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#Gaming

4/5/2013 12:22:35 PM
16

Nextbox vs. PS4: It all comes down to this...

With vicious rumours that the Nextbox will need to be "always online" spreading, people are being pushed further and further away from the idea of getting the new Xbox over the PS4, which so far boasts a hell of a features list. The live game streaming option alone was almost enough to make me buy one then and there, if only. It occurred to me that if Microsoft were to implement an "always online" requirement, they would have to ditch the Xbox LIVE fee. Here's why: People currently have the ability to play on the Xbox 360 and Xbox consoles without an internet connection, and many people do. By no means are they the majority, because figures released by Microsoft would indicate that the majority of consoles sold end up playing online more often than not. I can't source that directly for you, but with some clever hunting you might find the release I remember reading. So, these people who play offline may already have an internet connection, but just don't want to play online. That's completely fair. I do that pretty regularly if I'm honest. But some people don't have connections suitable for playing the Xbox on. And how could you possibly justify them having to get an internet connection for roughly £18/month at the cheapest (including line rental) and then charge £40/year just to use the console online? Honestly, if there is an online fee for an always-online console, then I'm out. Especially when I have data caps at home. That's what steers me away from the Nextbox, if it turns out to be true. However, I have an equally huge problem with the PS4: the controller. I was around a mate's house last night and the night before, and a few of us felt like playing Call of Duty 3. Immediately there was a problem; the controller felt awful. In fact, the PS3 controller feels so unnatural that playing an FPS on it felt horrific. It ruined the experience. In my opinion, the Xbox 360 controller is the most ergonomic controller on the market. The aiming thumbstick is in the perfect place to allow your thumb to rest on it naturally with the shape of your hand, while the PS3 makes you extend the thumb to the right in an uncomfortable position. Both controllers then suffer from a poorly-positioned right thumbstick, forcing the thumb into an unnatural position, but then there is a benefit to this. Having the thumbstick where it is means that upon returning the thumb to its natural position, you are hovering over the XYAB/SquareTriangleXCircle buttons, meaning if you need to quickly access the pad it is far easier and more comfortable to have it resting there, allowing a quick reload action or melee attack if that's your layout. If the XYAB and thumbstick were swapped, it would be really awkward trying to reload as you'd likely catch the thumbstick moving the thumb down. With the left side, you hardly use the D-Pad, let's be honest. So that's really the dilemma here between the next generation of consoles: One might be online-only while keeping a subscription fee, while the other has extremely uncomfortable controllers. Though I haven't used a PS4 controller, I would assume the fact the thumbsticks haven't moved will mean it is as uncomfortable as ever. In my opinion. What steers you towards one over the other, if you're still undecided? Granted we know little about the Nextbox (next to nothing actually), but let's roll with it.

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  • Why not pc

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  • PS4, because after recently buying a PS3 I've realised it's much better than the 360. Even if it has no games.

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  • I don't care if the always on rumor is true or false. I'm glad it happened that way MS and Sony can see that gamers aren't fond of that bullshit.

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  • The 'always on' thing is a rumor. Gzus people, don't get so riled up.

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  • I own a Wii U and have no intention on buying a PS4 or "Durango" anytime soon. There is nothing (announced for Next Gen consoles) that has made me slightly interested in buying either console at launch.

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    • Well, I for one am sticking with my 360 and PS3.

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    • Its funny because the Wii U trumps both of them in terms of design, all it needs is some actual games.

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      • If we assume the rumours are true and the price differences will be on par or relatively close then the only thing I can see Microsoft realistically having that would be a blow to the PS4 is backwards compatibility. Microsoft doesn't have the stable of developers Sony has and they don't emphasize first party development anyways. The always online, which we know for a fact the PS4 isn't, will deter a lot of people. Also I can't see Gold going anywhere. Why would it? Microsoft doesn't give a -blam!-. If they scrap Gold then it means they're going to sell the console cheap and make you pay a monthly fee to use it.

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      • Edited by Leukocyte: 4/5/2013 3:57:34 PM
        Still very much dislike the PS controller.

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      • for me, it all comes down to the games

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      • We'll see what the Nextbox has to offer when it's officially announced, but for now, I'd rather play Destiny on the comfy 360 controller rather than on another Dualshock.

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      • I've disliked the Dualshock layout for shooters ever since I tried the Killzone 2 demo. The DS's convex thumbsticks act against the same curve of one's thumb, whereas the 360's concave thumbstick lets you thumb sit in it nice and snugly. Btw, the XYAB/shape buttons are called face buttons, presumably because they're one the 'face' of the controller, rather than the shoulder(s).

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        • There have been NO rumours that the Nextbox is always online. Just a Microsoft employee with no links to the Nextbox spouting his bullshit opinion.

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          • I have always found the Playstation controller more comfortable.

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          • I learned the xbox controller as "BAXY." It was an easy way to remember while reading tutorials and stuff without looking away. Great controller. Hate the ps controller with a passion. I think for me, which ever comes out first get my dollar. Especially if Destiny here is a launch title. I'm not too picky. I don't use my PS3 at all though, and knowing that kinda makes me slightly lean towards xbox I suppose.

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          • Edited by Seggi: 4/5/2013 12:27:18 PM
            I'll get whichever one has the best exclusives, if it has enough to convince me to buy an expensive console on top of my gaming PC. That's pretty much all there is to my decision making process on this matter. Well, I guess I'd also like to be able to use my XBL account, but that's a fairly small incentive.

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