You didn't see the reflection of the light on the screen?

It reflects off the screen through most of the live stream I posted above, but I don't know if that was just the camera angle. As a guy with an affinity for plasma TVs, it could be a problem for me...nothing a little tape won't solve, but it's still silly that they won't let you turn it off, which was confirmed by Shu Yoshida. But he said developers can turn it off in their games, so presumably developers could also give you the in-game option to shut it off.

Interesting. They've talked about having it change color in-game, like turning red when you die or flashing when you're in danger, but I haven't heard anything like this. I don't know why they couldn't do it.

PS4 does (holes in the photo below). X1 does not.

Several Wii games used the speaker in ways that sound gimmicky, but were pretty neat in practical application. One of my favorites was Resident Evil 4, where reloading and knifing sounds came through the controller. It was subtle and immersive. I actually think controller sound might have a greater ability to provide immersiveness than rumble does if it's applied in interesting ways. I find myself turning rumble off more and more in games, as it can be irritating if overdone (Borderlands 2) or if I need absolute precision (Battlefield).



More and more, I think the touchpad is going to be the real gamechanger. It's not really so much an innovation as it is a practical application of the way things are obviously going, but I'm excited about the possibilities.

On the friends notification thing, it's been more or less confirmed that friends are sortable into "files" including real names for your real friends on PS4. You'd have to think that there will be options for those files, and you could limit the ones you get online notifications for.

That would be awesome as about half of the friends in my full list are people that I actually know and the rest are people that I have met and played with in certain games like Rainbow Six Vegas 2 or GTAIV online.

My predictions are 10/22 for PS4 and 11/19 for X1...in the US. Either or both could launch a week later, but I don't think either launches any earlier based on available evidence.

Rationale:

Sony would like to launch just before or aligned with Battlefield 4. All things being equal, I'm sure they'd like to hit about a week before and move a few extra copies of Killzone. All indications (finalized specs and SDKs, FCC cert in July) are that their choice will be a matter of strategy as long as their manufacturing holds up.

MS will launch in November as promised, and they would obviously like to hit Nov 5 for CoD. But if you think the tweak to final specs two weeks ago, lack of published FCC cert and the delays of actual preordered units are signs of anything, you have to think it's going to be more like the end of November. I'm not saying they are behind where they should be, but they sure look like they are.

Putting my predictions out there...curious what others think. Both should announce in a few days, and then we can talk about the impact of a month or so of de facto CoD/BF exclusivity.

How do you know I wasn't making fun of chuck for using that phrase? Also, I defended you in the X1 thread.

Regardless, the next thing I find funny will result in a title change anyway. So, like I said, don't take it personally.

No sweat.

Spoilering my response because most folks don't (or shouldn't) care...


Moving on...launch dates & controllers...

I really hope they is an option to turn that off. Every time the Wii did that, it reminded me of my kid's toy.

The first time my Wii controller made a sound, I thought it was kind of cool. After that, I found it obnoxious.

I like it. The Wii controller speaker was cheap and sounded like shit. The WiiU's sounds much better given the remote play nature of it.

Fully depends on the quality of the speaker. Wiimote speakers were terrible, but the potential is obvious.

If it makes the more subtle sounds of the things in your character's hands and sounds better than the Wii, it could be cool, as it was in some Wii games (RE4 as an example):

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tpusJhB_Wkk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Could also do little things like the Codec sound from Metal Gear...various electronic devices...etc.

Agree that options would be best for people who don't want to use it or play with headsets etc.

Sony is Sony so there is no excuse for the PS4 speakers being anything less than flawless.

The Wii U speakers are decent.

Will anyone be streaming it?

I think this is the official one:

http://gamescom.eu.playstation.com/

Is MS not doing a conference at Gamescom? For some reason, I thought they were doing an E3 style press conference that would be livestreamed, but it sounds like the "Microsoft Showcase" on the Gamescom docket is "press only".

I know Spencer is doing the keynote as well, but that's usually more formal.

Here's the docket for tomorrow: http://www.gamescom-cologne.com/medi...ssetermine.pdf

10:30 a.m.
Showcase Microsoft

04:00 p.m.
Press Conference Electronic Arts

07:00 p.m.
Press Conference Sony

I'm also surprised at EA but no Ubi.

From Polygon: Microsoft will hold a small, press-only event on Aug. 20 with more information on Xbox One. The hot topic for discussion is the company's new policy of self-publishing for indie developers. Studio head Phil Spencer is also slated to deliver the keynote speech at Gamescom.

I'm guessing we will get release dates for both consoles tomorrow.

Yeah, just edited my post after googling a bit.

I just had it in my head that MS was planning something bigger...not sure where I got that idea.

I'd be shocked if this weren't the case.

I also still expect Crackdown 3 for X1 and at least a couple of PS4 announcements from some combo of Media Molecule, Guerrilla's second team, and one of the Santa Monica teams...and maybe a teaser for Uncharted 4 from Naughty Dog's other team.

To note that's 4:30 AM EST for the Microsoft Showcase, 10 AM EST for EA, and 1 PM EST for Sony.

Yay! Finally release dates!

... and the posts from people saying why one date is better than the other.

I mean, does it even matter?

All other things being equal, earlier is always better than later.

See, for me these 'exclusive' content deals are the best reason NOT to cut the cord. I fear the day I'll have to sign up for a dozen different services/platforms just to get the content I'm currently getting under one roof. I guess I don't see the point in 'cutting the cord' when in turn I'm still just getting a bunch of smaller 'cords'.

Oh don't worry, when we finally get ala carte everything, a few months later we'll get the hardcore "But I want it all in one place" crowd.

The cable companies have the technology right now to give you the a la carte channels (or programs via PPV) that you want, but they don't do it.

Why?

Somebody will get this internet TV thing done. I'd bet on Apple or either Comcast/TWC over Sony, but it's inevitable.

Because the contracts with content providers won't allow it.