Microsoft started off this year’s E3 with a bit of a whimper. They kept to their promises and showed off nothing but games – and for a while, it seemed like they were killing it. Metal Gear Solid 5, Dead Rising 3 and a new Killer Instinct got it off to a good start – but then they skirted around the DRM issue, and finally, revealed a launch price for their new console, the Xbox one. It’ll be released at a price of $499.
As our local pricing is generally more based off UK pricing – which is £429 – we can expect to pay about R6499 for the thing when it releases here, probably next year. The biggest issue with that price it it certainly feels like there’s a $100 surcharge for that damned Kinect unit that nobody really wants but is mandatory for the system anyway.
Compare that to Sony’s PlayStation 4 which will launch at $399 or £349 – which means we can realistically expect it to retail locally for about R5299. that’s nearly a R1500 difference – and it’s all the difference in the world.
And that’s just the pricing. One of Sony’s big salvos at its conference was the reassurance that their system would not impose any DRM or used game restrictions at all, whatsoever – not even the publisher mandated stuff previously rumoured. Sony even released this cheeky instructional video just moments after their conference.
Lastly – while Microsoft’s expanding its Xbox Live gold service to start giving out free games like PlayStation Plus, the inaugural games are Halo 3, and Assassin’s Creed two. Yeah, those old games you could probably pick up for half a ham sandwich if you really looked. Sony, on the other hand, gives away brand new games on its service – and will be giving away PS4 games with the system’s launch.
Yup, that’s Microsoft XBowned. And honestly? it’s all their own fault.
Last Updated: June 11, 2013
Darthdad
June 11, 2013 at 09:06
I keep expecting MS to come out with something that will make sense of it all.
I can’t believe they are throwing all the goodness and respect they earned with the 360 away!
Todor Doutchevitch
June 11, 2013 at 10:41
It may be that their sole purpose will be to serve as a warning to others.
Daryl Eksteen
June 11, 2013 at 11:23
Agree 🙁
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
June 11, 2013 at 09:06
I saw that video earlier. Hahaha. Best comment on the youtube channel I saw?
XboxOne: *dials 911* Help! I’m being murdered by PS4!
911: An ambulance has been dispatched to your location
WiiU WiiU WiiU WiiU
Trevor Davies
June 11, 2013 at 09:08
instant classic lol
Trevor Davies
June 11, 2013 at 09:25
…
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
June 11, 2013 at 09:31
looool
Ultimo_Cleric N7
June 11, 2013 at 10:54
Think it may have been FoxHound…. oh dear
Mabenito
June 11, 2013 at 20:00
LMAO…! Best laugh i had in months.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
June 11, 2013 at 09:09
I am still trying to wrap my mind around why Microsoft went the route they did. I still can;t understand why they chose, against better reason/judgment and the flaming from fans and critics alike, to still go ahead with the DRM, restrictive used games environment and the stupid 24hour connect issue.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 11, 2013 at 10:01
Greed can have a blinding effect. They clearly saw gamers as just numbers with dollar signs over our heads.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
June 11, 2013 at 10:14
Clearly. Pfff. Silly MS execs
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 11, 2013 at 10:18
It also doesn’t help that they followed EA down the dark path. What really annoys me is that just like EA, they’re trying to invoke the power of the cloud… Talk about smoke and mirrors.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
June 11, 2013 at 10:20
That’s the problem. Instead of going “and hey IF you have internet connectivity guess what, you can utilise the cloud”
That’s a selling point.
Going “Hey, guess what, you MUST use the cloud or we won’t let you play” is just alienating your users. How the hell does it make logical sense to force this kind of thing?
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 11, 2013 at 10:30
Definitely, and make it optional. Not all of us want our game details to be merged with our social media accounts. In fact, if you’re a certain age, you don’t really want your work colleagues and your boss to know that you’re playing Dead Rising 3 instead of working on a report 😛
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
June 11, 2013 at 11:06
Precisely
KingKappie
June 11, 2013 at 09:09
at leased the new xbox360 looks good
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
January 20, 2014 at 16:50
Leased?
OVG
June 11, 2013 at 09:10
I have not a scooby dooo where Micro Corp get their arrogance from.
Maybe they know something that we do not. Are they happy capturing an install base by brand recognition alone. Are the 10million soccer moms going to keep them afloat.
Or have the numbers on XBOX LIVE sent them into a daze. Even if they know all those people on LIVE will carry over, why not give them an incentive and bring their 360 games and arcade Live games across to the new platform.
What a fucking joke. I am still intrigued to understand their marketing.
But words escape me.
HOW FUCKING OUT OF TOUCH CAN A COMPANY BE WITH THEIR DEMOGRAPHIC.
I do not even think these bald old twats even look at Youtube.
WHITEWASH.
P.S. At least Nintendo had the brains to go and make the pop corn while this comedy unfolded.
OVG
June 11, 2013 at 09:13
I need more coffee.
