E3: PS4 says it wants to start offering original content targeted towards gamers…’Code Monkeys’, are you listening??
Playstation 4 made a huge splash last night at their E3 conference and as opposed to Microsoft they didn’t make the conference all about wanting to bring original programming to their user base, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t jumping in. Find out more after the jump!
After watching the Playstation 4 press conference yesterday I could only think of two things. 1) Wow, look at how awesome those games are. If Playstation 3 exclusives are any indication of quality the PS4 ones should be insane. And 2) Microsoft has an uphill battle to climb with Xbox One.
Let us look at the stats:
Exclusives: Sony has WAY better titles in its catalog from first-party than Microsoft with titles like Watch Dogs, Infamous: Second Son, and Killzone all catching my eye to go along with franchises that we already know probably have new installments in development like God of War, Uncharted, Last of Us, and more. Microsoft has the Bungie-less Halo and Gears of War (I don’t care about Forza) both franchises that are readily available for PC.
Used Games: Xbox One makes you jump through hoops for used games. Sony made if official last night that not only are used games going to work just fine for PS4, but that there aren’t any terms of use like what Microsoft is installing. Microsoft also has this thing where if you want to loan a game to a friend he has to be on your buddy list. Do you have any idea how often I actually utilize any sort of a buddy list whilst playing games? Never. Seriously, when I game don’t talk to me. I don’t like multiplayer games and I really don’t care for first-person shooter games because they are a dime a dozen to me with a few exceptions like Bioshock and Deus Ex.
Always On: Xbox One requires that you stay connected to the internet with a check-in at least once per day online and blah blah blah. Sony? Yep, your good just the way you are.
Original programming: Microsoft already has in the works a Halo TV show which sounds like its going to be a nightmare. Sony on the other hand has been in the movie/TV business for 30 years so if they wanted to put exclusive content on PS4, these guys are going to win all day just based on name credibility alone. While, Sony didn’t spend a lot of time in this area, their already budding relationship with Youtube certainly opens up the doors in having a database of original home-grown talent right at your finger tips. As a matter of fact, on the games front I was taken aback by all of the attention they are giving to indie game developers acting almost as THE Youtube for game makers where you can just post up stuff that hits and see what happens. Youtube has OODLES of original content creators, but maybe Sony can do a bit more investing there and offer up some Hollywood credo whilst at it, yea? Not saying Microsoft has been completely cold to indie creators as I thoroughly enjoyed Your Dungeon, My Dragon, but if you are someone that wants to make movies or animated content who do you want on your side. Microsoft who has no real credence in the entertainment space (see: Zune, HD DVD) or do you go with Sony the company that has a movie opening in theaters everywhere this weekend This is the End with Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, and others? I think the choice is pretty cut and dry here, don’t you think?
I could go on and on and I could even mention all the good shit Sony is doing like offering up a cheaper console ($399 vs $499 for XBOX) with better games and no red tape. I could even bring up the other creepy shit Microsoft is doing with Kinect (seriously, read up on the new one) or the fact that MSFT makes you use inferior products in their respected industries like Windows, Internet Explorer, and more. But when it comes to producing original content, Sony is in places Microsoft can’t touch…no matter if its games or in original programming. Your thoughts?
