Sony And Microsoft Team Up To Bring You The "PlayBox"

Well, obviously.

It's April 1. It's Sunday (and we don't normally update on Sunday). Sony and Microsoft teaming up on a console is probably the most absurd thing we could think of. Well, I would've added- "And FFVII Remake Is A Launch Title" but it wouldn't fit in the headline.

So it's not about trying to convince you that this is real news. Rather, it's a chance for the community to discuss what the gaming landscape might be like without the petty console wars. Personally, I wouldn't mind having one universal console, just because I've never really cared about the name on a machine; I've always just wanted to play the games I want to play, which are typically the best ones available. And when multiple consoles have games I want, I have to own them...and that not only gets cumbersome and awkward, it gets expensive as generations roll on.

On the other hand, they say that competition begets quality and I'm willing to bet that console manufacturers don't mind having competing systems out there. It may drive first-party developers to do something extra special. At the same time, I think all game designers are gamers themselves, and they all want to create the best experience they can, so maybe the hardware competition is unnecessary. It just might be easier the whole way around; it may solidify the industry as well, because having multiple consoles isn't exactly accessible. I know to outsiders it might be confusing whereas with one unit, it's just- "Here, buy this and you can play any game made."

I really wouldn't mind. Having to buy a couple new pieces of hardware each generation (and finding room for the ones I already have) is getting ridiculous. However, I'm willing to bet that not all gamers agree...

Tags: ps4, playstation 4, xbox 720, new xbox, new playstation

3/31/2012 8:45:35 PM Ben Dutka

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Comments (45 posts)

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EddPm6
Saturday, March 31, 2012 @ 9:18:30 PM
Reply

you son of a b you. its still the 31st where i live

Last edited by EddPm6 on 3/31/2012 9:19:10 PM

14 up, 0 down

La_Bete12
Saturday, March 31, 2012 @ 10:29:00 PM

Same here! my mouth dropped and then I noticed that it was for sunday....stupid April Fool's Day *facepalm*

5 up, 0 down

Doppel
Saturday, March 31, 2012 @ 9:29:18 PM
Reply

Picture: The face of the people that believe the rumor mill and then post raging comments on forums based on the rumor alone with no fact checking.

0 up, 0 down

komotaya
Saturday, March 31, 2012 @ 9:31:36 PM
Reply

I like having a ps3 exclusively. The only thing that come to mind is the graphics quality and that it might stop rising in a single system since they would have no one to out do system wise.

4 up, 0 down

Spore_777
Saturday, March 31, 2012 @ 9:33:58 PM
Reply

"Hideo Kojima reacts to the bashing he got"...would have been a winner, Ben. Lol.

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Saturday, March 31, 2012 @ 9:36:53 PM
Reply

Ha, I'd become strictly a Nintendo gamer if this were true.

5 up, 13 down

bigrailer19
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 3:52:39 AM

Just curious, why?

7 up, 0 down

shadowscorpio
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 10:17:45 AM

I'm with big. I'm curious as to why as well.

4 up, 0 down

Dragoon
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 12:52:03 PM

As am I

3 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 1:56:29 PM

Because I don't like MS. Especially their gaming devision.

8 up, 2 down

fatelementality
Saturday, March 31, 2012 @ 10:00:28 PM
Reply

Wow, I Can't wait to play such awesome titles as Splinter Gear, Ratchet & Chief, and Twisted Forza!

16 up, 2 down

Mr_Sterg
Saturday, March 31, 2012 @ 10:05:37 PM
Reply

HAHA imagine. <a href="http://eu.playstation.com/psn/profile/Sterg10/"><img src="http://mypsn.eu.playstation.com/psn/profile/Sterg10.png" border="0" /></a>

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Saturday, March 31, 2012 @ 10:20:43 PM
Reply

As soon as I saw the headline, I just knew...because there's just no way in H-E-double-LL that will ever happen.

Am I'm willing to bet over a $200K worth of gaming collections that not only could it never happen, it will never happen either between those two.

hell, just the differences in their business ethics alone, would repel them from each other.

4 up, 1 down

Axe99
Saturday, March 31, 2012 @ 10:21:04 PM
Reply

lol :). Competition is very important - unfortunately, having both consoles out there (all three with the Wii U giving Ninty a play for core gamers again) means that beyond the software, the gaming 'ecosystems' (hardware, online services, software) are always pushing each other to do better. There's no way the PS3 _or_ the 360 would off what they did if only one had existed - and the reason the PS3's launch was as rough as it was, was due in large part to them having such an easy ride the previous gen. Competition is good :). Not too much though, gotta be in balance - but that's an issue for another day!

2 up, 0 down

shadowscorpio
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 10:19:41 AM

You got it.

