XBox Live Gold Vs. PSN Plus (Comparison)

So you’re a gamer that can only have one “premium” gaming service active at any given time, and you want to know which has the most “BANG” for your buck, right? Fear not my intrepid readers, I’m going to break down the pros and cons of each service so you can decide for yourselves which to get. Obviously the preferred choice is to get both, but not everyone has the resources for that, so which should you leave as the standard free service, and which should you go ahead and upgrade?

[Dante112]

PSN Plus won. I agree with the author, so many free games, discounts for games and DLC, and I'm loving their monthly sales. Cloud saving is sweet as well. I really really wish Microsoft offered some type of online play for Silver members.

[Mikefizzled]

Half of the things you just said are also on Xbox Live though? Deals of the week, Cloud Saving and even the rare free game for everyone.

[moparful99]

Except with playstation plus its a CHOICE and you get more then one rare free game.. You get ALOT of free games. I downloaded $180 of free games this past month alone and I've been a plus member since the begining..

[nukeitall]

@moparful99:

To be fair, if I don't play those games and would never buy them otherwise they are hardly worth $180 to me?

Furthermore, once your subscription runs out all those games are no longer accessible to you, so you didn't really get *free* games, but rather access to them.

Again to be fair to some that distinction doesn't matter, but it certainly isn't *FREE* because you paid continually to access them. It's a service!

Also, I want to re-iterate that Xbox Live Gold is a choice. You chose to buy the Xbox 360 which clearly says there is a fee for certain features. It isn't some unknown "thing" you found out afterwards, and it certainly isn't an issue trading in or sell the console when you do. In fact, most people discover this within the 30-day return window so they take it back to the store!

[Outside_ofthe_Box]

***"Furthermore, once your subscription runs out all those games are no longer accessible to you, so you didn't really get *free* games, but rather access to them.

Again to be fair to some that distinction doesn't matter, but it certainly isn't *FREE* because you paid continually to access them. It's a service!"***

Just like how in XBL when your subscription runs out you no longer have access to the multiplayer side of your games?

You see people need to stop looking at it like that.

PS+ doesn't just give you access to free games and XBL doesn't just give access to play multiplayer.

Both services give you MORE than that. If you only get PS+ to get free games and you only pay for Live just to play the multiplayer portion of your games then you are not doing yourself any good in the first place.

[MysticStrummer]

"Live is better than PSN, plain and simple."

In your opinion. I was the only person in my group of gaming friends who waited to get a PS3. The rest all bought 360s. None of those people have a 360 anymore and none of them think XBL is better than PSN. None of them have PS+ either, so that's the free PSN they're talking about.

[dedicatedtogamers]

Paying for the privilege to use the multiplayer portion of a game you already bought, the internet you already pay Comcast for, the Netflix subscription you already pay for, and being given a massive helping of advertisements pasted all over your console's main page is SOOOOO 2010.

[ShinMaster]

-
@nukeitall

Trying too hard again.
'Outside_ofthe_box' makes a good point.

[moparful99]

@Nukeitall You are splitting hairs to defend your opinion. Just because they aren't games you suppossedly aren't interested in doesn't negate their value. I could care less about halo or Gears of War but both games sell like crack on sunset blvd.. My opinions of those games in no way alters their market value. Secondly yes XBL gold is a choice but you either pay the subscription or you dont play your games online that you already paid for.. Spin this all you want to but PSN with the added benefits of PS+ is a good model of how microsoft should proceed with live. But we all know that wont happen because the only reason anyone buys live is to play their games online...

[TheLastGuardian]

So you don't keep your free games when your PS+ subscription runs out. Big whoop. If you want to keep playing them so bad, re-subscribe. PS+ is an incredible value regardless.

From the article: "Sony has a plethora of benefits for it's paying members, while Microsoft only offers what base PSN users get for free"

Yep, that about sums it up. With PS+ you're paying for access to 3 full PS3 games per month as well as free PSOne classics, free minis, tons of discounts, cloud game saves, automatic downloading and access to betas. Xbox Live is a total ripoff. Online play should be free on Xbox 360, especially since most 360 games these days are multiplats you can play multiplayer in on PS3 or PC for free.

[killershadow117]

I don't know if anyone caught this but under other benefits the author listed automatic downloads as a pro for PS plus, which Xbox already has too. Essentially all of the other benefits sections is a tie since all of them have the same benefits, so it's a tie overall for the battle. No one wins or loses.

[kreate]

when it comes to discounts on games ... or free games,
however u want to interpret 'free'

xbox gold = psn
psn plus > xbox gold

HOME alone has tons of free games, add on the free psn games giveaway HOME itself pwns xbox silver.

i recieved diner dash for free by looking up the answers on google and submitting via HOME lol

and kudos to ppl who recieved fat princess for free during the scavenger hunt :)

unfortunately i havnt played HOME in a very long time so idk how much it has changed over the last 1-2 years

[iiiDystopia]

It's hilarious. PSN better than XBL? Lol The truth is universally known. Only on N4G would something so stupid be stated. Does PSN even have universal chat yet? It's a joke. At least you can decorate your virtual home and dance/use emoticons in PS Home. PSN feels ancient after being on XBL for 6 years.

[Autodidactdystopia]

God I cant wait till next gen, so we can actually get more interesting news around this joint, been coming here 6 years, and the good news is becoming more and more rare.

I want new technology, im tired of reading all this crap about these blind fanboy driven platforms.

[extermin8or]

Well It think PS plus wins because it's basically a sort of cross between free games and a lovefilm or netflix for games, and plenty of the games especially now are very good quality: I mean Dues Ex is brilliant and that was added this month I may never have played it otherwise but I'm glad I have: for the price of one game I'm getting to play over 20 a year and that's without any games I actually buy; that alone is worth the money and if I can't afford it/don't want to I can stop and still play my own library of games online for free; and then resubscribe to plus as I see fit and get access to the games from before again plus the new ones that in my opinion is why PSN/Plus is better; not saying XBL isn't good (it'd be better without the adverts I mean PSN doesn't throw adverts at me and it's free so really gold should include some sort of *ad free* feature like some free to play browser games do....) but you are kidding yourself if you try to argue that that isn't good value?
P.s: @iiiDystopia yes PSN does have cross game chat (Party) on the PS vita and it also has the cross game text chat on ps3 which does the job quite well and I have no issue with; the PS3's low RAM is what stops it being able to do voice chat across games currently; not the PSN so using that to argue against PSN is stupid really, and yeah if you don't want to use home you wouldn't download it; it's there as an option and clearly plenty of people enjoy ad use it I personally haven't been on it in a long time- might have to check it out as I hear they redid since I was last on. (Hom#s probably still crap though lol)

[DigitalRaptor]

Extermin8or said it better than anyone else.

PS Plus offers tremendous value, even if you want to bring up the fact that game access expires when you stop subscribing. It's a choice to continue the access to games you would otherwise have to spend upwards of $200 per year for, and there's always some really nice surprises in there too like the recent addition of LBP2, inFamous 2, Deus Ex etc. And then there's services like Netflix which is essentially the same thing and no one complains that you have to pay again to access that service.

The biting point here is that simple online play is being defended by Xbox people because they have no choice but to pay, so they feel obliged to defend that unnecessary investment. That is the reason most people pay for it. Then Xbox Live has ads which shouldn't be there for Gold members... inexcusable. It's ridiculous to also charge to access free services and other subscription services like Netflix, but the ones who pay will never admit that. All it is is an app. You don't see Apple or Google charging you yearly to access your apps. Why is BBC iPlayer free on XBL but the rest of them aren't? Inconsistencies in standards - what's with that? What's the difference, other than BBC told MS "no"? More questions that shouldn't have to be brought up but it's another relevant area unfortunately.

Really here, we're comparing premium services of both consoles. The top tier services when compared means this, and exactly this...

More games vs. More features. As a gamer I know EXACTLY which one I prefer, which makes this argument pretty conclusive.

And as far as features go, PS4 will have the capability to offer everything XBL does, once there is enough RAM to implement them. It's not even speculation - Sony can't afford not to. PS Vita has that RAM, and PS4 most definitely will too. That is the REAL biting point. PS4 will offer free online play with pretty much equal services to XBL at this rate, especially with the GAIKAI absorption which will expand PS+ even more.

Choice vs. less choice. Hmmm.

MS needs to either add a similar thing to PS+ for Gold, or remove pay to access multiplayer, going into the future. It seems to be ridiculous to pay for something that everyone else get for free, and that's the simple ability to play games online, that doesn't require your funding of $60 per year. What's worse is that they'll be using that money to funding endeavours like Kinect and we all know how that's turning out. Just think about these things before you defend them, alright?

[NewZealander]

problem with the so called free games on psn plus is they are more like rentals, stop paying for plus and bye bye free games.

[Azazel]

In the last month alone I downloaded $290 in free games! LBP 2, inFAMOUS 2, ect. PS+ is definitly worth it! PS+ > Xbox live IMO.

