I think we should be Exclusive

I recently read a blog post that called for the end of console exclusive games. That would be bad for the industry and so bad for us.

Playstation 4 me

I recently gave in to my inner child and became the owner of the PlayStation 4. I walked into the store, chose two games, that online pass, dipped deep into my pocket paid and left. Set it up to my TV relegating the ps3 to the second port and got under way. Since then it’s been around a month, so I thought I would share my experience, and maybe help you to make a decision on if you should fork out your hard earned pounds.

An accurate representation of how the deal went down

Pretty, pretty

In my opinion there is quite a difference in the graphical quality of the games. I was massively sceptical before I took the plunge as to how much better the graphics could really be and I have to say, based on the early games I’m pretty impressed.

Games so pretty, you no longer need eyes

The screen shot comparisons do not do justice just how pretty things looks, how smooth they play just how good they feel. The jump from 720 – 1080 can be seen and all in all the games I have played look great and I am excited to see what Watch Dogs will look like, But I will be more interested in the re-mastering of the Last of Us a game which went to great lengths to look amazing on the PS3. I do hope there is more to it than the Tomb Raider update of slightly more hairier hair….

Tyrone Biggums gets it

Beauty is only skin Deep.. yeah yeah yeah 

Game play wise, games to certainly seem smoother and faster. I haven’t experienced any lagging, jumping or any other unpleasantness while playing infamous Second son even with powers galore shooting around the screen like sonic on speed.

Games start up quicker than on the PS3 which is nice for a quick game of anything, and would probably be even faster if I used the stand by feature… Which I don’t because… I… I don’t know I just turn things off. In reality though it won’t feel all too different than the PS3. The controller feels odd at first, with its narrower grip and that strange smooth touch pad but you get used to it. You will however hit share when you want select I can Guarantee that.

R.I.P the simple select button

PlayStation Plus..you
If you are or were a PlayStation 3 kinda person you were no doubt quite happy that online for us was born free and were shocked and disappointed with the news that we would have to pay for the online services by way of the PS+ Subscription. I was.

But, I’m slowly coming around to the Idea that it might just have been the icing on the cake. Without the PS4 I wouldn’t have purchase a PS plus subscription I just didn’t see the point but since it was thrust upon me I have had the privilege of free games. And not bad games either, good games, games I was happy to play. Tomb raider, Payday2, Sly Racoon, Uncharted 3 and Bio shock Infinite…all for free as part of the subscription with new games every month.. Much Excite

is nice

Granted with every silver lining is a brown turdy one. These games are on the PS3, so I have been moved away from my PS4 onto my PS3 by the addition of Free-ish content. But it does give hope for what the PS4 may soon bring to the table

Bobby

All in all I am Very happy with my purchase. Yes it was a lot of money and yes there are like 3 games. But it’s an investment in something I hope to have for many years. Hopefully. So if you’re on the fence, un sure what to do I say this. If you have the Money, and spending it won’t hurt you too much then take the plunge, enjoy what’s out there and grow with the console, keep your PS3 ( if you have one ) and Take advantage of the PS+ and all in all just have a good time.

This guy had a good time on his D**k

 

 

The Cloud raining on the console parade

Hey guys and girls. In the last couple of months we have seen the release of the latest Consoles. Both the PS4 and the Xboxone boasts Impressive specs. Graphics of the highest order and processing capability of amazing proportions. But is this the last Console release we will be getting? I think it might just be.

Farewell Consoles…Maybe..who knows look its Link.

I have talked about cloud gaming in another post but it seems to be getting serious again. As the internet improves, our speeds increase our ability to stream gets better and better and more and more people are online. The possibility of Cloud gaming is becoming more and more of a serious reality for all gamers. With the boom of Smart phones, Tablets, and smart TV’s where does a new console does fit in with a cloud hosted system? The level of graphical output or processing power wouldn’t matter as the game is being run by servers elsewhere in the world which could be updated and changed to cope with bigger and better games. allowing all devices to flex there muscles.

GADOOOSH

Imagine being able to play the latest Call of Duty or Mario anywhere (probably on the toilet) , on any device which connects to the internet, with the graphics and at the speed of a home console. Just think… that would be awesome. it may also go some way in blurring the lines between casual gamers and the hardcore. Providing options for both.

Imagine

And this ability is happening now. Back in summer 2012 Sony acquired Gaikai cloud based servers allowing for the streaming of content, and this month Sony announced that it would start its streaming of games on its PlayStation Now with the latest 2014 Sony TV’s fully supporting the service as well as the PS4. This ability to stream gaming also has a great financial benefit. Though the outlay cost Sony around $400 million dollars the returns could be far greater than that on a console, given that they will no longer have to deal with the manufacturing and distribution costs of the console.

