Thursday, September 26, 2013

Console Wars 2013: PS4 vs Xbox One vs Wii U

I'm just going to say it:
THE CONSOLE WARS WERE HORRIBLE.

I couldn't really care about how "up-to-date" or how it's an "all-in-one entertainment system." What really matters to me is the things such as processing speed, game quality, etc.

Time to go Head 2 Head one last time.


Nintendo Wii U
"...The Wii U utilizes a custom multi-chip module (MCM) developed by AMD, IBM and Renesas in cooperation with Nintendo. Its MCM combines a central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU), as well as an EEPROM memory controller. The CPU, designed by IBM, consists of a PowerPC 750-based tri-core processor "Espresso" clocked at 1.24 GHz. It is described by IBM as an "all-new, Power-based microprocessor", the processor is a multi-core design manufactured at 45 nm with an eDRAM cache of unknown size. It is produced by IBM at their 300 mm semiconductor manufacturing facility in East Fishkill, New York. The GPU, designed by AMD, consists of a AMD Radeon High Definitionprocessor codenamed "Latte" packed with a 34 MB eDRAM cache built onto the die clocked at 550 MHz. The console also includes a secondary custom chip that handles undisclosed tasks. These tasks are handled seamlessly in the background during gameplay or while the system is in sleep mode. The console also contains a dedicated hardware audio DSP module...

...The Wii U contains 2 GB of DDR3 system memory consisting of four 512 MB (4 Gb) DDR3-1600 DRAM chips with a maximum bandwidth of 12.8 GB/s, in which 1 GB reserved for the operating system and unavailable to games. This is 20 times the amount found in the original Wii. The GPU also features a 35 MB eDRAM cache memory. The memory architecture allows the CPU and GPU to access both the main DDR3 memory pool and the eDRAM cache memory pool, removing the need for separate, dedicated memory pools...


...The Wii U features 802.11 b/g/n wireless network connectivity and Fast Ethernet (requires an attachment), Bluetooth 4.0, four USB 2.0 ports (two at the rear and two at the front of the console) and an SD memory card slot (supports up to SDHC cards). An additional power port is also included to power the Wii Sensor Bar, an auxiliary infrared emitter first introduced on the Wii. Video output options include 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 576i, 480p and 480i, through HDMI 1.4 and component video (YPBPR and D-Terminal) or 576i, 480i (standard 4:3 and 16:9 anamorphic widescreen) through composite video (S-Video, RGB SCART and D-Terminal). Audio output options include six-channel 5.1 linear PCM surround sound and analog stereo. The console also supports stereoscopic 3D images and vide
o..."


Recent Activity Summary:
Despite the somewhat positive reviews it recieved, the Wii U hasn't sold as much as it was expected to, only selling 160,000 consoles WORLDWIDE in the last quarter. The solution? Cut the price. The console being about $400 is a bit much, even on Nintendo's standards. But no, Nintendo says, "MAKE MORE GAMES!"

Seriously?

The Wii U released with about 30 games on launch day, which is A LOT! WHY MAKE MORE GAMES?!?! JUST ADD ONLINE  MULTIPLAYER! My DS was able to get Online Multiplayer and it's over 10 YEARS OLD.

Final Score:
Nintendo, I've been a loyal fan for most of my life, but this is disappointing. I don't care if your idea for a best seller is remaking an old Zelda game, smacking decals on a black Gamepad and calling it an "awesome bundle." You've lost all of the creatvity from the old days and for that, I give the Nintendo Wii U a 4/10

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Microsoft Xbox One
"...The Xbox One's exterior casing consists of a two-tone "liquid black" finish; with half finished in a matte grey, and the other in a glossier black. The Xbox One's components were designed to evoke a more entertainment-oriented and simplified design than previous iterations of the console; among other changes, the LED rings used by the Xbox 360 are replaced by a glowing white Xbox logo used to communicate the system's status to the user....
...The Xbox One has an APU with eight x86-64 cores clocked at 1.75 GHz, based on the Jaguar architecture from AMD, and 8 GB of DDR3 RAM with a memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s. The memory subsystem also features an additional 32 MB of "embedded static" RAM, or ESRAM, with a memory bandwidth of 102 GB/s. Eurogamer has been told that for simultaneous read and write operations the ESRAM is capable of a theoretical memory bandwidth of 192 GB/s and that a memory bandwidth of 133 GB/s has been achieved with operations that involved alpha transparency blending. The system includes a 500 GB non-replaceable hard drive, and a Blu-ray Disc optical drive. It was reported that 3 GB of RAM will be reserved for the operating system and apps, leaving 5 GB for games. The graphics processing unit (GPU) is based on an AMD GCN architecture with 12 compute units, which have a total of 768 cores, running at 853 MHz providing an estimated peak theoretical power of 1.31 TFLOPS. For networking, the Xbox One supports Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11n wireless, and Wi-Fi Direct....
...The Xbox One will support 4K resolution (3840×2160) (2160p) video output and 7.1 surround sound. Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of marketing and strategy for Microsoft, has stated that there is no hardware restriction that would prevent games from running at 4K resolution. The Xbox One will support HDMI 1.4 for both input and output, and does not support composite or component video...
...Xbox General Manager of Console Development Leo del Castillo has said the Xbox One will be able to monitor internal temperatures and adjust accordingly. As the system generates more heat, the fan speed will be increased to compensate. Additional measures can be taken, including forcing the hardware to run in a lower power state – a new feature that wasn't present on the Xbox 360. Restricting power consumption lowers maximum performance, but the setting would be intended as a last resort to avoid overheating that can lead to permanent hardware damage..."