[darkgod]

how can a downloaded game be rare? and no sorry but psplus won b a long shot. xbox live is utterly trash. we have all systems here and the xbox stuff blows. u see ima nintendo fan and i was shocked to se all of those great free games on psplus i mean wtf rachet and clank was on there a AAA game for free! nd virtul fighter and tons more. if u ask me it pays for it self. with xbox live well it sorta took 6 years yo get a web browser. if u ask me reg psn was on par with xbox live. though deep in my heart i cant forgive microsoft and there gimics with xbox life since the old days when i was younger. when i bouht phantasy star on it cus i could not find it on the cube. why? cus they dident even let me play single player with out paying for that shitty online service.

[Diver]

"xbox live is a choice" no nuke no. PS+ is a choice. if i dont choose + nothing happens. but if i dont choose live then half the game i already paid for dont work. you can call that a choice if you want but youre wrong.

the way you think new cars should come with a padlock on the gas tank an you have to pay a extra fee to chevy ever month just to use the gas you already bought.

[rezzah]

^ Great way to contradict yourself.

claim that live isn't a choice when you yourself said "if I don't CHOOSE". That alone is admitting the use of a choice, even if you can't see it yourself.

Everything is a choice, even death is a choice. The reasons behind the choice do not matter, once a choice is made then there was a choice.

To act or to not act on whatever it is you contemplate about? = Choice

Edited for missing word.

[ziggurcat]

@ nukeitall:

the inherent flaw in your argument can be boiled down to these things:

1. while it may be true that you don't have access to those games once your subscription has expired, you're not realizing and/or understanding that that's (in the above poster's case) $180 he didn't have to spend on video games. and just because *you* don't think they're worth $180, doesn't mean they're not worth that much to him. i've been a member since day one, and i've saved around $500 on games. that's not including the money saved from the discounts, free avatars, free DLC, etc... which you get to keep no matter what - so for $50, that's a pretty good return as far as i'm concerned.

2. i don't know about you, but once i completely finish a game, i don't play it again, ands keeping all that stuff on the HDD is doing nothing but take up space i could be using for other games - unless it takes you a year to finish golden axe?

3. sure, i guess it's a choice to get a gold subscription, but if you want to do anything worthwhile with the console, you *need* that subscription. and guess what? once your subscription expires, you no longer have any of those features *gasp*! you don't need PS+ to be able to access a lot of the same online features that an XBL gold subscription provides.

4. PS+ isn't an unknown thing you find out about afterwards, so i don't knwo where you're getting your information from.

5. you're a notorious anti-sony troll, so nothing you say really has any merit.

[Diver]

o so now ya wanna play semantics. you can walk down the street and when some punks jump you an start stabbing you an killing your kids an raping your wife you can choose just to let em.

that's your logic. there are no dumb choices just choices. that whole idea is what's dumb.

see how dumb it is if you want to play with words. you can "choose" to get shafted by always buying half games. makes titles like bf3 cod an halo look real good with no mp.

look dude if your argument is sidetracking word meanings then you lost the debate. i bet it smarts when you can't debate the actual subject an have to retreat like that. retreat! Retreat! RETREAT!

[SPAM-FRITTER-123]

here come the disagree fairies for anyone saying XBL is better.....

[SPAM-FRITTER-123]

also Steam is actually better than both BUT we are the elites so i would expect nothing less.

[suicidalblues]

Its because you say it like you're a 13 year old brat that you get negged. And you don't sound elite, unless being a douche elevates someone's status.

[TekoIie]

Even though 75% of the time Steam prices are more expensive than retail or they just dont sell the game...

[Outside_ofthe_Box]

There are no "fairies" for disagreeing with an opinion.

If you think XBL is better, fine, just don't start crying and whining about people that disagree with you.

[solidjun5]

"also Steam is actually better than both BUT we are the elites so i would expect nothing less. "

What the? you sure do sound self-centered.

[StraightedgeSES]

Your not aloud to say anything is better then the ps3 on N4PS3

[rezzah]

Ever heard of opinions?

[nukeitall]

This really comes down to preference, because it isn't an Apples to Apples comparison. It's kind of hard to compare an experience which changes from person to person.

For me, I don't play or care about the games given on PSN+, but I do play online a lot so having the ability to easily get games going with my online friends is monumental.

People that do that a lot know how frustrating it is that you can't communicate with your friends while they are playing a game. With XBL party system and cross game chat, it is as easy as jump into the party (while playing a different game), check status and see if I can join.

I'm hoping MS makes a queue system next, so as soon as the game is over then drop me right into the game with my friends for the next one.

[TheFirstClassic]

What you say might be true, but I find it hard to believe than none of the games for plus interest you. Infamous 2? Lbp 2? I understand if you have them all, but there are some pretty awesome games in many different genres up on plus.

[xAlmostPro]

I love your comments nukeitall.

They are always well wrote but always found on Sony/PS3 articles showing bias towards the 360 haha.

Anyway, i have to disagree(i no longer own a 360) i got one to play with friends because i was the only one gaming on PS3 from the start and all i would hear was XBL is way better, cmon just get one.

I finally gave in awhile back. Party service/chat was fantastic.. it DID let you sort a game fast and communicate better..if you were all playing the same one.

If i was in a different multiplayer game i found it annoying because i'd rather be using the in game chat to talk to my teammates so we could win.

I also found it annoying when trying to play a singleplayer player game and being invited into a party and having to listen to them all being loud while i'm missing parts of the story, i found myself muting them far too often.

So yeah in my experience unless it was being used while you were idle(purposely using it for chat only) or playing the same multi-player game it wasn't as good a feature as made out, not only that but the only MP wanted to play was COD, gears, a little halo and Fifa(which i never owned).

I understand you have your preference but it honestly added nothing special for me, certainly not for the price because that feature a side to the barebones version of each not much is different at all.

TL;DR - I disagree, my experience did not justify the price.

[Zweihanders]

@xalmostPro I'm going to agree with nuketail. Both are good services, and both have their issues (speed, ads, etc.) but your poor experience on Gold was actually partly your own fault. You must have not bothered to learn some of the features such as getting rid of notifications, appearing busy/offline. Or you could just ignore party invites and tell your friends not to spam them. These are very simple solutions. If you ever decide to go back, this should make your time a bit more enjoyable.

For the guy who's complaining about waiting till Christmas to get the subscription.. If you're getting a yearly renew then it doesn't matter, but like stated earlier, they have sales year round.

I think both services are equally good. They both have their strengths and weaknesses. Unless Xbox adds more to their service, however, PSN+ will be better once they add cross chat (I know Vita has this, but not many people have a Vita, I do and love it...go get a Vita people!.. and that doesnt change the fact that PS3 doesn't).

Now to the crappy article.. wrong facts? check. Comparing features that have nothing to do with Gold vs. +? check. Seriously, UI has nothing to do with either. He's reviewing a paid service using criteria that has nothing to do with the paid service. UI isn't even a PSN nor Silver thing, it's just a UI.. Cross Party chat is on PSN but that's on the Vita only. I'm sure there's more but I don't care enough to pick this article apart even more. Poor stuff.

[GribbleGrunger]

sorry but PSN should have won easily on price. how can you even compare LIVE in those terms. you pay less and get hundreds of pounds worth of free games. I know that PSN won but I feel as if the reviewer here was trying to make it close

[WeskerChildReborned]

Yea, i don't dislike Xbox, actually i sometime's which i had one due to some awesome exclusives but i think PS+ is a good deal already and if Gaikai was available with PS+ then it would be the best service ever.

[Nes_Daze]

I completely agree, I'm enjoying LBP2 right now, downloading Just Cause 2, and then Infamous 2, I got the 3 month plan to try it out and I'm going to pay for the whole year soon. Meanwhile, my Xbox is still collecting dust, and those $50 for Live were spent for nothing because I'm not even using it.

[TooTall19]

Infamous 2 is awesome. I just finished playing it.

[andibandit]

my PS3 is collecting dust while doing updates *Yawn*

[Sheikh Yerbouti]

"Meanwhile, my Xbox is still collecting dust, and those $50 for Live were spent for nothing because I'm not even using it."

That's your problem not your 360. Show it some love.

[a_squirrel]

That's exactly why I love my psn+ sub... if my subscription ends, I just renew it if I use it often enough. If not, I have 10 other games that I can still play with friends online.

Honestly, Gold sickens me. Actually Microsoft does. Pay $60 a month for online access, cloud storage, crosschat and ads. Yeah. Ads. Psn doesn't even have ads and it's free! In fact the only thing it is missing is crosschat, ads, cloud storage and a price. Psn+ fills all of those but crosschat and Ads.

So, how is it superior?

[solid_si]

i own both console but i have to agree. The XBOX Live is far more superier than PSN. Especialy in terms of social gaming. It has party chat which allows me to play and talk to my freinds whiles playing any game, which is a MUST. I also realised, the PSN is more laggy in many games.

Though i do respect sony for allowing free PSN and i hope next gen they keep it that way along with adding party chats ect...once those are implemented, PS4 will have an edge on xbox 720.

For now, XBOX Live is superier in allmost every way.

