New Xbox One And PlayStation 4: What Really Matters To Petrolheads

Image via extremetech.com

We've named 2013 the year of the hot hatch, but in gaming circles 2013 is all about the next generation console war. Sony is entering the ring with the PlayStation 4, while Microsoft brings the Xbox One into battle. We take a look at what the consoles have in store for petrolheads.

Xbox One

The Console

For years to come, Microsoft's Xbox One launch will be studied by PR students as an example of what not to do. The announcement event focused solely on the console as a home entertainment system - with its ability to stream live television a focal point - rather than a games machine, which left hardcore gamers hugely underwhelmed.

While the gaming situation was rectified at the E3 conference, the big problem with the One's launch remains its privacy concerns and Microsoft's questionable policies destroying its credibility with gamers. Two examples that have riled gamers include the fact that lending and buying used games is hugely restricted, and that you must connect online once every 24 hours in order to play.

The Xbox One will be released in November, costing £429 ($499 or 499 euros).

The Game: Forza Motorsport 5

The Forza Motorsport series has been on Xbox since 2005, and exists as Microsoft's answer to Gran Turismo. Fans of the series will be delighted to learn that the latest iteration will be making the step up to the next generation, with unprecedented graphics and beautifully rendered tracks.

Details are relatively thin on the ground, however we know from the trailer that the streets of Prague will play host to races involving the typical range of hatchbacks, sports cars and supercars.

One feature that the people behind Forza are shouting about is the Drivatar (like an avatar that drives for you - awful name, isn't it?). We've seen it before in Forza, but here it's hugely improved. Simply put, it analyses your driving style - for example how you attack an opponent or the lines you take when defending - which means you can let the AI take over and run your race, should you wish.

What this also means is 'the end of AI' as Forza takes advantage of the Xbox's cloud servers to download fellow gamers' Drivatars to compete against you, even in career mode. Veterans of the series will be disappointed if this means the end of running battles with a certain M. Rossi, so hopefully this will be addressed.

One aspect of this that sounds a little odd, is that "even when you’re away from your Xbox One, your profile will be working for you – racing against other players in the cloud and earning you in-game credits in the process." Personally I only want credits that I've physically earned myself. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

PlayStation 4

The Console

The undoubted winner of this opening round is Sony. Off the back of Microsoft's epic PR fail, Sony's aggressive E3 conference sought to grab the hardcore gamers put off by the Xbox One's focus on everything but games. A particular highlight was this beautifully executed slap in their opponent's face, as they unveiled their used game policy:

Sony also announced favourable online compatibility - notably without the need to check in once a day - but most importantly the PS4 will undercut the Xbox One significantly in price. When it is released later this year it will cost £349 ($399 or 499 euros).

The Game: Driveclub

With Gran Turismo 6 coming to PlayStation 3, you might think that Sony has missed an opportunity to grab fans of the series' attention on PS4. Attempting to draw gaming car fans instead is Driveclub, a team racing game that focuses on social driving online.

It'll be interesting to see how well this works, as Driveclub appears to be more of an arcade racer than a hardcore simulation. The trailer shows beautifully detailed vehicles and scenery, as you would expect, however it is the laid-over graphics and penchant for oversteer that suggests an arcade racer stance.

Drivers appear to rack up points for hitting designated zones, such as a 'cornering zone' and 'drift zone', however it is unclear what role these points will play in the game. Other assumptions that can be made from the trailer are that race types will include a typical multi-car race and 1-on-1 battles, which appear to take place in organised street races, very much like Forza Horizon.

If you like what you see, for the first year Driveclub will be available free of charge when you sign up to the PlayStation Plus service.

We'll be updating you on all the relevant gaming updates from E3, so stay tuned!