Recent Activity Summary:
Microsoft, you screwed up BIG. I don't care about all the special feaures like being able to watch TV! I HAVE A DVR BOX ALREADY, MORONS. I CAN WATCH TV PERECTLY FINE THE WAY I'M AT NOW. Just keep doing policy reversals and MAYBE I'll actually consider buying a console.

Final Score:
Microsoft is more of a FPS/Sport/Racing game company. The party games are horrible, most of the games for Kinect don't even need body motion, and the only games I enjoyed on the dumb thing were Assassin's Creed III, Just Dance 3 and Kinect Sports. And because it's Microsoft, I expect the return of the dreaded Red Ring of Death. Microsoft has let me down to many times and this console is just a way for Microsoft to prove you only need on machine to do practically everything. That or go mainstream. I'm giving the Microsoft One a 5.5/10
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Playstation 4 (PS4)
"...The PlayStation 4 will use a processor developed by AMD in cooperation with Sony. It will combine a central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU), as well as other components such as a memory controller and video decoder. The CPU consists of eight x86-64cores. The system is capable of running at a maximum clock speed of 2.75 GHz. The console will contain 8 GB of GDDR5 memory, 16 times the amount of RAM found in the PS3 and is expected to give the console considerable longevity. It also includes secondary custom chips that handle tasks associated with downloading, uploading, and social gameplay. These tasks can be handled seamlessly in the background during gameplay or while the system is in sleep mode. The console also contains an audio module, which can support in-game chat as well as "a very large number" of audio streams for use in-game...
...The PS4's read-only optical drive is capable of reading Blu-ray discs at speeds of up to three times that of the PS3's. The console will feature a hardware on-the-fly decompression module boosting optical disc reading speed and buffer unread data when a game is not actively accessing the optical drive, forming part of Sony's PlayGo strategy. Like the Playstation 3, the Blu-ray Disc drive should be capable of reading 16-layer 400 GB discs. Although the console will support photos and videos at 4K resolution, the system is not expected to be able to render games beyond 1080p. The console will include a 500 gigabyte hard drive for additional storage, which can be upgraded by the user...
...The PlayStation 4 will feature WiFi wireless network connectivity (and wired Ethernet), Bluetooth, and two USB 3.0 ports. An auxiliary port will also be included for connection to the PlayStation Camera, a motion detection digital camera device first introduced on the PS3. A mono headset, which can be plugged into the DualShock 4, will come bundled with the system. Audio/video output options include HDMI TV and optical S/PDIF audio. The PlayStation 4 does not have an analog audio/video output..."

Recent Activity Summary:
I'm just going to be blunt and say it: Sony is the best company by far right now.
Sony actually listened to it's players, making them the console that will ultimatly make the Xbox One and Wii U look like baby toys. The console is $100 CHEAPER than the Xbox One, letting friends borrow games is simple and the console has a removable and UPGRADALE hard drive, which will make it easier for gamers to customize their console as they please.

Yes, I am being biased a bit when I say that I perfer Sony over Microsoft, but the PS4 is no foe to be reckoned with and truly deserves the score of 8.9/10


The winner of Console Wars 2013 is......
PC! 
Because PC always beats out Consoles in everything.

-drops the mic-
-walks off stage-

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Grand Theft Auto Controversy and Violence in Video Games

"...According to NBC33 News' Samantha Morgan, the freshman was visiting Baton Rouge—likely for the college football game between Auburn and LSU—when he reportedly stole a truck and then attempted to replicate the popular video game, Grand Theft Auto..."

This is the second paragraph of a news article posted onto the website "BleacherReport" on September 23, 2013. The reason I chose to write about this topic is because I want to end this debate once and for all, so here we go.

Rocket Launchers and Monkey Masks in GTA V?! WHAT A DEAL!

One recent report to come out this week was about a young middle school football player punching one of his teammates in the face and the so-called reason for this is him playing, of course, GTA V. But in these kind of situations, it's the parents' fault for even PURCHASING the game. The Entertainment Rating Software Board (ESRB) purposely rated the game "M" (17+)for "...Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol..." SO WHY WOULD YOU BUY THE GAME IF IT SAYS RIGHT ON THE COVER THAT IT CONTAINS SO MUCH CONTENT?!?!?


The ESRB Rating System

The whole "Violence in Video Games" dilemma has been around for many decades now but the reports are always the same. A reckless youth or young adult tries to re-enact to attempt events that take place in popular video games, most popularly the series Grand Theft Auto. Yes, GTA V is much more violent than it's previous entries (one scene even involoving you torturing a person, which has sparked one of the most recent debates), the game ISN'T REAL. It's called a GAME for a reason, you know.


In the end, the issue is completly ridiculous. You see, when I pick a game, I know what I'm getting myself into because I research all the games before I play. If you watch my YouTube videos, you'll see I only play games rated "E" (Everybody) to "T" (Teen). So, basically, to end the debate, just do this:
LOOK BEFORE YOU BUY THE GAME, YOU MORONS AND MAYBE THIS WON'T HAPPEN. 

You're Welcome.