Why buying a Xbox One or PS4 at launch is stupid

[lisreal2401]

So, I'm not sure if a lot of members here plan on buying one of these consoles at launch or soon after, but I wanted to make a point as to why it's probably not a good idea unless you really have nothing else to use your monies on. Now, I initially planned on making a longer post with lots of stuff to talk about, but I figured most of that was already known or just not needed to reiterate. Now, something I have noticed, was the fact that there's like nothing coming out for these consoles in terms of boxed releases for quite some time after launch, and even then, it's like not even five games. Lets looks at the upcoming releases, shall we?

December, January, February, March, April, May

Xbox 360: Fable Anniversary, Titanfall

PS3: Gran Turismo 6, BlazBlue

Both: Thief, Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z, Lightning Returns Final Fantasy 13, Dark Souls 2, South Park Stick of Truth, Dying Light Earth Defense Force 2025, Yaiba Ninja Gaiden Z, Watch Dogs, Wolfenstein, Metal Gear Solid Ground Zeroes

PS4: Infamous Second Son, Planetside 2

Xbox One: Titanfall

Both: Metal Gear Solid Ground Zeroes, Watch Dogs, Dying Light, Thief, Wolfenstein The New Order, The Elder Scrolls Online

So, that means that the PS4 only has one exclusive coming out until May with Planetside 2 being on PC already, the Xbox One shares it's big game with the PC and with that Xbox 360, and only 5 games are multi platform across all consoles. Most of those games are only on current gen. With this said, why would anyone be in a hurry to buy a new console? Now, the chance of a lot of the multi platform games being better than the current gen ones is very likely, but at this point the games are going to be basically identical aside from better performance possibly and higher res. Which basically means unless you're really into good looking games (PC has most of these too, so...) you're buying one of these next gen consoles for the launch exclusives and one big exclusive within the first half of next year. Why would anyone want one now unless you're a really hardcore gamer?

 

[Gahars]

Buying any console at launch is stupid.

'Nuff said.

 

[trumpet-205]

Personally speaking, I don't game hardcore or AAA grade games on PC anymore. I prefer to game on console so i don't have to deal with nonsense DRM.

 

[Foxi4]

Here's the thing - if you want to buy a games console at launch because:

• You're wealthy and you can afford it
• You don't care about whether or not it will have hidden flaws
• You don't give a damn if some of the features will require updates
• You just want to play on a Next Gen and you want to do it right now

...then there's absolutely no reason why you shouldn'tbut a Next Gen at launch. Not everyone's hunting for the best deal and not everyone cares about all the limitations that come with being an early adopter.

Us, mere breadeaters feel that buying the consoles later is smarter because the firmware is more ironed out and the hardware is cheaper, not to mention that there are more games available for the system... but not everyone is a mere breadeater.

 

[Kouen Hasuki]

If no one buys them at launch developers won't make games and we will end up again in Wii U or Vita territory.

(edit: sorry for the 2 agains it was super late and I was on my phone)

 

[sentinel5000]

OP actually had to make a long post to state why its dumb to buy consoles at launch... It was as simple as saying: Its dumb cuz eventually prices will drop and new better versions will roll... simple as that.

 

[ShadowSoldier]

Here's the thing - if you want to buy a games console at launch because:

• You're wealthy and you can afford it
• You don't care about whether or not it will have hidden flaws
• You don't give a damn if some of the features will require updates
• You just want to play on a Next Gen and you want to do it right now

...then there's absolutely no reason why you shouldn'tbut a Next Gen at launch. Not everyone's hunting for the best deal and not everyone cares about all the limitations that come with being an early adopter.

Us, mere breadeaters feel that buying the consoles later is smarter because the firmware is more ironed out and the hardware is cheaper, not to mention that there are more games available for the system... but not everyone is a mere breadeater.

That and a lot of people tend to not really worry too much about amount of games and such. I mean I have the WiiU. Bought it launch day. I don't regret it. I know the games are coming. But I enjoyed playing it what I have for it so far. Me and my friend always play it whenever we're drinking. I'm patient. I can wait.

 

[FireGrey]

Why not buy it at launch?
Rather than buying it like a year after launch, wouldn't it make more sense to have the console for an extra year, at about the same price. (more value)

 

[GameWinner]

I know what's in store for the PS4 over the next few years. Just didn't preorder since I would have no games to play on it at launch. (I'm also poor)

 

[frogboy]

And what if you want some/most/all of those games? Would that not justify your early purchase, if indeed you had the money?

 

[Kirito-kun]

Buying any of the 8th gen consoles with the possible exception of the Wii U at any point in time is a bad idea. The Xbox and PlayStation of this generation are so lacking in power that it's embarrassing. At least the Wii U offers an unique experience. The PS4 and Xbox One are basically just low-end PCs with a restricted OS and paid online service.

