First, let’s ask the question – Does it matter? Since this was announced, i’ve seen a lot of comments from people who say that they don’t understand what the big deal is. They apparently don’t listen to music, so it’s an absurd thought that anyone else would. But the fact is, a large part of the gaming population does indulge in music and other forms of media that is currently on the consoles. A recent poll by Joystiq shows that close to 48% of players had used their console to listen to music at one time or another. On VGN, a poll showed 41% of players listened to music on their consoles. So no matter how you slice it, a lot of people enjoy jamming to tunes while blowing away some pixels.

It’s clear that both Sony and Microsoft would rather have gamers use their music service; Microsoft’s Xbox Music, and Sony’s Music Unlimited. But how far are they going to go in order to do that? Neither Sony nor Microsoft currently offer ad-supported music streaming with their services. Why not? That seems like a great way to rope people in. I know personally, I leave Pandora playing in the background almost all day at work.

But my question is this – how flexible is snapping in Xbox One? Currently, the Xbox 360 has a ton of apps. Some of those apps, like iheartradio, offer free music that is ad-based. I’m curious to see if Xbox One will bring over these same apps on the Xbox One and allow you to use those in the background. If so, then this would obviously be a great alternative for Xbox players to not have to be sucked into another subscription. I’m also curious to see if they will have a media type player that allows you to play your own music by DLNA in the background while you are gaming.  Considering you can snap the internet in the same window as your game, I don’t see why this would be a problem. But then again, it is Microsoft we are talking about here.

Fingers crossed, i’m hoping in the end that both PS4 & Xbox One give gamers an option when it comes to how they consume their media, without being forced to pick Microsoft or Sony as our music distributor. My cell phone doesn’t make me choose. My PC doesn’t make me choose. My tablet doesn’t make me choose. So why should my console make me choose? Especially considering the current gen consoles don’t even force you to choose.

And finally, for those of you saying it shouldn’t matter and that you don’t want a media console anyways.  I would like to ask you – why settle for less?  You can go buy a pre-paid phone off the shelf that plays music.  So why would a $399 or $499 device NOT play your music. Especially considering that between 40-50% at LEAST of the gaming population says they’ve listened to music while gaming.  We all like to relax in our own unique ways when we are gaming.  I think it would be a little redonkulus to have a state-of-the-art gaming console in your living room that can’t even play your own music.

Sources:

Unity 3D game engine free to Xbox One devs: Gamasutra

Xbox One DLNA Compatible: Mirror.UK

Sony may reverse DLNA policy on PS4: OCanada

Xbox One Music Subscription Service: Polygon

VGN: Video Games and News

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But what do they offer that is different?

Last week, I took a look at the top PS4 features.  Now it’s time to take a look at the Top Xbox One Features.

• Controller: Impulse triggers – 4 motors inside the Xbox One controller allow developers to give feedback to your fingertips like never before.  Each motor can be programmed to respond in different ways depending on the feedback of what is happening in game.  Example: Racing  - Driving over various terrain will give corresponding feedback to the controller.  Driving over gravel will vibrate differently than driving over grass or asphalt.  FPS games would let you ‘feel’ different weapons.  If you empty the chamber, it will feel differently than when you are shooting a high powered rifle. And shooting a rifle will feel unique compared with firing a rocket launcher for example.  Each motor is controlled separately, which allows developers to cue movement in only the parts of the controller they wish to use.

• Smart Match Matchmaking:  This system allows players to search for multiplayer matches across Xbox Live. Players can search for matches based on skill, age, languages, DLC etc.

• Reputation System Revamped:  Smart matchmaking will filter the good players from the bad players.  Anytime players are reported, or muted by fellow players – Xbox is evaluating their interactions.  A player who is regularly misbehaving – or who is commonly reported or muted will lose reputation points and will be thrown in multiplayer matches with players who play similarly

• Cloud Power: The cloud is going to offer Microsoft a number of different features.  Developers can push out updates and new achievements with no delay.  Games can be updated in real-time (Example: Sports games that use real player stats could be updated as games are played in real life.)  Forza has shown that the Xbox AI can learn and adapt to human behavior. Microsoft is also giving all developers and publishers access to these servers at a very low rate.  That most games should be on dedicated servers. (See Xbox One vs PS4 Cloud)

• Devkit: Every Xbox One will also double as a developer kit.  This will give indies an opportunity to work with Xbox One, Windows 8, Kinect, the cloud, as well as apps.

• Kinect 2.0:

1) All new voice algorithms allow for natural voice communications.  Example: “Show me movies with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.”.  If you take advantage of the HDMI in with your TV box, you can also turn on your TV and control the volume with the sound of your voice without ever picking up the remote.2) Motion capture upgraded from original Kinect.  The Kinect 2.0 can see in the dark, and can be used while you are on the couch.  It can now track facial gestures, finger movements, weight balance, and more.

 VGN: Video Games and News

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