Xbox One - PlayStation 4

So what now?  Hopefully your minds are all made up by now.  Right?

I have listened to compelling arguments from both camps stating why one should get a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, but I would like to focus on three things here:

1)  LEAVE THE PAST BEHIND

Whatever clout Microsoft had over Sony in North America during the Xbox 360 vs PlayStation 3 era is history.  What matters now is what these NEXT generation consoles stand for and how they represent the face of today's new agenda. Microsoft has made more than enough changes to the original Xbox One policies to realign itself more closely to the desires of most present day gamers. Lets not kid ourselves though...Microsoft's initial unpopular policies will go on as background processes, being developed and perfected for a time when gaming and media is better suited exclusively for cloud computing and high speed data transfers.  With that being said, I feel Microsoft's agenda has changed since the birth of the 360. Before, Xbox and ultimately Xbox 360 came out solely focused on games, great games.  Music services, video services, social media were offered too of course, but there was no mistaking the Xbox 360 for an always on, one-box-does-all device (ie Xbox One).  Sorry.  Xbox One is always on anymore, that was policy reversal they made... Anyways.  I'm not discrediting change, but their timing and presentation of Xbox One wearing all these hats in the beggining was lost in translation to it's core supporters.  Sony was probably planning on doing things along the same vein, but regardless, they shrewdly played their cards right this year and focused majorly on the much needed improvements over it's PlayStation 3 model, AAA exclusives and strong Indie Game support to position themselves as a strong first choice among gamers this holiday season (according to pre-order sales.) There is a lot to look forward to and learn about.  Looking back at this point won't help you in your decision.

2)  SPECS DON'T LIE...BUT

Hardware specs this year are fairly even between both systems.  Researchers and analyst say the PlayStation 4 still has an edge over the Xbox One, but these claims can't be qualified by YOU because you don't have the luxury of extensively testing both systems. That being said, hold on to your spec sheets with a grain of salt.  The PS3 specs were better than the Xbox 360 but the Xbox 360's design allowed it to utilize it's hardware and software resources more efficiently which led to the system becoming the more popular machine for developers to use.  I still believe this year Sony has truly grown through it's past challenges by admitting them and actually resolving them. Additionally, we've seen that specs are not indicative of a concrete showing in the world of technology. Changes are constantly being made, for better or worse.  Commentaries are always adding varying perspectives. The results of benchmark tests are increasingly being explained away as circumstantial, there by inconsequential to actual game play on a broad consumer level.  Companies can and will update and tweak their consoles at their discretion.  One advantage today could easily be trumped tomorrow by the opposition.  Time will tell of course, but long story short, don't get too caught up in the spec sheet debate this year! The latest issue of Game Informer has a great spread comparing the two systems specs.  If you are not a member, sign up and read it.  It's free.  It's games and stuff.  Do it.

In any event, Just be a smart consumer and go with your preference.  

3)  SPEAKING OF PREFERENCE...

There is no right or wrong choice this year.  In case you were wondering, I'm still going to get the PlayStation 4 this year. Ironically, I was a loyal Xbox owner since the original launched.  I sold my 360 and peripherals at the beginning of this year for non game related reasons but I decided it would be to my benefit to stay gameless and approach these next generation consoles sober minded and unbiased.  I am no longer a "fan" of one system or another...but I have always been a fan of gaming.  That being said, the Xbox One looked pretty good to me until Microsoft shook my consumer confidence in their interests as a company.  They made some highly unpopular policy decisions early on which has since then been reversed.  BUT.  I still don't feel confident that Microsoft won't try to flippantly reinstate some of these policies later on down the line.  This would most definitely ruin the Xbox ONE experience they are trying to currently revive.  Time will tell.  I believe time is on Microsoft's side in the long run, but I believe Sony's camp controls the momentum in the mean time.  This is not to say Sony won't or can't make the same mistakes, they have before.  If they do it again I'll leave them too.  If I feel any company is trying to artificially create a need or environment that I don't agree with THROWING MONEY AT IT WON'T CHANGE THE COMPANY (or the issue).  Save your pennies. Big companies think they are infallible so they run the risk of doing whatever they want.  For example, the biggest problem with Facebook, aside from NOT listening to it's users feedback, was that it changed too much too drastically...  The result was a pain.  Their site was always confusing, our privacy policies were always reset, there was always something new to learn or something old we liked removed, it never felt like Facebook would do anything about it either.  Sure concessions were made here and there, but ultimately FB reverted back to their scheme...Sound familiar?  Too much change, too drastic.

The scales will tilt in favor of the agenda that understands the "gaming" market most for now. There may come a time when we can assume the hybrid notion of combining social media, social viewing, and social gaming all through one console, tied neatly together with a nifty voice recognition software... When the need for this becomes evidently clear and technically feasible on enough consumer fronts that would make the implementation of such hybrid system successful, then by all means pull the trigger!  But you cannot superficially create that need through policies that change too much too drastically (ahem... Microsoft).  While I feel Microsoft understands that, Sony utilized it's fresh slate in the PlayStation 4 to gain people's trust this year instead of going for the more ambitious game changer. Seeing how we live in a world where our personal information is being collected daily by hundreds of companies and sold without our consent for the sake of personalized ads; Trust is hard to come by in a corporation.  So I'll gladly give it to them considering the situation... If Sony and Microsoft drop the ball PC gaming is a great alternative... The Wii U isn't a console I prefer but you better believe I'll play that before I get trapped between two greedy companies holding the gaming industry at gun point...Or maybe I'll just go back to playing Nintendo 64 or Gameboy Color.  I still have my sega genesis games.  Dreamcast was fun too.

