I don't really WANT to get an XBone, but...

[gorfias]

If they are good friends and you like to play with them get the Xbox One, friends make gaming better.

I'm PS4/WiiU/PC at this time. One of my best buddy's will never give up his Xbox. That is where his friends are at. If I had a circle of friends like that, I'd be getting the XB1 too.

As it is, I just jump into any available multi-player and play with whoever. That may change. But for now, I'm not anti-social. I just stink on ice and don't want to disappoint a team.

Better to play single player on very easy mode. Or find some other friends who stink and join some kind of team.

the ps4 would work too but you'd need to wait for a larger library. Same with the xbone.

Nah, they got games. It just isn't a budget sort of thing now or in the next year. S/he'll be spending $60 a game, but there's a decent amount out there now. It's just going to wicked cost you. But, if you've got the money, why not? We deserve to pamper ourselves once in a while.

I recommend PS+ too. Games like Outlast are free with it.

I'm still buying PS3 games for under $5. It is hard to let go of last gen.

PC: I am waiting till I have about $2,500 to blow. DDR4 is becoming a thing, SSD DX12. I do want to be ready for all of that. For now, you're right: At $1,500, this person can buy quite a bit to make his PC a terrific gaming machine.

 

[Catrixa]

Can you name a game on the XBone, right now, that your friends are playing that you really want to play? If not, why are you worried about the 'Bone? Consoles seem to only get better over time, so the only reason to get one before there are games you want on it is because there are games you know for sure you will want to play guaranteed (like, Game X is announced, you really want to play it, you get the device required to run it). If you're just banking on the idea that your friends will eventually switch because of some mystery game that will be possibly awesome, I'd just wait until there is a tangible game with an actual friend-based following. If you know your friends moving to XBone is inevitable and are worried you'll spend the money before then, put that money into savings.

As far as what to get now (should you decide you really want a better rig now): what device has the most games you want to play on it? If it's PS4, get a PS4 (I've enjoyed it thus far). If it's PC, join the master race (if I could only have one gaming device for the rest of time, it'd be my PC. I can't play Feed the Beast on consoles...). Just don't base a decision on someone else's potential future decisions, because people aren't that reliable (especially when it comes to things you don't need to live).

 

[Stryc9]

This is pretty simple, do whichever is going to make you happy. Maybe if none of your friends have gotten an Xbox One yet you could set the trend by buying a PS4 or even convert them to PC gamers. If not...oh well. Just remember, multiplayer isn't everything.

 

[The Lunatic]

Recommend they join the Master Race.

But, of course, if they're dead set on peasantry, then, I suppose you could dirty your hands.

As of right now however, there's nothing to actually get on the Xbone, so, really, you may as well wait.

 

[Shadow-Phoenix]

I'd say go where the games you like are, it also would help even more if some friends of yours are where they are since it means co-op or possibly multiplayer games with local friends can be more worth playing, it worked out that way for me when playing Diablo 3+ROS with friends along with the Halo series on the 360.

I wouldn't totally outright ditch your friends though, that kinda leaves a not so great impression.

Though this is the Escapist the answers will mostly result in biased answers other than "go where the games you like are 50/50" answer which tends to work just as well.

 

[Andy Shandy]

Get whatever has the games you want. I got the Xbox One, because it has more games that I'm interested in than the PS4.

And no, despite what people who've not touched the thing might say, the One isn't the Console Antichrist.

And it's actually cheaper in the UK (well to get the Titanfall bundle, in comparison to the Infamous PS4 Bundle)

 

[DrOswald]

Hello my fellow Escapists, I come to you seeking a bit of advice. Seems last year I was living below the poverty line and as such get a full tax refund of around $1500. As such, and with the fact that I now finally have a stable job (woo-hoo!) I can afford to pick up a next-gen console. So here's the deal...

