There has been a lot of controversy over the two new big name brand consoles that have come out onto the market recently preparing for the Christmas season. These two consoles are well known as the Xbox 1 by Microsoft Corporation and the PlayStation 4 by Sony Entertainment. Here is an inside look at the Xbox 1 and all of its features from the controller to the new and improved Kinect.
Before the Xbox 1 hit the market on November 21, 2013, it was being beat by the PlayStation 4 in gamer’s eyes, which was launched only 6 days before. PlayStation 4 won the hearts of everyone at E3 and stole the show with its many powerful features and more sensible choices that Xbox 1 was just not meeting; it didn’t hit the mark or reach the standards that PlayStation had achieved so early. An example of one of these issues was the required internet connection to even use the Xbox 1, although later Microsoft fixed this problem and made many changes to even think about competing with the heavily marketed PlayStation 4.
When the consoles finally hit market both sold rapidly and were soon unavailable to consumers because of the massive pre-orders and, well, all those people who set up a campsite outside of the Game Stop to be the first in line to get their new console. The sales between the two consoles on launch are similar, being about 1 million units sold each in the first 24 hours the console hit the market.
Now what makes the Xbox 1 a console to be interested in alongside its Playstation 4 competitor? Well, the Xbox 1 has a controller that is improved from the 360 model, a new Kinect system, built in recording capabilities, new menus, graphics and lots of new hardware.
The first thing that is seen when someone gets an Xbox 1 is the huge black rectangular console. The console is larger than the PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and the PlayStation 3, making a behemoth of a console–some space is going to be needed. The controller has been widely improved from the 360. The Xbox guide button was moved up higher on the controller so that it reduces the amount of times it is pressed accidentally. The control sticks are a lot grippier with a new rubber, and the d-pad is more precise. One added effect of the controller is rumble packs located in both triggers and the main body of the controller, creating the effect of the kickback of guns and other things in games. Although the controller may not have a touch pad, critics still favor the comfort and the precision of the Xbox 1 controller to the PlayStation 4. Now let’s dig into the software.
The home-screen looks a lot like windows 8 and functions similarly as well. This makes the Xbox console unique to the Playstation 4. The Xbox 1 is very good at multi-tasking; many apps can be run at a time because the Xbox 1 saves the last five apps that have been used in an active history, so switching between them is seamless. Stuck in a game? That is no problem because you can have the internet (whatever browser) open in one place and your game open at the same time. One feature that comes with the Xbox 1 is the recording feature that will record in game moments after they happen at your command. So if something amazing happens you simply say “Xbox record that” and the last 30 seconds of gameplay are recorded. Other voice commands can be used as well, such as “Xbox on” and “Xbox off.” The console recognizes the user’s voice so that the commands can only be used by the person playing the console at the time.
The Kinect has also been improved since the last model for the 360. The new Kinect is more responsive in every aspect, including both voice controls and its motion tracking. It makes it super easy to navigate the menus and there is no load time between menus, making it extremely easy to snap through. The Xbox 1 has focused on making the console not just for gaming, but as a Family Friendly device that can be used to watch T.V., Netflix, and Hulu, and also listen to your favorite music through the radio. Even further, the Xbox 1 has the capability to connect to your cable box via coax cable and directly stream T.V. channels from the console. Regardless of making many gamers skeptical of the console, this has impacted the sales of the console because it is a lot more useful in many different ways, as opposed to the PlayStation 4 for now, who knows what the future holds? The major difference is the fact that the Xbox 1 can play Cd’s and the PlayStation 4 cannot. Graden Sikes, student at Fossil Ridge High school voiced is opinion on Xbox 1 saying that it was “amazing”. He also voiced a complaint, “The major issue with Xbox 1 is when I am trying to watch YouTube and I will laugh or make a comment and the voice menu comes up asking what I am saying, then I have to say stop listening and it is just really annoying.” Andres Jimenez said, “I think it is revolutionary and a step in the right direction.” He said.
Nothing much can be said about games yet, although what has been seen is what gamers describe as outstanding graphics and seamless online play. The servers are reliable and powerful , so lag is limited but still happens as can be expected. Some launch titles included with the Xbox 1 are Assassins Creed 4, Deadrising 3, Forza Motorsport 5, Fifa 14, Battlefield 4, and more. Titles including Destiny and Watch dogs will be available in 2014. Click here for a list of Xbox 1 titles: www.ign.com/wikis/xbox-one/Xbox_One_Launch_Titles
The Xbox 1 is 500 dollars worldwide, because it comes with so much. The added Kinect makes it so that the price is jacked up more than the PlayStation 4, retailing at 400 dollars. So this holiday season be aware that the Xbox 1 is for sale, the next generation of gaming is here and it is time to experience it, whether it be PlayStation 4 or Xbox 1.