[AusRogo]

'Psn is more laggy in many games'. No its not, if you were playing cod, and you were lagging, that's either your internet or infinity wards end or whoever. It has nothing to do with psn. With xbl you don't pay for better multiplat servers. I don't get why people think its more laggy. It's THE SAME.

[one2thr]

@solid
Yeah so "superier" that you, the game is forced to pay a company to use your OWN bandwidth for there online features...
So "superier" that games are limited to the space of a Dvd9 disc...
So "superier" that the same online/chat features that you named isn't found anywhere else, oh wait Vita does that...
So "superier" that one of its greatest selling game titles wasnt even compatible to, play on the said system you mentioned from microsoft, which in turn caused it to go through a series of updates to become more playable...
So "superier" that it only has about 4 good games coming out between this year and the end of the next...
This supposed, "superier" console is inferior in the eyes of the superior console owners, but I shouldn't have to spell out which console that is good sir... Good day to you

[iiiDystopia]

Yes. PSN is the me-too.

[jessupj]

The only thing it has is cross game chat. That's it. Don't know where you're getting this "superior in every way" non-sense, unless you count the amount of adds cluttering XBL.

On the other hand PSN has a lot more dedicated servers for almost lagless gaming, yet you keep paying for the privilege to use your own bandwidth to play laggy P2P games.

I get Sony fanboys, but I just can't understand MS fanboys.

[SIdepocket]

I think it's a preference really. I think the online experience on Xbox is a lot better than on the PSN, while you get a lot more free games and discounts on PSN. Whatever appeals to you is really your choice.

@jessupj
PSN GAMES do have more dedicated servers, but Live has a lot more servers running the network itself, which is why it connects players faster, is faster moving in and out of games, has the bandwidth to support VOIP(PSN does not) and faster downloading content. It still all comes down to preference.

[Sheikh Yerbouti]

LIVE is superior to PSN for online. After all these years and many to come, Microsoft is going to outperform Sony in that arena. It is their core (besides marketing) strength they bring to the game industry, but they do it better or as good as anybody across any industry.

But that alone doesn't define the experience for many gamers. It is still the value of the games for the dollar that is going to win over gamers. For that reason PS Plus is such a better value...more games!! What is lost going from LIVE to PS3 isn't going to be more significant than that for most gamers.

[ghaleon1980]

@Brosy:

Amen brother. The only reason why you have one bubble is because you don't worship Sony with your posts.

[GodHandDee]

Nope it's because he trolls.

I mean heck, his question about why more people pay for Live Gold is a rather obvious one isn't it? They pay because they 'have' to, in order to even touch multiplayer. What are the chances it would be the same if their basic online MP access was free?

[Thatguy-310]

Ppl need to understand that most games that ps+ offers wouldn't be bought in the first place by many gamers. What's the user installment of plus members? Yea its "free" but even then I don't bother downloading some of the things they offer. IMO live is a more stable service and the reason why gamers prefer to play multiplayers on xbox. The community is more engaging too.

[ClimateKaren]

Sideways
Marvel Pinball
Back to the Future 1-5
Tomb Raider: Underworld
Final Fantasy V
Fatal Inertia
Awesomenauts
Castlevania: Chronicles
Trine 2
Rock of Ages
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
Hard Corps: Uprising
Saints Row 2
Rathchet and Clank All 4 One
Just Cause 2
Virtua Fighter 5
Little Big Planet 2
Infamous 2

That's not all the games I've downloaded for free from +, just the ones that I think people do definitely pay money for. There have been several games that went up for free on + that I already paid for as well.

[joeorc]

"Ppl need to understand that most games that ps+ offers wouldn't be bought in the first place by many gamers. "

That is utter Arrogance, AND TO TOP IT OFF HOGWASH.

THE Arrogance ON BOTH SIDES ABOUT WHICH IS THE BETTER SERVICE OFFERED

IS BEING QUITE FOOLISH!

SUCK IT UP AND ADMIT BOTH SERVICES OFFER WHAT GAMER'S WANT AND THAT IS GAMES!

GOD..its that d@mn simple enough for people?

I have tried out both systems online and guess what, they are not that d@mn "superier" over the other.

they offer thing's on one service that's not on the other..yay, for services offered to the gamer's.

it's based on preference nothing more nothing less

[shutUpAndTakeMyMoney]

paying for discounts? steam gave me LA Noire for $7.50 free service!

[Sheikh Yerbouti]

Steam is pretty awesome.

[Megaton]

It's not really a good comparison, since one offers content and the other is more of a tax. PSN Plus offers "free" and discounted goods. XBL Gold is just an access fee for things that are free everywhere else.

[Philoctetes]

Yeah, I don't even see how this is up for debate any more. Plus and Gold are almost identical except Plus has free and deeply-discounted games while Gold has cross-game chat. Free games win that one every time.

[showtimefolks]

psn:plus gives us free games on top of free online play that's for everyone. Than there are game trials like tiger woods 2013 play for free for one HR along with many other high profile titles

discounts on DLC,avatars and themes

i got my money's worth the day i signed up because i got 12 games for free and 3 more this month. so if 3 new games every month till my renewal is up i should have tippled the value by than

let's put it like this one is optional and other you have to pay for to even go online just to download a demo

going forward let's say if wii-u really step up and has a good working online store within 2 years along with psn from sony MS will really have a hard sell with xblive when parents can buy the other 2 HD consoles and get online for free

[Prince_Dim-Lu]

Looks like the SDF completely missed the part who won won the best online gaming part of this article.

Best online gaming went to Xbox Live for this article, yet the Sony sheep don't mention anything to do with this. The most important part of it all is online gaming, but why should we expect you SDF to understand that? You guys don't really game online like the 360 people do. PS fanboys are more of 1 player game types, rather than multi player. Hence why games like COD suck on PSN compared to Live.

Funny how sony fanboys passed this part of information up and go straight to the free games. Ya, you get free games because they're embarrassed that PSN was hacked.. did you all forget? You like free games that get taken away when your subscription ends too... but nobody talks about which has the better online play.. which in this article, goes to Xbox Live.

Summarize.... Xbox Live>PSN Plus for Online Play... the most important. I love how people rather have content, over a great service. Ya.. that's the deal.. give me free games that go away, over great service. I'm the PS3 fan of 2012.. I don't care about good service.. just free crap for my service that gets hacked, and I have my credit card numbers compromised, and they give me free games to make up for that mistake, then take them away when my ps plus runs out.

CONTENT OVER GREAT SERVICE!

[Anon1974]

Deeply flawed article. First off, the two aren't the same thing. Xbox offers a service. PSN+ is a content subscription. I find it odd that in this article, the huge amount of free content available prior to E3 was just dismissed. Do your homework.

Next, where the hell is the actual comparison of the stability? They mention that XBL is the more stable offering, how did they come to that conclusion? What testing was done? What about a comparison of download speeds?

And when did Sony promise "cross game chat" was coming. If I'm not mistaken, Sony has said time and time again that it wasn't coming because they can't do it. "It's not possible to retrofit something like that after the fact." It's due to the way RAM is handled in the system. Right there that tells me that little research was done for this article.

I agree with their ultimate conclusions, but this article doesn't offer much. Having used both services extensively I don't see that XBL has enough to justify paying $60 a year over the PSN's free offering. If I'm going to spend $50-60 a year, I'd rather go for the service that offers online play AND $450-500 worth of free, retail games. This is one of the biggest reasons to get PSN+, and it barely gets a sentence.

And I'm so sick about hearing of "cross game chat". What a useless, annoying feature. I never used it on XBL, I'd never use it if it came to PSN. Ever answer the phone and try to talk to someone when they're gaming or watching a movie? It's one of the rudest, most ignorant things you can do to a person and I've always just said "Dude, hang up and call me back when you can talk." If you can't give me you're full attention, talk to me when you can. This isn't a "feature" to me. I group this in the same category as those annoying, voice changers.

[GuyThatPlaysGames]

How can you call it a WIN when you have to pay to get a discount? Woohoo I get $2 off a shitty game! You are better off just paying normal price for it. When you get online on PS3, it feels so dead , especially with it's terrible boring XMB. XBOX feels so ALIVE when I get online. It feels like a real community.

[pixelsword]

- "How can you call it a WIN when you have to pay to get a discount"?

How do you call it a win to play online when virtually everyone else doesn't, plus NO regular discounts and NO free games regularly? It's like ID: 10-T tax, if you follow me (no offense, justsayin').

PS Plus is like a Sam's card: you pay to get at the good stuff for cheap, plus free samples some days. Don't get me wrong, I still haven't got Plus myself, but I can see the benefits because you get more than what you pay for in free games; it's like a return on an investment. Yeah, all of them aren't AAA games, I know, but AA games are pretty good to get your hands on every month, plus some of them ARE AAA titles.

- "When you get online on PS3, it feels so dead , especially with it's terrible boring XMB".

Okay, I don't see how the XMB makes playing online exciting or not, the games do that for me; but to each his/her own. Hey, maybe you can tell me how exactly the XMB makes you feel like there's a community? I actually don't follow that, so maybe you can help me understand that.