I don't really want an XBone because Microsoft is...well...Microsoft. However pretty much all my friends from the 360 are going to be getting an XBone sooner or later and, obviously, I'd still get to play with them as we transition into the new generation. I'd be much happier with a PS4, but that would mean forsaking all my friends and basically having to start a friends list from scratch.

The thing is, if I'm going to be abandoning my 360 friends anyways, I'm also considering the fact that I might as well go big and join up with the PC Master Race, as I'm sure that tax refund money could be spent upgrading my current PC to turn it into a gaming rig (pretty sure all I'd need would be a decent graphics card, as I believe the standard specs for my processor and such are pretty decent as it is). There's also the fact that I've got a birthday coming up next month, and as such could likely pick up a next-gen console then if I really want one.

So what do you say? Is the XBone really as bad as we make it out to be? They've rolled back on all the "features" that I was against, so now there's just an extra $100 price-tag for a Kinect that I will never use. Should I stay with Xbox, though, because Friendship is Magic? Or should I say "screw it" and go for a PS4? Or - perhaps even better - finally don the uniform of the PC Master Race since I'll be leaving behind my 360 friends anyways if I don't get an XBone?

I am a strong proponent of the PC, but only if you are the type of gamer that is going to take advantage of the unique benefits of the PC. PC gaming is certainly more expensive initially and it takes some more effort. PC gaming is for the gaming enthusiast, for the gamer who wants access to the vast stores of indie titles that only PC gaming grants, or for the sort of person that bulk value is greatly appealing. If you want both quality and quantity on the cheap and you are patient enough to wait for 6 months to get a game you want, the PC is for you.

On the other hand, if all you want is an occasional AAA title to fill a few hours of gaming a week, you are probably best off getting a PS4.

 

[DrOswald]

If they are good friends and you like to play with them get the Xbox One, friends make gaming better.

I'm PS4/WiiU/PC at this time. One of my best buddy's will never give up his Xbox. That is where his friends are at. If I had a circle of friends like that, I'd be getting the XB1 too.

As it is, I just jump into any available multi-player and play with whoever. That may change. But for now, I'm not anti-social. I just stink on ice and don't want to disappoint a team.

Better to play single player on very easy mode. Or find some other friends who stink and join some kind of team.

the ps4 would work too but you'd need to wait for a larger library. Same with the xbone.

Nah, they got games. It just isn't a budget sort of thing now or in the next year. S/he'll be spending $60 a game, but there's a decent amount out there now. It's just going to wicked cost you. But, if you've got the money, why not? We deserve to pamper ourselves once in a while.

I recommend PS+ too. Games like Outlast are free with it.

I'm still buying PS3 games for under $5. It is hard to let go of last gen.

PC: I am waiting till I have about $2,500 to blow. DDR4 is becoming a thing, SSD DX12. I do want to be ready for all of that. For now, you're right: At $1,500, this person can buy quite a bit to make his PC a terrific gaming machine.

$2500? Why in the world would you ever need that much for a gaming PC? I am not saying it is a bad idea, I am just really curious what kind of machine you are building for that amount of cash.

 

[Allspice]

Buy what makes you happy. Make a list of what you think the pros and cons of both systems are, list the games that are out/confirmed to be coming out that you're interested in and buy the one that you think will make the most sense for you.

 

[loa]

Name one thing that is on the xbone right now that you want to actually play.
If you can name one thing you really want, you can consider getting it.
If you can't and buy it anyway, don't come crying back here about how you just bought an expensive doorstop on the off chance that your online friends might buy it because of brand loyalty.

Not everyone who has a 360 will get the "upgrade".
I know I won't touch that darn thing until I get an *amazing* reason to do so.
Like free online play with full backwards compatibility or the best exclusive since eternal darkness and a price slashed in half after microsoft wisens up and realizes that no one wants that shitty kinect gimmick.

