Were the PS4 and Xbox One Rushed to Market?

"Yes, we all know the last console generation lasted an absurdly long time and the new consoles couldn’t come soon enough. The question being posed here, is were both the PS4 and Xbox One actually ready for launch when we got them? Once again, we decided to pose this question to the staff at SpawnFirst."

[JBSleek]

I think so kinda. I think there are many features that aren't there at launch that is simply not acceptable.

[Abash]

I can't believe we'll be able to say it took a year (or more) to be able to customize our console's backgrounds. That shows how ill-prepared these consoles were at launch

[JBSleek]

Couldn't agree more it's ridiculous. They had so much time to prep these systems for launch and this is what we got?

It's not like we get a new one every year. How can these machines not have CD playback? It's 2014...

[Ezz2013]

agreed

as for the article i would say yes
both are rushed TBH
Sony played every one with saying they will not go first and end up shocking every one and show it console first
and that forced MS hand to act fast

and the result
Ps4 is more powerful console but still missing features
Xbox is missing features too

it worked for sony since they have the fastest and best selling console in history

[denawayne]

This holiday season would have been perfect.

I find myself playing on my 360 as much as my Xbox One which I pretty much only play BF4 on.

[Utalkin2me]

@Abash

Will i agree they was somewhat rushed to the market on a media level. But you saying cause you cant change your background it was rushed is just silly.

I mean honestly a background, something you don't see that much. When i turn my console on, i turn it on for a purpose to play a game. I don't sit at my dashboard doing nothing looking at it. I get why some people want it for aesthetics reason, but i would like to have other stuff way before something that don't really affect what i do with my machine.

[starchild]

I do think that feature-wise the consoles have been a step backwards in many areas. Desirable features that were standard last gen are suddenly missing and that doesn't make a lot of sense.

As far as the games, though, and the graphical leap I don't understand how anybody could be disappointed.

Think about this: Infamous 1 came out two and a half years after the PS3 launched, while Infamous Second Son came out only a couple months after the PS4 launched. Compare the two games. After playing Infamous SS for a while I went back to the first Infamous and I couldn't believe how bad it looked in comparison. Talk about a quantum leap in graphical fidelity.

It just makes me excited to think how good games are going to look later on this generation if launch titles like Infamous Second Son and Killzone Shadow Fall already look so incredible.

I honestly don't care what some people say about the PS4 being like a mid range PC. While this might be objectively true the actual jump in graphics between PS3 and PS4 is simply massive. Every bit as massive as the leap between PS2 and PS3.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

"I think there are many features that aren't there at launch that is simply not acceptable."

I definitely agree but To be fair both had to launch nearly barebones. There's no way they can put all the great functionality from last gen and put it on next gen and still make launch with it working properly.

Both companies needed working OS's to make sure launch was smooth as possible and update it post launch.

Luckily they're way better now than at launch.

[JBSleek]

Yes they could. I'm not going to make excuses for these companies. You knew you were launching these systems so work on it.

To be fair, they shouldn't launch it they aren't ready.

So PS5 and Xbox One is going to be out again in around 2018-2020 so they better be working on it right now and every feature that is on Xbox One and PS4 better be on it at launch.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

@JB I think it has to do with both manufactures having allocate working with developers making sure games launched properly hence the basic OS's at launch and lack of features.

They didn't want to make all these crazy enhancements and features that dev have to learn super quick and cram that's how you get broken games.

Sony and MS work closely with devs whenever they have new function that comes to its OS so devs can program for it properly.

Not only that but different architectures run these systems. Cell processor found in PS3 trying to communicate with X86 architecture found in PS4 is not happening lol.

Same with MS power PC based chipset it just doesn't communicate with very open and simple to program X86 architect.

Everything is built from the ground up with newer consoles.

OG Xbox Live launch after a year of the console along with early concepts of custom soundtracks online friends and DLC.

Sony's PS2 even had on online function in certain games afterwards.

with that said In my opinion I don't think they were that rushed. I mean sure missing features and barebone function suck but whats really considered rushed was the 360 and the RROD problems.

Though PS5 and Xbox Infiniti could come more ready with new features but even then I expect them to release somewhat basic.

[WrecklessFlamingo]

Still features missing, I guess they were rushed.

[kingtroy]

Missing feature constant updates states. Rushed

[TheWatercooler]

PS4 wasn't. Xbox one was

[jackanderson1985]

they both definitely were... they could have taken another year get the OS' up to scratch, have all the stuff the old gen consoles had in terms of accessibility and customization and people still would have been satisfied with last gen... they rushed it to bolster their gaming portfolios as they had started to bottom out

[MasterCornholio]

I dont think the hardware was rushed but the software was really iffy at launch.

[BattleTorn]

I can't believe how different the X1 dash is already compared to launch.

[nucky64]

my only complaint with ps4 is no support for ps3 sony Bluetooth headsets......I don't get it.

[N2NOther]

Or a damn media remote!

[nucky64]

I use a bluray player for movies but they don't have a remote yet???
I've always liked and bought sony products - good quality....but I don't understand the lack of support for these items.

