Console & PC 101

This article explains basic information regarding each console & PC client used for the extensive list of games offered by Generation Esports. Please note that not all games are available on all platforms.

CONSOLES:

• PS4

  • Retail value $299 (1TB Slim Version recommended)

  • Last generation console released Nov. 2013

  • Lowest power/performance of the current Playstation family

• PS4 Pro

  • Retail value $399

  • Last generation console released Nov. 2016

  • Significantly improved performance over base PS4

• PS5 Standard

  • Retail value $499

  • Current generation console released Nov. 2020

  • Best power/performance in the Playstation family

• PS5 Digital

  • Retail value $399

  • Current generation console released Nov. 2020

  • Best power/performance (same as PS5 STANDARD)

  • No disk drive (digital downloads only)

• Xbox ONE

  • Retail value $299

  • Last generation console released Oct. 2013

  • Lowest power/performance console of Xbox family

• Xbox Series X

  • Retail value $499

  • Current generation console released Nov. 2020

  • Best power/performance of current Xbox family

• Xbox Series S

  • Retail value $299

  • Current generation console released Nov. 2020

  • 2nd in power/performance under Series X

  • No disk drive (digital downloads only)

• Switch

  • Retail value $299

  • Current generation handheld/console hybrid released March 2017

  • Focus on family-friendly titles (i.e.) Super Smash Bros. & Mario Kart 8

• Switch Lite

  • Retail value $199

  • Current generation handheld released Sept. 2019

  • Not recommended for competitive play, due to handheld limitation

ONLINE SUBSCRIPTIONS

Below you will find information on the various online subscriptions required for online play available for each console.

• Playstation Plus

  • Individual membership ($60/year)

• Nintendo Switch Online

  • Individual membership ($20/year)

  • Family membership covering up to 8 accounts ($35/year)

• Xbox Network*

  • Online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service ($10/month)

• Xbox Game Pass**

  • Game subscription service for Xbox consoles, Windows 10, and Android ($10/month)

• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

  • Combines Xbox Network & Game Pass services ($15/month)

*Xbox Live will be rebranding to Xbox Network*

**Subscribing to Xbox Game Pass alone will not allow for online play**

PC GAME CLIENTS/LAUNCHERS

Using Windows 10 OS, PC uses different clients to operate different games, depending on the developer of the title. Below is a list of different game clients and examples of titles offered on each.

• Steam

  • Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Halo Infinite, Rainbow 6: Siege, NBA 2K Series

• Battlenet

  • CoD Vanguard, CoD Warzone, Hearthstone, Overwatch

• Epic Games

  • Fortnite Battle Royale, Rainbow 6: Siege, Rocket League

• Riot Games

  • Valorant

CROSS-PLATFORM, EXCLUSIVES, ETC.

The following list provides information on which games support full cross-platform play (players can play w/ each other across console/pc), which games are exclusive to specific console/pc, and the titles available on multiple platforms but do not support cross-platform play.

CROSS-PLATFORM TITLES

• CoD Vanguard (Playstation, Xbox, PC)

• CoD Warzone (Playstation, Xbox, PC)

• Fortnite (Playstation, Xbox, Switch, PC)

• Halo Infinite (Xbox, PC)

• Overwatch (Playstation, Xbox, Switch, PC)

• Rocket League (Playstation, Xbox, Switch, PC)

EXCLUSIVE TITLES

• Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (PC)

• Valorant (PC)

• Hearthstone (PC)*

• 10-Minute Chess (PC)*

*Title also available on mobile devices, supporting crossplay.

TITLES W/OUT CROSS-PLATFORM PLAY

• FIFA (Playstation, Xbox, Switch, PC)

• Madden (Playstation, Xbox, PC)

• NBA 2K (Playstation, Xbox, Switch, PC)

• Rainbow 6: Siege (Playstation, Xbox, PC)