 

[Savagezion]

Edit: Wow, there's a lot of people saying "screw your friends, do your own thing!" And I can certainly understand and appreciate that. But let me try to clarify: they're not telling me I should get an XBone, in truth I don't really even "know" any of them. I'm the the States, there's a couple friends in Canada, one in Spain, one in Scotland, one in New York, and a few in England. These are guys that I've been playing with on the 360 for years, and I'm fairly certain that most of them are going with the XBone. Truth be told, I don't really have many gamer friends that actually live in my area, so it's not like my personal friends are trying to pressure me into getting an XBone. Does that put a little perspective on why I'd even consider buying an XBone due to friends? Or is the general consensus still "Screw'em all"?

Sounds to me like you already want a PS4. I want to tell you to go PC but PC gaming really hits my gaming itch with strategy and simulation/city builder titles so I have a strong bias towards PC from the games I play. All I'll say is mods are pretty awesome. If your friends haven't said they are definitely going Xbone, you never know. I am seeing PS4 media coverage boasting over the casual market and Xbone isn't really winning in that field. They are always defending why "they haven't screwed up". I am seeing many casuals start to favor the PS4 in my area just based off media. Playstation Now is pretty big here. However, people around me also know me to be a Sony fan so maybe that whole perspective is skewed. However, the point is consider if you buy a Xbone and it turns out only 2 others did and the others are absent because they went PS4. How likely is that? Would you feel burned?

Ultimately, PSN does have some really cool people on it and while starting over from scratch does suck, its a new generation. People's schedules will change over the next 8 years and gaming may even have to go away for them for a couple years. This gen probably won't the be the same as last gen even if everyone ends up on the same system because life will happen. The console landscape is starting over from scratch so a big reset button just hit the online communities as it is in a sense. If you plan to switch, now is the best time.

If you know they are all going to be on the Xbone, you need to decide if you prefer playing with them more than playing the games themselves. Then I would go Xbone. Otherwise, I would go PS4. Because it sounds like you want a PS4 for the same reasons I do. I am staring at the same decision with Wii-U and PS4. I just want Nintendo to give me a reason to choose it. Any reason will do. But "The next Nintendo console" isn't selling me by itself. Nor is the re-release library of last gen titles I own on PS3. "The next Playstation console" is. I may hate Microsoft but at least they try in America, where I live.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Get what YOU want. And if what YOU want the most is to play online with your friends, then get an Xbone. If your desire to play with them is stronger than your wish for better price, better DRM and (in my opinion) better exclusives, that settles it.

 

[PoolCleaningRobot]

Edit: Wow, there's a lot of people saying "screw your friends, do your own thing!" And I can certainly understand and appreciate that. But let me try to clarify: they're not telling me I should get an XBone, in truth I don't really even "know" any of them. I'm the the States, there's a couple friends in Canada, one in Spain, one in Scotland, one in New York, and a few in England. These are guys that I've been playing with on the 360 for years, and I'm fairly certain that most of them are going with the XBone. Truth be told, I don't really have many gamer friends that actually live in my area, so it's not like my personal friends are trying to pressure me into getting an XBone. Does that put a little perspective on why I'd even consider buying an XBone due to friends? Or is the general consensus still "Screw'em all"?

Well, are you positive you'll keep playing with them in the future? If the money is trivial to you then just get an Xbone. If not, and you grow distant from your long distance friends you'll be left loathing that $500 box you bought.

I was faced with this situation once. I had several friends with 360's and only a few with ps3's and this was way back when the ps3 was still $400. In the end, it came down to the games for me. I really wanted MGS4 and I wasn't interested in any Xbox exclusives. The games that I wanted that weren't on ps3 like Metro 2033 were on pc, and I heard many a tale about the glory of pc gaming graphics, mods, and Steam sales. I didn't own a pc but was going to need one for college and I didn't want to pay for Xbox Live so in the end I bought a ps3 then saved up and bought a gaming laptop. Given the shit Microsoft did with the 360 like their ads, their shitty treatment of indi devs, the ps3 exclusives and ps2 and ps1 games, the cross compatibility with the psp, and the amount of money I saved not paying for Xbox live for 5 years, I feel like I dodged a bullet in the long run. Who knows, maybe if I bought an Xbox I'd be way more into online gaming

PC gaming however, is a different story. Don't your expectations for pc gaming too high or you will be crushed. If you're not already good with pc's, get ready to learn

 

[fix-the-spade]

$1,500.00 won't get you a PC that can ride out the generation, not when gen 1 titles like Watch_Dogs are pushing 8GB ram requirements, or Titanfall requiring +3GB VRAM to not shit its pants. In a year or so, system reqs will be pretty ridiculous.

