The next generation of video game consoles is almost here. Sony announced that its newest member of its console family, the PlayStation 4 will be released to the American public on Nov. 15.
Although Microsoft has not announced the exact release date of its console, the Xbox One, the company publicized that it will also debut in November.
The PS4 and Xbox One are powerful successors to last generation’s consoles. Both are capable of 1920×1080 resolution at 60 frames a second, multitasking applications, recording and sharing your gameplay and of course outputting games with highly detailed visual and audio fidelity.
With so many similarities, why does it matter which one you purchase? Because Sony and Microsoft both have very different goals and philosophies.
Microsoft has its eye on an entirely digital entertainment center for the living room, with an improved tracking camera for casual use and games, new features for interactive television shows and control a cable provider’s content through the console.
Sony on the other hand is focused on providing high-quality gaming. In recent months, they have been adamant in getting independent game developers to put their creative projects on the console.
Even during the PS4’s production, Sony collaborated with high profile first and third-party developers to provide feedback on what they wanted out of the console and controller.
Fresno City College students were polled for which consoles and games the students were most excited to see released.
Of the students polled, 52 percent are anticipating the PS4 console, saying the console is $100 less than the Xbox One.
FCC gamers are also excited for the PlayStation Plus subscription service, which delivers free games, and expressed interest in the new touchpad-equipped controller.
Thirty-two percent of students look forward to the Xbox One, saying that they like the controller’s size and the ability to keep their account’s information from Microsoft’s previous console, the Xbox 360. Overall, students think the new system will provide a better gaming experience.
The game lineups for the PS4 and Xbox One are brimming with franchises and new ideas like “Kingdom Hearts 3”, “DC Universe Online,” “Call of Duty: Ghosts,” and “Tom Clancy’s Division”.
According to a poll of the anticipated next-generation games, it seems that many students will be trying to reach the top of their leaderboards when the new consoles and games premiere this fall.
