The End of the Console Wars

Feature

By Jon May

Husky Herald Reporter

   
  There was a recent race happening around the world that has just about come to a close, with one thing pulling out in front. The recent console war has supposedly come to an end with one system “winning”, the PS4.

   I say supposedly because how do we really determine how a system “wins” a console war?

While interviewing a few students, they gave me a couple insights on what it takes to truly be on the top of the console wars.

   TJ Ruedisueli (’14) said, “I can see why people would want to buy the PS4 it’s cheaper than the Xbox One.” This is the common belief on why the PS4 is a better choice which may have ultimately led to it being the most sold console of the new generation of games.

   To back up what TJ said, overall the PS4 has sold around 2 million more units than the Xbox One. That’s roughly $840,000,000 more profit that Sony (the developers of the system) has over Microsoft. They are sold for a mere $400 whereas the Xbox one is sold for $500.

   However price and units sold are not the only things that determine whom exactly is the winner of a console race. Another Key factor is the amount of games sold.

   An insane 13.7 Million games have recently been sold by the PS4 with those numbers rising. A single game can impact the amount or kind of console that is being sold.

   Brian Tomiuk (’14) a PS4 owner has a say on this, “I bought a PS4 so I could play the new ghosts. I’m also looking forward to the new Watchdogs game. It’s one of the main reasons I bought the PS4.”

   Tomiuk is an exact proof that one game can lead to the sudden rise of a console being sold. The same can be said for the Xbox One.

   Titanfall a FPS that came out on March 11^th 2014 has drastically increased Microsoft’s sales. It increased the sales of the Xbox one by 96%.

   Tom Coop (’14) says, “Titanfall is my favorite game for the Xbox One. I have been waiting for the release of Titanfall ever since the One came out.”

   So what console has truly won the console wars? Well both consoles are still brand new with hundreds more game franchises still waiting to release. For Xbox it’s the new Halo Game, for PS4 it’s the new 1984. 

   There is no true way to determine a winner for these console wars. As long as video games exist there will be a continuing controversy on which one is better, but for that question to be answered you will have to see for yourself.