AT THE END OF DAY I'm excited to see how things will pan out.  I got a chance to use the PlayStation 4 Dualshock 4 controller and Xbox One's controller.  Both felt GREAT.  I plan on bringing my buddy over with his Xbox One after it is released and comparing the feel and game play of both systems.  

(Of course he doesn't know this yet! Lol!)

Follow me on TWITTER for more updates my friends.  When the systems do launch I'll be sure to give you more feedback!

Peace

- JA

Doing Something You Love

Over the past 4 years I've learned that if there is something that you are especially passionate about, pursue it.  In today's economy it's become increasingly difficult to find a job, especially one you love.  I want to single out a few practical things that have helped me position myself to turn what I love into a career.

1)  Discover What You Love To Do

For me finding my passion really gave me the insight necessary to realistically position myself to do something I love for a living.  I like reading, researching and fixing computers, phones, video game consoles, paintball guns and staying informed on the industries associated with these things.  It never occurred to me that I could actually make a living doing these things amidst applying for menial jobs here and there.  After this realization I asked myself, what do people who have similar interests do for a living?  Asking questions like this will help you determine how you can use your talents in a employed setting.

2) Plan Your Steps

I hate to make lists and write things down.  However, in order to turn abstract thoughts into tangible surreal opportunities it helps to have an outline you can look at.  It can be cumbersome, but you need a plan.  I started listing out all the information I could find.  To help with getting that information I would bounce ideas off of family, good friends, call companies and talk to HR, or chat with managers and co workers I already knew from other places.  I used LinkedIn a lot to network with various professionals (in addition to Twitter and Google+).  I found LinkedIn to be the most helpful for me.  If you have a LinkedIn and would like to network with me click here.  You can also go to career fairs, internships and community service projects.  These things will challenge you to become a more proficient networker while giving you valuable exposure to your field of interest.

After you have written all these things down refer back to your list periodically to see if anything changes as it will help you derive some clarity from all the research you've done.  Ask lots of questions:  "Do I still care?  Am I completing any tasks in a timely fashion?  What do I need to do next?  Is there a pattern of interest that has appeared?"  Over time this accumulated knowledge will help you to become an expert in your field too.  Take everything into account and keep your resume updated.  Believe me, a specialist who has a solid plan is the candidate hiring employers are going to prefer compared to someone whose efforts look one dimensional...or non existent!

3) Expect Hard Times

It's not easy to pursue something as elusive as a dream.  It's hard to stay motivated if nobody supports your dream.  It's hard to stay grateful about your 9 to 5 when you look left and right and it feels like everyone else is on cloud 9 to 5 doing what they love. On the other hand, maybe hard times look different for you.  You may not even have a 9 to 5.  Maybe you work the graveyard shift.  You may actually not even have a job.  Or it could be that you are a single parent raising kids with no help just doing what you can to get by.  Maybe you work part time somewhere and you just simply hate it.  The reality is,

It is hard

No matter what walk of life you are going through, there are healthy things to do to relieve stress or doubt when you feel discouraged.  I play paintball, hang out with my mentors, play video games, work out, hang out with family and a few good friends, I write, I try to stay away from people or things that indiscriminately discourage me from my life goals, I pray. Point is. There is always a way to manage the stress or doubt that comes your way while trying to navigate your circumstances. Giving up is not an option.  Focus on having a healthy coping mechanism for hard times. You never fully know what life will throw at you, but over time you learn to anticipate hardship and see it as a natural ingredient of maturity. When that breakthrough comes through all the hard work and long suffering will be an after thought.

At The End Of The Day...

If you know some pointers to help people reach their goals please share them, even better, go help those people if you personally know them.  I believe that knowing what my passion is gives me purpose and focus.  Having a written plan helps give me direction and accountability.  Life is hard guys, accepting that allows you not to be paralyzed by it.  Believe me I know.  Since finding what it is I excel at I have been able to help many people.  I have learned not to take for granted the things I know and start making confident strides in serving people with my skill set.  I have learned to be a self starter and motivate myself.

As a result of taking this advice to heart I started my own business as an electronics technician.   I networked with various I.T. professionals and other personnel, I got involved with industries by writing articles and chatting with influential minds in the market place all while striving to acquire certifications relevant to I.T. and software.  Not even three months into expanding my network and being active I receive a job offer from Apple Corporation and GameStop headquarters.  Now, as a newly hired employee with GameStop Corporation, I get to work at headquarters, doing what it is I love for a living with a company I also love.  This is no game.

At the end of the day, stay positive and keep at it.  If you felt this blog helped you, thanks so much for reading and sharing!  If you feel it made you rich feel free to send me a donation lol! :-)

Peace

-JA (Follow me on twitter! @Joe_Andrew)