Xbox One vs. PS4 E3 2015

Whatever side of the console wars you happen to be on (Rebellion or Republic–you decide which is which) you will be pleased to see that both parties really made some great moves to impress the press and the gamers at this year’s E3.

Here are some excellent strategies that both teams employed this time around:

 

If ever Xbox and Microsoft started on the road to atonement it was this E3. They did everything they could to make us forget the previous  “Home entertainment” marketing strategy debacle  and did what they should have done from the start: EMBRACE THE PLAYERS.

perhaps the most uncharacteristic move  from Xbox and Microsoft, and the best opening we have seen from them   was its announcement that the Xbox one will be backwards compatible.

Xbox has refocused to the audience that promotes them, the players.

IT WAS ABOUT THEIR GAMES the majority of their presentations were Microsoft only titles and though I am not a big fan of big business buyouts (especially in lieu of developing your own franchises). I think any good market requires some exclusive content to enhance the drive of competition that fosters the development of newer and better games. Xbox has some great games slated for the near future.

 

Also unlike past years, they presented some features and additions that appeals to the developers and modding communities,

Specifically they talked about Fallout 4 which was the star of the previous night, and playing off of that hype they announced that the player content made on eitherWindows 10 (PC)  or Xbox One  would be available for either! (another excellent choice.)

 

 

With PS4, it was one great announcement after another and some different approaches that will be burned into our memories.  Sony is pretty keen on most of the approaches that we have seen Xbox use this year, but the key to Sony’s success at E3 2015 was in its nod to nostalgia.  Sony hit us with a 3-piece combo that made us go FINALLY getting louder with each announcement.  The first of which was the Last Guardian announcement

 

(ok that might be a slight exaggeration), that we finally see a projected release for 2015.  Then it was the unprecedented Shenmue 3 Live Kickstart.  If you want to involve the gaming community and show your Brand as one that cares about the games, what better way than to have one of the most beloved games and game creators share his passion on stage.

 

And if you do not believe me  just go to Kickstarter, or the Guinness book of world records because the Shenmue 3 campaign took dual crowns as the fastest Kickstarter to reach 1 and 2 million is support, reaching its goal within 10 hours of its launch at E3. So we have come to the final blow. Which came in the form of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake announcement.

Thanks to Max for that genuine nerdgasm.

Basically, everyone who ever played that game’s head exploded.  Possibly the most desired remake of all time is about to happen and the fans responded accordingly.  My own girlfriend burst into tear at the sound of those first 3 notes.

Not to be outdone Xbox announced its own exclusive ode to gaming memories.

Rare Replay will be coming out to Xbox One and that means  Banjo Kazooie, Perfect Dark, Jet Force Gemini, and the ENTIRE rare library will be available.

I thought it was going to be a good year for E3 and thus far everyone has exceeded my expectations. But how did you feel about the Xbox v. PS4 showdown? Who Won? Who Lost? Epic Rap Battle of… Wait that’s not right?

 

Let us know, in the comments below

 

–H00k 0ut

 

 

P.S.  For more details about the Playstation or Microsoft presentations you can go here or here respectively. (courtesy of the folks at IGN)