Microsoft impresses at Gamescom while Sony stands still
How quickly things can change. Just a few short months ago there were already people willing to write off the Xbox One and condemn it as a failure due to Microsoft's policies and confusing messages. Fast forward to present day and the console appears to be in a much stronger position after an impressive showing at Gamescom, especially as Sony seemingly stood still and failed to capitalise on the excitement it generated at E3.
Microsoft kicked things off with a bang when it confirmed that every Xbox One pre-order would have a copy of FIFA 14 bundled in with it. A massive criticism of the console was the high price point and this goes some way to remedying those concerns. Having an extremely popular, AAA game thrown in with every Xbox One is a smart move, no matter how much Microsoft paid EA for the privilege.
The platform holder also got to reveal even more details and gameplay for its titles, and right now it looks like Xbox One has the more impressive line-up of exclusives. Titanfall is particular looks superb, a game that takes the Call of Duty format and adds innovation and excitement. I mean, it's got giant mechs that fall from the sky and the ability to wall-run, what more could you want?
Dead Rising 3 adds zombie-killing fun, Ryse is the visually impressive powerhouse and Forza Motorsport 5 brings the racing sim into the next-generation. Sony also has some good games but the general consensus is that they don't bring as much excitement. It looks as if Killzone: Shadow Fall is being marketed as the must-play game on the PlayStation 4, but it mostly looks like more of what we've seen before, while the same could be said of InFamous: Second Son. DriveClub just can't compete with Forza and Knack looks unlikely to appeal to a large audience.
Sony decided to use a large chunk of its press conference to talk about indie titles and how it'll help the smaller developers to create games for the PS4. This is all very well and good, and it's no doubt beneficial to the industry as a whole for creative minds to be given more help, but is your last big press conference before a massive console release the right time to focus on such matters? This is when you should be championing new games and the power of the console, not spending 15 minutes talking about games that the casual player will probably never hear of.
Microsoft still has a lot of making up to do in the eyes of a lot of gamers. The DRM and Kinect issues angered many, while all the backtracking and U-turns will leave even the hardcore fans confused about what's going on. But after the dust has settled, it's clear that today's Xbox One is now a better console than the one revealed back in May.
Of course there will be some gamers who have already made their minds up and put in their pre-orders for the next-generation. Those players are unlikley to be swayed by anything that was or wasn't announced at Gamescom, but for those who have left putting in their pre-orders until now the Xbox One has suddenly made the decision that much harder.