Xbox One vs. PlayStation 4: Still way too early to declare a winner

BGR: If the winner of the next-generation console war were to be decided today, Sony would undoubtedly walk away victorious. The Xbox One debut has been an unmitigated PR disaster for Microsoft, which didn’t bother to ensure that it had simple, clear explanations in place for its various confusing policies surrounding used games, game-sharing and connectivity requirements. As a result, blogs have been reporting misinformation and gamers have been getting angrier and angrier. To make matters worse, several Xbox One policies aren’t very gamer-friendly, so many people remained upset even once the air had been cleared. But despite the PR nightmare Microsoft and its public relations firm are dealing with right now, it’s still way too early to declare a winner in the coming battle for gamers’ hearts and wallets.

[TheLyonKing]

Correct but morals of each company are speaking loud and clear and maybe it's cause the Internet is more prevelant these days but it is obvious ms stance on gaming isn't sitting right with a large number if people.

[xHeavYx]

This article brought to you by Microsoft Damage Control Division (MDCD).

[LOGICWINS]

Neither of these companies have "morals". I recall Ken Kutaragi telling people that they should get "two jobs to get a PS3". The reason Sony did a 180 was because they realized that being arrogant and pompous was hurting their bottom line. Companies have respect for consumers only because it benefits them profitwise in the long run. MS will learn the same lesson this generation.

@Heavy- Yes, this MUST be damage control. The rational thing to do is declare a winner FIVE months before any of these consoles (with MINIMUM 7 year lifecycles) are even available for purchase.

facepalm/

[Wintersun616]

Yes, we know that moral is a humane kind of thing, something which a company cannot posses, but the fact is that PS4 is a lot more gamer friendly device than the Xbone which makes use of that word understandable despite it not being completely accurate in this situation. And why bring that Ken Kutaragi statement up anymore? How is that relevant today?

You're just grabbing at one single word he used semi-incorrectly and ignoring everything else he wrote, to counter the point he was trying to get through, which quite frankly is true.

[LOGICWINS]

The Ken Kutaragi statement is relevant to my argument. The point is that the perception of being moral is not the same as actually being moral. What Sony did was take advantage of a HUGE error by Microsoft.

Not having 24 hour check in and disallowing used games didn't even occur to Sony. They only played up the anti-MS jabs to counter what MS did. There was nothing morally right about it, it was simply one company using a competing company's mistake to their advantage.

[Wintersun616]

So first you say this:"Neither of these companies have "morals"." And now you're trying to make Sony seem immoral by spinning this whole thing around while still dodging the initial point, which is MS' anti-consumer tactics and restrictions vs Sony not doing those things and how gamers are reacting to it.

This is not about what KK said years ago. We all know Sony was arrogant back then but that is not relevant now because we are talking about the PS4 and Xbox One and what is happening with them NOW.

[jaredhart]

Let's all just agree that Sony has displayed behavior and a plan for this generation that is favorable and inclusive to many more gamers.

[TechnicianTed]

Sony seems to have learned from their mistakes though Logic. They thought they could do anything at that time and the public would lap it up. It took a few years for them to turn things around, the experience humbled them quite a bit.

They still never took customers as complete fools like MS are though.

[ZombieGamerMan]

Yeah but you know what Logic it was just a matter of pricing and you knew in the back of your head that price was going to drop it was a matter of time.

What MS is doing on the other hand is not arrogance its stupidity, not only that we don't know for sure whether down the line MS will remove those policies that makes the Xbox One so hated. The issues with XOne is far more greater than a matter of price or maybe it still is a matter of price but not a monetary price but the price of our rights as consumers.

[Hicken]

Your message is still as disjointed and illogical as ever, LOGIC. Contradicting yourself in consecutive sentences, as usual.

And then there's your typical shortsightedness.

It's damage control because it's extremely hard for any rational individual to see the difference between the two consoles and think the XBOne has a legitimate chance. There IS plenty of time, during which Microsoft could change things, but they're defending their choices right now, which doesn't- or shouldn't- sit well with anyone.

