Earlier this week, Microsoft made the somewhat shocking,
(although analyst predicted), retailer-recommended, and heavily user-demanded
announcement that their newest console-the Xbox One-will go on sale without
Kinect for $399-the exact same price as its number one competitor-Sony’s
PlayStation 4-starting June 9th.
This announcement comes after 2nd quarter reports show that
Sony is outselling Microsoft at a pace of 4 to 3. Such a trend is not a great way to start a
campaign into the new generation of consoles six months in. Furthermore, it will no longer be necessary
for Xbox One and Xbox 360 to have an Xbox Live subscription to enjoy streaming
apps like Netflix, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, and YouTube. This same lift of restriction also applies to
the Xbox One’s OneGuide, Internet Explorer, and Skype.
Let’s make one thing clear: Microsoft knew that this was a move that was much overdue; a move that
was needed to stay competitive in generation of consoles that still lacks the “must-have”
titles to sway consumers off of the proverbial fence of reluctance. Microsoft has essentially alienated loyal
consumers by requiring the purchase of Kinect with the system. What was once a novelty peripheral has since
become a mandated piece of equipment for a system still in its infancy, which,
furthermore, does not even have a title that fully utilizes the Kinect.
This is strike two for Microsoft. (See DRM controversy.)
Now that that system is slated to be priced identically to
the PS4, the determining factor amongst the two systems will be one thing: software exclusives. At launch there were
few exclusives that demanded a consumers’ purchase. Granted, there was Killzone and Ryse, but these failed to attract the attention that Halo 3 and Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots did. Sure, there’s Halo 5: Guardians, an untitled Gears of War titled for the Xbox One,
and Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom
Pain, Kingdom Hearts III, and an
upcoming entry to the “Uncharted”
series, but these are all at least a year from release.
These systems lack content now.
Since its release last fall, the PS4 has maintained a full
head of steam both entering and exiting the holiday season. The question remains, however, if that same
level of momentum can be maintained now that its key rival has leveled the
playing field and are rearranging their armament for an impending war that will
divide the gaming community once more.
The Xbox One is coming-but will it be enough?“Prestiging” has never had so much meaning.