[devilluck]

I don’t know much about the ps3 since I sold mine 3 years ago and got myself another xbox360. My brothers and nephews and I all bought into the ps3 hype and all ended up getting one well three years later we either sold or put aside the ps3 for the Xbox. I personally feel the Xbox is more user friendly like you can really enjoy yourself while the ps3 is just more work than fun. First thing I hated about the PS live version is that you had to download then install and honestly that was a headache. I am not sure if they have that anymore but tell you the truth it’s simply not as fun as an Xbox or its live service. Would I get another ps3 in the future? If any of their game actually interest me to the point, where I buy another PS3, if will only be for that reason. I am sorry but God of War is just another hack and slash I tried to play it on the ps2 and just bored me the tears. Like I said don’t know much about the live service on PS but I honestly don’t care. I only paid 2 dollars for 2 months of live because Microsoft offered me a deal. Now you can’t beat that, they give deals all the time.

[Cocozero]

I don't see how PSN+ is better when more people are willing to pay for XBL. Sounds like another PS fanboy comparison, but this is N4G so no surprises there.

[LycanGav]

Well, a year's subscription to Plus will net you a 30+ game library. That represents tremendous value.

[Cocozero]

But those games go bye bye once your subscription ends so not really great value.

[waltyftm]

#Cocozero And so does your online games with Live, yet without Plus you can still play online.

[Transporter47]

just like how if your subscription to XBL ends you won't be able to play online hmmm

[DigitalAnalog]

The difference between "free" games and "online" for subscriptions is that one can be finished, meanwhile, the other can only last as long as the subscription.

[BrutallyBlunt]

@Cocozero

Difference is people who want to play online with the XBOX360 are forced to pay. So it's not entirely accurate to suggest they are 'willing'.

If XBOX Live was free to play with others online then yes, it would be better than the free version of PSN, but this is about the paid option of PSN versus Gold. Personally i think PSN+ offers greater value than what one gets with XBOX Live Gold. XBOX Live Silver is missing one key component, the ability to actually play games with other people online.

[HeavenlySnipes]

Maybe because you have to buy one to access the MP portion of ALL of your games and the other one is not mandatory.

And another thing. I don't know if you guys noticed, but most of the games offered have very limited to no MP sides to the games. They are mostly single player games. Why? So people can't complain when they lose the game once the subscription is over. What are you going to do with a SP game once its done? How many finished games do you have stockpiled at home that are left untouched after you finished them. You pay $50 and get dozens of games to play and finish before the year is over.

Its not like they are shitty games either. I paid $60 to get InFAMOUS 2 and there it is free to all PS+ subscribers (who paid $50 and get that plus more)

[dedicatedtogamers]

I don't see how 360 is better when more people are willing to buy a Wii.

I don't see how Kinect is better when more people are willing to buy a Wii.

I don't see how [fill in the blank] is better...

See the flaw of your logic?

[pixelsword]

I totally agree with what you said, except that it's more like have to pay, if you want to play online, that is.

I can still shoot my bud a letter if I really wanted to talk to him, and I can send the same letter to multiple buds, if the need arises. Cross game chat is a nicety, not an essential component to my gameplay. I know people talk about coordinating games together with friends, but really, if you *have* to talk to your friends to do that, you can make a clubhouse in home and go there to talk together with your mics. I know some people cry foul and say "but we can talk during our different games to do it". Yeah, so? If you're coordinating to play a certain game, eventually you won't be playing different games now, willya? Therefore, some of you will be switching out anyways, so what's the problem? People are splitting hairs about the actual sequence is what actually makes cross-game chat better or not? They both have solutions, there you go.

Playing the multiplayer on a game that I bought is an essential component to my game play, and that should not be hindered. That's why I also say although I like XBL (it's a great online experience, no doubt), and it's not like I'd refuse to play on XBL ,that would make me a little pig-headed for turning down an excellent experience, I do refuse to pay for it (at this time, seeing that all games and consoles may do that, removing the lynchpin from the games industry; ultimately cause it to collapse).

That's the soul argument of net neutrality (the techy term for double-dipping) and is worse than DRM (and I hate DRM). Let's say that DRM made you have to pay to listen to the last half of a song or the rest of a movie, that would be insane, wouldn't it? Can someone tell me how paying for access to the other half of your game after paying for it is NOT insane?

Could I charge you a little for the other half of your sandwich after you paid for it, maybe?

A Napkin fee, why not?

[clrlite]

Well, this being n4g, a site basically run by gamers. It seems that many people on this site tend to favor PSN+ and for obvious reasons given in their statements. If you disagree, that's fine, but there is a reason why gamers (worldwide) tend to prefer certain products, games, and services over others.

[hellvaguy]

Nice bias thoery. However it could be that live users are doing something so crazy as playing online while psn users get bored more frequently from lag and no cross game chat and come here to brag about thier system that they arent playing.

[TooTall19]

hellvaguy is too new to remember that N4G used to be full of 360 fanboys.

[DebateMaster]

"Willing to pay" for live? More like people have to if the wanna play online and use other services others offer for free.

[MikeGdaGod]

"I don't see how PSN+ is better when more people are willing to pay for XBL"

so by your logic, controllers with batteries that need to be replaced are better than controllers with rechargeable batteries because the Wii outsold the other consoles.

could it be that people pay for Live because its the only way the can fully access a game they already paid for?

people are sheep, the fact that people advocate for a service that makes them pay for something they already paid for is no surprise.

[one2thr]

@cocozero
If you bought the game on discount, and the PS+ ends YOU STILL OWN THE GAME(can play it)
if you got the game free, and the PS+ ends YOU DO NOT OWN THE GAME(cant play it)
(From what i understand)

[ChunkyLover53]

I like PSN+ for what it is, but Sony did absolutely nothing to improve the actual PlayStation Network when they instituted PlayStation Plus. I actually pay more for PSN+ $50 a year, than Xbox Live, which I always get for $35 a year.

The games that PSN+ let you borrow while you have a subscription are nice, but a lot of the time they are just the bottom rung of games that nobody really wants. This last batch that were announced at E3 were pretty solid though, I dig both services, but Xbox Live is more for online play and social aspects, easy to find friends, game competitively and things like that, while PSN+ is just like a discount service and some games to borrow while you are enrolled.

[moparful99]

So you mean to tell me that losing access to your games with PSN+ once you stop paying is any different then losing access to the right to play your games online if you stop paying for LIVE? It's no different, except you can always play online for free with PSN. You are splitting hairs, and the idea that the social aspect of LIVe is better is all preference.. They both allow you to play games online, connect with friends, as well as other social activities...

[ChunkyLover53]

What I am saying is that comparing Xbox Live to PSN+ is a bunk thing to argue. Sony has never updated PSN since its launch in 2006, Microsoft has updated Xbox Live on a regular basis.

PSN is fine enough for playing online games, but it really feels like it lacks depth for me, almost like it doesn't have a true identity. Its very bare bones. When I heard Sony was launching PSN+, I though they would actually improve their online services, which hasn't happened.

I didn't say anything negative about PSN+ aside from the fact that a lot of the games they end up offering to lend you aren't top tier games.

[Larry L]

Did you just say "PSN hasn't been updated since it launched in 2006"?......because if you did.......

You should hang your head in shame, sir. I would expect a Simpsons fan to be more informed about something before they open their yapper about said thing.

You seem more like a Family Guy fan to me. The way you're just repeating what someone else said first, not really coming up with that yourself.

For you to say PSN hasn't been upgraded since launch means that you 100% for sure havn't had a PS3 since 2006 to be able to make a statement like that as though it's fact in the first place.

HAD you actually been a PSN user since the beginning you would know PSN is like a whole new animal compared to what it was at launch. And since PSN was hardly even in place when PS3 launch, PSN has come this far in LESS THAN a single console generation. Live has had 2 whole console cycles to get where it's at.

Perspective.

[InactiveUser]

To be clear, you lose access to the free games, not any games you bought or bought at a discount. Any free DLC, themes, avatars, etc. you can still use, and if you renew your PS+ after a gap in time, you can still reaccess those older free games through your download history. Meaning they're not completely gone once the subscription runs out.

I had the free PS+ after PSN got hacked, didn't have it for a long time because I just buy the retail games. I recently got a year for only $15, so I renewed and could still access old games like Golden Axe, Streets of Rage 2, Sonic 2, etc. I already have Just Cause 2, LBP2, inF2, etc. on disk, but downloaded them anyway on another PS3 in the house.

[TooTall19]

@EeJLP

Minor correction. Some free DLC can no longer be used after the sub expires.

PS+ is a much better value.

[TBM]

not paying to play online when i'm already paying my cable subscriber, so for me PS+ is the better value. its an option and thats perfect for me.

[TheRealHeisenberg]

Content goes to PS+.
Service goes to Live Gold.

PS+ for me because I get the stuff I care about.

[Outside_ofthe_Box]

***"Content goes to PS+.
Service goes to Live Gold."***

That actually sums it up perfectly imo.

[shinrock]

I like that. Notice how he said the games he cares about.

