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PS4 vs. XBox One – Which Console Will Have The First ‘Light of Death’?

In the next couple months we will finally be able to purchase one or both of the latest consoles from Sony and Microsoft.

The question on every jaded gamers’ mind is – “Which one will have the Red Ring of Death (RROD)/Yellow Light of Death (YLOD) first?

The sad state of affairs in console gaming became an on-going joke when the initial PS3 and XBox 360 models began to over-heat and fail in large numbers within months of release. The 360 took the majority of the flack as the RROD left almost every owner of the original ‘white’ XBox in fear that their console would greet them with the E-72/74 error. I was one of the many that had to send their console into M$ and wait impatiently for my gaming to return almost 2 months later.

The PS3 wasn’t left out of this tragic hilarity either. Many of the original PS3’s (not as high of a % as the 360) started to overheat around the cell processer/gpu chip-set and required either a long trip to Sony for a fix or some sort of repair by melting the solder on your own with a heat gun… or even your kitchen oven (<— I know, right?). The moral to this story should be more of a warning than anything to people that want to get the new consoles on release day. You are going to be beta testers and you will get a front row seat to the engineering failures of the PS4 and XBox One.

Which Has a Better Design For Ventilation?

This is really anyone’s guess, but we can try to take a look at the consoles in their case design as well as their specs and start placing our bets.

Considering both consoles are very similar in their power specs there shouldn’t be a lot of differential in heat produced. However, the PS4 is already ahead of the game by using DDR5 RAM instead of the XBONE’s slower DDR3.

Sony seems to be learning from the mistakes they made in the design of the original PS3. While the PS4 is still relatively large in size, it isn’t enormous with a strange curvature and tiny vents like the ‘Fat’ original PS3.

The PS4 seems to be trying for a well vented rear section rather than from the top side.

Microsoft seems to think that the answer is to simply keep the console enormous and implement enormous ventilation areas.

xbonevents — The XBox One has allocated half of the top of the console as well as the side and a slot on the back of the machine for ventilation.

Which One Will Fail First?

Based strictly off of pictures of the case designs the XBox One has an advantage in ventilation area but the sheer size of the console drives me to worry about the internal design and engineering of the console. The one thing that changed between models of the 360 and PS3 was that they got smaller (as most technologies do) as time went on.

The PS4 seems to be trying to go in a similar direction to the PS3 original with rear vents (albeit, bigger vents). However, this might seem to be a case where less is more when compared to the XBox One.

THE VERDICT

The XBox One will pose a greater risk for dying first and it is primarily because of the location of the vents on top of the console. While there is more ‘ventilation’ on the console itself, it is opening the worst possible part up for dust to settle by default. Consider the amount of dust that gathers in a console just through the back slots (even in a clean house). Now think about how much dust will find a way into the top of your console over the course of time.

The size of this console and the placement of a giant fan under the top vent is begging to become a dust collector.

What Console War? – XBox One and PS4 Aren’t Much Different

I have been fielding questions from friends, family and NoobTubeTV visitors lately and now I will just put this out there for everyone to read.

The next-gen consoles really aren’t that different from each other. With some minor differences in RAM speed and other internal tuning the consoles are relatively similar machines on the inside. The real difference will come in the $100 difference in price on release day with the PS4 being the cheaper of the two.

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the system specifications.

After going down this list of specs you won’t see much different in the primary specs. Also, for those that say that PlayStation Online Network is free and XBox isn’t… that argument is over as PS3 will now have a fee to play multiplayer games. However, that doesn’t mean you will have to find a new receiver for Netflix as it should (still) work just fine with the free online account.

Also, there are conflicting reports out there and let it be stated here that neither system is ‘backwards compatible’ with titles from older consoles. However, the PS4 will be able to stream games from the old system if that is any consolation (no pun intended). So, keep that PS3/360 if you plan on wanting to play Grand Theft Auto 5 for the foreseeable future.

What other questions do you have about the coming release of the new consoles? Put them in the comments section below.

Grand Theft Auto V – Too Big To Fail?

With the release of GTA:V only two weeks away there are millions of gamers chomping at the bit for a chance to devote their spare time to murdering innocent people in the street, taking cops on crazy chases, organizing heists and playing the occasional mission in the story mode.

