221w ago - Here is a 5-round match between PSN and XBL. For each round, the contenders can get up to five points. The five rounds will be features, online play, ease of use, content, and bang for the buck.
Round 1. It's All About the Features
I think we all know which will get the higher score in this round. The PlayStation Network has improved rapidly since its debut. At first, compared to XBL, psn was like a little kid against a big adult.
Since then, psn grew to match a lot of the features that XBL had. I know many of you disagree with us when we say this, but Home is a nice thing to have on PSN.
The reason is that it is constantly evolving, and will soon catch up to what Sony promised from Home and more. Just like PSN... PSN was not what was promised during release, but caught up to those promises. Back then, I would have given psn a 2, but now PSN deserves a lot better. XBL hands down has more features, but PSN has just enough to live with. XBL - 5 PSN - 4.5 (.5 because of Home)
Round 2. Online Play
Both PSM and XBL offer amazing online play. There really is no difference in the online play of these consoles. One of the major benefit of PSN is that the games that use its dedicated servers are huge.
When was the last time you heard of any game on XBL that can handle 60 player online lag free. MAG is supposed to have 256 players. Thats what I call epic. For now, nothing has come to our attention that gives PSN the edge besides resistance, so both get: XBL - 5 PSN - 5
Round 3. Ease of Use
They both are very easy to use and they are very different. The XBL has everything integrated into the NXE. Its easy to see whats going on, what new games are released. The friends list is nice in both. The PSN has a separte section in the XMB for PSN.
It has downloads, life with PlayStation, Home, and the store. I have to say, if they didn't update the store to what it is today, they would have lost this section. Now for the negatives, XBL has preset values for the points. The minimum to charge on psn is $5. Both are bad ideas, so both get: XBL - 4 PSN - 4
Round 4. Content
This is a highly debateable one. Both XBL and PSN have a lot of content. But, PSN is able to have content like GT5: Prolouge and Warhawk, because it does not impose a limit.
Both have their fair share of small games, but psn titles like flower are titles you actually feel like paying for. Don't get me wrong, XBL has some great content which is why both get: XBL - 5 PSN - 5
Round 5. Bang for the Buck
I know what you're thinking... you think that we put this section here to boost PSN's score, but here us out. PSN is free, and thats the golden rule. For free, you get access to a lot of content, free online play, and Home. Although XBL charges $50, it is worth paying for, for everything that you get (headset, features, etc.).
Both would get 5's, but when the competition offers a better deal, you have to do something to beat it which microsoft has not done...(I'm looking for a Live price cut please) XBL doesn't deserve a four, so: XBL - 4.5 PSN - 5
AND THE WINNER IS: PSN and XBL
Both have their ups and downs, but both are great. Don't be a fanboy, appreciate both. We're sorry if we upset anyone out there.
AND THE WINNER IS: PSN and XBL
Both have their ups and downs, but both are great. Don't be a fanboy, appreciate both. We're sorry if we upset anyone out there.