0 up, 0 down

komotaya
Saturday, March 31, 2012 @ 11:15:58 PM
Reply

Crap it April's fools, we've been had!

1 up, 0 down

Metal Head
Saturday, March 31, 2012 @ 11:45:45 PM
Reply

I only need the Playstation brand to enjoy the most diverse library in gaming history. When Super Nintendo was the mighty king, I quit gaming. I got tire of playing games that didn't appeal to me. Suddenly, Resident Evil, Metal Gear, Crash,Tekken,Gran Turismo,silent hill were developed for playstation. Later, I got into rpgs thanks to Parasite Eve which was amazing. Nintendo 64 never had a chance against Playstation. I'm glad Xbox is successful because it allows Sony to develope better hardware and games. A MicroSony console would limit innovation.

5 up, 2 down

eLLeJuss
Saturday, March 31, 2012 @ 11:45:51 PM
Reply

I like the FF7 remake article from lastlast year? or last year better!! lolol aprillllllllll fooooooooooools!

1 up, 2 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 12:05:02 AM
Reply

A remake for FFVIII? That's gotta be a typo, though I wouldn't mind that game remade too.

As to the other thing, I think gaming would get super lame and generic super quick if there was one console. Monopolized industries just tend to suck hard.

1 up, 0 down

Helghast
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 12:22:10 AM
Reply

I have been saying for years if we could get a console which Sony takes care of the hardware, and handles all of the first party game studios, and Microsoft builds the operating system. We would have the best console ever on the face of the earth! But that will probably never happen.

3 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 1:57:43 PM

Windows OS is crap.

6 up, 3 down

AcHiLLiA
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 8:46:08 PM

Thankfully, the only Microsoft products we have in the household is their software in our computers.

0 up, 0 down

Helghast
Monday, April 02, 2012 @ 10:26:04 AM

@Jawknee You are entitled to your opinion on Windows and I have to agree it is not my favorite OS, but I was not referring to Windows. I was referring to the Xbox 360 OS which is much faster and much more functional than the PS3 OS in respect to multitasking IMO. I think the XMB is the best UI out there, it is really simplistic and easy to navigate, however Sony really needs to do a little cleaning, the XMB is beginning to feel too cluttered. I like how MS woks new functionality such as Kinect into their UI, I personally wish Sony would support move a little better and work on streaming the XMB. Dont get me wrong I do not want them to get rid of the XMB, just update it a little. I just personally feel like Microsoft takes more care in developing their OS than Sony does. PS3 is my console of choice and I do not even own a 360, but I just feel if the 360 has one major advantage over the PS3, it is in system software support and UI consistance across all applications. I realize Sony is very limited in respect to what they can do with the very limited amount of system memory, but I just feel even with the PS3's limited system memory MS could have made a slightly better OS for the PS3. But this is all just my opinion and we all know it is not at all likely MS and Sony would ever pare up to make a console, so I guess none of this matters anyway.

Last edited by Helghast on 4/2/2012 10:28:46 AM

1 up, 1 down

Fox hounder
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 1:06:14 AM
Reply

LOL, good one ben :)

I remember a few years ago when you wrote an april fools joke that said sony was going to start charging for PSN membership, i got worried over that.

Last edited by Fox hounder on 4/1/2012 1:09:11 AM

0 up, 0 down

556pineapple
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 1:47:25 AM
Reply

I liked the one from a few years back about the ultra cheap PS3 with no blu-ray drive.

A universal console could have its advantages, but essentially being a monopoly, they could get away with high charges. Plus there's not really enough Xbox games out there now that would make it worthwhile for me to get an Xbox, so I really don't mind just having one console. However, that could easily change next generation. Nothing wrong with a little healthy competition, especially if it gets the manufacturers, developers, and publishers to try to out-do each other in terms of quality.

0 up, 0 down

___________
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 3:20:29 AM
Reply

id love to see that happen.
but throw ninty in too then you would have the perfect system!
think about it $ony doing the future proofing of it, ninty doing the innovation bringing something new to the table, and M$ supplying a half competent OS and online service.
would be brilliant!
then you can have the best of both worlds with the games too.
the dark gritty exclusives M$ offers, the repetitive old but still fun exclusives ninty offers or the more unique risky offerings $ony brings.
honestly, i cant think of anything better to happen to the industry!

0 up, 3 down

Lawless SXE
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 3:33:25 AM
Reply

Just as long as they don't go through with all of the bollocks that's floating about the next generation systems coming with DRM built into them, I'm sure I couldn't care too much who teamed up.

Competition between the two would stall, but that would only serve to heighten the innovative attempts of this conglomeration and Nintendo, perhaps sparking something entirely awesome, and the combined bankrolls of MS and Sony could make the current tech specs quiver with the right people on the job dedicated to improving hardware quickly. Might be cheaper too.

