PS4's 'Better Terms' Make Xbox One Less Attractive

NowGamer: "Gone Home developer Steve Gaynor explains why Microsoft's ID@Xbox programme could cause problems for smaller developers."

[XiSasukeUchiha]

Sony, successful status over 9000!

[TimmyShire]

NINE THOUSAND?!

[Shnooze]

@truefan1

Are you drunk?

[QuickdrawMcgraw]

I know this is a overwhelming MS site,But it's getting so a Sony supporter can't say anything positive about said company with getting hammered here on N4Xbox.

[MysticStrummer]

I'll go ahead and try your girlfriend out, truefan, but I don't see what that has to do with anything.

[Prime157]

Truefan1, for studios with a limited budget, it's a negative clause, I'm sorry you don't get it.

Has everything to do with Sony, Nintendo, pc, android, ios, anything else you can game on, but you just misinterpreted it as ps4 fanboys. You are what you criticize, making you a hypocrite.

[lawgone]

@Quickdraw OK, you have GOT to be trolling with that statement.

On a side note, this is a stupid fanboy article. Nothing more, nothing less. But some of you guys fall for it every single time.

[PickAShoe]

@truefan1 LOL WUT?

[Blaze929]

lol are we 'still' talking about how Microsoft's ID@Xbox is "bad" for indies? When will the hate stop?

@InTheLab "When Indie devs stop complaining about it? When it stops being a major issue for developers in general?"

riiiight...them anonymous sources, i mean developers.

[InTheLab]

When Indie devs stop complaining about it? When it stops being a major issue for developers in general?

[XabiDaChosenOne]

@Blaze929
"Gone Home developer Steve Gaynor"
How is this an anonymous source? LMAO!!!!

[pyramidshead]

""If you’re talking to Sony and Microsoft, and Microsoft is like, 'well you can’t be on Xbox if you’re on PlayStation first', but it’s easier to be on PS4 because they have better terms, then you’ll be like, 'okay lets just be on PlayStation'."

Do you honestly think this sort of thing does more good than bad for indies on the Xb1? lol It's a ridiculous policy that MS has in place.

also lol @truefan1's irrelevant analogy up top there. Jeez, the apologists are RIFE.

[GTgamer]

You called a Developer anonymous lol your inner fanboy is showing :/.

[Why o why]

Damn blaze.....lol...some real good reputation management there

[ShwankyShpanky]

"Anonymous sources" like Steve Gaynor, Rami Ismail, Jonathan Blow, Sanatana Mishra, Byron Atkinson-Jones, and Dave Mitchell?

[kenshiro100]

Go home, you're drunk.

[miDnIghtEr20C_SfF]

LMAO.. so many Sony is better than XB1 stories.. so many sites trying to tell people what is better.

NPD really rattled people. People are amazed that the XBOX ONE sells so great. Selling GREAT!

[MasterCornholio]

And I'm more amazed at how well the PS4 is selling. The only console that has extremely dissapointing sales is the Wii U!

[FITgamer]

Yeah because you know people are gonna be shook up over ONE month of sales in ONE country. It's like bragging because you scored more points in the second quarter, but still down by 20 at the half.

[pyramidshead]

Don the tinfoil hats, lads! The developer of Don't Starve obviously saw the NPD and decided to besmirch the Xbox's good will with this statement! *rolls eyes*

Maybe a less obvious try-hard comment next time aye? :P

[dedicatedtogamers]

You're darn right NPD rattled people. In a region where Xbox outsold Playstation 2:1 the last gen, PS and Xbox are now neck-and-neck.

[GTgamer]

Yuuuuup were all so rattled that the Xone won one month in one country when the PS4 is sold out everywhere I can see the riots now -_- .

[Evilsnuggle]

miDnIghtEr20C_SfF yes xbone and Sony both sides has it's base of fans. Once xbone fanBoys buy out I don't see how any non bias or preferential customers would choose Weaker more expensive hardware over the PS4. Xbone is sold 1.2 million less than a sold out unavailable console congratulations Lol lol lol.

[cbuc1125]

@XiSasukeUchiha---Captain Ginyu: "150,000!!!" Scout shatters into pieces.

[TheXgamerLive]

I believe that clause is only for indies who accept free Xbox One/s to develope from, so that is an acceptable term imo.
People need to stop. Right now
MS has a huge amount of indies in development as i assume sony does as well.

