E3 Impressions & Social Gaming – PS4 over Xbox One

       This years E3 was an impressive event, that clearly detailed the future of gaming, and it's direct influence from Social gaming and the increased pressures of social/mobile connectivity. The sheer amount of products showcased this year, are the highest ever recorded from the indie sector, and most every product offering had an investment in social elements – especially against the backdrop of the Sony Ps4/Microsoft Xbox One battle. It's fair to say there's a change in how we perceive games and what they can be, as well as in what takes precedent for gamers of this coming generation – something Sony understands, unlike it's competitor Microsoft.

         With a clear battle royale between Sony and Microsoft, it's a sure hot-topic, that has a lot of weight for not only gamers, but developers of all shades and types. So far, PS4 has dominated, and here are a few of the reasons:

Selection of games -

E3 Games were impressive, like KillZone (pictured above)

          Not only are these games exclusive, but there are a host of major triple A titles, as well as already established IP's, setting the stage, such as Infamous, Killzone and Final Fantasy. Incredibly impressive newer games are Watch Dogs, and The Order: 1886. Each of these products have a high level of buzz about them, especially Final Fantasy and Watch Dogs, so it's a sure bet this is going to be a strong factor for a lot of gamers. Additionally, there's a major indie-developer presence for the Ps4, something not really set previously, even on Xbox Live. These games are a major element of games coming to the Ps4, and they even had their own showcase atE3.

Ability to Sell and Play, Used Games - 

PS4 Excellence at its finest - not sure I need the screen though.

         They have no restrictions. Players are able to sell products as they like, with no publisher restrictions, unlike Xbox One. Knowing that used games market has been around since the beginning of gaming, and for all intents and purposes, isn't really going to go anywhere, it's pertinent to have a system that allows gamers to purchase products. However, at the same time, gamers should still get value out of them when they're finished playing them – by selling them to others, or cashing them in at stores such as GameStop. With the sheer amount of conflict surrounding the used used games market, it's fair to state that it provides gamers and consumers a high level of trust in who they buy their games from, and that trust improves the quality of the brand of a game, overall. As Sony's instructional video on used games is anyone wonder,satirizing the issue is a good way to poke fun at your competition.

Offline functionality -

Xbox One: Online Only - You want offline, go back to the 360

         While it seems straightforward, the reality is Microsoft has completely bypassed this section, which, as you can tell from the audience in this video (link here), is a major factor in purchase power of this system. Of course, you can always go back to the Xbox 360, if you're to lame to have aninternet connection, as far as Don Mattrick is concerned.

No more Regional lockout -

          One of the most underrated elements of the PS4, is region-free - something that hasn't really existed in the entire history of the console/handheld gaming industry. All major consoles have maintained region-based elements, and it would appear they're taking a page from the computer model – allowing you to have a product from anywhere, and play on your system, without needing conversion mods or a region-based system. This element alone is an incredible feature that finally helps propel consoles into the expanding sectors of the gaming market. 

        With all of these features above and beyond the Xbox One, and, according to the E3 Stage 1 stream from Day3 through Gamespot, with Microsoft giving out more press regarding features consumers aren't going to like at Gamescon, it's probably a safe bet to say the Xbox One has all but lost this console war, before it's even really begun. While some of the features of the Xbox One definitely cater to the developer and primary, the publisher, the sheer lack of trust toward the consumer base is significant in reducing total console sales, which in turn means less potential buyers of products released for that system. Ergo, the better fit is the PS4 at this time, and unless Microsoft can come up with something more efficient, long-term and directly beneficial and empowering to their consumer-base, it's not likely to change.