Console Releases

By: Ellalaine Sagarin

As the new month dawns and November comes to a close, many find themselves preparing for the gift-giving season. The landscape of toys, games, and other ornaments has been changed drastically this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 virus. Video games are common gifts and the video game industry has remained strong despite the pandemic, in some areas even growing due to a need for less physical entertainment.¹ Earlier this month on the 10th and 12th respectively, the next iterations of the Xbox and Playstation kicked off. The Xbox Series X/S and Playstation 5 are both part of the ‘next generation’ of consoles, bringing increased hardware power as well as new software. These details leading up to their releases can be found in another article: New Video Game Consoles. However, both of these have now released and are available to consumers for play. Many different sources have begun to review and publish more information on the consoles now that they are out.

Firstly, general reviews for both of the new, competing devices have been published by major gaming websites such as IGN, Polygon, and TechRadar. Even some more general outlets such as the New York Times and CNN have published articles in reference to them. In the last console generation, the Playstation 4 was one of the best-selling consoles, and the competition between the two performance-based companies ran hot. Whether this successful streak will continue or how the new developments will change the game is going to be a major part of discussion. A major limiter of the current discourse is distribution struggles both Sony and Microsoft have faced. Demand for the consoles is extremely high and as Christmas and other holidays approach, the fervor to buy is only growing. Many people have reported websites selling out only seconds after being stocked- a combination of factors is responsible, including an underestimation of how many consoles were needed by companies, as well as increasing usage of bots by scalpers and resellers². Issues related to COVID-19 are also not helping matters, as distribution and movement of the product through states and countries is slowed or limited. Despite all these factors, plenty have been sold, and as availability increases, the discussion and review of the new systems will become more widespread.

Starting with the Playstation 5, the new console under Sony’s belt has made an explosive first impression. The company itself has now claimed the PS5 to be their largest ever console launch in terms of sales, topping out even the record-setting Playstation 4. In their statement they did not include a specific figure, but it can be implied to be larger than the 2.1 million PS4 consoles sold at launch in 2013. This figure was a record for the largest-ever video game system launch, so if Sony’s new declaration is true, this would mean a truly monumental moment in gaming history. However, many would argue that the substance and performance of the new console is of much more importance than the sales numbers. Complements have already begun to circulate the console regarding it’s improved UI, or user interface, and the ease of transferring data from the 4 to the 5. Much faster loading times have been recorded from games on both the current and previous Playstations, and an unexpected amount of praise has been given to the new DualSense controller for it’s advanced rumble and other physical effects. One complaint that has been seen is a lack of storage space in the console, meaning that users can only download a few data-heavy games before outside resources are required for more storage space⁴⁵.

Following this is the Xbox Series X/S. The console’s design has been described as generally inoffensive and takes a minimalist approach compared to the PS5’s bold white “popped collar” look. Microsoft has been praised for their continuity in more ways than one- both a familiar interface that has received few major disruptions from the prior Xbox One and a level of backwards compatibility not seen in either of its competitors. The Playstation 4 will only allow for the usage of PS4 discs, while the Nintendo Switch has no connection to the Wii U at all. Compared to these lackluster options, the Xbox allowing all discs from the Xbox 360 to work is quite generous. Loading times are also shorter, similar to the PS5, and the console promises even more powerful hardware- although consumers will have to wait and see the practicality of these changes⁶⁷. One of the largest flaws of the console, and one that may make all the difference for some people, is a complete lack of exclusives that take full use of the new graphical power of the system. This problem isn’t all with Microsoft, however.

One criticism that both new consoles are facing is a lack of new launch titles. This cannot be entirely attributed to poor planning or a lack of foresight as much as it is one of the many rippling effects of the coronavirus, and one of the few ways it has affected the video game industry. The PS5 launched with a few titles, including Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Demon Souls, and a few other titles shared with the Xbox Series X/S including Assassin's Creed: Valhalla and a new Call of Duty game. Many of these titles have received praise for their graphics and technical advancements, but they are still vitally lacking in numbers. Many of the new games can also be purchased on prior-generation consoles, meaning that for old users, there is limited incentive to get the new generation right now. The Xbox fares even worse in the eyes of many, currently having no major, first-party exclusives due to the delay of Halo Infinite earlier this year.

So far, both pros and cons about the new generation consoles have been presented, but not much can be said this early into their lifespan. New updates, patches, and games will most likely change the general experience and may improve the public’s opinion, as well as increased distribution and availability.

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Console Releases

By: Ellalaine Sagarin

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