The next generation of consoles are
coming and already the response to the features, specifications,
exclusive games, and price have drawn both praise and condemning
responses. This past E3 showed what each system was offering this
coming holiday season including games, accessories, and the consoles
themselves. PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Wii U are now going all in
to win over the people, but two of these consoles have already
stumbled out of the gate. Both the Wii U and Xbox One have both
failed to meet not only their own expectations, but the public too
has voiced their distaste for the systems. I will admit I am biased
towards Sony's PlayStation, but how both Nintendo and Microsoft have
handled the next generation consoles is pitiful. Unless the
Playstation 4 has a major set back than I don't see The Xbox One of
the Wii U taking over Playstions 4's huge lead.
Nintendo's Wii U is so far the only
next generation console on the market, which gives it a lead over PS4
and Xbox One, but not by much. The Wii U offered some new and
interesting methods of gaming, such as the controller being a tv
screen, and it more for casual gamers or people who are fans of
Nintendo's games. In E3 Nintendo displayed many games that include
many of their most popular characters and series, including the new
Super Smash Brothers. But this seems a little too late for the Wii U,
the console has been on the market for 7 months and it sales have
been nothing but minimal at best. The near nonexistence of system
exclusives since its release has been possibly the biggest weak spot
of the Wii U, which many if the games featured in E3 should have
released with the Wii U. Nintnedo's lack of exclusives since
releasing the Wii U has hurt the company tremendously and with PS4
and Xbox One nearing their release, the future looks bleak for
Nintendo.
The Xbox One has been possibly the
most negatively revered console in years to the point where bricks
and rocks seem more fun. With inability to play used games, An
internet connection every 24 hours, and privacy concerns, the Xbox
One has already angered many people in the gaming community. Not to
mention the Microsoft Executive who told anyone who doesn't or cannot
make the requirements for Xbox One should buy a Xbox 360. I will
admit I'm not a marketing expert but if your trying the get people
the latest product, don't tell them to buy the soon to be obsolete
model. I will give Microsoft some credit for going back on many of
the requirements the need for a internet connection once you buy the
console to set it up still isolates many people who live without
internet. Microsoft is doing its best to regain its fan base since
its announcement, and they are listening to all the criticism to make
their console better. With all the poor marketing, initial
requirements, privacy concerns and the price of $499 per unit it
seems the Xbox One is already dead in the water.
The PlayStation 4, has been so far the
only console that is really aimed at the gaming community. Sony
learned a lot from their handling of PS3, being released a year later
and more expensive than the Xbox 360, and have promised a lot and
delivered. As I said I'm a Sony person so there is some bias here,
but the reality is Sony hasn't made any of mistakes that Nintendo and
Microsoft have made with their systems. With that Sony didn’t just
sit back and watch, they noticed the faults and took advantage and
have received outstanding reviews from many media outlets. The PS4 is
proving time and time again that its the system of future and its
showing in the numbers of pre-orders and sony's own sales have
exceeded their own projections. Though interestingly enough when I
pre-ordered my PS4 at my local Gamestop the Xbox One slots were
already filled and I was the fourth to last for PS4. Sony has come a
long way from the its mishandling of the PS3 Launch and the lessons
it learned have served them well in the PS4.