As it stands- barring some rather drastic changes by Microsoft that are unlikely to occur- we CAN declare Sony the winner. And because it's so blatantly clear, these articles claiming otherwise CAN easily be considered damage control.

You know, you'd make better arguments if you were capable of approaching ALL aspects of an argument, and not just the ones that favor you.

[ArchangelMike]

How do you define "winner"?
Are we talking lifetime sale? Well we can't determine that at this point in time.

Are we talking about the current consumer perception, or 'mindshare'? If we are, then Sony has 'won' bya massive landslide.

[yesmynameissumo]

When you look at gamers vs Internet access vs online gaming vs offline gaming...no, it's not too early.

[LordMaim]

"Xbox One vs. PlayStation 4: Still way too early to declare a winner"
...said by no one, ever.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

I agree, the console war is far, far from over. I just hope MS changes down the line.

[mrxbox]

Not early at all.. It's PlayStation all the way this time

[cyhm3112]

i actually think it is over already

[Trenta27]

MS shot themselves in the face with a shotgun filled with Sony pellets. They might not have lost the war, but they definitely lost this battle. Until next time, Microsoft.

[jmc8888]

That's what MS does.

See Windows 98 (First edition), Windows ME, Vista, and 8.

Ha ha, the zune.

But Bill Gates is a genocidalist and population reduction fanatic. You think these people hire sane people or just other fascists who refuse to see the irony of the culmination of the fascist attitudes.

I mean it's easy to design Kinect 2 as a huge NSA/CIA tool when you've had backdoors for the gov't in windows since Windows 95 (hint: that's pre 9/11 saudi/british hit job). Dozens of programs to screw you over later we have Kinect 2.

It's pretty obvious that with the xbox one, the consumer is getting the type of product that sits at the core of mindset of MS....pure unadulterated fascism.

[Grimhammer00]

A companies success should be that the products they provide consumers - meets or exceeds consumers wants.

It should not then use that to force a agenda that is antithesis to the wants of said consumers.

Business don't have morals....but they do have ethics. And MS ethics for as long as they have existed has been questionable at best; outright anti-consumer at their worst.

[ziggurcat]

uh... not really. sony's probably going to win this upcoming generation, based solely on the policies that sony isn't shoving down people's throats.

[Shad0wRunner]

Games, games, games.

It's not about the GAMES. It's about the policies surrounding the console developers, specifically Microsoft. You can have the best games on the planet for all I care...but if your policies SUCK, I wont be playing them.

Plain and simple.

[jmc8888]

It is way too early to declare a winner.

Not too early to know who almost assuredly will win.

[Sledgehammer310]

From what I have seen on the new Xbox it is truly a disappointing. I have owned an Xbox system since December 2001 but from what I am seeing Microsoft is completely failing their customers in all aspects.

1. Cost $100 more than play stations new play station 4 system plus the ever present monthly fee which they Microsoft insist to charge.
2. Inability to share rented games.
3. Microsoft was recently shown to provide information and track conversations online providing the NSA with this information.
a. A built in connect system, yippee! wait... a connect system which is on 24/7 in your home listen and watching you = NSA listening and watching you 24/7.
4. Comparable gaming ability and functionality to the play station 4.

In conclusion I personally feel like Microsoft has lost touch with the consumer not to say they cannot turn this around prior to the release of their new system. At this point they have lost this once loyal Microsoft Xbox customers support and business going forward. If Microsoft does not think it cannot be touched and they can do whatever want regardless of the customer opinion, Microsoft should really have a talk with GM. O wait that's right GM is gone thanks to their own ignorance, ignoring customers demand and opinion.

[jaredhart]

GM (assuming you meant "General Motors") is still around and has been turning profits since 2010.

[Sledgehammer310]

Your right, what I should have said is that the government would need to carry Microsoft to survive much like GM.

Thanks,

[rulakir]

PS4 ftw!!!!!!