[wynams]

The X1 much moreso in my opinion. Sony, by announcing 1st, set the timetable ... and if policy swaps are any indication, MS was NOT ready.

The XBone install base is already fragmented with diff SKUs a whopping 8 months in! WoW

[TABSF]

Lets face it PS4/XBO even now and at launch had much less features software wise than PS3/360 do!

How is that acceptable, if you look at other technology such as PC or Smart Phones / Tablets, The newer technology is still backwards compatible and has the same if not more features than the devices, component or software available before it.

I guess that doesn't matter to some :/

[DevilishSix]

I don't think they were rushed but neither MS or Sony did a very good job of having games in development to release in a consistent manner for these new consoles. It will all hash its way out in a couple months.

[kryteris]

I suspect that the X1 was due out this year instead, would make more sense to release a. better gpu, b. more room on die for esram. Not to mention for Q4/2013, the 7870 is old tech.

[XtraTrstrL]

You're mentioning the X1 here, but the 7870 was comparable to what is in the PS4 going by raw shader output and tflops. The X1 was more comparable to a 7790. So, yeah, it's even worse for X1.

[Convas]

The PS4 is just 2 CUs above the 7850. It is NOT comparable to the 7870 but rather a custom HD 7860 variant developed by AMD.

[kryteris]

the two gpu's are the same tech.

[XtraTrstrL]

@kryteris, if you mean the X1 and PS4 - no, they aren't. They are both AMD GCN APUs, that is the only similarity. Ontop of the raw shader power of the PS4 being 40%+ stronger, PS4 has FULLY unified GDDR5 ram that is feeding that APU. X1 has the mix 'n match with the DDR3 and 32mb ESRAM. All those things added together make for very different potential outputs the GPUs can push.

[pingthing]

No
They are due out soon. Thank you for participating in the Beta program, your feedback is invaluable.

[XtraTrstrL]

Short answer - yes, both were obviously rushed to market. The X1 didn't even have a fully fleshed out sdk when it released. The PS4 still has announced features that are still basically talked about in theory, like the suspend mode.

[1nsomniac]

Bit of a stupid article isn't it??

No one is denying they were rushed out not even Sony & Microsoft themselves!

[N2NOther]

Actually, I had an argument with someone who insisted the PS4 wasn't rushed despite it not having basic functions that the PS3 has. That argument promoted me to write this article.

[1nsomniac]

Sony & Microsoft themselves publicly said several times that launch features were not finished for the console release dates & in some cases still 9 months later are not finished & implemented.

This article is ridiculous, why is it asking a question that is public knowledge/fact...?

[N2NOther]

To spark conversation. Sorry if you have a problem with the existence of this article?

[KontryBoy706]

I think they should have come out the end of this year instead of last year. This whole year has been dry as a desert for next gen consoles.

[CaulkSlap]

It would also be very stupid to hold back a system launch just for software features that can easily be patched later.

[CaptainObvious878]

I concur.

[typittt69]

Bought my x1 at launch and my ps4 in february when they finally started to restock.
X1 OS at launch definitely felt not ready. Can't speak for ps4, when i got it with the updates it was pretty polished despite all the missing apps and features. The x1 os just felt laggier

[Ghost_Nappa]

No digital preloadin,no friend notification, x1 needed patch to play games, no support for dolby digital surrong sound no headset adapter, no themes, so yeah, they were rushed.

[ape007]

i wish they were as powerful as xbox 360 and ps3(at time of their release)

they do feel a bit underpowered but if that was a tradeoff for more sales and more games then im happy, let's see

[zero_gamer]

Hardware wise, the consoles seem pretty solid. Software wise could've been way better but this is less an issue than having poorly engineered hardware designs that plagued the first half of the seventh console generation. Wii U also launched with a massive day 1 patch.

[marioJP87]

PC says "yes, consoles were rushed."

[kewlkat007]

yes

[etownone]

Yep.

Although I think Xb1 had a solid launch for games.

Just been a dry year now.

I still think MS should have just sucked it up and drop the price to $399 with Kinect included.

Same way Sony dropped the $100 off the ps3 in the first year.

[ChickenOfTheCaveMan]

I don't think so.

Feature enhancements on the OS often come from comments from the users, so you need to launch it to get those true users, not just devs.

As for games, the first year or so is tricky, you want the right amount of games that will please the early buyers, but won't be too much that some of these games get overlooked and not profitable. Depending on the success of the console, you still need to evaluate what's the right amount. PS4 and X1 are in a position to open the flow gate and bait that big second wave of users, especially Sony, hence Driveclub, LBP3 and The Order near the end of the year/beginning of the year.

[shysun]

The Ps4 is fine with me.

[Revengeance]

Xbone? Absolutely.

Proof? Mandatory Day 1 update for the console to even function. Unheard of.

[isarai]

Yeah, but the things lacking/sacrificed in order to do so were planned very well as it's pretty low use features that can and will be patched later like media playback and such

[strickers]

All I see in here, is a bunch of moaning babies with little console launch experience or tech knowledge.
If you don't like it, don't buy at launch.
Or try and be realistic.

[N2NOther]

Or, people who know tech and know the latest iteration should at least be starting where the last left off. Weird, I know.