[Neo-Axl]

I don't know much about Xbox Live.. But I've gotten 4 free game's the past week.. only finished 2 of em, As a PS+ user I'd say you get more for your money on PS+ .. The games I've downloaded, LBP2.. Infamous 2.. Deus Ex.. Motorstorm, Never heard of XBL Gold getting anything like that.

But mind you I haven't really played much Xbox Live or checked out what you get from the XBL Gold service, So I could be wrong, If you have a PS3 then PS+ is just incredible have right now!. PSN - Neo-Axl

[MadMen]

PSN + is a better value per dollar if you look at it from that point,

Live dominates PSN + as far as the user experience IMO, it has for years, SONY has better luck with PS4 and a more robust online exp.

[moparful99]

"Live dominates PSN + as far as the user experience IMO, it has for years"

This is purely opinion, for me and millions of others the social experience on PSN is the better experience. Just like iPhone users and droid users both feel their respective platforms are superior. It all comes down to the end user and their experience there's no definitive "lithmus" test to determine superiority whenever they both offer the same basic features.

[ForROME]

Live Dominates in revenue for sure - thats a fact

[moparful99]

@ForRome Your statement makes no sense. Microsoft charges for live whereas sony does not, of course it has more revenue... Some people need to think longer about what they post..

[the worst]

xboxlive gold is Microsoft using the Jedi mind trick
psn is better by faaaaaaaar

[Fyflin]

The actual service of live is better hands down. In terms of how well everything is connected, how well designed it is, and how well it does the easy things. Reading a message from a friend is only button press away, it's very easy to chat to your friends and join their games and stuff. But these are the BASICS that live nailed years ago.

However, in terms of value for money, PS+ absolutely DESTROYS live. I joined just for the free games, and I do most of my gaming (online especially) on the 360. For the same money as live you get X amount of free games. Yeah some of them are rubbish, but I currently have Infamous 2, LBP2, Strangers Wrath and Human Revolution amongst others on my hard drive ready for me to play whenever I want, and they are all top class games that didn't cost me much.

[Octo1]

The clincher for me is the fact that I can let my PS+ subscription lapse and still have access to other services like Netflix etc. I still don't get why people are letting MS get away with this BS? No gold membership?! No other services for you!! :S

[hellvaguy]

Not sure why anyone would use thier gaming box to use netflix. Every blue-ray, dvd player, and laptop has it built it now and uses 1/4 the electricity as a console does.

[Chug]

Really? You're honestly not sure why people would use their PS3 for Netflix?

I would find it more odd that people wouldn't use it if they had Netflix.

Besides, all Octo1 was trying to say is, it's free on PSN but not on 360. Which sucks.

[Octo1]

Really? I don't now? Maybe not everyone owns the things you just listed :S I don't have stand alone blu ray player or a TV that has Netflix as a built in app. Stop defending MS.

[Biggest]

Why would ANYONE have those things if they already have a PS3? What good is a stand-alone BluRay/DVD player when you have a perfectly good PS3? I have two things connected to my A/V receiver. PS3 and PC. Stand-alone appliances are for grandmothers and people you don't like as Christmas gifts.

[insomnium2]

@ biggest

Bu.. bu.. he saves in electricity. Think of the children...

[Hatmantc]

My PS3's version of netflix is 10x better than that of my Sony bluray player. Which is odd since you think they could use the same version but alas they don't

[Chug]

PS+ gives you access to games you haven't already purchased.

Gold gives you access to the online portion of games you've already paid for.

Once you stop paying for either, both of those paid for "services" go bye bye.

PS+ is obviously the better value.

[Ryo-Hazuki]

Seriously, no comparison. I have a console for games. I'll take PS+
Xbox Live is almost a scam.
What will be the excuse when PS4 has party chat for free? Vita already has it and PS4 will too

[AgreeFairy]

Pay for PS+ - Get free games
Pay for XBL - Get free ads

[stage88]

Haha but in all seriousness PS+ is the much better service. I wouldn't ever pay for features that should be free.

[paddystan]

I live in Norway, and here I need to pay 50£ for 1 year with plus, and 65£ for 1 year with Xbox LIVE. We don't get ANY of the services the US get with Xbox LIVE and the only thing I do with Xbox LIVE is checking out new demos which isn't available on PS Store yet and trying/buying new Aracde games, I almost never play online. But with PS Plus I get so many new games for free, nice discounts, freebies like avatars and dynamic themes etc. So here in Norway, PS Plus is worth so much more thanXbox LIVE.

[RXL]

the fact that pn+ lets you borrow entire games..and not just one..but several?...automatic win for me..sorry..

there are a few things that ps+ had that gold has..but nothing that would change my opinion..

a combination of the two feature sets would be awesome tho

[paddystan]

Another thing:

When you are buying a game like Call of Duty or Battlefield for 50£, and much more than 60% of the content in the game is in the multiplayer mode, and you have an Xbox 360, can't afford Xbox LIVE Gold because that's the only way you can use the part of the game where the most unique conent is you're screwed and Microsoft is forcing you to use even more money to buy their membership service to access the other part fo the game is unnaccaptable. You bought the product, why should you use more money to get access to the other part of the game? That's a big bitch.

And that's how Microsoft get all their customers from. Because they ar ebeing forced to buy Xbox LIVE Gold mermbership to get access to the other part of the game which you just actually just paid to get even more access fore if you only have an Xbox 360.

[insomnium2]

Yeah it seems like MS's "to do" list this gen has been somethng like this:

1) continue charging for live
2) concentrate on online shooters

This works out PERFECTLY for them like we've seen. USA loves their shooters and when MS is also from USA the fans will defend it and their practices to their deaths. They also get a LOT of help from the media since most sites are from USA too.

This sure has been a lopsided gen. I can't believe how much MS gets free passes on stuff that get barked to death if it happens on Sony's side.

Same with this site. A comment like this will be disagreed to death even though everything I just said is so obvious. And to add insult to injury people will still say this site is full of Sony fanboys. SSDD move along....

[mayberry]

I paid for my console, paid for my internet, paid for my game that has 'online' built in, I really need a better reason to pay for 'live' than what it offers. I have very few 'live' friends, and a full roster of 'psn' friends, so I really don't need 'live'.

[GCO Gamer]

Internet isn't built in! Why do you people keep saying that, internet is how you get access to all those things.

[ClimateKaren]

He didn't say "internet built in", he said "online" built in. The internet, as he said, is something he already pays an ISP for.

[PirateThom]

It's cool that people are still running the "BUT YER GAME DISAPPEARS IF YOU STOP YOUR PS+ SUB!!" gag. It's a subscription, of course you can't play them...

Are you even aware of all the stuff you can no longer access when XBox Live subscription lapses? Pro tip: It's not just online games.

[greenpowerz]

The people with a xbox live preference don't go around trying to portray ownership over XBL services and features. Major difference. N4G is occupied by the best Sony spin masters the industry has ever known. The sad irony with the fanboys in this site is lunatic hypocrisy, I bet the people that agreed with you also agreed with the first comments claiming ownership, including you. I've never heard a XBL defender say XBL is better than PSN because MS gives them free stuff in a tone that suggests complete ownership.

[PirateThom]

You own it the same way you own any digital content, you don't. You own a licence to use it, just happens to be on a subscription basis. I hear people all the time say how they own "X PSN games" or "X XBLA games" or "X games from Steam", but you, truly, don't own any of them.

When it comes to XBLA, there's no ownership because there's no content. It limits your access to subscription services, it limits your access to online play and a host of other things, but there's no tangible, playable content.

So, it's not really the same, nor is it truly comparable. XBL is paying for access. Don't worry, Live defenders have their own little features they list as well.

[greenpowerz]

I'm not going to fight ps3 fans over skewed logic and semantics. Your comment was framed as a rebuttal to a argument that doesn't exist. A handful of folks say PSN gives you access to games to play and are not gifted to gamers, nothing more or nothing less. XBL gamers are not claiming something untrue in XBL's defense(or half true) Most of the comments in here are talking in a ownership contest, do you understand? It's not a "gag" It's clarification. Netflix gives you free movies? N4G is the only place using this language in defense of PS.

[Roccetarius]

Yay, we love losing things with both services for unsubbing. Please, stop preaching that PS+ is any better, just because of free shit.

Besides, digital games will not beat physical games.

[cstyle]

No matter how many games Sony gives away, xbox live is still superior. PSN is getting better butSony knows they are still playing catch up in this area.

[Hicken]

Superior HOW?

You and your ilk keep saying that, even in the face of people breaking down which is better.

You can spend money on Live and get Cross Game Chat and the ability to use the online portion of games and apps.

You can spend money on + and get lots of deals and access to plenty of games to play for free.

When the subscription for both ends, you lose all those things.

What you're telling me, though, is that online play and CGC on Live are worth MORE than the value of all the games and discounts you get over the course of a year. Do you seriously believe that?

That access to online, the use of apps, and talking to people across games is worth hundreds of dollars each year?

Really?

[Octo1]

LOL. What?!

