Is it just me, or does the xbox 360 get undeserved credit? Being a "core" gamer owning both the top of the line consoles right now, I find that when I buy a game that's available for both, I consider the following:
Does it have multiplayer? If so, then I am more likely to get it for my 360, simply because most of my friends own one.
Does it have DLC, or good potential to get it? Again, I'm more likely to buy it for my 360, because it gets more support in that regard.
After I consider these factors, I will most likely make the purchase for the 360, but I come away from it feeling confused, and almost dirty. Why do gamers flock to the 360? Xbox Live, while being an amazing service, costs some serious money to keep active. Most of the gamers I know are in my age group (16-20), and aren't pulling in much dough from paycheck to paycheck. Yet they still primarily play on the 360. Most of them are also well aware that Playstation's online service, Playstation Network, is free, but when I ask them why they don't own a PS3, I get blank stares, or worse, epic fanboyism. One could argue that Xbox Live is a better service, but having used both, I can't say I agree, and PSN cards just became available in Canada. However, Im aware that XBL boasts some features that PSN doesnt, they just dont interest me, such as netflix or facebook.
This consideration eventually led me to a revelation. Microsoft, being a software company, has a more developed and thought out GUI. Sony, being a hardware company, has a machine with more horsepower, it is capable of better graphics rendering, and all around larger, more complex games due to the blu-ray format. So each console has its pros. The 360 is a somewhat easier platform to develop for, and is more accessible to people who arent as technologically inclined. The PS3 is a more powerful console, with features that make it a great value, such as blu-ray and free online play.
And that rant leads me to my main point. Most developers dont give the PS3 the time it deserves. This is aparent in cross platform titles such as Fallout 3 or Bayonetta. Both these titles look better on the 360, but for no definable reason accept for developer laziness. Why does the console that has more horsepower not get to show it? Looking at PS3 exlusives such as Uncharted 2, Killzone 2, inFamous, or even LittleBigPlanet, one would think that the PS3 versions of these games should be visually on par, if not better. I have played Gears of War 1 and 2, and Halo 3, and they just do not impress me visually compared to those PS3 exclusives. They dont impress me gameplay wise either but thats another story.
I long for the day when developers will take advantage of the PS3 and all it has to offer, so that I dont feel cheated when I pick up a copy of Fallout 3 or Oblivion for my PS3 and have to wait months for the DLC after its been released on the 360. And if I cant have that, I want them to at least come forward and explain their strange phobia for making money through the PS3.
