Well there are almost 9 days left before most you have a PS4 sitting next to your TV and ready for the next gen. Sony has been smart enough to keep the bad secret til the pre-orders were over. One could almost make the argument that at the very least MS was honest and transparent with their ideas although unpopular and their hasty amends might be looked upon in a more favorable light than it is today.
While I am glad technically all the disclaimers listed recently about the PS4 does not effect everyones "next gen" experience too much. I found myself wincing more than once reading through that list of what is not supported. Some of these were features that were actually used to some degree and while I believe some of them will be patched in eventually it begs to wonder how complete a product you are getting for your money, your steadfast support and loyalty of a company.
The question is simple: Are you ready to take the plunge? Has the recent list diminished or make you second guess your choice? Does the other system seem to have a better deal?
Here is a short list of disclaimers ripped wholefully from our GI editor Mike Futter (sorry Futter). Keep in mind that there might be a few things rectified after these were posted but (and I have been very good at this) i have not come across any news about Sony "rectifying" any misconceptions.
"As we previously mentioned, Sony has posted a new document pertaining to the capabilities of the PlayStation 4 at launch. We outlined the list of release titles, and the surprising news that the console won’t allow for USB devices to expand system storage. Here are some of the more minor details.
If you’re hoping to borrow a game from a friend before a digital license purchase to cut short download time, you’re out of luck. The PlayStation 4 requires that you delete the disc data before you can install a digital copy.
Music fans will be disappointed to learn that the PS4 does not support audio CDs or MP3s. It also doesn’t have a visualizer.
In addition to the features that will be activated by update 1.5 (like Blu-Ray playback and online play), the PlayStation 4 will be missing a couple of other things. You won’t be able to share your controller over the internet to get help from a friend right away. You also won’t be able to use wireless stereo headsets (even Sony branded ones) as we previously detailed.
If you are currently using the PlayStation 3 as a media server, you might want to hang onto that console. The PS4 won’t be able to serve that role.
At launch, the PS4 will have full parental controls for sub-accounts, and you will be able to download updates while the console is in standby mode. This is different than suspend/resume mode, which also won’t be featured at launch.
Sony has stated that day-and-date digital releases are a goal, but that it’s up to publishers. Be warned that if you are hoping to go exclusively digital this generation, Sony isn’t guaranteeing that all titles will fit your plan.
There is some good news for importers. The PS4’s games aren’t region locked. This includes digital purchases. Sony does recommend you stick to your own region for those to ensure the best experience, though.
PS3 and PS4 users can technically play together (as they likely will when DC Universe Online arrives). They wont be able to voice or video chat with each other, though.
Finally, there is no more waiting for patches to download. You’ll be able to play your game while that happens. You will need to restart your game to implement the new content, though.
The full blog is extremely detailed, and we expect that it will be updated many times over the coming days. There are titles we were surprised to see absent from the list of release day games, and there may be some clarification about other elements.
[Source: PlayStation Blog]"
I can tell you this now, that some patch would be deployed to make the dvd work. The drive exists on the platform so that one you can discount.
My answer: If anyone has read any of my other paltry blogs, they would know where i stand, even introductory paragraph should show my steady disappointment. But just to answer my own question: Yes I would have heavy regrets if I purchased one right away. I think MS has more "games" than the PS4 and I would be twiddling my thumbs staring at advertisements of games that are coming soon in between my spurts of Killzone. Who would have thunk it? Another zombie game would actually have that pull on me, especially when I am tired of that genera. Its close to a system seller for me but I am loyal to Sony and I trust them to deliver at some point. But sadly the Indie and Arcade crap doesn't bolster that rickety bridge across the great canyon of doubts. So I wait for that time when I feel I would get a "complete" experience from my system. It sounds very entitled, I know but for the money you are putting down you have a right to expect a complete system. Not some half baked chunk of silicon and plastic with promises of coming soon. It just doesn't do it for me.
I believe you guys that took the plunge should get more for your money than I would with my eventual purchase. I held on to my PS2 slim (shady?) till the PS3 slim came out and I got a great deal on a cyber sunday and I have had not had any regrets. The transition from a 360 to a ps3 was almost instantaneous and notable, especially since the PSN kicked up a notch. yes I started with a 360, hell of a deal to get a 20 Gb second gen model (no hdmi port) for 50 bucks for the whole set (bags, controllers, games, cords etc), it wasn't bad at all but live really didn't have any interest on me and it felt like I was missing out the reason 360 is the 360. I don't plan on getting an X1 anytime soon, I am sticking with Sony but I will wait. I am loving my ps3 and have no plans of giving it away and it will carry me well into the time when there is a PS4 slim that will do what Sony said it would do (minus the *** that we all know is eventually going to be abandoned when fans start complaining).. So what about you? How confident is your pre-orders? Share your doubts, let me bask in your insecurities.