[ShwankyShpanky]

Your belief is incorrect.

[ShwankyShpanky]

Mm-kay guy.

It applies to all ID@XBOX applicants. It just happens that part of being accepted to ID@XBOX is getting access to free dev kits, so there's really no separation. Thing is, Sony is also loaning out tons of free dev kits to indies, so it's not all that "acceptable" a term when only one platform holder is implementing it.

If "Sony goggles" means I favor a level playing field, so be it.

[Angeljuice]

It's just Microsoft being Microsoft, they use any means to gain an advantage in the market even if they have to break the law to do so.

This is tame for Microsoft, compared to when they blackmailed computer manufacturers saying if they bundled Netscape Navigator rather than internet explorer, Microsoft wouldn't renew their Windows license.

They were found guilty in court and ordered to split Microsoft up into separate companies making Bill Gates break down and cry in a board meeting (the order to split the company was later revoked).

Microsoft are the Nerd mafia, they are just a scumbag company that sees themselves as gangsters (albeit physically underdeveloped, pimpled, bespectacled gangsters with greasy limp hair and terrible dress sense).

They have a long history of dubious/illegal business practices, this clause is tame for them.

[OutcastMosquito]

Why the hell are you always the first comment? Do you sit there all day waiting for new articles so you can purposely do that?!

[Chaostar]

Microsoft could get away with the parity clause last gen because they held a sales lead for most of the generation. This time developers are speaking out against it after seeing the more favourable terms offered by Sony and the sales advantage they have taken early in the gen.

Another factor is how much emphasis Sony is putting on Indie games themselves, even showing them live at big events.

Microsoft have made great strides in turning around their attitude towards Indie studios but they still need to make a lot more effort if they are to look as attractive to those studios as the Playstation platform.

[mewhy32]

PS4 is going to be the more attractive platform. First it's a very straight forward platform with unified GDDR5 RAM and most powerful console GPU on the market. Secondly Sony is much more friendly toward Indie devs than microsoft. Both of these reasons mean that indies will more than likely choose Sony and the PS4.

[norman123]

MS is an American company who know its turf and its dev most. Moreover, MS got deep pocket.

[GarrusVakarian]

"MS is an American company who know its turf "

Obviously they don't know it well enough, because their main competitors are outselling them on it.....just saying.

"Moreover, MS got deep pocket."

There's more to making great games than just throwing money around and getting people to sign exclusivity deals. The PS3 proved that. They could have never ending pockets, the PS4 is still selling the most....and Sony are supposedly in "great financial trouble". Money can't solve all problems.

[djplonker]

All that plus it has the most units sold and the psn store is alot nicer to indies!

I cant remember how many times microsoft hid the indies section in the XBLA burying it under loads of their games!

[djplonker]

"MS is an American company"

Which is one of the reasons I picked a ps4 what with the nsa forcing company's to give out peoples info!

I am not from the usa but yet it is legal for them to spy on me if it is american hardware / software.

If I started spying on the usa like they have done to me and countless other people then we would be deported to the usa and locked up.

http://www.care2.com/causes...

Kinda off topic but that has put me off anything from the usa like mcdonalds xbox and starbucks (not contributing much anymore huh?)

[Bdub2000]

@djplonker: Yeah, NSA is dying to spy on all us gamers because of all the Intel we have. Way to make a stand, wouldn't want the US to eavesdrop your trash talk...

[Why o why]

'Moreover, MS got deep pocket.'....

Yet fall off funding games and studios not too far after mid gen. Whats the point lauding their wealth if you dont actually benefit from it....its not like you can play that 'deep pocket' game.....

Dont get me wrong, give em a chance to prove themselves but ms's past practices makes it hard for me to be overly optimistic.

[norman123]

Sony can win the battle (this gen) but could lose the war (Sony corp). money can't solve all problem but not having money is the problem to begin with. that is the problem Sony has now.

[norman123]

Sony came out with Move controller to catch up with Nintendo Last gen. but Sony is too scared to take the risk to continue improving it this gen. They gave up their initial investment. MS is willing to take the risk and continue improve Kinect, not quitting.

PS4 is more like a 3-year old computer, there is no innovation about it.

if you are going to say that Kinect is gimmick. Save it. All three console makers spent alot of R&D on this motion tech and they know it work for casuals.