An accurate representation of how the deal went down

There would be a chance for developers to create original and exciting new content. Firstly, being hosted digital means that the cost of production is lower, without the need for blu ray disks and Secondly the ability to utilise things such as touch screen technologies with high-end processors and graphics, allowing for a wider demographic to enjoy gaming of a higher quality and hopefully standard, ultimately making the experience for gamers more enjoyable and varied.

YAY So much fun

There of course several problems with this. As it stands Downloading a game is a timely and costly affair with many downloadable games considerable more than there physical counterparts, with far fewer deals taking place.

Has my game downloaded yet?

There is also an issue with the ability to Trade-in physical titles, especially given that some games are short or poorly made. I am sure that the Publishers could create a form of digital games trade-in perhaps where if you trade – in the download you get a percentage of your next download from that publisher. In this way the consumer feels as though they are not being ripped off and the publisher is still making money off of their new titles. And internet speed isn’t currently too great and not everyone is online. Argumentatively you could say that the majority are, but for those who are not, they will be isolated and not able to join in something they may enjoy, after all buying a console is one of cost as are the games, but a streaming services is likely to require a subscription, which on top of a higher enough quality internet bill, may prove too much for some.

Whatever side you are on our industry is going through some exciting changes and I can’t wait to see how the PlayStation TV performs and what the future holds for gamers. If it does take hold, then no matter how powerful the next generation of consoles are it wont matter, because super overlord computers some where else will be playing them on anything, anywhere… sa-weet.

It’s the Bat! and he is doing something!

Yes, the new batman came out on friday giving us a third chance to play as the cape crusader. Rumble Feature has opted to try something a little different this week so why not have a listen to what my self and a couple of buddies had to say on the game. Yay for audio…yay

you can listen to the cast here because I can’t embed stuff.. boo..boo to the unembed

Batman Origins Podcast

PlayStation 4 the win?

E3 this Month reveled that Sony’s Playstation is currently bending Microsoft and the Xbox one over a small probably square chair and spanking it with a paddle. So what were for me some of the more interesting things about the PS4? well lets take a looksie shall we ? yipiee.

Cheap as the box is came in

Perhaps for a lot of people, me included the cost of the console will prove to be a huge factor. Last time Sony decided to create a console they put a price tag on it that led many to believe  that it would dispense diamonds once a game was complete. They seem to have learned from this mistake and set far more realistic price of around £350 around the same as a decent laptop so not to bad at all. Expensive but not insane.

Then the console was £500 and people will buy it…

The XboxOne however is price at around £420. This has gone on to annoy yet more people and push the balance of power over to Sony. Microsoft are targeting the people with money, who can spend money on new games( as most will have to be) and  have a great solid fast internet connection so in that respect perhaps the price tag makes sense. premium prices for what is considered to be by Microsoft to be a premium product for premium people.

Just the one console for me thanks mehehe

Microsoft have today taken a massive U-turn  and removed not only the need for an internet connection to play disc based games but also allowed people to trade in games maybe the price will also change leveling up the playing field.

Cmon cmon its not hard to learn cmon cmon its called the U turn

PlayStation Plus… you want? tough you need

Microsoft have for ages had the passes for Online play. charging people a monthly/ Yearly price in order to play games online so on so on. And for this they received a what is a great service. Sony had a similar scheme but it was only an extra if you wanted it. Games online were free FREE woo but, for that the online service was about as stable as a one legged drunk man on an old wooden walking stick.

Sony servers down again

The PS4  will therefore require the purchase of the playstation plus. Not massive not game changing but to people who are used to having a Sony play station and playing for free it may be a bit of a ball ache. but if it take the one legged drunk online of the ps3 sobers it up give it a leg and stabilizes it then I am in.

is nice

Lets talk generalities 

Looks: The PS4 looks to me like an Xboxone that was hit by strong wind and blew over. I am not sure what the big thing is with thing looking square but it looks like a slick piece of kit.

Controllers: Why a touch pad? Why? its like the useless useless six access. I am not going to move my thumb to swipe a pad. And a share button? what am i sharing ? and with who? who would want to see that?  and also who are these people watching me play games? creepy Sony creepy.

What you playing? can we watch you do it?

Processors: Glad they have gone with a third party processor. using there own made it difficult for third party makers hence the lack of elder scrolls DLC.

Over all I think the PS4 is looking good and it is still my console of choice. Looks price and the extras are making it look like a strong console The hulk of the consoles. Microsoft’s u-turn on all things that had annoyed every gamer in the world have definitely leveled the field and the war of the next gen consoles are definitely more even.

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