The Battle for the Top Spot - Xbox 720 vs PS4

It may be years yet before either of the next generation consoles from Sony or Microsoft hit the shelves in our home towns, but already the competition is hotting up. Rumors are circulating and gamers around the globe are priming their bank accounts, ready to take the hit for their preferred console of choice.

Both of the big developers continue to insist that the majority of games delivered to their respective consoles haven't even started to touch the high level of graphics that they could achieve, and yet it seems undeniable that work progresses to achieve the next level of processing power. Whether you're a PlayStation person or a diehard Xbox fan, you may be curious to know which of the two consoles could hit the big time with their next offering into the gaming marketplace.

The Race for First Place
Obviously customer loyalty plays a large role in determining the success of the top console. Some PlayStation fanboys (or girls) simply won't listen to reason, even if the Xbox 720 were judged to be the better gaming platform. But as they say, he who laughs last… Didn't get the joke. For those individuals that might sit on the fence more than siding with either of the two companies (or of course Nintendo), one factor in determining which console they opt for is simply which one is ready first! The race to reach the shelves first is on.

There may not be that much in it when it comes to processors, graphics engines, RAM, storage space and the like, in which case people may simply pick up the first option that appears in front of them.

Both Sony and Microsoft have shied away from revealing information about a release date for their products. You can guarantee that as soon as one takes the first step though, the other will soon be jumping on the bandwagon to release their product first. The second generation of Wii console, the Wii U, is already scheduled to find its way onto the high street in 2012. Obviously Sony and Microsoft don't judge this particular console to be too much of a threat as the best estimates for the release from the big boys is the year 2013, but we do wonder if Microsoft will, once again, be able to reach that finish line a little before the Sony team.

A Specification War

The PlayStation 3 might technically have the edge on the Xbox 360 when it comes to graphical prowess, processing power and high definition media in the form of its Blu-Ray drive, the differences between the next generation consoles may be more slight. One doesn't simply walk up to the technical experts and insist on a new processor created in one month. The creation of the technology to back up these next generation consoles has likely already been in development for several years. But both gaming platforms will certainly be filled to the brim with the latest and greatest technologies.

One distinct difference that we are likely to face is that of the way that we actually receive our games. Sony may choose to stick with their Blu-Ray disc drive; however it seems unlikely that Microsoft will ever incorporate that Sony technology into their console. The Xbox 720 will need to move to a high-definition form of media however, so we may see HD-DVD make its triumphant return, or perhaps even a cloud based game downloading system that we've already experienced to a certain extent with the Xbox Arcade.

Motion control may also be an obvious difference in the specifications of these two consoles. The Kinect and Move technologies have been undeniably successful, though it is obviously that Microsoft and Xbox have been ahead of the curve when it comes to innovation. We're expecting an enhancement to the Kinect for the next generation Xbox, but can Sony come up with anything to rival such a complete piece of augmented reality equipment?

Your Own Gaming Paradise

If you don't mind waiting for a few extra months after console number one is launched, and you aren't too bothered by the particular specifications that each system will boast, then you will likely be swayed by your own preferences. If you live and breathe for the next Halo or Gears of War game, then you will certainly want to stick with Microsoft, but if LittleBigPlanet is more your thing, then the PS4 is where it's at. The choice will be yours!

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