If you consider the fact that Rockstar has stated that this game will be bigger than virtually every GTA game put together there is room to worry about the potentiality for major bugs in the code. While this is obviously something that will be an issue at some point (as it has been with almost every game during this generation) one can’t help but wonder if this game might be so large in scope that it succeeds much like Skyrim has for a few years – even with the bugs.

The marketed depth of GTA:V prior to release is something that has driven me to wonder if this is setting up many people to wait out the release of new consoles as they play one of the most beloved series in gaming over the last 10 years. The question is, will it be enough to keep you from feeling like you have to get the PS4 or XBox One when they release?

Call of Duty: Ghosts Live Feed

It is a Call of Duty game. You know what to expect.

Madden 25 – It Is Time To Move On

The demo is now available for Madden fans to download and play to their heart’s content. At 2GB in size it is a nice size for a demo with 5 minute quarters and the ability to change the difficulty level (as well as change the accelerated clock back to normal speed so you can enjoy the demo for a bit longer each time you play.

You will have the choice between using the Ravens or the 49ers in a Super Bowl rematch in Baltimore. The other match-up has the Packers and Seahawks playing on the not-so-frozen Tundra of Green Bay.

The demo is solid and plays like you expect Madden to play. There have been some obvious tweaks and changes to the momentum of players as they don’t go into sprinting as fast as they once did in past iterations. Also noticeable is the fact that player collisions seem refined this year. If you are using a bruising runningback like Frank Gore and you flick the R-Stick forward at the right moment you can expect to blow up smaller players on defense.

On the other hand, if you are on defense and want to lay out an opposing player with the ball and you have someone like Patrick Willis – it will be a fun “oooooh!” moment as the heavy hitting defender knocks the snot out of the ball carrier. While this seems like something to cast away as ‘something that should have already been in the game’ it is a nice addition none the less.

Shouldn’t This Stuff Already Be In The Game?

Yes, you are right. We have been waiting for basically this entire generation of consoles to have a Madden title that plays and feels like this. It still feels like a crisp handling Madden game where the players move at the slightest command of the analog sticks. While many Madden fans tend to worship the control scheme and feel of this game it is still a bit arcade-like and feels at times like it is still focused on being an offensive shoot-out rather than a good football game. Granted – this is what the NFL wants in their new approach to the game (flag football much?).

This also brings to light the new ‘run free’ feature that gives players a more dynamic running ability based on their style and ratings. As mentioned above, players like Gore will run people over and then there will be players like LaMichael James that can juke others out of their jocks. It is a nice addition but it isn’t really something ‘new’ as much as something that is just being featured in this title.

Dear Phil Simms – STFU

I can’t stand this guy during his broadcasts in real-life and in Madden he is ten times worse. If you got sick of hearing him bad mouth the wrong player or make some sort of lame comment about WRs not being able to be touched – it gets old by the second quarter. Turn off the commentary and turn up the crowd noise… although even that isn’t as good as it should be. The sound quality is garbage and I’d recommend getting some decent music to play in the background rather than hear anymore of what we have been getting for the last 25 years.

Connected Franchise Mode

This is once again something that EA is trying to push as something new that was really removed before coming into this generation of consoles. Owner Mode (what it really is) was in Madden 2005 and is finally back almost ten years later. The only thing with this is that I am left wondering what in the hell I care about my team making more money for if there is a salary cap. In a baseball game this is vital as your team needs more money for better players. In this game you will most likely be able to spend your money on something you will never see in-game like cup holders at every seat or heated toilet seats.

The new feature seems to be directed on towards bringing more fans to your games depending on the prices you set for things in the concession stand along with ticket prices, etc. News to EA… NFL games are expensive forms of entertainment. You have to be crazy not to expect a cup of crappy beer to cost $8-9 per cup (no joke). So, before you get all excited about some ‘new feature’ like this it would be wise to look at it with a critical eye and ask – “What does this mode/feature really add to the game?”

As we get closer to the release of Madden 25 there will be a lot more hype built up on the internet focusing on how amazing this game looks and how many new features there are in place. Don’t fall in the trap… read up on Madden 25, play the demo and above all else don’t buy this game new without knowing the details first. We will keep you posted.

