PS3 12GB Console or XBOX 250GB Console

[ClintZA]

The Kinect is actually better than the Wii since it doesn't rely on any sort of controller, your body is the controller. Just make sure that you have more than 2m between the couch and the TV, otherwise it won't work.

Ah cool! The GF was already worried about Wii controllers smashing the TV so no controllers sounds good No controller also means less additional costs...

 

[SauRoNZA]

I would say this late in the game you might as well skip both, save the money and wait for the next generation to land next year.

 

[Azbubu]

Sorry, so let me get this straight. Those allow you to play online games or they allow you to purchase a game and then play online against your friends with the same game?

Both. You can download games from them and also play online against other players. Each player needs to have the game afaik.

 

[ClintZA]

I would say this late in the game you might as well skip both, save the money and wait for the next generation to land next year.

My view on technology is that if you do this you will inevitably always end up waiting for the next best thing... I have never felt the need to have the latest and as a late adopter I tend to find you get things cheaper. As it is either one of these are being offered as a deal with a phone so hence the question.

 

[ClintZA]

Both. You can download games from them and also play online against other players. Each player needs to have the game afaik.

Sorry, another one then. You said PSN is free. With the XBOX do you need to pay the subscription even to play your owned game against someone else? Or is it only to play online games that you pay?

 

[Azbubu]

Sorry, another one then. You said PSN is free. With the XBOX do you need to pay the subscription even to play your owned game against someone else? Or is it only to play online games that you pay?

Yep. There's XboxLiveFree and XboxLiveGold but you can't play online on the former.

 

[SauRoNZA]

What are PSN games?

I also am not sure I am keen on this whole online gaming thing. What are these subscriptions you need to pay that I see talked about? The older kid might be into that but not if it'll cost a fortune.

It seems everyone just ignored your real question.

PSN Games are downloadable games from the PSN Store, normally not available at retail. Things like Braid, Limbo, World of Goo those kinds of smaller production value games. It's a brilliant digital distribution model as the money goes basically straight into the pockets of the developers and not through a million other dramas.

Xbox Live Arcade games are much the same but on Xbox 360.


Then there is the PSN Network which makes all of this possible and this is what links Friends lists together and contains the PSN Store etc. On the PS3 it's free to play multiplayer games which is where the free comments come from.

Xbox Live is the same but has the free "Silver" account which allows for access to the Xbox Live store front and demos and DLC etc.

Xbox Live Gold is the same but is a paid for service (<R1 a day) which also gives you access to multiplayer as well as 8-person party chat (a feature sorely lacking on the PS3) and a few other benefits like earlier release of demos and some discounts on items with specials and so on.


To make it even more complicated there is also PSN+ (Plus) which is also a paid for service which gives you regular discounts and free games etc. However you only "own" these games while your PSN+ subscription is active. It's more expensive but many people consider it a better deal depending on the specials and free games offered.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Sorry, another one then. You said PSN is free. With the XBOX do you need to pay the subscription even to play your owned game against someone else? Or is it only to play online games that you pay?

Only online, you can still play with other people locally. Last I checked Xbox Live subscription was about R350 a year. Hardly going to ruin your pocket, and there are always people available to play online.

 

[Chevron]

Sorry, another one then. You said PSN is free. With the XBOX do you need to pay the subscription even to play your owned game against someone else? Or is it only to play online games that you pay?

PSN is free to play online multiplayer. Xbox you have to pay to play online multiplayer with the game you already own and bought from the shop.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Sorry lots of questions and more will come probably. For now, why would you choose one over the other. Both will be at the same price so price is not a factor, although price of games will be. Unless both are easy to chip/jailbreak/root (whatever you call it in the gaming world

Oh and please don't insult the gaming industry by doing that.

If you can afford the console you can afford the games, otherwise rather go without.

 

[themba990]

The number 1 reason i prefer xbox is the controller.. so much win. Ps3 controller is a piece of sh$%&

 

[SauRoNZA]

My view on technology is that if you do this you will inevitably always end up waiting for the next best thing... I have never felt the need to have the latest and as a late adopter I tend to find you get things cheaper. As it is either one of these are being offered as a deal with a phone so hence the question.

You can still get away cheaper even with brand new consoles if you don't have to have the games themselves on day one, I pay less than R250 for most of my games less than 6 months after they launched.

But I understand where you are coming from if it's technically free on a upgrade you would be doing anyway.

 

[Azbubu]

The number 1 reason i prefer xbox is the controller.. so much win. Ps3 controller is a piece of sh$%&

Cronus adapter.

