Staying Wary: Playstation 4

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by blaze6106 on February 25, 2013 at 08:08 PM

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Wednesday night Sony came onto the stage, in a location that I do not know, to announce its foray into the next-gen of video games. Playstation 4 was officially revealed to the world, well sort of, since the console wasn't actually shown. Still, Sony gave a universally well received presentation. Regardless of this, I am still wary of the Playstation 4.

Disclaimer 1: I did not watch the conference myself, I was busy emailing my girlfriend, watching avatar, and working on a paper while it was on. So alas, I has no time to view it, but I have kept up avidly with the newest updates as well as plenty of the videos and news coming out of the conference.

Disclaimer 2: I liked this show, I really did. I liked the news that came out of it and I really think it's the best showing Sony's given us in a while. I do not own a PS3, nor do I really want one. I really liked what the PS4 had to show, but I do have some issues. These very issues are keeping me from jumping on the PS4 bandwagon.

No hardware shown

This isn't a big one. I recognize that, but still it is something I would love to address. Sony managed to show off a lot of great stuff,but never once showed the system. I just want to know what going next to my sleek matte finished Wii U. Is it black, white, circular, boxed, or any other variant of those things. How big is? Is it incredible bulky? But the big reason is more about how sturdy the system is. The PS2 wasn't exactly known for sturdiness. I'm not sure about the PS3, but regardless I would like to know if the Ps4 is gonna fall and then snap on two. I know all in all it's pretty trivial, but I still would like to know what I'm putting on my shelf.

Data doesn't transfer/Not backwards compatible

This one doesn't effect me A LOT, but it does affect me to a degree. There are a lot of great Ps3 games out there that I missed because I can't afford a PS3. So if I were to get a Ps4 I would have loved to play some of those old games for cheap. Buy them used and play the, on my brand new Ps4. If Microsoft has backwards compatibility, you can almost be certain I'm going to go with that one. That way all of my old Xbox games aren't completely wasted. The data transfer thing doesn't affect me, but I can't imagine that that is that hard to do. It just seems like that really sucks for everyone who has a lot of games and things saved on their PS4. It's not a deal breaker by any means, but when looking at the Wii U that is almost pushing backwards compatibility, it seems like Sony is lacking behind.

No super compelling games

Killzone and infamous don't exactly thrill me, as I'm sure they won't thrill others. I do believe that they are solid games. I've never personally played them, but I am not doubting their quality. What I do believe is that they won't move systems like a Halo would. I'm not saying that they don't exist; most likely they are going to announce some killer games at E3. At this point though Killzone and Infamous aren't moving the system off the shelf. Knack looks interesting, but that seems like a cult hit. I can't imagine Knack being a huge system seller. Everything else appears to be multi platform, so I'll just take the new Microsoft system for those, since that's what I'm used to know.

No launch line up confirmed

Even more than no amazing games, it's the lack of a launch lineup that's really holding me off. If Microsoft can show me a lineup with some great games that are definite launch titles then I'm gonna go that route. I know there is still a lot of time to announce this, and of course it will be announced, but who knows if games like killzone or infamous will even be at launch. Look at the 3DS and Wii U, which were both supposed to have Mario games and pikmin and all kinds of fantastic games that weren't ready on time. Who knows if all or ANY of these games will really actually be out at launch.

No price point yet

And of course the biggest is PRICE POINT. I know you saw that coming right? But it is a big deal. I don't have money to just buy everything that comes out. Most likely I'll get one or the other, PS4 or the new Xbox. Which is cheaper will probably be the way I decide which to get. I know it's going to be high, but can it be reasonable? The PS3 was 500 to 600 dollars at launch, which in my opinion is far to much. It's simply unrealistic to charge that much and expect it to sell incredibly well, as evidenced by the Xbox 360 and Wii sales being so much greater. I think that the cost will probably have to be in the 400 to 600 range, but if it's more than that or even on the upper end of that then I'm not going to be so inclined to buy it.

