When MeinMMO editor Patrick Freese scrolls through social media, there are always cool news about the Xbox Series X and S. With Sony’s PS5, it feels different to him.
We are currently in the heated phase, right before the next-gen officially lands in your hands. Accordingly, the social channels are filled with news, memes, and announcements.
It seems to me that there are significant differences between Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5.
Here’s how the Xbox Series X looked
There are quite a few positive news that come to mind regarding Xbox Series X and S. It all starts with the Xbox Game Pass.
The Xbox Game Pass: At the beginning of September 2020, Microsoft announced changes to the Game Pass. For those who don’t know: It’s a subscription for games – you could also call it “Netflix for gamers.” Participants pay a fixed monthly fee and can access a library of over 200 titles. They can play the titles for free as long as they are members of the Game Pass.
The Pass was already good at the beginning, but a partnership between EA and Microsoft is making the Game Pass even more awesome. Soon to be included are FIFA, Battlefield, The Sims, and more. This change, which can be utilized at the release of the Xbox Series X and S, is a big deal for many gamers.
Funny reaction to leak: Also in early September, there was a major leak for the Xbox Series X and Series S. Even before Microsoft announced it, an anonymous source revealed the price of the two next-gen consoles. The release date was also correctly predicted. To top it off, Twitter users shared a 4-second clip that first showed the Xbox Series S.
After a few hours of silence, Xbox responded on Twitter to the topic that was now so much on the mind of the gaming community due to the leak. Instead of denying or downplaying anything, they showed community closeness and published a meme:
Later, there was also a humorous jab from Xbox at PlayStation, but that tweet was deleted again.
The fridge meme came to life: When the first images of the Xbox Series X were presented, the internet compared the console to a fridge. Square and large, one must be able to store energy drinks and food in it.
What Microsoft made out of it became one of the highlights of the year for me. I quickly wrote to my friends saying, “Do you remember the Xbox fridge meme? You won’t believe what Microsoft did!”
Microsoft actually built three of these in “life-size” and sent one to Snoop Dogg and one to a YouTuber who unboxed the giant Xbox fridge in a video.
These are public actions that stick in my mind when I think about the last few weeks with the Xbox. With such cool actions, Microsoft is currently flooding my timeline on Twitter and Facebook. But with Sony, it feels different to me from the outside.
And what about the PS5?
The external perception of the PlayStation 5 is completely different from that of the Xbox Series X|S.
Exclusivity: With their exclusive deals, Sony constantly causes a stir. In August 2020, it didn’t go so well when they announced Spider-Man as a new character for the online game Marvel’s Avengers. Initially, there was excitement about the new hero. But then they clarified: This character is only available on two platforms: PS4 and PS5.
Marvel fans could not understand how such an iconic character in the universe, which everyone wants to play, was released exclusively for PlayStation.
Even some PS4 users criticize the decision of Square Enix, Crystal Dynamics, and Sony. Meanwhile, Xbox thinks differently and wants to expand its offer instead. Xbox chief Phil Spencer has even said that he “loves PlayStation” and wouldn’t rule out bringing Game Pass to PS4 and PS5.
Threats of legal action: Today, the news circulated through my social channels that Sony prohibited a retailer from selling Custom Plates, i.e., alternative side covers for the PS5. The retailer offered these so players could customize the color of the console.
The retailer explained that they are now canceling all incoming orders. “The reason for the withdrawal, according to the retailer, is a threat of legal action from Sony.” You can read here why there will be no colorful side plates for the PS5 from this retailer.
I’m not here to judge the sense or nonsense of this decision. I’m here to say that such stories stick in your mind and influence me.
What’s going on with HDMI 2.1? The PS5 uses HDMI 2.1. This is an improvement over the 2.0 version with significantly higher bandwidth. It is important to note that you need an HDMI cable that supports the 2.1 version for this technology.
Various sources report that the PS5 may not include an HDMI 2.1 cable. This was supported by videos from DigitalFoundry or TechRadar.
So far, there has been no official statement from Sony. It’s quite possible that the right cable will be included in the sales boxes of the PS5. It would only make sense that Sony also includes the cable that maximizes the performance of the console in conjunction with a TV. There may have just been an error with the older cables sent to testers. Even if the correct cable is included in the sales boxes, this is yet another “tinge” surrounding the release of the PS5.
Update: GamePro.de has now confirmed that the cable supplied with the PS5 is only an HDMI 2.0 cable.
What is PlayStation doing well? It’s not that I find the PlayStation 5 entirely negative. Recently, when the unboxing of the PS5 started, the internet went wild. Within minutes, the most popular videos on the topic garnered over 250,000 views. Everyone wanted to see how the console looks when unboxed. Microsoft lagged a bit behind in this regard. A day later, the press could present their unboxing of the Xbox Series X – we have the Series X compared to a dog and a banana.
Currently, there is also an exciting campaign where players are supposed to share their best PlayStation moments. This is where you dive together into a wave of nostalgia. Here on MeinMMO, you can also write about your very special PS moments and win a PS5 [Article is an advertisement].
To me, the last few months of social media presence surrounding the Xbox Series X feel like “Wow, there’s something cool new again,” while with Sony, it often tends to be less cool things that are shared.
In terms of presence, I see Xbox as really strong. With the substantial Game Pass, funny reactions on Twitter, and powerful statements from the Xbox chief, who wants to share his product with all players.
What do you think? Does this effect come across the same way to you? Feel free to write to us here on MeinMMO in the comments about whether you see it the same way I do – or if you have a different opinion.
