PS3 to outsell Xbox 360

[Beev]

Not the same way it is now. During the SNES/Genesis era, for example, everyone co-existed peacefully. At least where I was from, anyway.

 

[ikachu]

Not the same way it is now. During the SNES/Genesis era, for example, everyone co-existed peacefully. At least where I was from, anyway.

Hmmmm guess it was different on the mean school buses of Houston... we got in big arguments over SNES vs Genesis. Mario vs Sonic, which version of Mortal Kombat was better (SNES looks better! Genesis has blood!).

And then there was that 'article' about the Super FX chip in GamePro when Starfox came out and all the SNES guys were rubbing it in the Genesis guys' faces, and then the Genesis fanboys were like... that's just a paid advertisement by Nintendo in the magazine.

 

[Skel]

I remember when no one gave a god damn fuck who beat who and we all just enjoyed games that were fun.

/shakes cane

I remember people saying this console, or that console was better, but I don't remember anyone caring enough to try and use sales numbers they found as a reason it was.

 

[Jeraden]

Hmm really? As far as I know we've been in a perpetual console war since the 80's and people have been bickering about what console was better the whole time...

Atari vs. Intellivision vs. Colecovision, NES vs Sega Master System, SNES vs Genesis, Playstation vs N64 vs Saturn, PS2 vs GC vs DC vs XBOX, PS3 vs X360 vs Wii...

I like the good old days, where your only option was Pong.

 

[purbeast0]

To be fair, I don't see anyone "celebrating" the possibility that the PS3 will eventually pass the Xbox in installed base. I think it is more that many of us are amazed given the lead time the 360 had and the numerous issues Sony had with the PS3 launch. Sony didn't really get it together, IMO, until the PS3 Slim launched.

I have all 3 systems (two 360s, 1 PS3, and 1 Wii) so I get to enjoy them all, but I am more angry with Microsoft because the hardware issues did bite me personally and I don't like how they handle XBL.



Few people pay that for XBL. I think the going rate is what, $40-$42? I used to pay $28 and even that was too much for what I was using it for -- the rare online game and Netflix. Netflix should NOT be a gold feature.

i agree, that is kinda whack that netflix requires xbl gold. i don't use netflix nor do i care about it so that has no effect on me.

im not sure what you are asking about the value of xbl. it's pretty obvious what the main value is - to play online. and xbl's integration and online play compared to psn is just night and day.

 

[American Gunner]

i agree, that is kinda whack that netflix requires xbl gold. i don't use netflix nor do i care about it so that has no effect on me.

im not sure what you are asking about the value of xbl. it's pretty obvious what the main value is - to play online. and xbl's integration and online play compared to psn is just night and day.

I don't see a huge difference, except for the fact that XBL has a chat system. I hear people say that XBL is better for online all the time, but I don't really see why.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

im not sure what you are asking about the value of xbl. it's pretty obvious what the main value is - to play online. and xbl's integration and online play compared to psn is just night and day.

Well, what I'm asking is this -- people are claiming that XBL Gold is so feature-packed and contains so much value, that paying for it is worth the money. So, what specifically is worth the money that you're paying? What differentiates XBL Gold to such a degree that it is worth the $40-$60 premium? I can get online gaming and Netflix for free on other platforms, so I don't think you can consider that a "value" of the XBL Gold subscription. So throwing those features out, what is Microsoft really giving me with my XBL Gold subscription above and beyond what Sony, for example, is giving me for free?

I let my XBL Gold subscriptions expire so I can't go home and look and compare.

 

[Beev]

xbl's integration and online play compared to psn is just night and day.

I see this mentioned a lot with no other details to back it up. I don't want to start an argument of PSN vs XBL, but what exactly does XBL do that makes the service "night and day" compared to the PSN? The chat lobbies everyone mentions? That means nothing to me, and iirc it's part of having PS+.

Back when MW2 was the game to play I played on both systems, and the services were 100% identical, yet everyone always raves about XBL. Why?