Titanfall only needs 3GB VRAM on it's 'insane' setting, which is far beyond either new console already. Given the hardware in the current consoles a $1500 PC will have nothing to worry about in the next five years, I'd go as far as to say a $1000 unit won't either.

We will see with Watchdogs, although it's interesting that Ubisoft is ignoring DX10 completely for the PC version.

 

[vIRL Nightmare]

I'd recommend a ps4 or a gaming PC, honestly a gaming PC if you can afford it's upkeep.

I personally own a ps4 and am quite pleased with it so either option is sound.

 

[ArithianFlame]

How much do you like your friends? I met several guys on Halo: Reach that I ended up playing with for years. We knew each other by name and migrated together to other games as well. I still talk with one of them on a regular basis. If you're really close with them go for an Xbox.

If that's not a big issue, I'd recommend PC. As others have been saying, it's not at all as expensive as many think. Sink all $1500 into a custom built and you'd run everything maxed out or close to it for years. You could probably do it for as little as $900-1000 if you shopped smart/knew people.

 

[Caiphus]

If they are good friends and you like to play with them get the Xbox One, friends make gaming better.

This site is disturbingly anti social...

Yeah, even though I'd prefer a PS4 over an Xbox One, I can understand why you'd be in a bit of a pickle if all of your friends were getting an Xbox. I'm slightly surprised at the amount of people going "Ew, friends. Make new ones".

 

[Shoggoth2588]

Back when I was a kid, I remember wanting a Playstation when a friend let me play on his. But earlier on I remember loving going over to other friend's houses who owned Sega Genesis. Being an SNES owner, it was nice having Sega owners over and going over to their places. Of course I was a kid then and, couldn't just buy my own consoles...

 

[Lictor Face]

Well, this is the Escapist, origin of the Pc Master Race larceny.

But anyway, just do you what you want really. Its all personal preference, I do intend to get an Xbox One somewhere down the road, and I am well aware I'm not exactly
getting bang for my buck in terms of hardware and price. But still, its my personal preference. I like the Xbox franchise out of sentimental reasons that I won't explain, so I'll jolly well get an Xbox One, and not a new PC or whatever.

This is something all the Pc Master Race cultists need to acknowledge, most console users are well aware that they're paying more money for an inferior system. And I think I speak for most console users that in that we're well aware of that, but still use consoles anyway because its our personal preference, and it makes us happy.

Of course there are bad apples on both side of the spectrum, but I thought this needs to be said. I'm tired of seeing people repeatedly trying to explain how a PC is superior to a console when I already know why it is, but I simply do not want to put my console money towards a PC. Call it irrational, stupid or whatever, but if getting a console makes me happier? I'll jolly well do it.

 

[busterkeatonrules]

Based on your edit, I say get a PS4.

You filled up your friends list once, you can do it again! Online buddies whom you've never met in real life, are not worth the price of committing to a console that you personally feel is not your thing.

Or you could do the master race thing. [small]Don't be stupid / Be a smarty / Come und join / Ze PC party![/small]

I'll say nothing against this option - except that I wouldn't do it. You never know when you'll need to upgrade that computer AGAIN, nor how much it would cost. On a positive note, anything you DO buy for it will give you proper value for your money - no fancy-ass new tech unless you want it! (Yup, I'm thinking of the Kinect here.)

Consoles are the 'safe' option, reliable and relatively affordable, and even when technology finally does outpace your console (a new one comes out), you'll know about it a long time in advance!