XboX ONE vs PS 4

[Guest reklawthgin]

Let's take a look at what we know from the Sony PS4 tease event and the Xbox One reveal. Can we predict a winner this early on?

Xbox One vs PlayStation 4 – graphics and power

Both the Xbox One and PS4 will pack eight-core AMD x86 CPUs which, coupled with their souped up 8GB RAM, should deliver more than enough power to get gamers hot under the collar.

Where the two differ – which could affect performance – is in the type of RAM they're packing. While the Xbox One will come with 8GB of DDR3 RAM, the PlayStation 4's 8GB GDDR5 offering will pip it to the post. Strip away the letters and numbers and that means that the PlayStation 4 will have more bandwidth to play around with – which could possibly give PS4 titles a slight visual edge over the Xbox One's offerings.

Both consoles will support 4K graphics (in terms of power at least) and although the number of 4K sets at launch will be minimal to say the least, it's important to future-proof the Xbox One and PS4 against the coming wave of 4K TVs. Sadly, the Xbox One reveal didn't feature Microsoft's new Illumiroom technology – which uses the Kinect and a projector to extend your TV display across an entire room. Here's hoping E3 bears fruit.

Xbox One vs PlayStation 4 – controllers

Not a great deal of change here, but as they say, if it ain't broke... The PS4's DualShock 4 controller resembles the existing DualShock, adding a touchpad and re-branded Select and Start buttons. Sony has taken a leaf out of Microsoft's book with the thumbsticks and triggers, though – the thumbsticks now sport more grippy tops, and the L2 and R2 triggers are concave, so your fingers are less likely to slip off. The DualShock 4 feautres a light bar that can be used to identify players – the console will also be able to tell who's using what controller, so if you swap seats on the sofa during a multiplayer gaming session, the PS4 will helpfully reorganise the split-screen layout. It also sports a headphone jack and built-in speaker, plus enhanced rumble tech.

The Xbox One controller closely resembles its predecessor – though it now has more subtle coloured buttons. Vibration feedback through each of the triggers should make for a more realistic feel when firing guns or accelerating cars in-game. You also get a more sensitive D-pad, grippier joysticks, a better integrated battery and more efficient Wi-Fi synching make up just a few of the forty changes made.

Xbox One vs PlayStation 4 – Blu-ray and optical drive

Although there was talk of the PS4 ditching physical media to rely on the cloud all together, Sony has packed in a Blu-ray drive that's three times faster than that found in the PS3. Microsoft has similarly added a Blu-ray drive to its console – no format wars in this console generation.

Xbox One vs PlayStation 4 – media smarts

The Xbox One is going to be the centre of your living room, controlling everything from voice and gestures alone. Microsoft's confirmed that its partnership with Sky will carry over to the new console – so although it's yet to be confirmed, you can expect to be able to use its media skills with your Sky+ box. "Watch Game of Thrones" you can command the Kinect sensor, and Tyrion Lannister and chums will be conjured instantly before your very eyes. Sony hasn't revealed how it plans to take over your living room but we'd expect a similar effort. The question is can Sony's PlayStation Eye match the second generation of the Kinect, or will it be left playing catch-up?

Xbox One vs PlayStation 4 – cameras

Both the Xbox One, with its Kinect, and the PS4 with its Eye will be watching you game. The second generation Kinect has a truly astonishing array of skills – it can track how much force you're exerting with your muscles, log you in using facial recognition, monitor your mood and even monitor your heart rate. However, the fact that it'll remain constantly on might creep some users out – and the fact that Microsoft's exploring patents to monitor your TV viewing could be cause for concern.

So can Sony's second attempt at a proper Eye match up? So far we've been promised facial recognition to login, two 1280x800 resolution cameras, four mics for potential voice controls and an 85-degree field of view. The Eye will also play nice with PlayStation Move controllers, if you've still got them knocking around.

In terms of tech specs, it looks like the Kinect wins out – but it's just a matter of waiting to see which one actually works best. Or to see which one lets you game and watch TV without being watched by advertisers.

Xbox One vs PlayStation 4 – social

Sony wants to focus on social gaming – so much so it's added a Share button to the DualShock 4 controller. When you want to start a game you'll be met with comments from other players and downloadable content before you boot it up. You can sync your account to Facebook and players can now use their real names. Then there's the ability to spectate and comment on games, like an annoying backseat driver. But more usefully, the Share button can be held to take a quick screenshot of your latest and greatest frag.

The Xbox One is a social creature too – integrating social into TV so you can search by what's trending or popular with your friends. Want join mates and chat about what they're watching? Bring Skype up in the side bar and chat as you go along together. And with Kinect watching your reactions it's suggested that TV producers can tailor shows depending on your viewing experience. Can you say "filter bubble"?

Xbox One vs PlayStation 4 – special skills

The Xbox One's Instant Switching feature cleverly lets you jump between gaming and TV instantly, using voice or gesture controls – with games remaining in standby mode, ready to be picked up where you left off. No more phasing your console and fiddling with the remote. The PS4 offers a genius feature that'll let you start playing games as they download – with later levels continuing to download as you play. Brilliant for those with flaky internet connections.

Xbox One vs PlayStation 4 – games

While both consoles will undoubtedly keep their AAA exclusive titles like Halo and the God of War series, heavy hitters like Battlefield 4, Assassin's Creed 4 and Ubisoft's Watch Dogs will still be available for both consoles – though it's up in the air whether Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto V will be putting in an appearance on the next-gen consoles, given its September release date.

Since Sony has ditched the PS3's Cell architecture for the PS4, and both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are running similar AMD processors and graphics cards, we should see even more simultaneous cross-platform launches in this generation. Much to the delight of keyboard and mouse fraggers, no doubt.

Some Xbox One games have been revealed already, with more to come at E3 totalling fifteen this year. Exclusive titles include Forza Motorsport 5 and Quantum Break.

The PS4's line-up includes family adventure Knack, Killzone: Shadow Fall, Infamous: Second Son, DriveClub, The Witness and Bungie's shooter Destiny. Plus PS4 games will support PS Vita Remote Play as standard.

Xbox One vs PlayStation 4 – launch price

We're praying to the gadget gods that the PlayStation 4 won't arrive with the astronomical launch price of its predecessor. Looking at the £250 Nintendo Wii U though, we'd expect both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 to launch at around £300-£350 – although a leaked Amazon page did price the Xbox One at £600. Prepare for a serious sting to the wallet either way.

Xbox One vs PlayStation 4 – release date

It's not yet clear whether we can expect a release date for the PlayStation 4 at E3 – we'd be happy with a peek at the console hardware, to be honest – and Microsoft is keeping its cards equally close to its chest on the subject of the Xbox One. It's reasonable to expect that both consoles will be out in time for Christmas 2013 – though developers have reported that the PS4 may be delayed in Europe until early 2014. The race is on!

[Guest OldBuddy]

I guess PS3 is enough for me :)

[Guest rid3r]

PSN trumps Xbox Live for the moment

[Guest silver44]

has to be ps4 because what iam hearing is the only way you can play used games (example buying on ebay like many people do) is to buy then when you put them on your console Microsoft charge you again think I will stick with my 360 elite

[HASBIHAL]

ps4 rulezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz :D

[sydneyfella]

PlayStation 4, definitely! I currently only have PS3 but I'm looking forward to upgrading in the next 3 to 6 months. Exclusives and the online model are much more appealing for me over Xbox One.