3 things PlayStation 5 did better than Xbox in 2022

PS5 DualSense, Xbox Series X Controller Source: Sony, Microsoft

The latest generation console has arrived, with the flagship PlayStation v and Xbox Series 10 consoles already delivering on their power promise. Demand is loftier, with the stock hard to come by in the latter months of 2022 and a thriving resale market fetching premium prices. And while it'll take some time for the storm to settle, we already see the foundations of the coming years in gaming.

Simply with the consoles launches now in the past, we can see how Sony has entered the latest generation positioned deeply for the future, staying prevalent in discussions abreast Xbox Series X. The visitor did a lot right with the PlayStation v in 2022, and here are three successes Microsoft should take on board equally information technology shapes its plans for the year ahead.

1. The timeworn tale of starting time-party and launch lineups

Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty at E3 2022 Source: Matt Brown | Windows Central

While the Xbox Serial 10 and PlayStation 5 both launched as capable next-generation systems, each platform holder felt the importance of its showtime-party output throughout this year. While neither console saw the "must-buy" organization seller every bit past consoles, a robust launch lineup from Sony was one of several reasons behind this being the hotly anticipated panel. The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series Due south had various games optimized for the hardware, simply it lacked the flagship Microsoft-made titles, post-obit the delay of Halo Infinite into 2022.

It amplifies a long-term trouble for Microsoft, with its first-political party creative output a continued criticism throughout the Xbox Ane generation. While Microsoft has its share of hits throughout the decade, PlayStation Studios has maintained a consistently compelling portfolio in the latter years of the PlayStation 4. That included titles like The Last of Us Part ii and Ghost of Tsushima launched in the pb-upwardly to PlayStation 5, with backward compatibility translating its atomic number 82 from the outset. Its seen many blockbuster Sony releases go critically-acclaimed cultural anchors, while Microsoft'south alternatives often failed to retain long-term mindshare among the masses.

Microsoft looks to address those concerns, with a steady string of acquisitions flexing its corporate influence, doubling its creative arm to two dozen studios. Acquiring ZeniMax Media is the latest headline inclusion, dropping $seven.five billion for teams like Bethesda, known for The Elderberry Scrolls and Fallout. The visitor also had its triumphs, with the long-anticipated Legend reboot unveiled with Playground Games and tease of a new Perfect Dark headed by The Initiative, an experimental self-described "AAAA" studio. Simply information technology'south still early on days for these latest additions, with the best likely non to come up until at to the lowest degree 2022.

It leaves me hopeful for Microsoft'south showtime-party output, demonstrating its delivery to games, especially from its internal studios. Information technology's a shame that wasn't proven with the Xbox Serial Ten launch, and its barebones lineup highlighted some much-needed competition to come.

ii. The PlayStation DualSense is side by side-generation hardware to remember

Playstation 5 DualSense Controller Source: Sony

Microsoft was smashing to boast the raw processing power enabled by Xbox Series X, just improvements to the controller were somewhat marginal compared to the PlayStation DualSense. The new Xbox Wireless Controller looks to be the best revision yet, with improved ergonomics making information technology feel slap-up to utilize, to the indicate where the Xbox One controller feels plain incorrect. While it also fabricated some modest functionality tweaks, it wasn't the generational shift seen with PlayStation 5, debuting a drastic shakeup to its controller's identity.

The move to PlayStation DualSense wasn't just about that all-white color scheme, as a far departure from the DualShock family's signatures. The robust haptics system was the praised add-on, with several hardware changes with pregnant implications on how games feel. The gamepad stows programmable voice-coil actuators in either grip, coupled with new "adaptive triggers," with increased precision over predecessors. That includes the usual feedback through vibrations, alongside a new trigger system with variable resistance based on gameplay.

Astro'southward Playroom has proven ane of the all-time showcases yet, included with every PlayStation v system, and demonstrating early applications for the applied science. The platform utilizes haptics throughout its globe, meaning that walking on sand feels distinctly dissimilar from water rushing below. It also has mechanics like a "spring suit," where adjusting a coiled metal spring increased resistance when compressed. The new Xbox controller has the aforementioned rumble motors and impulse triggers as the Xbox One, which, while still responsive, fall far behind the tech used in DualSense.

It remains uncertain how developers will prefer DualSense features in the long-term. The Xbox Ane family had splendid haptics compared to PlayStation 4, especially with its impulse trigger vibrations. At that place were some memorable implementations, representing rumble strips in Forza or different weapons in Halo, only support was minimal. Improvements to the Xbox controller could pair nicely if the DualSense becomes a mainstay in the PlayStation 5 lineup.

3. It'due south all about that launch hype.

Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Retail Boxes Source: Matt Brown | Windows Central

The pandemic pushed all manufacturers to think differently, especially when navigating the challenges of almost showcasing products. Those in consumer engineering ofttimes resorted to virtual showcases, some taking refined infomercials, while others took a more candid arroyo. For Sony, that was a high-budget product that elevated the PlayStation 5 above the competition, with its June "State of Play" event a defining moment alee of launch.

Microsoft started its Xbox Series X launch strong, unveiling the console design pre-pandemic at The Game Awards in December 2022, coupled with the first await at Hellblade ii. The outset major next-generation hardware unveiling provided a head start in the spotlight for Xbox. Microsoft connected aggressively into the early months of the year, farther detailing its console specifications and what players could wait. But when it came to showing the panel's capabilities, a showcase focused on smaller developers saw lukewarm reception.

Sony also unveiled the PlayStation five in multiple stages, including a technical deep swoop in March, and finally revealing its eccentric console design iii months later. That came with a showcase of various in-house exclusives and third-party titles, including gameplay for Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, alongside anticipated sequels similar Horizon Forbidden West. We stated at the time how this event came in stark contrast to what Microsoft had shown just weeks prior.

Microsoft followed upwards with its blockbuster event in July, with big-ticket titles similar Halo Space taking to the stage. It had some notable announcements, with a brief reveal for Fable's return, State of Decay 3, and Forza Motorsport, although with little context on what to expect from each. The Halo series latest also faced backfire over its visual presentation, souring what should've been Microsoft's hit title headed into the holiday. It meant that once Xbox Series X launched, we'd seen piffling actual footage of the console — while Microsoft delivered a keen panel, information technology did a poor job of telling me why I should buy one.

That's still evident today, with both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series 10 difficult to buy one month later, but with Sony'southward console seeing absurdly high demand. That'due south also reflected in the resale market'southward markup, with both of its new consoles fetching higher prices than the flagship Xbox.

It's nevertheless early on days for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series 10, with both consoles expected to prove themselves throughout the yr ahead. With cutting-edge hardware representing a substantial bound over the previous generation, each brings sizeable advancements, although each with private strengths. Allow us know how you think Sony'south offerings with PlayStation 5 compare to Microsoft's latest in the comments.

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