The Xbox One Vs. PS4 Headset War Begins

Last week, after Microsoft's DRM reversal put it on more equal footing with the PlayStation 4, we took a fresh look at the differences between the two, but we missed one incredibly important feature — headsets. The PlayStation 4 comes with a mono headset. The Xbox One comes with none.

If I could, there would be some dramatic music here. Maybe something from the old Unsolved Mysteries reenactments. Just imagine it.

IGN has confirmed with Microsoft that the spiffy Xbox One headset will not be included in the box with the console. Out-of-the-package communications will instead be handled by Kinect, which includes all the parts required to yell at and be yelled at, with none of the intimacy of a headset.

Meanwhile, the PlayStation 4, priced at $399 — $100 less than the Microsoft console — comes with a mono headset which plugs directly into the Dualshock 4 controller. Its camera, however, will be sold separately.

It also bears mentioning that the PlayStation 4 features a standard headset jack and the Xbox One's is proprietary, limiting the options available on Microsoft's console, though third-party headsets are already in the works.

Now I'm being a bit flippant about the whole situation, but that's only because I prefer not to hear other people talking while I am playing — or in general. If anything the inclusion of a headset in the PlayStation 4 box means the blissful silence of the early days of the PlayStation 3 won't be replicated. Remember how quiet Resistance: Fall of Man was? Those were the days. I can only hope one of my cats or children eats the mono headset shortly after unboxing.

For the more social of you, this could actually be a big deal. Will headset availability factor into your next-gen console purchase?

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No, i wont use either one. I have a nice headset. but having one in the box is a good deal for people that don't plan to spend the amount of money i do on gaming.

it promotes social.  the part about the ps3 community being very queit is very true. 

i think the part that surpised me the most is xbone's headset is a proprietary input.  why?

It's all about the money. Think about all the investments MS has been claiming to make over the past few weeks. It's so much that they will never make it back. So every nickle and dime they can get the better. 

"lol, 500 dolars and no headset"

@ClassicGamingWizzz
Lol $600 and no headset. Remember that? Both headsets are trash. Go with a real headset if you want to actually game.

As long as they can understand what I say and I can understand what they say then I'm fine.

Psh, headset smeadset, all you need is kinect, according to microsoft anyway... Of course, they also say the headset is a "must buy"

Once I started using Turtle Beaches I can't go back to a cheap headset. I need the surround sound when I play.

Not the same, x1 production cost not even close to the ps3, even with kinect, so yea, 500 dollars and no headset is bullshit, they just want to make profit from every unit.