How Important Is PlayStation 4's Power Advantage Over Xbox One?

The respective launches of these two consoles saw versions of premier titles from Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI ) (NASDAQ: ATVI ) , Ubisoft (NASDAQOTH: UBSFF ) , and Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA ) offer better performance overall on Sony's console. Will this trend continue throughout the console generation? If so, will it have a significant impact on market share results?

[jaredhart]

Important for Sony and very important to gamers who care about resolution and framerate.

Just wait 'till the PS4 exclusives start rolling out.

[BiggCMan]

I love how everyone is boasting about the better specs of PS4, and how it's gonna matter this gen etc.

Yet for years PC gamers have been trying to say the same damn thing, and they got shot down like cannon fodder from people saying "well graphics aren't important" "Nobody cares about extra resolution or extra frames"

It's amusing really. And now I will get loads of disagrees because I called out hypocrisy, especially to Sony fans.

I love Sony and Playstation, always have and always will. But there are so many hypocrites out there now when it comes to graphics, resolution, and frame rate.

[BX81]

I agree. I always thought it's stupid to boast about something that isn't even the strongest. It's about the games and what experience is best for you. These meat heads have gotten way out of hand with all this resolution and spec crap IMO.

[n4rc]

Agreed.. Went PC only after ps2.. No comparison for performance at all..

But console gaming is easy and convienent. No drivers or viruses to worry about etc..

Plus chilling on the couch is more relaxing then sitting at my desk.. So I sold my PC and got a nice non-gaming laptop and grabbed a 360.. Then a ps3

If it's that important for people to have the best performance, youre on the wrong platform lol

[MasterCornholio]

So that's it?

People who buy a PS4 instead of an Xbox One are stupid for spending 400$ on the most powerful console on the market. So instead they should spend 100$ extra for a weaker system or just stick to PC gaming. Thats basically what your saying.

[n4rc]

Lol.. What?

You're reaching pretty far there man..

Nobody is saying or implying anyone get a Xbox over a ps4.. Just pointing out the obvious.. If youre all about resolution and frame rate then a console isn't winning anything..

If nothing else matters all of a sudden, then you're proving what PC gamers have been saying all along.. But before November, performance didn't matter..

[MasterCornholio]

@n4rc

Even before November performance always mattered. The differences in framerate between Xbox 360 and PS3 ports mattered which is why the majority of multiplats were bought on the Xbox 360. Fast forward to current gen and the performance difference between Xbox One and PS4 games matters.

I care about performance which is why I bought a PS4 instead of an Xbox One because the PS4 will provide a superior experience with multiplats. Granted that PC is better but I like gaming on consoles and for under 500$ the PS4 is the system that provides the best experience with multiplats. I know that exclusives are important but most of the games released are multiplats so it makes sense to get the console that plays them the best.

P.S The only people who don't care about performance are the ones who bought the weaker system. But the truth is that they care about performance otherwise they wouldn't brag about not caring about it in the first place or invent crazy stories to justify their consoles weaker hardware like Mr. Xs blog for example.

[Kingthrash360]

it depends your preference.
both have great exclusives...but that not the topic. as far as power goes it depends on if you except what u get.
pay $500 for a weaker powered machine.
or pay $400 for a stronger machine.
its importance depends the gamer who's buying the machine.
imo its a factor but all in all the games and features make a bigger impact than power alone...we all saw that with the wii.
i chose a ps4 for ps+..(outlast free today? yes!)
then the games and trusted devs like nd was my second reason.
third was remote play and a cloud feature i understood and made sense to my preference...(ms cloud for ai? or graphics? both? ps cloud allowing me access to the great games from past sony machines...trophies and mo compatible!? yes!)
lastly was the way sony put gamers above all else.
the power as far as seeing the gap in games so far just made me even more satisfied with my purchase.
both are powerful so power had little to do with my choice.

[GamersHeaven]

Huge considering it's a 100$ cheaper.

[theWB27]

Not much at all really. Xbox has the franchises I like more. Ps4 will come down the road. If it were about resolution and framerate I sure as hell wouldn't be wasting my money on consoles. I'd build a PC and get the best experience possible.

[Hicken]

Always this all or nothing attitude with xbox fans when it comes to this. It's so weird: you guys spent SO much time bragging about the tiny advantages the 360 had, but now that stuff's not important. Now, it's "if I wanted better specs and graphics, I'd buy a PC."

The flip-flopping is laughable... But it's also getting tired. How many times will xbox fanboys throw PC into a console debate because their console is no longer on top? Can't recall PS fans of ANY level doing that.

The difference is important to developers. The refund why should be obvious. It's also important to gamers. Particularly, those that haven't decided which console to buy, and those that have both and want the best out of their multiplats.

But it also matters to Playstation only gamers, as that power allows for more things to be done in games(after all, some devs will opt for more effects over resolution or framerate).

It should also matter to xbox only gamers, who should understand that the difference in power- which directly results in a difference in gaming capability- stems from a sacrifice made in order for the XB1 to be a better multimedia device.

[theWB27]

"It should also matter to xbox only gamers, who should understand that the difference in power- which directly results in a difference in gaming capability- stems from a sacrifice made in order for the XB1 to be a better multimedia device."

I'm not sure why you directed that at me. I've never boasted about the multiplat advantages 360 had. I defend the brand and the games...sure.

The reason why it doesn't matter is because I owned PS360. I'm not a Xbox only guy. As much as we've gone back and forth you would know that.

"Can't recall PS fans of ANY level doing that."

