E3 2013- THE AFTERMATH

Electronic Entertainment Expo 2013 has come and gone and it ushered in a new generation of console gaming. Ps4 and xbox one, fully unveiled to the teeming public and the world at large, not counting out Wii U. As a gamer, in Nigeria, I followed the event online and wetted my gaming appetite with Youtube streams. Jaw dropping graphics, next gen tech and architecture, voice and motion control and some truly epic scenery in gaming sure was an eye pleaser. First of all was the Xbox one.

Xbox One
Xbox one was unveiled to much fanfare and confusion regarding Microsoft’s DRM policies regarding gaming on the Xbox one. Microsoft officially dropped the bombshell with aplomb to the chagrin of gamer’s worldwide, “you cannot play used games, sell or share your own game library without the receiver paying a fee in full for the software”. I squealed, wept, my fist clenched pointing towards the screen of my device, wanting to take on the person responsible for such decision.

Alas, I was hit with more unnerving revelation, “you will need to check in online once every 24hrs or have your game unplayable”. At this point, I passed out just imagining the unstable internet connection here in Nigeria, and I wept some more. The last and final blow hit me so hard that I raced to my balcony with my fist raised to the sky shouting, “screw you microsoft” to the surprise of those around. “The Xbox one will launch in 21 markets worldwide and those not available at the moment won’t be able to play an xbox one”. I wondered if my dear country Nigeria which was always neglected will be remembered but I knew the answer, NO!

Asides the negativity of the DRM policies of Microsoft for the Xbox one, the Xbox one showed promise with the new kinect integration and a host of killer exclusives. From Ryse: Son of Rome to Titanfall, to Dead rising 3 and a fan favorite making a return, killer instinct! My jaw dropped on seeing game play footage of one of my beloved fighting game, killer instinct of which I had fond memories of on super nintendo. It was an amazing package and Microsoft showed off a lot of new software features, from voice and motion integration into games through kinect to the sharing of video clips of your games played and also xbox smart glass.

All in all, it was an amazing package that would retail for $500 at launch including kinect and at that point, I quickly brought out my calculator to fix the digits in Naira and damn, its expensive. N80000 minus tax for the Xbox one goodness and the games will retail for $60 each. Its a compelling package but price and Microsoft DRM policies killed it in my books. I had just one game in mind, Sony’s Ps4 until Microsoft did a 180, backtracked on its policies and removed all those restrictions and suddenly I’m longing for the Xbox one and its exclusives. No 24hr internet check in, no blockage of used games and suddenly I’m turned on! Next gen console was just began!

PS4
Sony coming immediately after Microsoft at E3 had the gamers future and support at hand provided they didn’t go the route of microsoft for the Xbox one. It was clear as day who would win the next gen console war and what was needed, giving gamers freedom and freedom they did give us. Sony went for the jugular, clearly stating that there would be no DRM policies enforced and there would be no need to connect the console to the internet to enable gaming and finally, PS4 will retail for $400! Sweet lord! I fainted twice and on getting up, I rushed for my calculator punching away vigorously. $400 would set me back N64000 minus taxes and I yelled ”eat that microsoft!”

My hope in the world of gaming was restored and it brought tears to my eyes, tears of joy. Although online gaming will require a ps+ account now for the cosy of $50 a year. Games would retail for $60, alongside the dual shock 4 and the playstation camera.

Sony showed a host of exclusives, killzone shadow fall, infamous 2nd son, knack, the order 1889 and a host of others. Personally, I felt Xbox one had a more compelling list of exclusives but Sony’s offerings where no slouch either. Infamous 2nd son really caught my attention with its jaw dropping graphics and physics. Killzone is well, killzone with more beautiful scenery and presentation. Gone is the dark, old dark and grey world in killzone 2 and 3. Knack was surprisingly fun although much more appealing to the younger audience.

Finally we got to see what the PS4 looked like. I was speechless, it looked like a rhombus albeit better looking than the xbox one but not as appealing as the Ps3 was when it was unveiled. All in all, it was a total package retailing at a full $100 cheaper than the Xbox one.

CONCLUSION
Next gen console war was already won by Sony until Microsoft reversed and removed all DRM policies and internet checks. Now the heat is on! Ps4 is still in the clear, having a $100 cheaper base than the Xbox one while sporting a more powerful system. Both are powered by semi custom AMD chip and offer similar processing power. It all boils down to pricing, exclusive games, connectivity and support by both companies as the next gen console war heats up.

Nintendo E3 conference was a sore spot for me and I avoided it totally. We got more mario and more mario as we have done for the past 2 decades of Nintendo gaming. They did show some new software support like bayonetta 2 but it wasn’t as compelling like the Ps4 and Xbox one.

As a gamer, the choice ultimately boils down to you, and I’ll be sticking with the Ps4 at the moment as it is cheaper and more powerful. Xbox one’s kinect features and exclusives are tempting though. So my question to you Nigerian gamers and the world at large, which will you be getting at launch?

Preorder for your next gen games are live and you can contact me for yours. I’ll be delivering when the console launches worldwide.

Posted from WordPress for blackberry by Ufuoma Ozore