon, type in: Game System and buy one...cause that's a thing.

Oh wait, no...it isn't. You actually have to choose a brand when buying something.

[--bienio--]

Pc and nothing more to say

[bacrec1]

If your system has a BA game, i want to play it. Fanboys miss out on great times. Brand loyalty is pathetic.

[KratosSaveUs]

I wonder why every time they show off The Division its always running on PS4 and sometimes PC. Never Xbone.

[KratosSaveUs]

I go with PS because they always have the exclusives. And not all their exclusives are just "shooters". If Xbox had amazing exclusives like the PS and PS just had "shooters" I would go with Xbox. But Sony has proven time and time they have the best exclusives for "GAMERS" not just "Shooter fans". No other company can matche Sonys 1st party studios/support. Sure MS has talented studios like 343,Lionhead,and Turn 10 but all I have to say is NAUGHTY DOG. Naughty God,Sucker Punch,Santa Monica,Media Molecule,and Guerrilla Games are some of the top studios and Sony owns them all. And that's not even all. They have studios like Ready At Dawn (God of War PSP and The Order 1886) and Quantic Dream (Heavy Rain and Beyond 2 Souls) that they don't even own but still stay loyal. I'm no fanboy. I've owned PS2/Xbox/Gamecube PS3/Xbox 360/Wii and I currently have a PS4 and plan on getting a Xbone or Wii U someday.

[XiSasukeUchiha]

Cheaper and easier experience for me plz PS4

[Bowzabub]

All I have to say is look at the track records. Yeah I'll go with the system with the better track record.

[psyrakan]

i feel damage controle, but hey im on ps4 not my probleme

[Max-Zorin]

Half of this community felt some type of way after reading the headline.

[Krosis]

When will this topic ever die? Jesus Christ.

[BobBelcher]

I play resolution and brand, not games... F*ck games.

[piffyd]

I like playing the best version

PC ALWAYS!!!

the ps4 and xbox1 version will be close to eachother with the ps4 likely getting a bit better graphics

the pc version will utterly decimate both of them and not be covered in ugly jaggies and screen tearing like every ps4/xbox1 game I have played so far

[Klonoa-dreamtraveler]

even if he had a preferred brand or console hes not gonna say it. the game is on both consoles hes not gonna favor one and disappoint the other as a business point of view hes gonna say both consoles. i mean look at this comment section and the sites comment section they are already having thier lil war on which is better if he picked one it would probably damage some sells sense there is people that literally take it to the heart like that.

[Demoa]

i play games too. that's why i chose xbox one

[kingPoS]

I play games from these consoles. I've had a NES Sega Genesis 32X SNES PS1 N64 PS2 PS3. In that particular order.

Yes... I do indeed play. The MS's offering should be up there... but I play my games inverted and having offset joysticks bugs the HECK out of me. For me, using the Xbox analogs are like having the d pad & /\ O [_] X swapped.

Gateway MT6706 2008

[purp13m0nk3y]

I've always bought both. Always PS first but I always end up getting the xbox too.

I'm holding off for either a price drop or a game that makes me want to buy one. Currently there is nothing on the Xbox1 I want to play that doesn't play better on my PS4.

Halo might be the first must have Xbox1 title for me. I plan on getting Titanfall on PC.

[rapidturtle]

Damn, nice to have money. For us common folk that can only afford one console, we will have to pick a side.

[purp13m0nk3y]

I haven't always had the money to indulge my gaming passion. I'm 33 now so I have a little expendable income.

Back when I was a lowly student (N64, PS days) I wasn't so lucky. I would often have to wait years after launch to afford one console, let alone two.

[cyclindk]

Some people dont care about perfirmance.. That would be the only rational reasonale he could submit

[purp13m0nk3y]

Not so much performance, as flashy graphics.

I've played several multi plats on a mates Xbox1 and they play just as well as on my PS4. It's just the PS4'S graphics are a little better. He's played the same games on my PS4 and admits that. But honestly doesn't care. And why should he. The games are just as fun.