Nah, I like things the way they are :)

0 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 4:48:01 AM
Reply

I agree with those of you who points out that competition is important. Indeed, it is in our best interest. At the same time, I very much agree with Bens arguments for one platform in his article. To not have to buy plenty different devices just to get to the games is *also* in our interest.

But the way I see it we are about to get the best of both worlds if the rumours regarding the next Playstation are true.
The consequences of having a slightly more standardized architecture means the developers more easily can deliver good versions of their games also on our console. And that is a win:win:win situation. I can't emphasis strong enough how right I think Sony's move is in these regards. What they do there is simply to adapt to the new reality.

I look more forward to the PS4 now than I've ever done before. If we don't have to wait five years to enjoy the full potential for our console the next generation then good for us. We've had enough of poor ports and the lesser versions now. If we can leave all that behind with the shift to the new console then who are we to complain? After all, it's ALL about the games!

Last edited by Beamboom on 4/1/2012 5:34:59 AM

1 up, 0 down

Dante399
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 8:06:04 AM
Reply

Oooh that's a good one, I was caught off guard lol

0 up, 0 down

sha4dowknight05
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 10:09:19 AM
Reply

HAHHAHAH APRIL FOOLS LOLOL

0 up, 0 down

firesoul453
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 12:31:13 PM
Reply

Dang lol you scared me!

0 up, 0 down

Dragoon
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 12:53:43 PM
Reply

I was genuinely excited about this when I read the title. As if I wanted this to be true. Wh-what's happening to me?! Ahh!

1 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 1:30:58 PM

Hot monkey!

=p

0 up, 0 down

CrusaderForever
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 3:36:19 PM
Reply

I like the XStation myself! :)

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 8:36:16 PM

Nahhhh

I'd rather see.....Station X

Anyway, if they ever did co-diddle....Er...I mean co-mingle.....one console together(which I will never foresee happening), the Sony's part in re-branding the name definitely has to come first in my book!!!!!

There's just no way that a company with shady business ethics, and who's semi-gimped their current console with RRODs , plus the fact that compared to the PS3, the 360 is a console with lesser discabilites, so M$ should never, never, ever, have their name first.

BTW, don't get me wrong because I DO like my 360, but I hate the scummy company behind it.

Last edited by BikerSaint on 4/1/2012 8:38:05 PM

1 up, 0 down

xnonsuchx
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 3:55:39 PM
Reply

In related news, FFXIII Versus and Duke Nukem Forever 2 will be released on Tue. Also, all SNES, N64, GameCube & Wii MARIO and ZELDA titles have been ported to PS3 and Xbox 360 will be released as a special $19.99 all-in-one packs.

0 up, 1 down

Gamer Girl Gemo
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 5:12:24 PM
Reply

Haha, good one, Ben. I can easily say that you're the first one to get me this year :)

1 up, 1 down

Highlander
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 5:38:09 PM
Reply

unified game console? No, no thanks. I've seen tht kind of cross brand standard attempted in the market before. It's name was MSX and it should serve as a warning to all to allow differentiation, competition and innovation

4 up, 1 down

xnonsuchx
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 6:36:01 PM

Don't forget 3DO too!

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 8:43:15 PM

xnonsuchx

HEY!, Don't you be hating on my Panasonic 3DO. LOL

Just try the insanely addictive 600-level game called "Icebreaker" & I'll bet you'll change your tune, quick, fast, & in a MF'ing New York second!!!

Last edited by BikerSaint on 4/1/2012 8:45:14 PM

0 up, 0 down

xnonsuchx
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 9:30:24 PM

Not hating on it...just pointing out that attempts to make a standardized platform for multiple manufacturers to license out haven't really panned out.

One interesting thing about the MSX/MSX2 that TheHighlander mentioned is that Yamaha made one that included an FM synthesizer (from their DX-series synths), which allowed it to differentiate itself from the other MSX/MSX2 machines. Otherwise, they were all about the same (with a Microsoft OS).

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Monday, April 02, 2012 @ 4:27:54 AM

That was the thing that killed MSX though, the standard existed, but manufacturers all wanted to differentiate themselves and made systems that were incompatible. Games and software for one would not necessarily work on another.

0 up, 0 down

Knightzane
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 8:04:33 PM
Reply

imagine if sports had one team...

0 up, 2 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, April 01, 2012 @ 11:02:38 PM

...what?

2 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Tuesday, April 03, 2012 @ 3:30:35 AM

It's a pro-competition statement...with the implication (I think) that your suggestion is stupid (because one team would have nobody to play).

BTW I'm with Jawknee: I wouldn't buy anything M$ had a part in making. I refuse to reward evil.

Last edited by Fane1024 on 4/3/2012 3:36:15 AM

0 up, 0 down

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