In conclusion, I really like what's been revealed about the PS4, and it may very well be the next system I pick up. Still I think that jumping on the PS4 bandwagon may be a little early for me. I'm certainly going to sit back and watch the Big 3 battle it out for system dominance, but know that at this point I'm wary about the PS4.

blaze6106

You have to keep in mind this is just the first glimpse. They didn't show everything because it would all be old new by the time the console releases if they did. No hardware shown. Don't worry it will be. E3 at the latest maybe sooner. But it'll probably be a rectangle and its black. The controller is black the console will be. No backwards compatibility. Of course not. The ps3 design is widely different from the ps4. It would cost TONS to make it compatible. No way would they add $100 or something to the cost of the system to do it. Also again and again despite what people claim they want almost no one uses BC when it is included. No compelling games. These are just the first few. Not even the whole launch line up. There will probably be something you want at launch. And if not there will be eventually. If it takes a year, well at least the new console will probably have its first price reduction. That what happened for me last this gen. No price point. You won't see sony release a price until they have a very good idea what microsoft is going to cost. I think it'll be cost within $50 of microsoft and I expect both to be near $500.

Comments

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by Kahlua417 Monday, February 25, 2013 at 09:54 PM

Nice article. You have some valid points. I myself am also more inclined to pick up the next Xbox over the PS4, though I intend on purchasing both eventually. I'm sure a lot of your doubts will be addressed in the upcoming months, especially at E3. This may just be me, but I have a feeling Sony will unveil the actual console hardware at that time. They probably just want to keep us eager to see more of the PS4, while simultaneously giving them time to tweak its overall appearance. It's nice to see they are obtaining some more support from developers, even from a company such as Bungie, who has had big influence on the Xbox 360's success. As for your last point, a Sony representative has stated that they are prepared to set a "competitive" price, so I don't think they would price the PS4 much higher than the next Xbox. I think they have learned from their mistakes with the PS3 launch. Let's hope that's true. I really enjoyed your article, it gave me a lot to think about concerning my own doubts!
by brainraider1 Monday, February 25, 2013 at 10:59 PM

If you can't afford a Ps3 how could you consider buying a ps4. The Ps4 is definitely going to be pricey. The good thing is that once it is out for awhile the price for the ps3 will become lower. Therefore you might be able to pick up a Ps3.
by x-XMantisX-x Monday, February 25, 2013 at 11:03 PM

Launch line ups are usually mediocre. It takes a while for other developers to make sure that the console can support a game they want to create. Also, the reason newer consoles are dropping backwards compatibility is because a majority of gamers were not using it (according to studies), and it costs more money to add chips that allow that. Good article with very reasonable points though. I am rather optimistic about the PS4, but I can understand why someone could be hesitant with so many details that have not come out of the shadows yet.
by tk575 Monday, February 25, 2013 at 11:56 PM

You have to keep in mind this is just the first glimpse. They didn't show everything because it would all be old new by the time the console releases if they did. No hardware shown. Don't worry it will be. E3 at the latest maybe sooner. But it'll probably be a rectangle and its black. The controller is black the console will be. No backwards compatibility. Of course not. The ps3 design is widely different from the ps4. It would cost TONS to make it compatible. No way would they add $100 or something to the cost of the system to do it. Also again and again despite what people claim they want almost no one uses BC when it is included. No compelling games. These are just the first few. Not even the whole launch line up. There will probably be something you want at launch. And if not there will be eventually. If it takes a year, well at least the new console will probably have its first price reduction. That what happened for me last this gen. No price point. You won't see sony release a price until they have a very good idea what microsoft is going to cost. I think it'll be cost within $50 of microsoft and I expect both to be near $500.
by AshaMan3000 Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 08:06 AM

Not sure if this was in response to what I posted the other day or not but it was a nice counter-point to what I brought up!
by markus1142 Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 10:07 AM

Good stuff. I like seeing people talk pros/cons of the PS4 since I have no stake in this one (I'm picking up a PS3 instead.) The only thing that would have changed my mind would be backwards compaitibility, and that's off the table. The other features look great, but they're not enough to sell me on a "new console price" purchase, however much that'll end up actually being.
by afreindofurs Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 06:18 PM

now its for microsoft to nickel and dime u
by JTJohnson Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 07:08 PM

ps4 is goning to not play used games and that sucks cause that i the way i get most of my games xbox 720 better not do the same thing or im just going to get a wii u which i will be getting any way
by bunnyking Friday, March 01, 2013 at 04:27 PM

Even though I secretly believe that there is a conspiracy against Nintendo, I will be getting a PS4 on launch. And I will give you 3 compelling reasons. 1. Destiny - Bungie's next big game is launching on the PS4 as well as the other systems. 2. The Price point is cheap - $450 3. Playstation Online - While XBOXers will say that XBOX has the best online experience, I will have to retort, "have you gone online on PS3?" It is a great free experience with a very slim interface, in my opinion superior to XBOX LIVE. For me Destiny is enough of a draw.

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Staying Wary: Playstation 4