[djplonker]

@bdub2000 It would be a different story if it was china spying on us citizens but you dont care because your the most arrogant people on the planet!

Not even my country has the right to spy on me and yours certainly dont!

[Prime157]

Bdub2000, so naive. You probably think that the x1 is the most technologically advanced thing, ever. All those voice commands... ooooo.

I'm sorry, but fundamentally, Microsoft has always been an intellectual property owning company, and not a friendly company. That's why Sony is more appealing to more and more people who are waking up to this.

[Tctczach]

@Lukas
Money solves all problems. You just have to know how to spend it is all.

[thexmanone]

Steam box is coming.

[DanielGearSolid]

I think that's what makes me the happiest this new generation... MS can't bully any devs or publishers

It's funny that small indie devs where really the first to man up.

[GarrusVakarian]

It makes sense, indie devs are small, they don't have as much to lose as big devs who are much less likely to be ballsy and take risks.

Power to the indies! *Rasies fist*

[fattyuk]

but but what about tv!?

only joking

[Volkama]

I imagine most devs will see the free dev kits, unity license, dev support and of course opportunity to make money and then decide that they can take the hit.

However if we really see the good stuff skipping the One then the policy will change pretty quickly.

[n4rc]

That's just it..

They are providing a ton to these devs in exchange for a few compromises.

Accept it or dont.. You can't always have your cake and eat it too.. So to speak

[Freedomland]

"Accept it or don't"

You don't do business like this.
Customer is always right in business otherwise you can't run a successful business in a tyrannical way, you would lose it.

[n4rc]

They aren't a customer.. They are a supplier looking to use a retailers supply chain.

You think manufacturers tell amazon how to run their business? Or agreements To not sell cheaper elsewhere etc aren't common place? You don't like their policy, sell your crap somewhere else..

[Prime157]

Freedom, I agree with you, but not everyone thinks with a win-win mindset.

They shouldn't. Yes. But they do.

Look at restaurants, if they tried to practice service like Microsoft's, then no one would eat out.

[windblowsagain]

add that 50% more power.

[Bdub2000]

All that extra power and we still haven't seen a single Screenshot look better than the x1... Add that "it's gonna look better!"

[IRetrouk]

Did you not see any of the faceoffs? Ac black flag, cod, nfs, battlefield 4, they all look better on ps4, if that isnt seeing, what is?

[GarrusVakarian]

Ive seen tons, you obviously haven't been looking.

http://67.227.255.239/forum...

Take a look in that thread and see if your statement still stands. Add to that all the Eurogamer face-offs that have said the exact opposite of that you are saying. The Killzone SF screenshots in that thread will blow your socks off, seriously.

When you have a game like Killzone SF, that has larger playable areas than RYSE, dynamic lighting, ray tracing/real time reflections, particle effects, high res textures all while running at native 1080p and running between 30-60fps in the singleplayer compared to RYSE which is super linear, runs at 900p and STILL dips into the teens....how can you sit there and say the power difference isn't noticeable? The difference between exclusives and multiplats is plain as day to see to people who aren't blind or ignorant.

Devs aren't making games sub-1080p on the X1 and native 1080p on the PS4 to troll us, they are doing it because they have to...due to power differences. It's that simple. The 2 best looking games from each system (RYSE and Killzone) are prime examples of the power gap.

[iceman1346]

you can't be serious ?!

[Bdub2000]

I've seen the face offs, Yeah, I've seen real comparisons, and anyone saying ps4 looked better is fooling themselves. And from personal experience, AC4 looks better on x1. Oh man, this is gonna start another pointless argument... I've seen the truth, but argue your invalid point anyways!

Edit: @lucas, I followed that link and saw a lot of good looking ps4 screens, but no side by side comparison photos... My argument stands.

[GarrusVakarian]

" And from personal experience, AC4 looks better on x1."

What little credibility you had is now lost with that sentence....smh. There's just no way that's true. 900p is simply not as sharp or as good looking as 1080p. Fact. Add to that the horrible sharpening filter the X1 has that makes the jaggies even more noticeable and darkens the image by crushing the blacks.

" I've seen real comparisons, and anyone saying ps4 looked better is fooling themselves."

Somehow....i don't think you have. And the only one fooling themselves is you if you think 900p RYSE has better textures, res,framerate,lighting,particl e effects,real time reflections than Killzone, you are in denial....or have simply not seen Killzone in action in person. RYSE has much better character models and animations though, i'll give it that.