That Tall Twit
June 11, 2013 at 10:37
Ditto
Aussious
June 11, 2013 at 09:13
Nuff said!
OVG
June 11, 2013 at 09:27
Deal with it 😛 clap clap clap clap.
Aussious
June 11, 2013 at 09:50
This was the icing on the cake for Sony and the defining moment for this year’s E3! A MUST SEE MOMENT FOR ALL!
Ultimo_Cleric N7
June 11, 2013 at 10:55
Amen.
Rinceyouropinion
June 11, 2013 at 09:13
God I love you SONY! That being said, I can still see MS making a fortune of their XBone. It’s for the casual market, and if you think about the number of people who think waving their arms about like a spastic is cool to change your NFL to skype… They will make loads. Has to be said though, they did show off some rather nice looking games. SONY FTW!
OVG
June 11, 2013 at 09:26
How many will return there door stop once they read the small print on the back corner of the box that says “INTERNET REQUIRED” AA Batteries NOT included ;P
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
June 11, 2013 at 09:30
Here’s the thing. For it to be for the casual market it needs to have casual capabilities…
What I mean is: Affordability.
You need internet, you need an account, you cannot get secondhand games cheap (Casual gamers rarely spend AAA prices on their games).
All of this adds up. Pretty much only “core gamers” are willing to spend that cash but “core gamers” are also being alienated by the restrictions. So it’s not even aimed at casual gamers. It’s aimed at elite, upperclass, rich people.
Rinceyouropinion
June 11, 2013 at 09:39
Point taken. I was initially thinking of all the people out there who go buy iPads etc 🙂
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
June 11, 2013 at 09:40
Ah. I see what you mean 🙂
Jonah Cash
June 11, 2013 at 09:44
But you can buy a Samsung TV that does exactly the same thing for R12 000-00 and dropping!! And then plug your PS4 into it and you have the XBONE’s features covered… And you can still play offline and trade games…
Rinceyouropinion
June 11, 2013 at 09:51
But, but what about DRM? Not being able to swap games? etc? People WANT that man, they NEED IT!
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
June 11, 2013 at 09:16
I’m dancing in my tighty whiteys in the office … well not really, but I want to. I have watched the final fantasy 15 trailer over 10 times now!! my god, I have never been this excited for a final fantasy game!!
Rinceyouropinion
June 11, 2013 at 09:16
You and me both man! It looks shit hot!
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
June 11, 2013 at 09:18
Hell yeah it looks freaking hot man …. SE killed it this E3 , I think new management has finally paid off, I hope to god I can love them again
Argentil
June 11, 2013 at 12:09
Best graphics of E3. The KH3 announcement made me cry a little too.
OVG
June 11, 2013 at 09:24
But Lightning Returns is coming in February 2017 ;P
Rinceyouropinion
June 11, 2013 at 09:29
Oi! Don’t go there! HAHAHAHA!
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
June 11, 2013 at 09:29
LOL who cares about Weerlig kom terug…..NOCTIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Hamster
June 11, 2013 at 09:16
Scratch one XBOX One from Christmas list , Add one PS4 to Christmas list
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
June 11, 2013 at 09:17
http://i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/558/847/9a9.gif
Slade Boender
June 11, 2013 at 09:20
I loved that!
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
June 11, 2013 at 09:21
MS groveling before it get’s shot in the faze!
Slade Boender
June 11, 2013 at 10:52
Need to get me some LOU though, hot damn.
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
June 11, 2013 at 11:09
Few more days left 🙂
OVG
June 11, 2013 at 09:29
bwahahaha Now the memes start to hammer the final nail into the black coffin box.
mancera
June 11, 2013 at 09:46
Yeah, I’m loving the memes! They’re awesome!
That Tall Twit
June 11, 2013 at 10:38
Up vote for you!
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
June 11, 2013 at 10:44
MS: noo noo..sony please….nooo ….
Sony: *BOOM* now, lemme loot your customers
DarthofZA
June 11, 2013 at 09:17
It had to happen. Nintendo’s third real console took them out of the console race for 10 years. Sega’s third console killed their console devision. Sony’s third console has been a complete financial failure. MS’ third console needs to fail. For the balance. 😀
Stix
June 11, 2013 at 09:23
I could not agree more. The only people that fucked Microsoft on this one, is Microsoft themselves. The sad thing is that they will now have to learn their lesson the hard way, by losing sales. Just because they don’t listen to what their users want.
Sure you should innovate, but don’t be a blatant cunt about it and spit in your customers face with that draconian DRM bullshit.
Tbone187
June 11, 2013 at 09:24
My hat….MGSV looks freakin amazing…
Argentil
June 11, 2013 at 12:10
MGSV is multiplat. Thank God.
Khulani Ndlovu
June 11, 2013 at 09:25
In a silver platter, Sony just made my year, 😉
Guest
June 11, 2013 at 09:28
True
TechniKyle
June 11, 2013 at 09:31
Only 5G?
Trevor Davies
June 11, 2013 at 09:33
I think the G stands for Gazillion.