Most games on the PS4 and Xbox One still don't run at 1080p 60 FPS. Dead Rising 3 for example is only going to run at 720p 30 FPS on the Xbox One. Battlefield 4, while able to reach 60 FPS, only runs at 720p on the Xbox One and 900p on the PS4. A truly next-gen system should be able to do 1080p and 60 FPS without breaking a sweat. 1080p 60 FPS should be a baseline for gaming, not a novelty. And the situation is even scarier when you think about what's going to happen near the end of the consoles' lifespans, when games and game engines become more graphically demanding. Are gaming going to have to drop back to sub-720p resolutions, like many later games did this generation on the Xbox 360 and the PS3? Will Microsoft and Sony cut this generation short and force you to pay another $500 for a new console four or five years down the road?

Furthermore, all three 8th gen consoles are not going to be supporting the Oculus Rift, which won this year's Golden Joystick award for innovation. The same could be said for numerous other advanced gaming peripherals coming out in the next couple of years such as the Sixense STEM and the Virtuix Omni. We're at the beginning of the second wave of VR gaming, and consoles aren't going to be able to let you experience that.

To top it all off, both the PS4 and Xbox One forces gamers to pay for online services. This, plus the fact that games cost $50 to $60 full retail, means the price advantage of these consoles is almost non-existence. For the price of a PS4 or Xbox One, one year of online subscription, and a game, you could build a gaming PC which would deliver a higher quality gaming experience.

TL;DR: If you were thinking of buying a PS4 or Xbox One, don't.

 

[mysticwaterfall]

Admittedly, buying at launch is a silly option for most people, for the reasons stated. But, there is the excitement with having some fresh and brand new. Arguably, buying anything at launch is silly - most games, movies, etc fall in price considerably later. Depends how eager you are to play/watch.

 

[Bobbyloujo]

This is relevant.

Also, there will be a very good reason to buy a PS4 or Xbone. A reason greater than all others. It is something that PCs probably will never have. It's kind of the greatest thing ever and I've been waiting about 10 years for it. Do you know what it is?

Spoiler

KINGDOM HEARTS III!!!

 

[SolidSnake95]

Another reason why buying at launch is dumb is that usually those early consoles have design flaws.

 

[ShadowSoldier]

Another reason why buying at launch is dumb is that usually those early consoles have design flaws.

Not all of them.

And plus, one of the benefits of getting launch consoles is that there's more of a chance of homebrew/emulation that can be done on them. And who knows, one day down the road, features might be missing from newer revisions.

 

[The Catboy]

Not all of them.

And plus, one of the benefits of getting launch consoles is that there's more of a chance of homebrew/emulation that can be done on them. And who knows, one day down the road, features might be missing from newer revisions.

Most of the systems I bought at launch had problems. Both my Xbox and my 360 overheated, my PS2 laser fried, and my Wii U doesn't play Wii Games. Seriously it's a bad idea to buy any system at launch, just let them work out all the kinks and enjoy it at it's fullest later.
Your second reason is extremely flawed considering most systems aren't hacked until like a year or more after launch.

 

[ShadowSoldier]

Every system I bought at launch had problems. Both my Xbox and my 360 overheated, my PS2 laser fried, and my Wii U doesn't play Wii Games. Seriously it's a bad idea to buy any system at launch, just let them work out all the kinks and enjoy it at it's fullest later.
Your second reason is extremely flawed considering most systems aren't hacked until like a year or more after launch.

Just because you have shit luck doesn't mean everybody does.

And my second reason isn't flawed at all. There could be something in the launch versions that allow for it, while newer versions don't. There's nothing flawed with that. Even if it does take a year for homebrew to happen, it doesn't mean it will happen on all consoles.

 

[The Catboy]

Just because you have shit luck doesn't mean everybody does.

And my second reason isn't flawed at all. There could be something in the launch versions that allow for it, while newer versions don't. There's nothing flawed with that. Even if it does take a year for homebrew to happen, it doesn't mean it will happen on all consoles.

The Xbox overheating was a very common problem for both Xbox and 360, the PS2 problem not so common, my Wii U not playing Wii games...yeah I am not sure how common that one is honestly. Launch problems are actually quite common and not isolated incidents.

It's flawed because it's extremely unlikely to be the case.

 

[ShadowSoldier]

The Xbox overheating was a very common problem for both Xbox and 360, the PS2 problem not so common, my Wii U not playing Wii games...yeah I am not sure how common that one is honestly. Launch problems are actually quite common and not isolated incidents.

It's flawed because it's extremely unlikely to be the case.

It's still a chance.

And even then, yeah launch problems are common, but they don't affect everybody. Unless it was the Xbox 360 but that was Microsoft cutting corners and getting lazy.

 

[ToddofWar420]

Anybody still remember PS3 launch? If i remember right, those earlier models are still worth more today then the new slim and super slim design with it having all those extra features. Later on down the road Sony's gonna start putting PS4 on a 'diet' and slim some of its features taking away some abilities we had at launch. I'll get the console now and maybe later get the slim for the bedroom. XBox, I won't even touch, f that pos