Creativity Isn’t Dead – Most Perceptions of Entertainment are Boring

I have been fortunate to know or be acquainted with artists, writers and even some people that work in video game production. One thing that has never ceased to amaze me is their creativity. There is always something new in their head. Some sort of cool new project that is simply amazing because it is fresh and straight out of their creative mind. The current mainstream gaming atmosphere doesn’t allow for this sort of creativity anymore.

With games like Call of Duty and Madden being released every year it doesn’t say much for what corporate monsters think of gaming. They don’t see it as art – they see a bottom line that must be met in sales or the studio will be closed. As you start looking at the upcoming consoles do yourself a favor and ask why the games are getting stale. While Madden can’t exactly change or implement something wild or crazy graphically or otherwise – it is still lacking creativity.

Another example of a great game that became over-produced quickly – Assassin’s Creed. Really? Is the character truly a different person? Sure, the voice is different and the face may be structured with some new scars, etc… but this is the same damn game every time it comes out. Attack, Counter, Attack, Kill, Run, Repeat.

There are many artists and developers out there that want to be creative in gaming and they are being held back because gamers don’t want new games or concepts. They want a fresh veneer painted on the same crap they have been playing for 10 years. People generally fear change and it is up to artists, musicians and writers to flip their world upside down.

I look forward to the day when I can look at video games and see them as new, fresh and risky art… right now all I see is what most people seem to want:

2/3 of a gun

Crosshairs

Poorly animated blood

The list could go on, but really if it needs to you are missing the point.

XBox One – What You Need To Know

The Tuesday that many gamers had been waiting for has come and Microsoft announced the latest iteration in XBox consoles. It isn’t much of a surprise to hear that they are planning a release ‘later this year’. While this most likely means a retail release for the holiday season, it would be interesting to see them try to beat the Playstation 4 to the punch with a release prior to that time period.

Some of the other details include a BluRay Disc Drive, 500GB harddrive and an 8-core CPU to go with 8GB of RAM. The system will also have wireless-N tech for networking. USB 3.0 ports will help for a faster connection for Kinect and other peripherals – it will be interesting to see how far they really want to take Kinect at this point.

In terms of backwards compatibility – none. This isn’t really a surprise as the 360 and PS3 had virtually zero backwards compatibility after a couple years.

Used games? The rumors were swirling and they will continue to swirl because Microsoft didn’t address this issue at all. It does seem that you will have to install every game to your harddrive which would make for an interesting issue when dealing with enormous games on BluRay discs. Will you have to uninstall old games and then start switching between them after awhile? The move away from being ‘used game friendly’ isn’t going unnoticed, but many gamers out there won’t do much to prevent this move as they continue to buy big budget titles like Call of Duty and Madden without thinking twice.

Hopefully, the limitations of second-hand games will create a more picky audience of gamers.

(No price points have been discussed, but look for it to be similarly priced to the PS4)

Call of Duty Ghosts – Coming November 5, 2013

Remember, remember the fifth of November

It’s COD season is it not?

I can think of no reason why COD season should ever be forgot.

You can start pre-ordering Call of Duty: Ghosts soon

Are you excited by the news of a new name for the Call of Duty series or are you convinced that it is merely a first person shooter version of Madden NFL?

Madden 25 Connected Franchise Mode – Don’t Settle For Anything!

After Madden 25 announced a recent Gamestop promo for ‘Connected Franchise Mode’ and an article surfaced on Bleacher Report talking about the supposedly tweaked Connected Careers Mode; there seems to be a lot of work for us to do in order to make Madden better instead of simply allowing EA Tiburon to give us old features and call them ‘new’.

There is a poll on the Brian Mazique article asking if editing rosters, fantasy drafts and controlling every team are enough to make you completely satisfied. These aren’t new features! Madden 12 had every single ‘feature’ they are trying to re-implement into a mode that essentially disallowed them. While these features are a must and will only add more depth to the game they by no means should satiate your desire for a better football game.

