Xbox One vs PlayStation 4: Let the games begin

SINGAPORE — It has been a long, hard wait for Xbox fans in Singapore, but Microsoft’s next-generation console, the Xbox One, is finally hitting our shores on Sept 23, almost a year after it had been released in some other countries.

And to further tempt gamers, Sony is releasing a white edition of the PlayStation 4 (PS4) on Sept 9.

The Xbox One will be released in two different bundles: A S$639 version that comes packaged with EA Sports’ FIFA 15 and a S$739 version that comes with the new Kinect motion controller, EA Sports’ FIFA 15 and dancing game Dance Central Spotlight.

The Glacier White PS4 will retail at S$639. There is also a S$699 bundle that comes with the highly anticipated game Destiny.

CHOOSING YOUR CONSOLE

Destiny is set to be released on both Xbox and PlayStation platforms, and this might be the game that helps you decide which console to get if you do not have one yet.

The Xbox One is launching 12 days after the game is released, which means gamers seeking to get a new console only for Destiny will be choosing the PS4 if they want to start playing as soon as possible.

Destiny developer Bungie, which is also behind the popular Halo franchise for the Xbox, has created a beautiful first-person shooter. The game was a blast to play during its beta and it is a pity that Microsoft did not time the launch of the Xbox One with this game.

If you are in no rush to get Destiny but still want a console ahead of the holiday season, the exclusives for each console might be the deciding factor. The PS4 will get racing game Driveclub and puzzle-platformer LittleBigPlanet 3 as exclusives this year, while the Xbox One will get a remake of the classic Halo series, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Dance Central Spotlight, third-person shooter Sunset Overdrive and racing game Forza Horizon 2.

The consoles’ back catalogue of titles should also guide your decision: The Xbox One will have giant robot shooter Titanfall at launch, while a remastered version of last year’s amazing The Last Of Us is available on the PS4.

The Xbox One will have some catching up to do. With the huge lead time in multiple markets, it is with little surprise that the PS4 has sold 10 million units as of July this year. In comparison, Microsoft had previously announced that five million units were sent to retailers as of April.

Microsoft, in explaining the delayed release of the Xbox One, had promised to have the “right localised content, right applications” for Asia at launch, but these plans appear to have been quietly shelved, meaning that gamers hoping for special Singapore-based tie-ups with local content providers would have waited for nought.

Still, now might be the time to get a PS4 or Xbox One — or both — as game developers come to grips with the new hardware. Destiny aside, the slate of new games this year is exciting, and games launching early next year, such as 2K Games’ Evolve, Sony’s The Order: 1886 and CD Projekt RED’s The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, further ensure that you will be glued to gaming on your console.

OUR OWN GAME SHOW

Gaming fans in the region have one more thing to look forward to next month: The inaugural edition of consumer-gaming event GameStart will be held at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre on Oct 25 and 26.

“(Gamers) could be among the first in Singapore or even South-east Asia to try out new and upcoming games,” said Ms Elicia Lee, founder of event organiser Eliphant.

Sony has signed on to be the first main sponsor of the regional event and will be bringing games such as LittleBigPlanet 3, Driveclub and horror game The Evil Within. Bandai Namco Games has also confirmed that it is participating.

Eliphant is negotiating with other publishers.

Ms Lee added that overseas guests from the games industry would be making their way down, while Street Fighter fans will be able to watch top players from across Asia battle it out in the Capcom Pro Tour Asia Finals, which is organised with gaming hardware maker Razer.

With the Xbox One hitting our shores, new games ready to consume all our free time and a gaming event to call our own, it is a great time to be a gamer.

Sept 2: The Sims 4 (PC)

Sept 9: Destiny (PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

Sept 23: FIFA 15 (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One); Dance Central Spotlight (Xbox One)

Sept 30: Forza Horizon 2 (Xbox 360, Xbox One)

Oct 10: Driveclub (PS4)

Oct 14: The Evil Within (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

Oct 24: Civilization: Beyond Earth (PC)

Oct 28: Sunset Overdrive (Xbox One)

Nov 4: Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

Nov 11: Halo: The Master Chief Collection (Xbox One)