Sony has confirmed that its next-generation PS4 console will support PS3 wireless headsets.
Delivering another blow to the Xbox One and Microsoft, all official and third-party wireless headsets designed for the PS3 will be compatible with the PS4 and its DualShock 4 controller.
Speaking to Polygon at the San Diego Comic-Con, Sony said PS4 gamers won’t be required to buy new wireless headsets, instead they will be able to utilise all their old gear.
The PS4 will ship with its own new mono earbud headset, but all PS3 wireless headsets will be supported too.
Microsoft announced last month that the Xbox One won’t ship with a headset at all. Instead, gamers will have to purchase it separately.
The software giant instead pointed to the bundled Xbox One Kinect peripheral as the best way to chat to friends when engaging in online multiplayer games.
There is an official Xbox One headset available to purchase at launch, which Microsoft rather confusingly describes as “a must-have for fans of online gaming” specially “designed for long gaming sessions and clear voice chat”, despite the supposed Kinect capabilities.
Just to add to the fury felt by Microsoft console fans, any current-gen headsets for the Xbox 360 will not be compatible with the Xbox One.
The new Xbox One Wireless Controller features a redesigned native connection at the base which won’t support any existing kit whatsoever.
“The Wireless Controller has been redesigned to allow for higher data transfer and speed between the controller and the console,” explained Microsoft last month. “This also required creating a new expansion port design for headsets and future controller add-on devices which is different from a standard audio plug input.”
Microsoft Australia did suggest that the company is working on a solution to make current-gen and existing third-party peripherals compatible with the new controller, perhaps in the form of an Xbox One peripheral adaptor.
“Xbox plans in the near future to allow consumers to connect many brands of wired gaming headsets to the Wireless Controller for gaming and chat audio.”
Although, with Microsoft’s current track record, we’ll believe it when we see it.
The PS4 will retail for £349, while the Xbox One is priced at £429. Microsoft has confirmed a November Xbox One release date, with the PS4 also tipped to launch the same month.
Next, read our Xbox One vs PS4 comparison.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
