PlayStation 4

As we approach the holidays in the next few weeks I would like to offer some ideas for people looking to get a game system for a loved one. This will be the first of three posts that will offer information about each unit. Please remember that although I have grown to prefer PC gaming I did start out using consoles and the information here is only provided to you to assist you in making your own decision.

Lets start with the PS4

*msrp is around $399 USD

Quick heads up for parents with kid/s under 17 check 
the ESRB here before you buy a game!

You can get Triple A titles like Assassins Creed 4, Battlefield 4, Call of Duty Ghosts, Fifa 14, and many more, this is the same for the XBOX ONE and PC. These games are sold separately at a price of $60 USD each and expansions to these Triple A games can be at addition cost.

There are two Day One exclusive titles so far on the PS4, Killzone Shadow Fall and KNACK.

There will also be digital launch titles such as WAR THUNDER, Planet side 2, WARFRAM, and Blacklight Retribution. These are digital downloads but not all games are available as a digital download. There are many games available for the Sony PS4, some as a hard copy disc and others as a digital download. As for game distribution, it's easiest to compare the release of games to the release of movies. The game manufacturer chooses what platforms the game will be available for. There is a bit of rivalry among manufactures but in the gaming world what matter is being able to play the game with your friends. If I don't have the same gaming console and game as my friend does, we will not be able to play the game together. The consoles are not compatible.

The PS4 will also let you live stream on Twitch and Ustream this will vary in the ability to do so on different internet speeds.

The PlayStation Camera is a motion sensing input device much like that of the XBOX 360 Kinect, the PlayStation Camera is sold separately the MSRP is $60 USD.

The PlayStation 4 will require PlayStation Plus membership in order to play online it is an additional $60 USD. With the membership you do get free games and discounts on games in the PlayStation Store, and PlayStation Plus works with PS3, PS4, and PS Vita.

The PS4 comes with one controller. Additional controllers can be purchased separately. Sadly, the controller from the PS3 will not work with the PS4.

Base price for the PS4, second controller, a single game, motion sensor, and a Plus yearly subscription comes to $630.00. In my experience I allow plus or minus ten percent to the purchase price.

There are a few more features that I did not discuss but they of course come at a cost.

To wrap it all up it is good for gaming and watching movies it can play blue-rays/dvds and will for many years until the next PlayStation comes out.

My next blog will cover the XBOX ONE.