[Skateboard]

Paying $60 to play online is hilarious. Cross game chat is on the Vita and it's free. Really is cross game chat worth $60 ? I have it and it isn't.

The best way to play games is around people not away, Microsoft has promoted don't be near anybody just play online and be alone. I know people have germs, LOL.

[cstyle]

"Cross game chat is on the Vita and it's free"

The problem with that is not everyone wants a vita and you shouldn't have to buy a handheld to get it. Live is still better. More expensive but still better.

[PirateThom]

Yeah, so Sony definitely aren't going to have cross game chat on their next console...

[DebateMaster]

You completely missed the point of his comment...

[UnitSmiley]

Point is, the reason PS3 couldn't do cross game chat is because of memory limitations (because the 512 mb was split into two 256 parts)

The Vita can do it so obviously the PS4 will do it.

[th3_d3an]

PSN plus period it was a choice from the start live was forced in the beginning i had both with the value and free games you get from psn plus it wins period you cant argue facts sorry.

[Tony-A]

PlayStation Plus is definitely impressing me more and more as time goes on. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be getting Plus anytime soon (spending most of my future gaming cash on the Vita), but I'll most definitely be picking it up just before a PS4 launch (whenever that'll be). I'm assuming Sony will make great implementations of Plus on the PS4 and I wouldn't be able to ignore the great deals.

For the record.. I feel like a fairer comparison would be GameFly VS Plus (to some degree) seeing as Xbox Live is more of a "toll" to gain basic access and Plus is more of a NetflixGaming-on-crack kind of thing.

[UnitSmiley]

It's hardly even an argument at this point. x-game chat is the ONLY thing I can see someone defending live with. Even the free version of PSN trumps live. Someone literally said "how can PS+ be better when more people are willing to pay for live"

Wow, way to be a sheep. Try thinking for yourself for once. It's thought processes like that, that have made Microsoft able to get away with offering nothing unique to the gaming industry while still making a profit. Good job sheep!

[TronEOL]

Something I've been saying for a while. A comparison of Xbox Live Gold and Basic PSN IS NOT A FAIR COMPARISON. XboxLive Silver to Basic PSN is fair, and PS+ to XBLG is fair.

Otherwise you're comparing a subscription service to a free service, which is just ridiculous. You don't compare Hulu to Netflix. You compare Hulu Plus to Netflix.

Not to mention you're comparing an add-on to what comes in the box (aka, PSN comes with the PS3, and XboxLive Silver comes with Xbox, where you need to buy something outside the console and base activation to get Gold and you need to buy nothing at all in order to get basic PSN).

I bet I'll get a million disagree's just because I'm telling people something they don't want to read. Something factual.

[schlanz]

Agreed. So Sony has better free and paid services. Pretty obvious.

[TXIDarkAvenger]

IMO Xbox has the better service for me. I love being able to cross-chat with friends regardless of what game they are playing which is something I wish PS3 was able to do. On the other hand I like PS3 because I don't have to pay to play online. But that's just me, personally I don't care for PSN+ because I don't see myself taking advantage of the discounts and free games until the subscription ends.

[one2thr]

Whoa, whoa whoa... Wait, what?... Did you forget the "/s" indicating sarcasm?

[TXIDarkAvenger]

I said IMO. I guess N4G isn't supportive of peoples opinions, always one-sided. I own both Xbox and PS3, I'm not a fanboy. I stated for my own reasons why I prefer Live over PSN+.

I knew I'd get a bunch of disagrees...N4G just rides Playstation's dick all day.

[InTheLab]

I wonder why Gamefly stopped sending me games when I stopped paying them...????

Some people are laughably stupid...

So you let PSN+ run out? What happens? You can't play Saint's Row or LBP if you downloaded them free.

So you let Live run out? What happens? You're screwed out of $30 for EVERY game you've paid $60 for, as you will no longer have access to half, or 2/3s of that game.

How any logical person compares an additive experience like PSN+ to a necessity like Live is beyond me. Now, is Live better than PSN? Depends on how much you love cross game chat, because that's the only difference.

[GCO Gamer]

Dude this isn't even a conversation, Xbox Live is still the overall champion.

I mean, PlayStation still doesn't have a functional chat system, and Sony still doesn't have the support after its games. Yeah, there's a sale for content every month but that's greasing the wheel, Playstation has nothing from a longlife standpoint, Resistance and Killzone are online jokes compared to Xbox.

Also, every knows third party support on the system has been lacking for some years. And you still need to install a game right after it has been downloaded. And the PSN interface is boring and uneventful.

In addition, the online community for Xbox Live is light years ahead of PSN and that alone with worth my $5 a month.

[Hicken]

How do you have five bubbles?

[DragonKnight]

GCO Gamer, your comment is why the admins of this site should add a "stupid" to the bubble down vote list.

[cedaridge]

I agree you a lil bit bout xbox live is better. But to say light years? C'mon! Ist u have to pay for somethin ALL THE TIME on Live whether it's live down to batteries YOUR PAYING! 2nd ps have there games and multiplat games which support audio up to DTS. 3rd You talked about install? I really don't care for it on ps3 BUT you better do it on xbox and even then there no insurance your $59.99 game won't mess up. I do like Live better for espn, you tube, etc. but my beef is xbox ''disc format'' its CRAP!!! but i enjoy halo and gears. so to each is own and I'm Outt! psn: cedaridge / xbl: cedar4Thunder

[pbasson]

Are people still talking about this? People that make these articles should get a slap for constantly dividing people. Leave gamers to their consoles they happy with.

[thehusbo]

Last few months I've got Littlebigplanet 2, infamous 2, motorstorm apocolypse, ratchet and clank all 4 one, saints row 2, deux ex human revolution, shift unleashed 2, far cry 2 and loads more for free. Also got plenty of discounts, free avatars, free backgrounds.. Why is this even being discussed? Any true gamer realises playstation plus is FAR better value for what it offers. I'll take all the free games over cross game chat, a feature on my vita which I've never even bothered to use thanks.

[Euthanasia78]

I've owned both since the launch of both services. There are things about live that I absolutely love.

1. Cross game chat. Trying to gather a group of friends to play a shooter is much easier, and the ability to talk to only my friends in a party chat is great.

2. I have a zune pass on my laptop. I have about 8,000 songs downloaded. I love the ability to stream my zune content to my xbox while playing a game. So, basically, I can listen to my music in the background of a shooter while I play

There are things about PS Plus I love too

1. Free games. Just the free games they offer is worth it for any gamer. It's no different than netflix. You pay for the service and can use any game availible on that service while you are a member.

2. PS Home. Say what you want, but it's kinda cool for a younger person. It has decent graphics, and is a social hub for ppl to hangout with. I personally know some younger people that get on Home daily and talk games, sports, and all kinds of stuff. Its a great place to launch games too. Most ppl dont even try it, or if they do they dont have a keyboard to enjoy it. You cant just walk around and not say anything but hello over and over.

[joeorc]

the reason being it's about what you as a gamer enjoy! that is what its about, or should be.

the one up man ship on services is very much moot because there is going to be parts of each service that has less functionality than the other. that's just the way it is. but there is services that are offered that many gamer's enjoy and if you find enjoyment in those services than what's the problem? I think the idea that one service trumps over the other is subjective based on each person. I mean you can break it down to value, but that also is subjective for each person.

what i find has value other gamer's may not. but that's them and I like what i like in Gaming. Its just how it is.

you telling what you like about each service is a good thing in this thread , because no matter how split the argument is at least you find thing's that you enjoy with the services offered and that is what both Microsoft and Sony wanted in the first place. for you to spend money on their service and that your happy with it.

[MikeGdaGod]

this is really a simple argument. there's no way i would pay for a system that makes me pay an additional fee to play my game online. i don't care who it lets me talk to.

PERIOD

[Euthanasia78]

I think its worth it.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

For the millionth time, PSN is for great game deals + free games as well as free online. MS's online is for the tailored Multiplayer, and social experiences.

An Opinion is Is what makes PSN or Xbox live better.

[TitanUp]

they both stink if you want to play online play on a pc

[ThatsGaming]

I really hate these comparisons because they don't include everything and they don't take into account that people value different things...

For example, I like Live more...

Why?

- I can buy games from my PC rather then using the console stores. No matter which UI you like more it is way quicker and faster to buy on the web with Live then either PSN or Live on the specific consoles.
- Sure you get good free games with PSN+ but they are only good while you are a plus member. If you downgrade to free PSN you lose all your free stuff but in Live Gold to Silver you don't lose the discounts you got.
- MS points. Although some people find them annoying, I find them advantageous. Because I can often find them on sale somewhere whereas I cant seem to find Sony cards on sale ever.
- I like the Live Family membership. My wife, and kids get gold benefits cheaply.
- When I earn achievements they all show up on the web interface, my phone, my Xbox, and my Games for Windows account no matter what platform they were earned upon. On PSN I can only see my PS3 trophies on my PS3, and the web only has my PS3 trophies. Only on my Vita can I see all my trophies.
- Updates, MS's download technology minimizes the size of downloads. So while PSN has auto-update, it is required as many updates are 100's of MB. There are very few updates (outside of firmware) that take more then a few seconds on my 360 so it really doesn't matter...
- Since I can buy from the web on my 360 I can also have the games ready for when I get home. On Wednesdays I leave my 360 on, I go to work buy the game at lunch via the web, and when I get home it is ready to play.
- 360 also has a one step download and install for games. I buy the game, it downloads, and then I can immediately play, whereas PSN it downloads then you have to also install.
- When I buy a game I can download it infinitely on my gamertag, whereas on PSN you are limited. I have bought a lot of 360 consoles (not because they died, but because I like the collector editions) so I would've ended up re-buying a lot of games. Since I have over 1,600 games this would be expensive.