"but no side by side comparison photos... My argument stands."

I didn't say there were going to be side by side comparison photos, i posted that link so you could see how blatantly superior Killzone is graphically. Lol, you don't have an argument, you are plain wrong.

[n4rc]

Still arguing the contrast.. Lol

Look.. People need to stop pretending a number makes a better game.. And also stop comparing two completely different games..

I'll speak on what I've played on both.. Bf4.. I'll take it on x1 all day long despite a number telling me it can't be a better experience.. It plays better and while they do look slightly different.. Its hard to say which looks better.. It becomes a preference

Talk to people that aren't so invested in their side winning.. Better yet, try it for yourselves..You start to see how evenly matched these two systems are once you leave n4g and GAF.. Lol

[GarrusVakarian]

@N4rc

"It plays better "

But that's simply...not...true. It doesn't hold 60fps as gwell as the PS4 version, just watch the eurogamer comparison video, it hardly ever holds 60fps. Less smoother gameplay = plays worse.

" Its hard to say which looks better"

It's really not, 1600x900p is better than 1280vs720p from whatever angle you view it from, and it shows on screen. X1 version is more jaggy and especially objects in the distance suffer a lot more because of the lower res.

In no way does the X1 version play better than the PS4 version, simply not possible....unless you like framerate dips? People like you need to stop downplaying this, you bought a $100 more expensive console that doesn't run games as well as it's cheaper rival. Face that fact. All we had last gen from Xbox fanboys was "360 games look better lololol", now it's "numbers don't make a game".....lol.

[MysticStrummer]

@Bdub - You're just making yourself sound ridiculous man. The comparisons were done and PS4 won. Move on and enjoy your console.

[Prime157]

Lukas, it's quickly becoming apparent that these people are ignorant. That, or they bought a budget tv with bad response times or shaved resolutions or anything of the like.

They probably never game on a pc to understand what is going on to stress a hardware part and see how the different settings affect the game.

8-9 years on one generation does that to some people, I guess.

[IRetrouk]

@ prime,

I agree, for people to try and downplay the diffrences is funny, although it doesnt actually mean much, the power diffrence has already been shown, does it make the xbox one version any less of I game? I dont think so, but it is nice to see some fish flop, if you know what I mean.

[Belking]

indies..lol MS has plenty of indie support. Its never been a problem before. indies know the opportunities that the xbox brand offer them. No different than last gen. I'm not shocked that this place allows articles like this. Its quite normal.

[WeAreLegion]

"It's never been a problem before"

Sounds like the same attitude Sony had going into the PS3's launch.

Never underestimate change and never lose humbleness.

[GarrusVakarian]

It's no secret that PS4 is the better home for indies, that just common knowledge, accept that fact.

"MS has plenty of indie support."

The X1's current indie situation (or lack of) and the plethora of indie devs praising PS4 says otherwise.

"I'm not shocked that this place allows articles like this."

And yet you stay.

[snookiegamer]

Its early days for both consoles, but Sony seem to be carrying the baton for Indie developers. Indies will still support MS regardless. There's just too much money to be made. I did feel the character models Ryse looked better than KillZones, but Killzones environments are leagues ahead.

@djplonker

Maybe we should keep the fact that MS are an American company out of the equation. Regarding McDonalds, as funny as it was, I see no relevance.

@Bdub2000

As for that untapped, unseen 50% extra power over Xbox One...well it doesn't quite work that way. This is a theoretical advantage. Only 1st party developers will take advantage of. Due to politics and pay offs, 90% of multiplats will look identical across both platforms.

Only the hardened gamers will notice the gains on PS4. To the average gamer, BF4/COD/AC-BF will look identical, because these individuals have an untrained eye.

[GamersHeaven]

Your right about the Ryse and Killzone comparison but for you to say 50% power doesn't "work that way" Yes first party will show the true power but why does Ryse run in 900p and dips in the teens?Crytek is not new to this hardware they had years to optimize there engine to get the best performance yet the best they could do with Xbox One hardware was 900p 30fps and below.That should tell that 50% works both ways it's real simple both hardware are exactly the same PS4 has the power and performance factor no matter what you say.Yes developers will get use to the XB1 hardware they will manage to get better performance down the road by that time they will be even more use to the PS4 it will always have advantage 50% advantage will never change.