Does this apply to me also? I supported Sony last gen..I just signed up for PS+ and I plan on getting a PS4 when I can.

My tags are in my profile.

The reason I NEVER boasted about multiplatform advantage is because I knew consoles weren't getting the definitive version. I played through one Battlefield campaign last gen and didn't touch MP...why because it wasn't the full on BF experience.

I favor XBOX...I've maintained that stance on this site. I've also ALWAYS stated I will game where the games are...which is why I bought a PS3.

I will never be a >insert system here< only gamer. EVER...I don't pledge solidarity to machines. It's stupid...as stupid as your comment and lumping me in with "XBOX ONLY" gamers. I'd own a monster rig. WiiU, PS4, X1 if I could and STILL favor the Xbox while doing so.

I don't flip flop buddy...my post history is there. Check it if you want a recap.

[MysticStrummer]

Important.

360's minuscule multiplat advantages, along with it's cheaper price, were huge reasons why it took so long for PS3 to pass it in sales. This gen PS4 will have bigger multi plat advantages along with being cheaper. It's funny to see last gen's pixel counters try to downplay this.

[deathtok]

Somewhat important... technologically the Xbox 360 had a similar leg up over the PS3 which influenced my buying habits.

I purchased exclusives for each but nearly all the multi-platform titles for the X360 because of the slight advantage.

[LOGICWINS]

Depends on what you place emphasis on when you buy a gaming console.

[jacksjus]

This should be a question for developers not folks on N4G. Ask the developers how important it is.

[Dewitt]

Incredibly important next to no innovation with faster specs. Sony may have a great long term plan we haven't seen yet, but besides the raw power this console can't do half what the last gen consoles could. Which is why I went with the XB1 because it is dedicated to innovation.

[urwifeminder]

Not important at all when I switch my pc on it all seems funny.

[dwlwoolers]

Its funny I happened to click over to the xbox 1 side on n4g and there isnt even that many people commenting over hear. Its just abunch of trolling unhappy Xbox1 fans and happy justified ps4 fans. It seams u xbots come over to the ps4 area so u can find out what the ps4 has in store and its sales advantage because deep down u wish the xbox1 was doing as good as the ps4, u wish that u had Virtual Reality coming, u wish u had the more graphically capable system, u wish u had the developer support, u wish that ur UI would be easier to navigate and didn't need a potential spy camera that is gimmicky, u wish u had PS Plus giving u 6 free games a month, U wish u had an extensive game library dating all the way back to 1994, Remote play that allows our ps Vitas to play our ps4 games seamlessly, Playstation Now that will allow us to play ps3 games, ps2 games, ps1 games on not only our ps4, s and ps Vitas but on tablets, computers, smartphone, TV, s. I feel bad for laying this down and I know that u dont all wish for these functions but I know that what Playstation has to offer is much more than what ur Xbox1 has to offer.

[manic_maniac]

Nice that your gaming library goes back to 1994 as you have nothing from 2013/14 to play on. Just as well hey.
On topic, it matters a hell of a lot to sony fans and lot less to anyone else. Boasting in one breath about power and the next praising a back catalogue to 1994. I've been a gamer since 78 and have found old wonderful gaming experiences should be left in the memory, does anybody remember how bad the ps1 mgs looked in the flashback of mgs4.
Enjoy your ropey graphics and crude controls.

[n4rc]

Lol.. Have to agree completely..

I'm not quite that far back.. But early to mid eighties for me.. And nostalgia is all it is, I can't go back and play them or it completely ruins the memory for me.

The minute I get something better, the old stuff becomes a paperweight. Even today, sold my ps3 a few months ago and kept my 360 simply to stream movies off my NAS in my bedroom.. And it hasn't been turned on once since Nov 14 Lol..

[manic_maniac]

Yeah I know exactly what you mean. It must be really hard being a ps fan, there is so much blind hatred going on, I am getting the ps4 eventually
But it'll take drake or gt7 to get me there, or
if another killer app turns up.
True gamers buy games on release and not when they move to bargain bin or become free on ps+. Support the devs of your favourite games and buy them full price and don't expect too much for free.
Enjoy your gaming n4rc.
Get ready for Titanfall.

[MAULxx]

Important to some and not too much for others.
Even if the Xbone had more power I still woouldn't touch it.
It's a retard of a gaming machine, not because of lack of power but in it's design.
The whole concept it was built upon is a mess. That's why people love to hate on it. It's also a reflection of MS and thier controlling ways.

[Smootherkuzz]

Xbox One love it.

[dwlwoolers]

PC'S are powerful yes but not every pc has the capability of Maxing out games like bf3 and BF4 unless someone has the money to buy such a powerful PC or have has the money for such an upgrade. Every PS4 owner gets the same capable system at the same price. Not oh look at what my PC can do and look what his PC can't do. For people who just want a powerful system right out of the gate with an affordable price thats why I get a ps4. Now I do envy in ways what ur PC's have to offer, ur game library is just enormous, and u can run emulators, u have the best strategy games, I love flight simulators dang I better stop because it kinda makes me jealous. Anyway PCs are, definitely cool but not for every gamer, just like Home Consoles aren't for everyone.

[jasondracd]

Top performance will always be the most important.

[manic_maniac]

Power helps but is not as important as some may think.
My pc cost £3,700 and is quite a beast but my favourite and most played game is iracing which is one of the least graphically intensive games I have and is still believed by the sim racing community to be the best.
Uncluttered clean track lines, immense physics and game play.
And running on dx9. So no, power doesn't matter. But it helps.