Editorial: Xbox 360 And PS3 Future Proof Status For 2010-2011

By William Usher: 2009-09-16 16:33:25

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Editorial: Xbox 360 And PS3 Future Proof Status For 2010-2011

While here at Blend Games we speculated that the new Xbox 720 and PS4 could be utilizing holographic optical media, we’re still a long ways off from that reality coming true. For now we have to stick with the space deficient Xbox 360 and programmers-for-multi-core-processing deficient PS3. Nevertheless, we’ve seen some good things for these two consoles in the form of modest upgrades and pricing adjustments to keep both consoles relevant during these times.

Just recently at the GamesCom ’09 event Sony slashed the PlayStation 3 down to the more affordable $299.99 price point and announced the PS3 Slim. We also seen Microsoft moving the Xbox 360 Elite HD unit in place to compete with the HDMI-ready PS3 by putting it at the competitive $299.99 price range, too. What do these price cuts even mean? Nothing really, because they’re actually pseudo-price cuts to move better hardware at the same price of the older models. In a way, this is both Microsoft and Sony desperately playing the game of Chess for maintaining “future proof” relevancy.

In last year’s article on the future proof status for the Xbox 360 and PS3 it basically covered what the systems offer and how they could utilize what they already have to stay in the market. Last year’s commentary still holds true for what both companies are currently doing: Microsoft has utilized the Xbox 360’s detachable hardware to their advantage despite maintaining ridiculous prices for the peripherals; and Sony has managed to outfit the PS3 with multiple firmware upgrades to better optimize what’s already in the system (very snazzy).

From the perspective of the gamer what does this initially mean, so far? Well, nothing really, because developers are still in the same position with the 360’s storage shortage and only a moderately improved standing with the PS3 and its processing enigma. And that’s not actually a good thing.

The problems outlined in the previous editorial are still ever present for the Xbox 360, with storage capacity still playing a major issue in what content gamers won’t be receiving on a single DVD...forcing developers to break down modes, options or features into multiple DVDs (i.e., Halo 3, Mass Effect, Lost Oyssey, etc.,) The only upside is that gamers who don’t mind buying multiple DVDs for specific games (or missing out on aesthetic content like in the PS3 version of The Darkness) then the Xbox 360 still isn’t a bad choice with its Live DLC support and moderate library of semi-HD ready games. The 360 Elite’s HDMI support doesn’t hurt either.

For the PlayStation 3 it was mentioned in last year’s article that it would be a few years before seeing its potential tapped. Sadly, it was still a year before that in which the same thing was said. And while we haven’t actually seen vast improvements for what potential can come out of the processing power for the PlayStation 3 we have seen major improvements in timely releases and hardware aptitude (i.e., frame rate issues and slowdown are no where near as present as they were during earlier PS3 ports).

More than anything, we’ve seen some pretty big moves by Sony in the past year that indicate that they’re really in this for the long haul (and they have a lot of money to recoup on the losses so far). They cut down on production costs for the PS3, which allowed Sony to finally move in with the price-cut and we also seen them introduce a PS3 Slim, while still focusing on gaining exclusive new intellectual software properties such as Rockstar’s Agent. By far, if you’re planning on buying a PS3 now would definitely be a better time than a year before.

For the Xbox 360 Microsoft hasn’t done much in the area of exclusive new IPs for the next year. However, cash cow franchises like Mass Effect and Halo seem to be doing a fair job of keeping the masses satisfied up until 2011. One thing that seems to be Microsoft’s new move for future-proofing the Xbox 360 is not so much with original game projects, but with utilizing what people are already engaged in: The 360 has a slew of new action-MMOs on the way, including Funcom’s highly anticipated The Secret World, and the community games (or XBL Indie Games) category is fast expanding as a great alternative for start-up developers. Added to this, Microsoft is continuing to use Xbox Live for digital downloads, movie access and exclusive game content. So it’s not as if MS has been a slouch on the couch for a year, most of the future proofing for the Xbox 360 is maintained through the heavy support of Xbox Live.

At this point in time, if you’re a newcomer to the current generation of gaming and you’re looking for something with good graphics and great multiplayer you won’t find a bad deal in the Xbox 360. Its longevity is in Microsoft’s support for Xbox Live. If you want full-on HD gaming with HD movie support for the long haul (which is becoming more popular with Blu-Ray having won the format war) you’re definitely better off with the PS3. In either case, both companies are working hard to maintain future proofing for both consoles and that’s definitely not a bad thing for gamers.

For more gaming news, updates and industry insight, be sure to stay tuned in with Blend Games.

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