Reasons Why the PS4 Will Continue to Outsell the Xbox One

The revolutionary competition that has been raging between Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation has only continued to escalate with the release of each subsequent gaming console. The most recent of which being the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One releases in November of 2013. Now that gamers around the world have had ample time to compare and contrast the features and functionality of both, an undeniable decision has been reached: the PS4 will continue to outsell the Xbox One.

Here are the main reasons why:

Sharper Design & Build

Blocky shapes and sharp lines are the new black when it comes to tech fashion. While both the PS4 and the Xbox One are strutting a sharper look with harder edges, the Xbox One’s VCR-like 80’s look has been met with mixed reactions. On the other hand, the PS for has taken on an angular and strikingly slanted look, with a parallel two-tone design that is intersected by a blue glowing line. The new look is both hip and modern, but eerily reminiscent of the past. Of course, it all depends on your personal style. While the Xbox One blends in better with your TV and entertainment systems, the PS4 is simply easier on the eyes.

Graphics & Power

While both of the gaming consoles feature many of the same basic components, such as AMD processors with 8GB RAM, the PS4 continues to get better results due to the exotic GDDR5 RAM that it uses. So, basically this means that the PS4 has more bandwidth to play with, literally.

Remote Play

One area where the PS4 completely has the Xbox One trumped is the option for remote play. Sony also provides the PlayStation Vita dedicated handheld, which allows you to combine the two so that you can play PS4 games on your Vita handheld. Since this technology works over a network, you can even use it when you are away from home, although it is best for both devices to be on the same network. So far, the only issue that has been found on certain games is that the DualShock 4 controller and the Vita don’t have the same exact buttons. Even so, the Xbox One doesn’t even have this option.

Controllers

While we haven’t seen as much change here as we have in other areas, there have definitely been some marked improvements. Similar to the existing DualShock controller, PS4’s DualShock 4 controller has an added touchpad and the Select and Start buttons have been rebranded. It also seems that Sony has learned a lesson from Microsoft’s Xbox and added thumbsticks with easier to grip tops and L2/R2 triggers that are more bowl-shaped, so that your fingers won’t slip off during gameplay.

One of the biggest improvements is that the DualShock 4 boasts a light bar which can identify players. In other words, the PS4 can tell which players are using which controllers during multiplayer gaming and will reorganize the split screen layout if anyone changes positions. Finally, the DualShock 4 also boasts built-in speakers, enhanced rumble tech and a headphone jack.

Indie Games

Microsoft and Sony have both been ingratiating indie developers, however, the PS4 has gotten a head start compared to the Xbox One. When the PS4 was released, they had a small offering of games such as Super Motherload and Contrast at launch. In the following months since then, they have continued to grow their offering of indie games. It is believed that Sony’s advantage is most likely a result of their developer – relations team who have been working to encourage smaller teams to release their games on the PS4.

Social Sharing

With the world of social media continually expanding, it is no wonder that Sony’s focus has turned to social gaming, which they have incorporated to the point where even the DualShock 4 controller has an added Share button that allows players to take quick screenshots or video of their latest conquests and share them with friends.

Sony’s new focus on social gaming now gives players the option to sync their account with their Facebook, and even use their real names. When you are ready to start a game, you will find downloadable content and player comments before you even boot it up.

Live Streaming Options

While both consoles offer players the option to livestream their gameplay, the PS4 has offered both Twitch and Upstream since their launch. Xbox One incorporated it into their features earlier this year, however, they only offer Twitch.

Preloading Digital Games

Both systems now offer almost every game available through their online stores via digital download. Which, while this is a convenient way to purchase new games, there have been numerous issues in the amount of time that players have to wait for it to download and install.

Sony is working on a solution to this problem by introducing the ability to pre-download pre-ordered games on the PS4. Basically, players who purchased the game via digital download before its actual release date were able to download and install the software, and it was then unlocked on its release day. Currently Xbox One does not have this ability.

Price

Finally, let’s not forget one of the most important factors between these two gaming consoles: the price. The fact that the Xbox One cost an additional $100 more than the PS4 upon release, due to the additional costs of the Kinect, made it easier than ever for the PS4 to trump them in sales.

To date, Sony has sold more than 7 million PS4s. Meanwhile, Microsoft has not released any data regarding their sales figures since January, when they passed the 3 million units sold marker. Most believe that this is due to the fact that they are lagging behind Sony in sales.

Quite frankly, everyone blames the Kinect’s manual inclusion in the Xbox One package as the reason for its lagging sales figures. While the Kinect would make a great optional accessory, its manual inclusion has hurt rather than helped.

These are the main reasons why the PS4 will continue to outsell the Xbox One in the coming months and years ahead.