On a separate note, I absolutely can't stand the ads the 360 throws in your face every. god. damn. time you turn on the system. It disgusts me enough to not even use the system. (I mention this because I was going to use the system last night. So infuriating...)

 

[American Gunner]

I see this mentioned a lot with no other details to back it up. I don't want to start an argument of PSN vs XBL, but what exactly does XBL do that makes the service "night and day" compared to the PSN? The chat lobbies everyone mentions? That means nothing to me, and iirc it's part of having PS+.

Back when MW2 was the game to play I played on both systems, and the services were 100% identical, yet everyone always raves about XBL. Why?

On a separate note, I absolutely can't stand the ads the 360 throws in your face every. god. damn. time you turn on the system. It disgusts me enough to not even use the system. (I mention this because I was going to use the system last night. So infuriating...)

Looks like we are asking the same thing Beev. I have started to think that the party chat system is actually a bad thing when it comes to online gaming. I use it, but I have noticed that it seems like most people are using it too, which leads to less communication with team mates. Sure, it is nice to not listen to annoying people, but I think it may hinder gaming at times. And just to throw a jab in there, at least with PS+ you get discounts on new items and even get free games, on XBL you get discounts on games that are almost a year old.

 

[JackBurton]

Looks like we are asking the same thing Beev. I have started to think that the party chat system is actually a bad thing when it comes to online gaming. I use it, but I have noticed that it seems like most people are using it too, which leads to less communication with team mates. Sure, it is nice to not listen to annoying people, but I think it may hinder gaming at times. And just to throw a jab in there, at least with PS+ you get discounts on new items and even get free games, on XBL you get discounts on games that are almost a year old.

Try this on the PS3, when you turn on the system and see your friend playing MW3, open up a voice chat channel with him. To clarify, you are at the PS3 home screen and he is playing a game. Go ahead, let me know how that works out for you.

 

[Beev]

Try this on the PS3, when you turn on the system and see your friend playing MW3, open up a voice chat channel with him. To clarify, you are at the PS3 home screen and he is playing a game. Go ahead, let me know how that works out for you.

This is what I meant when I said "chat lobbies." This feature is NOT game breaking. If it is, your (general you) priorities are way out of whack... Also, I don't have PS+, but can someone confirm if this is possible for two people who both have PS+? I know they touted some cross game voice chat thing, but it seriously means nothing to me so I don't know anything about it.

Really though, is that the only point for XBL anyone can name? Because it's seriously the only one I ever see, and that's sad.

 

[American Gunner]

Try this on the PS3, when you turn on the system and see your friend playing MW3, open up a voice chat channel with him. To clarify, you are at the PS3 home screen and he is playing a game. Go ahead, let me know how that works out for you.

So that is worth $60 a year?

 

[American Gunner]

This is what I meant when I said "chat lobbies." This feature is NOT game breaking. If it is, your (general you) priorities are way out of whack... Also, I don't have PS+, but can someone confirm if this is possible for two people who both have PS+? I know they touted some cross game voice chat thing, but it seriously means nothing to me so I don't know anything about it.

Really though, is that the only point for XBL anyone can name? Because it's seriously the only one I ever see, and that's sad.

Yes, PS+ members can cross game chat.

 

[JackBurton]

So that is worth $60 a year?

It's not $60 a year, but yes, it is VERY worth it. It's freakin' irritating finding a server to play on with a friend without voice chat. "Oh awesome, we're finally on a server so we can voice chat. Chat, chat, chat. Uh oh, the host left. Chat drops." Freakin' irritating!

 

[JackBurton]

Yes, PS+ members can cross game chat.

So you have PSN Plus and can confirm this? Last I heard, they didn't and if they did I doubt it is as tightly integrated as XBL.

 

[Beev]

It's not $60 a year, but yes, it is VERY worth it. It's freakin' irritating finding a server to play on with a friend without voice chat. "Oh awesome, we're finally on a server so we can voice chat. Chat, chat, chat. Uh oh, the host left. Chat drops." Freakin' irritating!