[mochachino]

I really hope MS Gestapo business practices backfire on them.

[pyramidshead]

I honestly find it funny that that policy exists. It's like MS are butthurt that you went with another brand first so it becomes a sort of "Well we didn't want you anyway, you're tainted now!" sort of deal :P.

[snookiegamer]

In spite of all our comments....

Those who choose just one console this year, will be eyeing up AAA Xbox One exclusives, as will Xbox One owners eyeing up AAA PS4 exclusives.

Both systems will have that exclusive killer game to die for...and those who can afford both (sadly, not me) are in the most enviable position.

Truth be told, this is a great time to be a gamer. I know we're all still waiting on those games...but it feels like the golden age of gaming has returned my friends!! :)

[Chrisgamerguy]

Of they were both $400 the sales would be even. $100 difference is a big deal

[Hicken]

Well, this wasn't a sales article in the first place, but price alone isn't what would have accounted for the 1 million+ sales difference.

[MCTJim]

I read the entire article twice to see what all the hub bub is and its never changed...indie devs whining. Stop your whining already, if you want the same "rights" as big publishers then follow the rules...if the XBox first clause bothers them so much, then publish on the PS4 only. It just seems to me when I read articles like this they whine and demand the same treatment as the big name publishers. Well that is what its about being an independent developer..you DONT get the same treatment. MS owes you nothing and neither does Sony. Cry me a river because MS is so unfair.

[SynestheticRoar]

So true PHG, so true

[kurthammer]

I'm beginning to get the sinking suspicion that n4g might be a Sony fanboy site

[I4arted]

I use to like this site because it was really good all round gaming news.Now it seems it 90 percent Ps4 vs xbox one.Come on N4G.

[gamingisnotacrime]

PS4 has a lot of public interest behind it

[urwifeminder]

Nothing will make me want one of them sony consoles Nintendo Wii u is next on my list.

[Ozmoses]

State the obvious much??

[Demoa]

CONSOLE WAR ARTICLE CONSOLE WAR ARTICLE n4g in a nutshell

[BlitzKriegBOOM]

I fail to see how Sony will keep up these "good terms" throughout the rest of the generation.

[Picnic]

I understand Microsoft's reasoning though.

Microsoft do not invest in their own indie games anywhere near as much as Sony do.

So when a nice indie comes along that they're offered, it's natural that Microsoft are going to want to make it either a full exclusive for a timed exclusive. They need it to be part of the character of the XboxOne rather than just looking like a Sony hand me down.

If that means Microsoft is less holistic in terms of games then they still seem to get by on it to some extent. They cram the start of each generation with showcase AAA exclusive games- often at the expense of their previous console. For the past 3 years studios have probably been wholly diverted away from the Xbox360 towards the Xbox One. That is their gaming strategy unless otherwise changed.

I hope that they change that strategy in terms of AAA games this time. Not because it would adversely affect the Xbox One's sales if they didn't (there's already enough in the works to justify an XboxOne purchase if you don't bother about politics, personalities or initial presentation) but because there would undoubtedly be bad publicity for the follow up to the Xbox One if the One doesn't end on an exclusive games high. It would start becoming a moral matter that it seems unfair to abandon great exclusives on the old console after only a few years for the 2nd or 3rd time in a row.

For me personally, I'd like to see Rare making a new IP adventure game for a start and Alan Wake 2 later on in the generation. If Microsoft keep up the AAAs they'll be fine. They are unlikely to beat Sony for indie games anyway (even if it only came down to perception) so solely using indie games and some multiformats in the last few years of the XboxOne would be lazy on Microsoft's part.

[Petebloodyonion]

I'm sorry but sometime I wonder if PPL here only try to See MS as a Evil that need to be crushed by Sony.

1) MS terms are clears for PPL who wants to partake in the ID@Xbox programs: you get free support, free dev kit, and not fee to publish your game on live in return your game as to be on xbox 1st or at the same time.

2) Sony treat everybody as a big publishers but say that they are trying to help indi dev and provide free kit as much as possible. Translation Call us and we settle something or simply put Scratch my back and i'll scratch yours

My points is simple MS term are clear and written like a contract.
Sony's are different form developers to developers but one things sure: Both, Sony and MS, expect a return of investments when they give you stuff, Ms open harms to all and hope for some gems while Sony pick the lucky one and tells there's no indies program for the too small or non desirable project.