A Case For The XBox One

Posted by Billy on 26 October, 2013 at 10:15PM

Tags: xbox, xbox one, 720p, 1080p, next generation, microsoft, xbox live, psn

A Case For The XBox One

Let me preface this by saying I am not a fan of the Xbox One in any way. I honestly doubt I will be getting one for a long time, if at all. (I'm not a huge fan of the PS4 either.) However, I really think its too early to count the XB1 out yet.


Everyone seems to be currently losing their shit over the fact that the Xbox One seemingly can't do 1080p as well as the PS4. However, I submit to you that this will not matter in the long run. In the technology world we have something known as a killer app. In the long run I believe it will be the software that sells consoles, not the hardware. Let's take a look at some history, shall we? Rarely ever does the most powerful console gain more sales than its competition. There are exceptions to this (for instance, the Super Nintendo). The best example of this is probably the sixth generation of consoles. The PlayStation 2 sold over 155 million units[1], the Gamecube sold over 24 million[2], and the original Xbox also sold over 24 million[3]. The PS2, however, was underpowered by both competitors (except in storage capacity, the Gamecube disks didn't hold as much), but sold the most. Why? Because it had games people wanted to play. (And PS1 backwards compatibility.)


Not only that, but the Xbox One has Xbox Live behind it. Presently more people are registered on the PlayStation Network (more than 110 million[4]) than Xbox Live (more than 48 million[5]), but these numbers are hard to make anything out of because XBL costs money, and PSN was free. Yes I said was -- On the PS4 the PSN is no longer free. So it will come down to whose service is better for the price. Keep in mind Xbox Live currently has a better security and uptime track record.


Think I'm wrong? I encourage you to post a comment.

 

[1] http://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/technology/18779-sony-stops-shipping-playstation-2-units-in-japan

[2] http://www.webcitation.org/60VrBE6Cp

[3] http://web.archive.org/web/20080621155352/http://www.xbox.com/zh-SG/community/news/2006/20060510.htm

[4] http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2013/07/03/psn-passes-110-million-accounts-sony-pictures-developing-exclusive-original-tv-style-programming-for-psn-timed-exclusives/

[5] http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/live