Now Loading - PS4 vs Xbox One X: Should Sony Worry?

In our first post-E3 2017 Now Loading, we share our thoughts on yet another face-off between Sony and Microsoft’s gaming consoles. Given Microsoft finally announced the price, release date and name of the Xbox One X (formerly known as Project Scorpio), and how it’s definitely more powerful than the PS4 Pro, should Sony worry?

While the PS4 has a big lead over the Xbox One in terms of hardware sales, there is the chance that Microsoft can still catch up. I mean, Sony did it last generation with the PS3, and there’s no reason to believe Microsoft can’t do the same. For this week’s Now Loading, the staff weighs in on whether Sony should be worried about the Xbox One X.

Agree with our thoughts or are we not giving the Xbox brand enough credit? Do you think Sony should be worried in terms of third-party games looking and performing better on the Xbox One X compared to the PS4 and PS4 Pro? Let’s get this discussion rolling in the comments!

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Now Loading is a recurring staff-driven feature where PlayStation LifeStyle discusses anything video game-related under the sun (yes, even non-Sony platforms).

Now Loading...Should Sony Be Worried of the Xbox One X?

Now Loading...Should Sony Be Worried of the Xbox One X?
Zarmena Khan

@Zarmena

Yes and no. Like I said before, at this point in the cycle, hardly anyone is going to switch from Sony to MS just for better graphics so the probability of regular console users and non-MS fans picking up an Xbox One X is pretty low. However, Xbox has started a new race that it's running all by itself. In other words, it'll have time to carve out a market and gain experience by the time Sony's next-gen console hits store shelves. Therefore, PS5 has to be more powerful and robust than the Xbox One X (which is also likely going to be a bit down in price by the time PS5 rolls around) and will also have to run the extra mile to catch up since MS has a head start. If Sony fails to do that, it'll be a disaster for the company.
Stephen Bitto

@SteveOneder

Absolutely not. Sony's first party studios can do more with a PS4 Pro than Microsoft's with an Xbox One X. As long as Sony's approach to power, quality and price doesn't dramatically shift with PS5, the domination train will keep on rollin'.
Cameron Teague

@Cameron_PSLS

Sony should always be worried a little by the competition, that helps to make sure they don't become complacent. However, I think Sony has afforded themselves enough time to look at how the X does and then react. It also helps that to my understanding, Microsoft is marketing the X as an upgraded system like the Pro, not a new system.
Tyler Treese

@tylertreese

Sony should be worried, as Microsoft seems to be doing a lot of things right for the long-term and are earning good will back through moves like Game Pass and backwards compatibility. Sony has seemingly gotten complacent recently in terms of delivering features and value to consumers (remember how they ridiculously disallowed EA Access on PS4). Their views on these subjects (and others like cross-platform gaming) will only hurt them going forward. The Xbox One X won't overtake the PS4, but Microsoft isn't betting all of its chips at once. Hopefully this competition will get Sony to be as progressive as they were at the start of the generation, as that'd be great for all sides of gaming.
Alex Co

@excaliburps

For now, no. I mean, the stranglehold Sony has this gen is stupidly tight and no amount of new horsepower can overcome that. However, if Microsoft pulls a rabbit out of its hat and then just pushes for a new console generation with the Xbox One X just to one-up Sony (hey, it could happen), then Sony might be forced to retaliate with the PS5 -- regardless if they're ready to announce it or not.

Having said that, a lot of people will hate MS if they indeed do that, but that's a different discussion for another time.

In short, nope, I don't think Sony has anything to be worried about. I mean, not unless all the third-party games are exclusive to the Xbox One X. And you know that's not happening given how big the PS4 installed base is.
Mack Ashworth

@GamingWithMack

As much as I'd love Sony to face some tough competition, I don't think the Xbox One X is going to cause too much stress. The PS4 Pro already does a fantastic job at making games look great on 4K displays. Sure, the Xbox One X may achieve instances of native 4K, but I think players are less concerned about that, and more bothered about the exclusive experiences available on each platform.