The holiday season is always an expensive time for gamers, but this year we're seeing the launch of not one, but two next-gen consoles: Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
Only one other time have two systems launched in such close proximity (Wii and PS3 both release in November 2006), but that was hardly the competition offered with Microsoft and Sony's next-gen consoles. Can you recall a time ever before in gaming like the one we're witnessing today between the Xbox One and PS4? Because I can't.
Point being, with the Xbox One and PS4 both launching in November — just a week apart — it's likely going to be an even more expensive holiday season. Now I know not everyone will be purchasing a next-gen console at launch. You are probably the smart ones. But for the rest of us, our wallets are going to be hurting.
So for fun, I decided to put together a running tally of how much upgrading to the next-gen will cost me. Just don't show this to my wife.
Next-gen console of choice:
For me, I'm purchasing a PlayStation 4 at launch. So that's $400 right off the bat.
For the record, I have both an Xbox 360 and PS3. While the majority of my gaming for this current-gen was done on the Xbox 360, the exclusives released for Sony's system over the past year have caused me to shift towards the PS3. I now play most of my third-party titles on the PS3.
Note: It also doesn't help that my Xbox 360 recently took a dump and now the disc tray keeps randomly opening and closing.
The point is, the last year of gaming on the PS3 has impressed me enough and given me enough confidence in Sony to overlook what I consider to be a rather weak PS4 launch lineup. I'm buying into the PS4 with the hope that PlayStation will once again remain the place to be for exclusives. And with their emphasis on the PS4 being a "gamer's machine," I'm quite confident it will be.
It also helps that the PS4 is a cool $100 cheaper and PS Plus has a history of offering great games for free — on top of the free-to-play games like DCUO and PlanetSide 2. For those on a budget (like myself), the PS4 is the obvious choice.
What about Xbox One?
Let the record show that even though I'm getting a PS4 at launch, I'm still a fan of Microsoft. Sure, the issue with my Xbox 360 has left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I have such a history with Microsoft's system that it's hard to write off. I'll eventually get an Xbox One, I'm sure, but for now I'm sticking with a PS4 only at launch.
For those buying an Xbox One: $500
For those buying both: $900
The games:
Thank god for the upgrade system
Both Sony and Microsoft are offering promotions that let you upgrade from current to next-gen for just $9.99. I'll definitely be taking advantage of this deal. Here are the games I already own on PS3 that I plan on upgrade. Since I'm personally using the $9.99 upgrade, I've put the standard price in parentheses.
- Madden NFL 25 – $9.99 ($60)
- Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag – $9.99 ($60)
Other games I'm getting at the launch of PS4
- Call of Duty: Ghosts – $60 (there's an upgrade plan for this as well, but I'm just waiting until the launch of the PS4 to buy this)
- Killzone: Shadow Fall – $60
-
Battlefield 4* – $30 (I'm putting this for $30 because I'm actually planning on purchasing it for PC on Black Friday, where it's rumored to be discounted 50%. Let's hope that's true or my tally will be going up)
*Technically not at launch, but still considered a next-gen game
Thank God for delays
As most are aware, Ubisoft's Watch Dogs was delayed from a November launch to 2014. I'm okay with this, if only for the reason that it gives my bank account a temporary break.
$60.
PS Plus Subscription
Let's not forget that Sony is requiring a subscription to PlayStation Plus if you plan to play games online, which I do. Most of the other entertainment apps on PS4 will not be locked behind a gate, but if you want to play multiplayer online, you better be prepared to pay.
On the plus side, PS Plus rewards subscribers with multiple free games every month. And they are quality games! In November alone, subscribers will get Resogun and Contrast on PS4 for free. If you own a PS3, you'll get Dragon's Dogma Dark Arisen, Binary Domain, and Ibb Obb.
Pricing to PS Plus varies depending on the membership you choose. I'll be getting a one year membership for $49.99 (but remember, you can usually find discounts to PS Plus and Xbox LIVE online).
And the grand total for my upgrade to next-gen:
$680.
That's actually less than I thought it would be, so that's good. Let's also remember, that I'm using the upgrade system. Adding in the two games I've already purchased for PS3, my total is $800.
The scary part is this list doesn't even include other already announced PS4 titles like Destiny, The Order: 1886, and any other PS4 titles that I'm sure will be announced at the PlayStation All Access show (Naughty Dog, anyone?). When it's all said in done, I'm sure this number will be closer to $1,000.
Nobody ever said gaming was a cheap hobby. But I think we can all agree that it's definitely worth it.
How much will your jump to next-gen cost?