Some of the (many) additions Franchise Mode needs in order to mimic the real NFL are below:

Player Morale – Player morale was in Madden 2005 and has been in the NBA 2K series for years. If there is one thing that Madden lacks in terms of bringing life into the players it is morale and mood when it comes to the actual players.
Free Agent/UDFA Signings – Madden seems to think that free agency is something that allows a team to go and simply sign anyone they want if they aren’t on a team. After this weekend’s draft there were many players that were picked up just seconds after it was over. These players don’t simply go to the first time that calls, they weigh their options and choose. Some players have no desire to play for a team that has too much depth or a team that simply doesn’t win. Madden needs to make this more realistic and that starts with a more true-to-life free agency.
Storylines – The addition of storylines for some of the draft prospects in Madden 13 was awesome. It was a nice way to give some of the players in the draft a personal touch. The downfall is that their stories all seemed to stop once they were drafted. The commentary doesn’t follow any of them and the updates on the ‘news feed’ seem to leave any of those stories high and dry. Continuity is something that Madden’s career modes always seem to lack and while it will take some work to fully implement – it will be worth it.
Fan Bases – Some teams sell out almost every game. Some stadiums are lucky to be at 50% capacity. Somehow, almost every game in Madden is a sell out according to the stands. While some games have low attendance due to weather it doesn’t seem to matter what is going on in a given city for a game to be sold out. I can promise you one thing, if the Browns ever host an AFC Championship Game and it is snowing like crazy… the stands will be FULL. On the other hand, if the Bengals are playing a game in the middle of the season at home and they are 2-7, they will be lucky to have any ‘fans’ show up. The NFL is nothing without the fans and that needs to be made apparent in Franchise Mode.
Team Movement – While this poses some sort of strange issues with licensing, etc. there were some serious shortcomings when Madden allowed you to move a team to a new city. Outside of the issues listed in the fan base section, you couldn’t keep the team logo and there wasn’t any real support for the gamer to create a team in a new city because the commentary was terrible and franchise mode lost its luster. If you look at the fact that many teams are looking to move to new cities because of stadium issues or simply for more money it is something that will be happening soon and should be given the proper attention in the game.
Injuries – Madden finally put in some sort of real-time physics last year with the Infinity Engine. The downfall was evident in many areas but injuries are one of the most obvious. As much as the NFL wants to censor Madden and try to convince people that it isn’t a violent sport – football is a violent sport and that is why we like it! Real time injuries need to be in the game and big hits need to matter. It makes no sense for my 6’4″ 260lb MLB to have a random injury when he crushes Joe Flacco or Mike Vick in the backfield and they get up like nothing happened. Fix the injury system… please.
Player Progression – While I have always been a proponent of performance based progression I do not like how Madden 13 allowed the user to simply accumulate points by stats and put them where ever we wanted to in each player. Abilities should progress as the player uses them and performs them. How can a strength rating go up randomly or just because we decide we want it to? Follow the lead of MLB The Show and let the user have the option to determine what areas players will work on in a given week or set it to auto and let the coaching tendencies determine it.
Player Value – After Joe Flacco won the Super Bowl he got a healthy contract renewal. I drafted a QB in my Browns CCM, Mark Mallett… He has thrown for over 4500 yards and 35 TDs in his first three seasons. He then won a Super Bowl in 2015 and is up for a new contract offer from our front office. His OVR is 84 but his abilities have been growing with his performance. His contract demands?… 5 Years, $4.6 Million per year. There is no thinking about this from my perspective – Mallett is never going to ask for the money he deserves and that is sad. Players with great speed or players we like using are typically going for crazy statistics in our Franchise Mode. We should have to pay a premium price to keep them around if that is the case. Player value shouldn’t be determined by OVR but by performance and that should make it harder for teams to sign players they want to abuse the other teams with and keep them forever.

We will continue our efforts to make Madden a better game and you shouldn’t let EA get away with calling old parts of the game ‘new features’. What are your thoughts? What is Madden missing the most in Franchise Mode?

Madden 25 Cover – Barry Sanders

For the second year in a row, Madden fans have decided to curse the Detroit Lions.

How you can curse a team as dreadful as the Lions is beyond me. It hasn’t stopped them from ‘voting’ Barry Sanders to be the next cover-guy for Madden. Comment below and let us know who should be on the cover in your opinion.