Not... really...

Load multiplayer menu for a game
Hit triangle
Hit X on the friend you want to game with
They accept
Profit

That's really that irritating? You're already loading multiplayer up anyway, so just hit 3 buttons and enjoy.

 

[JackBurton]

This is what I meant when I said "chat lobbies." This feature is NOT game breaking. If it is, your (general you) priorities are way out of whack... Also, I don't have PS+, but can someone confirm if this is possible for two people who both have PS+? I know they touted some cross game voice chat thing, but it seriously means nothing to me so I don't know anything about it.

Really though, is that the only point for XBL anyone can name? Because it's seriously the only one I ever see, and that's sad.

XBL normally has better performance than PSN, but the main feature for me is the tight integration of voice chat and knowing you can voice chat with ANY of your friends online so you can agree on a game or server to play. When my friends are online, I can just open up a chat channel at ANY TIME and start talking to them. It is so refreshing compared to PSN it's not even funny. HOWEVER, if you don't play with friends online, I can see why you don't see any value in it. For me, it is HUGE and one of the biggest selling points of XBL. That and it's tighter security.

 

[American Gunner]

It's not $60 a year, but yes, it is VERY worth it. It's freakin' irritating finding a server to play on with a friend without voice chat. "Oh awesome, we're finally on a server so we can voice chat. Chat, chat, chat. Uh oh, the host left. Chat drops." Freakin' irritating!

Most games (like MW3) have a party lobby. If the host drops, you would be kicked to the party lobby and would still be able to talk to your friends. In fact, XBL users used to have to do this before party chat came around. And while you can find sales, the standard price is $60 a year, and all XBL gets over PSN is a party chat. It's not like match making is faster on XBL. It's all the same.

 

[American Gunner]

XBL normally has better performance than PSN, but the main feature for me is the tight integration of voice chat and knowing you can voice chat with ANY of your friends online so you can agree on a game or server to play. When my friends are online, I can just open up a chat channel at ANY TIME and start talking to them. It is so refreshing compared to PSN it's not even funny. HOWEVER, if you don't play with friends online, I can see why you don't see any value in it. For me, it is HUGE and one of the biggest selling points of XBL. That and it's tighter security.

Couldn't you send a text message? I mean, holy shit, I need to be able to talk to them so we can agree on a game. I can't just send a text that says MW3 and he joins up with me. And MS never gets hacked. I mean no one has had a bunch of money spent on MS points recently or anything...

Edit: How does it have better performance? I hear this a lot, but no one can ever actually say how it does.

 

[JackBurton]

Not... really...

Load multiplayer menu for a game
Hit triangle
Hit X on the friend you want to game with
They accept
Profit

That's really that irritating? You're already loading multiplayer up anyway, so just hit 3 buttons and enjoy.

Yes, really.

PSN: Let's say join a match and then the host leaves. Now you want to start another match, but you know you'll lose communication with your friend. But out of the blue, the game kicks you out of the lobby. Well, you want to switch up the type of game but you've lost communication with your friend and can't talk to him until you join a match. So you just join a match to open the communication up again.

Freakin' irritating. I should be able to open and KEEP open the communication channel with me friend until I decide I want to close the channel. Not after a match, not because I want to switch games, but when I say so.

 

[JackBurton]

Couldn't you send a text message? I mean, holy shit, I need to be able to talk to them so we can agree on a game. I can't just send a text that says MW3 and he joins up with me. And MS never gets hacked. I mean no one has had a bunch of money spent on MS points recently or anything...

Edit: How does it have better performance? I hear this a lot, but no one can ever actually say how it does.

Why the hell do I need to text? I can click on my friend on XBL and just open up a chat session REGARDLESS of where I am (dashboard, in game, in between games). Why the hell would I want to text when voice chatting is a much better option? Oh yeah, because the PSN can't do it.

