The debate between the Xbox One (left) and the PlayStation 4 (right)

 Xbox One

 The Good:

•  Deep Cloud Integration- Microsoft has been touting its new initiative for cloud-based gaming on the Xbox One. Primarily, the cloud has been used for storage and accessibility purposes with internet applications such as Dropbox and Google Drive. As far as gaming is concerned, however, the cloud is utilized little other than for periodically saving data and transferring purchases to other compatible platforms. In a paradigm shift, Microsoft is instead harnessing the cloud (with the help of the more than 1 million servers in its data centers) to increase the graphical fidelity and performance of its titles. According to Dan Greenawalt, the creative director of Forza 5 Motorsport, the power of the cloud “totally revamps Drivatars, where the system looks at how you drive and your behavior, brings it up to the cloud, crunches numbers, builds a profile, and builds an Avatar that races for you around the world and against your friends and family”.

• The Launch Exclusives- This is not a huge indictment towards Sony, but as it stands, the Xbox One holds a far stronger launch lineup to that of the PS4. At launch, the Xbox One has a total of eight console exclusive launch titles (with notable franchises such Forza 5 and Dead Rising), whereas the PS4 has six. It is not a huge differentiation, but when it comes to console exclusive titles at launch, the Xbox One easily exceeds over the PS4.

• A New Refined Controller- With the last incarnation of Microsoft’s gamepad, the Xbox 360 controller greatly improved upon almost all aspects of the original, albeit with an abysmally unresponsive D-pad. Microsoft has decided to continue with this paradigm with the Xbox One controller, but with a much keener eye for detail than in last generation. The Xbox One controller features “over 40 improvements to the award-winning Xbox 360 Wireless Controller”. The thumbsticks, triggers, and of course, the infamous D-pad have been redesigned to feel both more responsive and enable better grip and accuracy. One of the new additions, promptly named “Impulse Triggers”, incorporates a slight vibration in the triggers when given feedback, such as the vibration of a shot fired from a weapon.

The Bad:

• Kinect Included- Although Microsoft reversed their policy with the Kinect always plugged into the system, the company continues to insist that the Kinect will always be sold with the Xbox One. In an interview with Phil Harrison, the corporate vice president of Microsoft, Harrison stressed that the “Xbox One is Kinect. They are not separate systems.” This addition, in turn, constitutes to the the Xbox One’s price of $499, or $100 more than the PS4. Regardless if you enjoy the Kinect or not, it is included with the system regardless.

• An Extra Subscription for Entertainment- Without a Xbox Live Gold subscription, you will not be able to access third party entertainment apps such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Internet Explorer. Microsoft has yet to comment on this policy, but as it stands, it is unusual to require a paid subscription for a free third party application.

• The Power Brick- Yes, it is back. And yes, it is as big and obtrusive as ever.

PlayStation 4

The Good:

• No Subscription for Entertainment- As long as you have an internet connection, you will be allowed full access Netflix, Hulu Plus, Web Browsing, and even game DVR, all without a subscription service.

•  A Focus on Indies- While the PS4 might not have the same AAA backing that the Xbox One has; it does have an indie lineup to reckon with. This indie initiative- with the likes of Tequila Works Rime, Supergiant Games Transistor, and Jonathan Blow’s The Witness– is one of the more profound differences between the two consoles and is now Sony’s modus operandi.

• The Console: No Strings Attached- Imagine being able to buy something without paying for something you probably don’t want? It’s a bit of a pipe dream, but doesn’t that sound fantastic? Well with the PS4, you pay for a console and a controller. That’s it. As a result, this keeps the PS4 at a reasonable $399 without the requirement for extra peripherals. This does not omit motion controls for the console. In fact, Sony is providing proprietary motion control device like the Kinect as a separate purchase.

The Bad:

• A Middling Launch Lineup: When the PS4 releases on Nov 15^th, it will have three major launch titles: the gritty Sci-Fi first person shooter Killzone: Shadow Fall; Knack, the action platformer in the vein of Crash Bandicoot and Spyro; and the next gen sidescrolling shoot em’ up Resogun. While the reviews of these titles are still to be determined, of which could help incentivize the purchase or avoidance of the PS4, we do know that this lineup pales in comparison to the Xbox One. The deciding factor in purchasing a console solely rests on the quality and quantity of games, and if the PS4 cannot provide that quantity at launch it will be difficult for consumers to consider a purchase.

The Verdict:

• The PS4 and Xbox One are almost technologically equal; both consoles should deliver a similar experience to one another. While the PS4 is statistically more powerful than the Xbox One, it is only a marginal difference. So, what it boils down to is two things: price and games. While the Xbox One holds a much larger launch lineup than the PS4, it’s 100$ more with a packed in Kinect that you may not want. Here’s my advice: If money isn’t an issue and you are willing to pay a little extra for subscription fees and the Kinect, or you are familiar with the Xbox 360 interface, then go straight for the Xbox One. If you enjoy Indies, a focused gaming experience, or just a console with no strings attached at $399, then go with the PS4. If you’re like me and have no preference to either whatsoever, just wait a couple months to see how this launch plays out; you’ll know who fares better.