Happy Hamster
June 11, 2013 at 09:31
Truth
Aussious
June 11, 2013 at 09:57
I’m loving these!
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
June 11, 2013 at 09:35
“Xbox One can you hear me?…..”
“Xbox One…I know you can hear me…..”
“It’s me…….Sega Saturn”
“I think it’s time you join us in the graveyard……”
“Hey Dreamcast…..We won’t be alone anymore……now we gonna be able to watch tv……yeah, I know..I missed watching TV too……”
Rinceyouropinion
June 11, 2013 at 09:52
Mwahahahahah!
weskuskinnes
June 11, 2013 at 09:38
http://i.imgur.com/vLNmkwF.png
Thats hilarious… PS4 is taking it home!!
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
June 11, 2013 at 09:40
He’s gonna plea insanity
Rinceyouropinion
June 11, 2013 at 09:54
HAHAHAH Brilliant!
Aussious
June 11, 2013 at 09:58
Haha Brilliant!
OVG
June 11, 2013 at 09:39
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
June 11, 2013 at 09:44
So now Sony will also have no region locking lol …. bye bye MS
matthurstrsa
June 11, 2013 at 09:49
Slow clap for Microsoft.
Its Just a Ride
June 11, 2013 at 09:53
….
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 11, 2013 at 09:55
Let that be a lesson to all. Hubris and Greed lead to ruination! In your teeth, MICROSOFT!
Double-O-Six and a half
June 11, 2013 at 11:08
lets just actually hope that the sheeple that are not core gamers don’t blindly just buy it anyway and Microsofts lack of vision and insistent alienation of their loyal customers really hurt them in their back pocket!!!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 11, 2013 at 11:35
Yeah, the problem is that Microsoft will market the xbox one with their massive war chest. The casuals might be won over by the promise of TV, TV, TV, Watercooler, Kinect, Kinect, Call of duty…. :/
Its Just a Ride
June 11, 2013 at 09:56
Looks like i’ll be rejoining the Sony Alliance, Thanks M$ better luck next gen…..
Todor Doutchevitch
June 11, 2013 at 10:11
I was worried that Sony would go the same root as MS, but waking up to the news from the Sony conference this morning made my week. The only thing I will miss from my xbox 360 is the controller, but I will dealwithit.
Andre116
June 11, 2013 at 10:21
I was thinking the same about the controller. Guess we’ll just have to wait for some 3rd party to manufacture one for us.
Todor Doutchevitch
June 11, 2013 at 10:33
Indeed. Still, after the last month of MS crap, we have plenty to be happy about today. I still can’t believe MS could shoot themselves in the foot like they did.
CaptainNemo42
June 11, 2013 at 10:24
I just want to see what that Foxhound R troll has to say now.
Martin du preez
June 11, 2013 at 10:35
He’s probably in a fetus position on the shower floor!
Guest
June 11, 2013 at 10:38
This must be him? Somehow I pictured I’m younger.
CaptainNemo42
June 11, 2013 at 10:41
This must be him.
http://limitednews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/tobiasshowergif.gif
TechniKyle
June 11, 2013 at 14:03
I find it extra funny that this is a clip from Fox network.
Happy Hamster
June 11, 2013 at 10:30
hahahaha
Daryl Eksteen
June 11, 2013 at 11:22
Sony did it all and demolished Microsoft. Well played Sony! I’m very impressed with Sony…it’s all about gamers.
fred
June 11, 2013 at 12:13
Now i’m starting to feel sorry for MS.
Skyblue
June 11, 2013 at 12:15
LOL’ed at the video, very cool
Argentil
June 11, 2013 at 12:18
It’s really nice to experience the fanfare. Sony deserve this. I’m really happy. Best E3 ever.
Taylor
June 11, 2013 at 15:07
They’ve becoming the Apple of the console world. Heaven forbid, Apple doesn’t really enter the console market. That would make Microsoft look like saints.
Anon A Mouse
June 11, 2013 at 16:24
Now the gamers out there needs to go out by their millions and show Sony their love and support for listening to the gamers and fighting the good fight. No good having all the cheers and still not being able to kick M$ in the nads this time round.
RedJoker
June 11, 2013 at 16:24
The irony of all of this is that ms decided to tout one as a all family entertainment system. Yet ps will have access to tv etc as well. Gamers are gonna follow the 4, and so will all the people who want Netflix. Not too mention, 4 will be more affordable. Won’t be surprised to see publishers open up the xbox exclusives to ps so that their titles can make money.
Nirith1ZA
June 11, 2013 at 19:50
The Playstation is also launching locally this year, so whats the point for waiting for the Xbox? Had high hopes for MS, but they seem to have taken themselves 2 seriously this gen
Tero
June 12, 2013 at 11:35
Wow can’t believe that the Xbox has now become a restricted and somewhat limited gaming console. It almost seems like Microsoft saw how well iPhone and iPad sell and how popular they are, despite their restrictions, and is now trying to imitate that with their gaming console!?!