Top Five Stories of 2013: Next-Gen Launch

Feature Article

Submitted on: 12/26/2013 by Dustin Toms

It's been a long 7 years with our PlayStation 3s and Xbox 360s. But that all changed this November, as new consoles hit store shelves for the first time since 2005. The PlayStatoin 4 and Xbox One have arrived.

Considering how awful the launch of the Xbox 360 was for sports gamers, this season's console launch can be considered a huge success. With a strong initial release from nearly all sports games, including both NBA 2K14 and Madden 25, next-gen gamers won't feel like they're abandoning the old systems. Instead, with new and improved features, these consoles have set themselves up for a successful run.

The console wars aren't as crazy as the hype was leading us to believe, but both consoles have features to be proud of. The PS4's Remote Play on the PS Vita is one of the coolest things I've seen all year, even if it needs some tweaking to become perfect and lag free. Also, after an initial poor response, the multi-layered media options within the Xbox are pretty dang cool despite Microsoft "ignoring" gamers. But now that the dust has settled, it's safe to say that the launch of the new consoles went well. With millions of each unit scattered across households, Sony and Microsoft now has a bunch of gamers just waiting for some more games to play.

The next year will be even bigger, though. Now that we've seen a true next-gen launch not muddled with a Madden 06 type of game, the future is somewhat bright. Each sports game launch, regardless of what many think, has went better than the Xbox 360. When Madden 06 stumbled its way in and out of our hearts, EA had nowhere to go but up. But with each game releasing in a playable manner, expectations are no doubt going to once again reach levels which might end up with us having too high of expectations for what developers can realistically deliver. It will be interesting to see how game companies curb the hype, but build it up at the same time.

There are stories upon stories upon stories when it comes to the next decade or so of gaming. Though NBA Live may never be ultimately fixed, even if NBA 2K14 fails to keep the consumers happy, or if Madden becomes the go-to next-gen game, these new systems have plenty of power. We're going to see what that means over the next 12 months.

Member Comments

# 1 HunterK13 @ 12/26/13 02:48 PM

This console launch was great. FIFA has been a blast (though the loss of unranked matches is a bit of a bummer), Madden is the best it's been in years in terms of actual visble improvements, and the only hiccup was the expect fall of a rushed NBA Live title. All said, my XBOne launch has been splendid. Can't wait for NHL next year.

# 2 grodbetatted @ 12/26/13 03:52 PM

The NBA Live title that was reviewed upon launch is not the same game I play today especially after learning much more of the controls... I really enjoy the game even better than 2k, despite 2k looking sooooo much better. I feel 2k you need to have a degree in rocket science in order to learn the controls

# 3 cmehustle @ 12/26/13 06:04 PM

On 360, Madden was terrible. I was still using my PS2 to play it for Madden and NCAA 2006, and 07. What pulled me into the 360 was 2K6 and Fight Night. This time around with the new Madden and 2K, plus the Fifa I havent even looked at my 360. Plus with all the things that Xbox one can do I dont think video games will ever go backwards. Sort of like the I phone when it first came out. It had issues but phones could never go back after that.

# 4 trey2k198003 @ 12/27/13 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmehustle


	On 360, Madden was terrible. I was still using my PS2 to play it for Madden and NCAA 2006, and 07. What pulled me into the 360 was 2K6 and Fight Night. This time around with the new Madden and 2K, plus the Fifa I havent even looked at my 360. Plus with all the things that Xbox one can do I dont think video games will ever go backwards. Sort of like the I phone when it first came out. It had issues but phones could never go back after that.

The madden next gen is just like the madden current gen with a few gameplay tweeks so if you like this madden then you will like the current gen as well you need to open up your spectrum a bit.

# 5 cmehustle @ 12/27/13 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trey2k198003


	The madden next gen is just like the madden current gen with a few gameplay tweeks so if you like this madden then you will like the current gen as well you need to open up your spectrum a bit.

Hmm, Idk one of my best friends who loves Madden says he cant stand the next gen Madden now. He cant run his old plays and it doesnt play anything like the one on 360. Again I wouldnt know first hand because I didnt play.

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