In the end it comes down to personal preference. For me, I like Live more because of little things that make gaming more convenient for me.

[Sikct9a]

Why do I need Live to access my Netflix account?

[iNFAMOUZ1]

HOme is awesome, and xbox multiplayer is awesome.

[Dms2012]

I like both. I do need to get a keyboard for Home though, it seems like alot of fun just hanging out.

[Silly gameAr]

Plus rules.

[2v1]

ther is no worth on paying for free stuff
Life is the only game that we are forced to play

[MaximusPrime]

How about for people who has less time on their hand but really want to play online when they got a chance?

Most of my friends are like that. They are not heavy/hardcore gamers but loves to play games when times allow.

Seems PSN is the answer. It's free.

[oldfriend86]

I don't get people's arguements when it comes to cross game chat as a defense for XBL. Firstly, you haven't found a way to talk to friends freely? Second, who talks to three (I believe party chat allows 8?) at the same time while you're playing a game/watch a movie? I usually want people so shut up during a movie and I don't need to be hearing "Shit!!" a hundred times cause one person is playing Infamous and the other is swearing while trying to play CoD WOW on the hardest setting. I honestly don't understand your defense.

Next, I like it when people defend XBL, but never mention the Netflix part of it. Maybe because they agree that the already paid subscription that is Netflix should be FREE to watch on your 360, and it should be an extra perk when you get XBL, to do the party chat. (course that still baffles me, refer to my first paragraph). So much for having a 'choice'.

This is purely out of taste, but none of the XBOX exclusives interest me (all three of them). And when it comes to PS+, PSone classics go on sale or are free, along with full PS3 games. When it comes to retro, Banjo Kazooie is the only one I would care about. Can you get the original Resident Evil games? What about Final Fantasy games? Origjnal Metal Gear Solid or Silent Hill? Well, at least you guys can be happy to get Castlevania SotN, we got that for free BTW, though I don't kniw if 360 did that yet. PS+ also gave us free Sega genesis games. Again, purely based on personal preference, plus if you're an XBL fan, you're probably just repeatedly saying, "who cares?". I mean I would be adressing the Gears crowd here.

Lastly, playing online is better on XBL? A few times before, I agree with that to some extent. Looking at the logic that you're paying $60 yearly, so I'm sure you'll want to behave yourself. Looks good on paper, I guess that automatically means PSN is just full of douchebags (and there are some). At this point however, now that I've had a PS3 since day one, I haven't had any problem with that many doucebags or the servers, besides the hacking episode. I met just as many ass holes playing 360. I say all this, being still comfortable with the free service. With XBL games, they're mainly made to be played online, 'forcing' you to pay up. Cause who wants to just play Halo by themselves? And for the record, I had a huge addiction to Halo 2 and then Halo ODST, so I know full well that you have no choice but to get XBL for the full and initial experience.

Stepping off my soap box, I don't hate 360, even though acheivments make no sense at all, compared to trophies. Playing Halo online with old friends is an unforgetable experience. Maybe it's hard to make the switch to PS3 because all your friends had 360 when it come out before PS3 (back when there was no wireless wifi for 360). But I believe XBL should be lowered in it's annual price. $60 a year does not justify what you get, or I should say what you truly deserve, compared to PS+. I'm refering to paying to play online, which should be a free thing, and the 'unique' perks like party chat and add-ons/DLC/discounts should be part of the unforgetable experience of XBL. Peace and take my humor with an open mind, since PS3 isn't perfect either. Surprise surprise, I'm actually more of a Nintendo fan, than the other two, but you're not going to see me defending the Wii. lol

[Dms2012]

I only paid $35 for my subscription via Amazon. If people would just look instead of keeping their membership on auto-renew they would pay much less, if you do the math I am only paying $2.91 per month.

[NOKIDDING]

This article was like

"If you have both a 360 and a PS3, and can only sub to ONE service, then we give you OUR opinion about what we think is the best value for your money"

But again, comments look like they're made by people who obviously own only one system, fighting for electronic devices & forgetting the point of this article. PLEASE people, it's not about who has the longer d!ck...

Now on topic; I have the two consoles but I think PSN+ is a better value because of everything they said, you can also test full games on demand for 1 hour before buying, which LIVE don't let you do (even tho ALL arcade games can be tested & played an unlimited amount of times before buying, the only thing I give to XBOX).
I think PSN+ is a better deal just because of the benefits you get each month.

[leogets]

who gives a rats arse really. as long as i can play battlefield,uncharted3,undead nightmare,socom online for free with an awesome connection is all that matters. yep i said for free. ps3 is the win for me. to hell with paying for a service that i can do now and save money is a win in everyones eyes. people that cant see that are truelly blinded by their wrong purchase choice. i did buy an xbox but took it back before 28 days.the dashboard was so slow to navigate it was awefull. i know im a little of topic here but this is why ps is superior for me

[Dannycr]

I see a lot of: "Once the PS + subscription is over, you cannot play the games". Well, even if you buy the cheapest subscription, you will have enough time to finish those games and get twice the value that you pay for. If you want to renew it, it's your choice, but if you don't you already played, finished and got twice of what you paid for in the first place.

[InTheZoneAC]

Pros:

-XBL-Cross game chat
-PSN-Everything else

Cons:
-XBL-everything else
-PSN-no cross game chat

go ahead and disagree without any rational thought because that's what you do

[Daz]

What happen to the old days where half the people complained about paying to play games etc on xbox live and now half who said that pay for psn plus ;/ LOL contradict much.

But hey they have advantages over each other.

[Dannycr]

You realize that what you are trying to say doesn't make sense at all right?

Not the same to not being able to use a built in feature of a game like Online Multiplayer without paying, than paying to get free games that you can finish and use all of their built in features for free, but, if you want to keep it, you must renew the subscription.

Let me break it down for you:

If you don't pay for gold: No MP for you on ANY game.
If you don't pay for PSN +: absolutely nothing changes, except for the fact that you don't get the free games they have.

You then purchase a 3 month subscription of PS+: You get to finish the game and use all it's built in features. You pretty much exhausted everything the game has to offer. Then you can either renew the subscription to get it back because you liked it so much plus, the fact that it is possible that you may get some new games for free to play for the next 3 months (or year). If you choose not to renew the subscription, you can just get on with your life without a loss.

[Daz]

It does, its easy to understand. Ages about people from a certain group complained about xbox live being a yearly pay service or monthly. Then ps3 came out with psn plus.
So some of them same people complained about paying for live serivice but then payed for psn +.

Not hard to understand.

[Dannycr]

I though I was very clear, but, you are comparing Apples to oranges. You are comparing a service that you HAVE to pay to be able to use a built in feature of a game (Multiplayer) VS an optional services that gives you different perks + free games for you to try.

[Dannycr]

...

[typeN8]

Ok lets put it this way...psn really stepped up there game by doing what? Giving you games... Xbox live is great at somethings...but hey where the frak are my games

Overall sony is a win and ms loses

[00000000000000000001]

You guys pay for PSN+ and you think you get games for free, are you guys really that ignore? I would never pay for a service that selects the games I pay for!

[Dannycr]

Lol what?

Do you even know what PSN + is? Do you know how it works? 'Cause after that statement it certainly looks like you don't.

A Service that selects the games you pay? You can see what games they have without buying PS +, so obviously if you are not interested in them, you don't buy it, but we don't buy PS + for free games, free games are just another perk of the service.

Get your facts straight please.

[Skateboard]

Do you hate Netflix ?

[jay2]

XBL you NEED TO PAY TO PLAY GAMES ONLINE. PS3 you DON'T. PS3 wins simple as that. Who cares about XGC, not me, use skype, a mobile, land line etc.

[Dorwrath]

LAst time I checked my PSN+ I had to pay for it, making the games not free. I still had to pay. No matter how you try to spin it I still had to fork out money to download all those games.

I pay for both Xbox Live and PSN+ and they both have there good and bad points. To be honest Xbox Live is easier to use for me.

Heres a hypothetical question to all you Sony Fanboys who go on about Xbox users having to pay to play online:

What you going to do if Sony releases the PS4 and says "You will now have to have PSN+ to play online."

Not saying they will, but what if they did. You all going to refuse to pay it. You know most of you waste more money on junk food a day than it costs per month to pay for XBL or PSN+

[chela]

if games in ps+ are free then online in XBL gold is free too. correct me if wrong.