I can understand people being proud of their respective systems. What I can't understand is all the negativity towards the "other side".

Competition in the gaming industry is a good thing people. Without it we wouldn't have these two awesome systems and these great games.

[cyclindk]

Performance relatively speaking, i.e. Performing the same but with higher visual fidelity.

[ilovefatgirls]

good for im happy he has the 900 euro to drop on both plus subscriptions plus games

[level 360]

When I finally purchase both PS4 and XBox ONE, I'm leaning towards PS4.

Can't and won't buy 1 copy for each as it would be a waste of my money and for sure those devs are supplied both brands so their comments could be taken very much for granted.

[Einhert]

EXACTLY! A - MEN!

Some common sense and reason heard at last in the games industry.

But if we are going to talk factually better versions PC will always be the better.

[Spontogical]

I won't support a company that has tried to, and is still trying to destroy the hobby that I love.

Summer 2013 taught me a lot - they've lost my trust, so I won't buy their systems anymore.

[Discod99]

Good answer

[XxGOWxX]

If you "love" a brand you have issues. Brands dont love you back. You shouldnt align with any brand because one day another brand might come along that you might have liked but never gave a chance because of your "love" for your brand.

Crazy concept i know. Liking games on all systems MS/Sony/PC mustnt be as cool as loving one brand and being an extremist. Much more fun though.

[Ukdude]

WARNING:This comment may offend sad fanboys

Seriously,just enjoy your console/PC,stop slagging each other off and more importantly:

GET A F@CKING LIFE!

THIS COMMENT IS IN NO WAY ENDORSED BY A FANBOY

[ajkula]

They have a political answer to make of course!
Asking devs such a question is silly when they are investing so much time, efforts and money into a multi platform product such as the division!
Can people imagine the impact this would have to their relations and business if they said that one's better over this one even if it was the case, they couldn't!
But as a matter of fact, rewatch the e3 video presentation of the division, and see for yourself which controller is in their hands...
That's all i can suggest!~

[demonicale666]

I couldn't give a crap about brands. I don't like Microsoft and never will. But i do enjoy some of their games and i've just bought myself and Xbox One because of this.

I own a ps4 and Xbox one. I enjoy games, not politics.

[InTheZoneAC]

I play games, not brands and Sony has made it the obvious choice for me every generation.

People that have jumped ship to Microsoft, even after all they have done, it's mind blowing.

It's like the wife that gets beat but keeps coming back.

I cannot support a company that has put games last on it's list of priorities...

[Grave]

People that have jumped ship from Microsoft, after all they have done, it's mind blowing.

Think this is a more accurate statement.

[InTheZoneAC]

do you understand what you just wrote?

thanks

[Grave]

Yes.

People are fleeing Microsoft because they don't support Microsoft's policies and their stance of not putting games first. I haven't seen any evidence of people leaving Sony's brand for Xbox One so I disagreed with you.

Don't know how you read it.

[Grave]

As long as they give love to the PC community. I am getting a bit tired of half-assed console ports up to PC.

[crazyclown]

PLAYSTATION FAN BOY RIGHT HERE...I WILL NEVER OWN A MICROSOFT CONSOLE. EVER. GAMES ARE LAME ON XBOX. MY OPINION. PROBLEM? GTFO

[pheature]

choosing console this year was an easy choice i think ms will come good in a few years when the release another version of the x1 .. then i will buy it, or when halo comes out. hopefully the latter

[LORD_RIEKA]

I PLAY XBOX ONE NOT KNACK

[PharaohX]

I own all current and Next Gen systems with the exception of the Wii U. I tend to prefer gaming on Xbox Live because it seems more robust and alive while PSN seems cool but not as lively and social. Many of my friends and family last generation were all about PS3 because they could play online for free. Now they are sitting it out for a while to see if it makes more sense to stay on the PS3 or get a next gen console. This just because the price of being online. So there are a lot of gamers that can't afford both.