 

[ClintZA]

It seems everyone just ignored your real question.

PSN Games are downloadable games from the PSN Store, normally not available at retail. Things like Braid, Limbo, World of Goo those kinds of smaller production value games. It's a brilliant digital distribution model as the money goes basically straight into the pockets of the developers and not through a million other dramas.

Xbox Live Arcade games are much the same but on Xbox 360.


Then there is the PSN Network which makes all of this possible and this is what links Friends lists together and contains the PSN Store etc. On the PS3 it's free to play multiplayer games which is where the free comments come from.

Xbox Live is the same but has the free "Silver" account which allows for access to the Xbox Live store front and demos and DLC etc.

Xbox Live Gold is the same but is a paid for service (<R1 a day) which also gives you access to multiplayer as well as 8-person party chat (a feature sorely lacking on the PS3) and a few other benefits like earlier release of demos and some discounts on items with specials and so on.


To make it even more complicated there is also PSN+ (Plus) which is also a paid for service which gives you regular discounts and free games etc. However you only "own" these games while your PSN+ subscription is active. It's more expensive but many people consider it a better deal depending on the specials and free games offered.

Thank you for the more detailed explanation.

From this there is one cross next to the XBOX. I am not keen to have to pay a monthly subscription to let him plays games against his friends after we have already spent a fortune to pay for the game to start with. But then as you all pointed out, the first step will be to check what consoles his friends have. If they all have XBOXs then he would not be playing online with them anyway, even if it was free.

I know this might be the wrong place to ask, as I am sure many of you are into online gaming, but is it a necessary aspect to get enjoyment out of the console or are they quite capable of providing much entertainment stand alone?

 

[SauRoNZA]

The number 1 reason i prefer xbox is the controller.. so much win. Ps3 controller is a piece of sh$%&

Yeah I must agree there.

I prefer the Xbox 360 also larger for the controller but also just because the entire thing is more logical to me. I guess it's the "Western console" factor as I generally find the games more appealing as well where the "Eastern" logic of the PS3 confuses and often irritates the crap out of me.

Like the constant bloody updates that are HUGE on the PS3. Whenever I do feel like actually playing on my PS3 I'm greeted by what feels like hours of updating and I end up never really playing the thing.

I also think if the goal is for a "family friendly" console the Xbox 360 + Kinect is probably exactly what you want to go for.

 

[Azbubu]

From this there is one cross next to the XBOX. I am not keen to have to pay a monthly subscription to let him plays games against his friends after we have already spent a fortune to pay for the game to start with. But then as you all pointed out, the first step will be to check what consoles his friends have. If they all have XBOXs then he would not be playing online with them anyway, even if it was free.

he can only play online with them if they have xboxs.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

I know this might be the wrong place to ask, as I am sure many of you are into online gaming, but is it a necessary aspect to get enjoyment out of the console or are they quite capable of providing much entertainment stand alone?

I only really started taking online gaming a bit more seriously in the past year. It's really not necessary to get the most out of a game.

 

[Chevron]

Thank you for the more detailed explanation.

From this there is one cross next to the XBOX. I am not keen to have to pay a monthly subscription to let him plays games against his friends after we have already spent a fortune to pay for the game to start with. But then as you all pointed out, the first step will be to check what consoles his friends have. If they all have XBOXs then he would not be playing online with them anyway, even if it was free.

I know this might be the wrong place to ask, as I am sure many of you are into online gaming, but is it a necessary aspect to get enjoyment out of the console or are they quite capable of providing much entertainment stand alone?

Oh no.

There are plenty of awesome offline experiences. Get Rayman Origins. AMAZING game. They can even play together. Then there's Uncharted. and many many more.

Don't forget PS3 is a bluray player

 

[ClintZA]

he can only play online with them if they have xboxs.

Sorry, I was not clear. I meant a cross next to the XBOX and if he then got the PS3 the free aspect would be of no use anyway if his mates all had the other console.

 

[Seriously]

Also which is better at doubling as a media player?

Thanks.

PS3 with BluRay and PS3 media server no doubt! (Not debatable)

Both consoles have a lot going for it but the 12 GB is definitely to small on the PS3 if you are planning to download free games via PSN+ (R500.00/year and TOTALLY worth it) so you will need an external drive or up the 12GB.

Just go with the usual mybroadband "consensus", get the xbox and be sorry later

Online game play is a fantastic feature and IMHO makes is the cherry on top but my son play many offline games although most newer and future games need a online connection anyway even to play offline (DRM).