[GusBricker]

Call me when I can DL something off PSN that doesn't take fucking forever.

Thanks.

[Elvis]

Please give me your number so I can do that.

[GusBricker]

Lets just say, I DLed the RE6 demo on Xbox Live and it took about 20 minutes(800ish mb)

I'm DLing a demo of Journey(500 mb) and it's at 18% at about 15 minutes.

My 360 and PS3 are sitting right next to one another.

[Elvis]

I understand, here's a tut on how to increase your PS3 download speeds.
http://www.ps3hax.net/showt...

Now, I haven't tried it but many people said that it works real great.

Hope it helps and work for you.

[Dms2012]

Anyone that disagrees with this are just members of the SDF. Regardless of your ISP and speed, PSN is excruciatingly slow.

[Oschino1907]

Had to bite and prove you wrong so I got some solid numbers to post. Averaging just over 15mbs down just over 3mbs up testing from my PS3 (6 tests), downloaded the Journey demo (570mb) and it only took me literally 5min (almost under) to download....

That's faster then what is being claimed on either PSN or Live from the above commenter so how does it have nothing to do with your ISP or speed? and how is PSN "excruiciatingly slow"?

You sound like the people that constantly make up things about the PSN maintenance when it's obvious you are just talkin out your ass and saying whatever comes to mind that would back your point. Maintenance has rarely if ever caused anything on PSN other then Account Settings or the store/parts of it to be not useable.

99% of the time no one even notices anything is down for maintenance because its not commonly used things being worked on or is only down for a short time during off peak times.

[NeloAnjelo]

Paying for multiplayer which already comes with the game?
Paying for Netflix which you already have?
Paying for the Internet service...
Plus adverts?

If you take all that out, PSN is alreadly better than XBL. PS+ is a CHOICE. And its a great choice. A lot of games that you never played are free... Good games too. Infamous, LBP, Just Cause 2, etc... all quality games. So if you don't have them you're actually saving money!

[Elvis]

PSN+ is better, I think even hardcore 360 extremists would agree.

[Xperia_ion]

Making people pay for something that should be free is straight up evil.

[VTKC]

I just wish Microsoft would stop with the adverts. People pay for your service. PSN is free and while I dont own a playstation 3 I assume they have adverts? Which I can understand if that is the case as they pay Sony to air the advert.

[Xperia_ion]

Playing a game online shouldn't require a fee.

[nerdkiller]

i dont know about psn+ cuz i dont have it but i do like psn why pay for something when u dont have to like online gameing

[Prince_Dim-Lu]

LMAO...did the entire SDF pass up the part where this guys article says that Xbox live is the better of the two when it comes to online playing.

ONLINE PLAY.. you know.. the most important part of gaming. TH ONLINE PLAY.

lmao at this site.

[joeorc]

"ONLINE PLAY.. you know.. the most important part of gaming. TH ONLINE PLAY."

Spoken of true Arrogance!!

no the most important part of gaming is to have "fun"

IF THINK THIS OPINION is talking from a Fact's perspective , Than gloss over the fact that this was an Opinion..nothing more nothing less.

Online Gaming is just that people are going to have their own opinion on what kind of experience they have had with online Gaming and my experience is on both the xbox360 and PSN online multi-player aspect you have very immature childish gamer's on both service so in my opinion both are good for playing online games, but suck in many cases for social Gaming.

and i like that you called out what was that "SDF" did you say..oh you mean

Sony Defense Force Is Really Anti Sony

Sony Defense Force is actually a parody site created to make Sony Fanboys look bad…

http://www.lazygamer.net/xb...

the fact you think its pro Sony and use it as a negative toward Sony fans speaks more about you than it does about them..LMAO

[NotSoSilentBob]

You don't need PSN+ to play online.
You NEED XboxLive Gold to play online.

PSN 1
Live 0

[Pieface08]

PS3 IS THE OVERALL CHAMP, HANDS DOWN. LIVE CAN GO TO HELL.

[VideoGameJimmy]

I just got PS Plus a few weeks ago and love it more than XBL. I have had an Xbox with XBL for two years and it is not worth it. PSN alone is free so I can play my game's multiplayer without having to by a service. I bought a game and shouldn't have to buy XBL Gold just to play the multiplayer, cross-game chat, download demos and etc. PSN=XBL Gold minus Cross-game chat, that is it!

PS Plus allowed me to get inFamous 2 (a game I've been wanting but has been expensive to get, LittleBigPlanet 2, Just Cause 2, Warhammer 40K, Pac-Man Championship Edition DX (which is fantastic), and Sideway: New York. Half of those games I would have never got or played because they either didn't peak my interest or I haven't had the money to get.

[wages of sin]

I think it boils down to two things: where you live in the world and your gaming tastes.

Here in the U.S., XBL is fully featured, there are lot of things that we have access to that Europeans and other countries don't have. Sometimes it takes a long time (if ever) for those features to reach other places. So if I lived in Europe or Asia for example, of course I'm not going to think XBL is better.

I won't sit here and pretend that I know exactly where my money for Live goes per say but I do know the end result. It's far better integrated imo than PSN is. It's more stable, more seemless, more effecient and overall, grants a much better experience for me. Not to mention that I don't really care for many of the PS3's offerings, that's why I sold my 80gig a while back. I bought a lot of games for my PS3 but outside of a few standout PS3 exclusives (GoW3, UC2, Heavyrain and a few others) I think most of their games are mediocre at best. Not to mention that the online community surrounding their games is nothing like live in my experience. Besides to me, $50's a year or whatever is nothing for what I'm getting out of it. That's a bad game purchase, junk food, coffee, whatever. For me it's worth the price of admission based off of the total experience.

It's all about preferences and if your console of choice is giving you what you want, go for it.

[FITgamer]

These PSN vs Xbox Live articles got old like 2 years ago.

[Over726]

Wii needs to step their game up. they dont have any of that!

[BuLLDoG909]

"Brosy -
N4G is a retarded sony fanboy mess. Live is better than PSN, plain and simple. PSN is a big pain in the ass compared to Live. Why do you think so many people are willing to pay for Live?This site is like on a continious opposite day or something."

Man, your deluded, just give it up, live was Never all its cracked up to be.. pay2play online is insane when you already have to pay for the console, the game, and broadband, and thats the only thing thats "plain and simple"

[Pieface08]

My 360 is collecting dust, wonder why? Cause it's super boring and it cost too much money to play mutiplayer online and its not worth it. My PS3 IS ON FIRE AND I LOVE IT. PLAYSTATION FOREVER.

[STGuy1040]

I find it difficult to live without both services. Both sides make valid arguments about Playstation Plus and Xbox Live. On the one hand, gamers feel slighted by Live for not including free online play for Silver subscribers. Plus, if someone already has a Netflix subscription, they feel like they're paying twice just to access the app on Xbox Live. But on the upside, Xbox Live offers a great deal of social networking. Plus, their amateur indie game section in the marketplace really helps the service stand out.

On the Playstation Plus side of things:some feel that losing their games after the service expires is unfair and/or annoying. Even games bought on a discount through Playstation Plus are deactivated once the subscription expires. People have complained about this before. They feel that it's one thing to deactivate the 'free' content, but deactivating a purchase that was discounted under Playstation Plus is a bit too much.

But in Plus' favor, it offers at least three full games a month, multiple free mini games, PSOne classics, full (not trial) PS3 games, free avatars, dynamic themes, etc. It's still a fantastic service despite some of the issues mentioned.

Hopefully some of these complaints will be addressed in the next generation. As gamers, we can only cross our fingers and hope.

[Qrphe]

If Microsoft offered a free version of Live without cross-game chat included the VAST majority of 360 players would jump on it.

It's too much asking people to be objective though.

[crazy_gooner]

Enjoy the best of both! I own both consoles and do exactly that. At the moment I'm more devoted to my PS3. Plus is offering some great deals and savings, only thing for Sony it's probably come a little late. If it came earlier they may have forced more sales, also with a new slim ps3 being released this may do just that, one last step before PS3.

The way I'm continuously being given games for free as long as I'm a member is great because I only buy AAA titles now so sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised.

XBL offers more freedom with friends and general catching up with party chat. Most of the time though it's a distraction IMO when you want to play single player games.

I'm with Sony as it is now but also love XBL. If only Sony had a party chat feature and all this came sooner with less crap ports.

Enjoy gamers.

[Unversed87]

Been on xbox live for 9 years. PSN better discount games. Better that you dont pay to use online multiplayer, or precious apps(netflix,huluplus,etc). People get full acess to at least 2 full games each month for free on PSN of course you have an option not to pay $50 year. Just play online or netflix no charges.

[STGuy1040]

I just wanted to retract part of my statement about Playstation Plus. Free games are deactivated when the subscription expires, but games purchased on a discount through Playstation Plus are not.

[Unversed87]

Party chat party chat party shat. Party was the worst thing added. Beacon im lonely come play with me. lol. Just like facebook Status: Single play with me. How many times you got to invite someone to party just to sat lets play COD. Leaves rooms with micless homos cant talk ssss to anyone. Parties suck.