 

[purbeast0]

I see this mentioned a lot with no other details to back it up. I don't want to start an argument of PSN vs XBL, but what exactly does XBL do that makes the service "night and day" compared to the PSN? The chat lobbies everyone mentions? That means nothing to me, and iirc it's part of having PS+.

Back when MW2 was the game to play I played on both systems, and the services were 100% identical, yet everyone always raves about XBL. Why?

On a separate note, I absolutely can't stand the ads the 360 throws in your face every. god. damn. time you turn on the system. It disgusts me enough to not even use the system. (I mention this because I was going to use the system last night. So infuriating...)

there have been numerous threads on this topic already.

1. connections are better on XBL than PSN.
2. voice chat
3. XBL integration vs PSN integration.

considering i really don't play many single player games on 360, the $40/yr i pay for XBL is worth it. again, those paying $60 for XBL are doing it totally wrong.

fwiw, i own 3 of the same games on both 360 and PS3, and the 360 version online is superior by far, for the reasons I listed above.

there are certain games on PS3 that have much better online modes than others. uncharted 3 for example you can just tell how polished the online interface is as compared to some of the other/older games.

there are even some PS3 games where the "guide" button on PS3 doesn't take you to the XMB as it should be, if you are playing online. and it's because this "feature" was tacked on to the PS3 after it had been out for like a year or so. so on some older games you can't even send messages to other friends, while playing the game online. the game i have that has this issue is Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds.

there is a reason PSN is trying to play catchup with XBL. it's because it is a better service and integrated in a better manner.

 

[American Gunner]

Yes, really.

PSN: Let's say join a match and then the host leaves. Now you want to start another match, but you know you'll lose communication with your friend. But out of the blue, the game kicks you out of the lobby. Well, you want to switch up the type of game but you've lost communication with your friend and can't talk to him until you join a match. So you just join a match to open the communication up again.

Freakin' irritating. I should be able to open and KEEP open the communication channel with me friend until I decide I want to close the channel. Not after a match, not because I want to switch games, but when I say so.

I guess I am not understanding what you are saying here. Every game I play, before I even join a game, I send an invite to my friend and he joins. Now we are in a party and can figure out what game mode we want to play before we launch anything. I don't see how that makes it hard or anything. I enjoy the party chat function on my xbox, but that doesn't mean it performs better than PSN. You said it does, so I am wondering how it performs better? Give people some examples, instead of just saying it and hoping everyone believes you.

 

[JackBurton]

Most games (like MW3) have a party lobby. If the host drops, you would be kicked to the party lobby and would still be able to talk to your friends. In fact, XBL users used to have to do this before party chat came around. And while you can find sales, the standard price is $60 a year, and all XBL gets over PSN is a party chat. It's not like match making is faster on XBL. It's all the same.

The PS3 has to rely on the game to provide chat options, XBL does not. Big difference.

You seem adamant on doing thing the hard way because you don't want to pay for the better option. If unified voice chatting was offered free on the PSN, I'm sure you'd be using all the live long day, and you'd then have a good argument against XBL annual fees. However, until PS3 can offer something comparable to XBL unified voice chat, I'd GLADLY pay for it. It just makes things so much easier.


And just an FYI, I have 2 360s and 2 PS3 and I game with my friend online most of the time with my PS3. Why? Because he doesn't have a 360. When I play other friends on my 360, XBL is just so refreshing. However I do agree with the dashboard ads. VERY annoying. The PS3 has a much better home screen.

 

[purbeast0]

Not... really...

Load multiplayer menu for a game
Hit triangle
Hit X on the friend you want to game with
They accept
Profit

That's really that irritating? You're already loading multiplayer up anyway, so just hit 3 buttons and enjoy.

except that doesn't work for all PS3 games, and the way you send invites, and the way "they accept" is different going from game to game. some games you have to be in an "accept invite" menu in the game before you can accept one. some, you have to go to the XMB and accept it. it just depends how the developer implements it.

on 360, the way you accept and send invites is identical for every single game. that is what i'm referring to when i say that XBL is integrated much better than PSN is.