E3 is underway, and unlike editions of the past few years, we’re treated to all new console reveals (if you ignore Nintendo, who’s already had one out for a bit… did you know?) which means people are excited. It’s been more than 7 years after all! And while a lot of folks had been talking about Microsoft’s XBox One and it’s next-gen Kinect and rumble-trigger controllers… Sony just gave them a slap heard round the world with the PS4. How? Two things: 1) the ability to share, sell, rent or lend any game, without restrictions and 2) pricing the console at $399 rather than Microsoft’s $499. There. Case closed. Sony wins.
It might look like we’re exaggerating, but in case you haven’t been keeping track, this matters because the XBox One will officially make it near impossible to do anything with your games once you’ve paid for them, unless the publisher allows it, which is unlikely. Yes, Microsoft is ready to deal a fatal blow to an entire industry built around renting games and reselling used ones. Worse still, the console has to check in to a central server every 24 hours or even single player games stop working! You’re not online? You’re a soldier stationed in the middle of nowhere? Tough luck, no XBox One for you, son. Rumble triggers, next-gen Kinect, super ultra TV central? That won’t matter to a lot of people who’ll be more than happy to flock to Sony for what is likely to be just as good a gaming machine for $100 less, and 100% more freedom. Good job, Sony.
Incidentally, you should watch the instructional video below. It’s Sony’s step-by-step on how to share a game when you have a PS4.