This is my first post on this forum. Never needed to post before, but I see concerns that are not being talked about.
Topics:
1. PS4 Hype. (concerned)
2. XboxOne Bashing. (troubled)
3. Fanboyism. (Ammused, but troubled at the same time)
Disclaimer: These are my thoughts on I've seen E3 conference/Xbox reveal.
1. I've bought serveral electronics from Sony in the past. Most of my experiences have been average to somewhat above average. My concern has always been the software side of the equation. For everyone one of the products I've bought, they have never been able to optimize the software to truely match the hardware. They are guilty of clunky interfaces to dropping support on many of their electronics; it's like they have too many hardware releases, and they don't have the man power to tailor the software to the consumer demands.
With the PS4, Sony are promising that they are listening to the core gamer, and I'm skeptical. The OS has only been shown a few times, and in no real detail. I wonder if Sony will be able to keep Xbox 360 owners who jumped wagon if their OS is not up to par with what Microsoft is offereing. Microsoft is a software maker at it's core and they have the man power to make the Xbox One experience shine after a year or two. (I say this because most MS operating systems come with bugs and security problems in the beginning) That doesn't mean that MS can't get it right, it just takes them a couple of tries.
I'm skeptical, I think the PS4 OS will be crap unless they pass it on to a third party that knows what they are doing. Be it google or Ubuntu(Linux), whatever. They need to leave their OS in the hands of professionals or open source, but if I know Sony, they will try to do it themselves and end up with something half-assed that will not resonate with the experience gamers will expect.
2. I've never bought or played an Xbox before. I've held the controller in my hands, but have found it awkward since I'm used to the PS4 controller; plus I have small hands, so go figure. Having said this, I want Microsoft to be successful. I don't want competition to deminish in the market place. I like choices, even though I may not buy all three consoles, I like knowing that there are companies out there that offer something different.
The bashing on Microsoft is warranted to a certain extent, but I believe people vote with their purchases, and then do it again by choosing to keep it/support it, return it, or just get rid of it after a certain ammount of time. If the consumer was not wise enough to research his/her purchase, then doesn't she/he deserves whatever fate they get? Ignorance is sin at times, and trying to educate others can sometimes be interpreted as an insult. So why bother? Let people make their own decisions since it's their money and their entertainment.
3. I've been somewhat ammused by the dedication many gamers have in picking a side and sticking with it. It's charming & irritating at the same time. I'm talking about all three sides, they all feel they have something to prove and I find it repetative and stupid. Forced marketing has never worked on me, and I won't change my mind because some member in this forum had a better/worse experience than I had.
Having learned recently that PR individuals are being paid to repair reputations has been a bit alarming. My paranoid level rose a bit. I used to wonder why people would choose a side so blindly; now I have an answer. I've decided to not post on any thread where the OP seems too one sided. It's just not worth my time.
I am conflicted on the 8th generation, too many unknowns, and the console that has little to no restrictions doesn't offer any games that speak to me, yet. The PS4 multiplayer online paywall threw me back. I'm gonna have to wait and see how all these three consoles mature. They are all too young or too close to infant state to call a winner. Maybe a year or two will help me decide, It just sucks that I have to wait a long time to play some of those good looking games that where shown at E3.
