220°

Will We See an “Xbox Plus” Service any Time Soon? (MasonicGamer.com)

MasonicGamer.com: As you should know, Sony’s PlayStation Plus Service is coming to PS Vita, bringing discounts, cloud storage and, of course, a library of ever-changing games. The service has taken off rather well on the PS3, and could help sales of the Vita, which hasn’t brought in the figures Sony expected since launch. PlayStation Plus is an interesting idea, and one that the public at large may not be completely aware of, but I wonder if this next generation of consoles will see Microsoft adopting a similar service for their Xbox.

Sony aren’t the first company to release a subscription service that provides a library of games. No, that would be Sega, whose Sega Channel ran from 1994 to 1998, and was broadcast over existing television lines. It’s strange that it took well over a decade for another company to pick up where Sega left off, especially with the adoption rates of high speed internet in the mid-2000s.

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masonicgamer.com
MultiConsoleGamer4173d ago (Edited 4173d ago )

I bet both Microsoft and Nintendo will follow suit with their own similar programs. It's just too good of an idea. It's also an amazing consumer incentive, and that may force the hand of the competition.

Also, Nintendo stream.

Yi-Long4173d ago (Edited 4173d ago )

... I do know that I won't be renewing my XBL Gold subscription and instead I'll be taking up PSN+, which seems to offer a lot more value for money instead.

Only reason I haven't gotten PSN+ yet, is because I'm emigrating to the other side of the world next month (Hong Kong).

I wish these subscriptions would be worldwide, instead of region-based.

I believe Steam is worldwide, isn't it!? I hope I can access my EU PSN account from Hong Kong, but I fear for the (already) slow downloadspeeds. I already know I won't be able to access my XBL account. Sadly.

mewhy324173d ago

There's already Xbox Plus service. Gold membership. Hello??? Silver members and then the paid Gold membership...Free psn and paid psn plus. wow.

DigitalRaptor4173d ago

@ mewhy32

Yes but if you'd read the article you'd know it's talking about something to compete with Sony's PS+

A premium service with actual tangible value. I know XBL gold is a premium service with its own merits in terms of cohesiveness and stability, but the value I just can't see. PS+ is on a whole other level and it would be nice to see Microsoft do something similar with XBL Gold.

DeadlyFire4173d ago

XBL - $60 for basic communication between players + Online play
XBL+ - $90?

I don't see it going well if they do that. If they threw it all under the Gold service it could work though.

rainslacker4173d ago

I wouldn't mind if they just went free to play for silver members and offered a plus like service instead for the price of gold.

It doesn't bother me much since I don't own an XBox, but it would be helpful in keeping all these people away that want to argue over which is better.

At least if the services were similar then we could argue games instead of the stupid consoles.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4173d ago
Knight_Crawler4173d ago

Yeah but this not a new business model...I remember getting free games with my Nintendo Power subscription.

I do not see how MS would price XBox Plus and justify already paying $60 per month just to go online.

Question: Would anyone pay $80 a year for free games, monthly Skype credit,access to all of the Wondows Office features and 2 free movies per month from Hulu?

Keep in mind that this would be for the Xbox 720 which I expect it to be 80% PC and 20% console so the office will come in Handy for multi tasking.

decrypt4173d ago

How are the games free if you are paying a sub for them? Also its not like u own the games once u get em. Once the sub is off, u lose the games.

You want to see a true F2P model go check out games like Dota 2, TF2.

Its funny when console companies try to show as if they are giving something for free and watching console fans parrot what they are told lol.

Rhythmattic4173d ago (Edited 4173d ago )

decrypt

Im guessing most people that complain about the PS+ model are also people that pay to unlock the mp portion of a title on 360.

Sure, games aren't free, but it still works out cheaper than buying and trading by a long shot.

Fact is , its incredible value , and whether you join or not, it doesn't effect a games multiplayer mode bought of the shelf.

Like it, buy it. Hate it , don't.

Edit: DUST 514. F2P.... Free to play. PS+ OR NOT---- yes, Free.

palaeomerus4173d ago

$35 to $40 a YEAR often with a free game or free MS points (or both!) thrown in which gets you weekly sales on some arcade titles or DLC,

versus

$15 a MONTH to essentially rent some old games and indy games with a few thrown in free here and there and sales on some PSN titles and DLC.

Whatever.

BitbyDeath4173d ago (Edited 4173d ago )

@palaemerus,

Those two sound great and all but you should take a look at PS+

$50 a year for 3 free full games a month + free avatars + free themes + free dynamic themes + free indie games + free 1gb cloud + autodownload feature + access to betas + massive discounts + full game trials... probably other stuff i'm forgetting as well.

That is what you should hope to get.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4173d ago
nukeitall4173d ago (Edited 4173d ago )

I'm not sure MS or Nintendo will follow suit. Their business model is to basically give you the razor and sell you the blades. A subscription like PSN Plus, means they will collect negligible amount of money in return for offering games that take away additional potential sale.

On top of that, you are probably limited in what good games you can give. If you give too good games you risk them not buying any other game. Then 3rd parties are screwed, you as a platform is screwed and ultimately consumers are screwed.

A F2P model would benefit everyone better.

Then again, Sony doesn't really give you that many high quality titles. They are mostly titles I wouldn't spend a dime on, let alone my precious time so on the surface it seems like a great deal.

Wolfbiker4173d ago

How are LBP2, inFamous 2, Borderlands, Read Dead Redemption (in some areas) not quality titles? That is only a few out of like 12.

DigitalRaptor4173d ago (Edited 4173d ago )

" Sony doesn't really give you that many high quality titles. They are mostly titles I wouldn't spend a dime on, let alone my precious time so on the surface it seems like a great deal."

Not at all surprising. either trolling or just is completely incapable of doing their research on something before bashing it.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Dead Space 2, inFamous 2, LBP 2, Just Cause 2, Far Cry 2, Borderlands, Darksiders, Red Dead Redemption, Crysis 2, Oddworld: Stranger's wrath, and a ton of acclaimed digital network games. Just scratches the surface.

And just so you know, even if you tried to go out there and RENT all the games on offer with Plus throughout the year, it would cost you many times more than Sony charges. and you'd be renting those titles for a week, a month art best. PS+? as long as you decide.

and many of these games I don't own because I never got round to buying but always meant to, and now, thanks to Plus, am getting the opportunity to play for reduced cost. myself and I'd say millions of others.

Then there's the fact that if you have a Vita, your subscription is valid for both platforms, and then PS4 next gen. Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Gravity Rush, Super Stardust for "free" on Vita starting soon.

Then there's the early access demos, exclusives, betas, cloud storage, auto updates, discounts - all makes it a winning service. Potential next gen features too, including Gaikai.

I'm just laying out the facts that you disregard as "a great deal on the surface". trying to downplay what is nothing but immense value. Like I said, not surprising.

GraveLord4173d ago

No.
Microsoft is too greedy to offer this and people will keep paying for XBL no matter what the competition is doing.

Nintendo is barely getting into online, I doubt they'd give away games either. They don't exactly have a great relationship with 3rd parties and giving away their Mario games is suicide.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4173d ago
chuckyj14173d ago

Heck, honestly I hardly have enough time to play the games I buy...Free selective arcade games would hardly sway me...

Not that it's bad, but when I get my videogame playing time in I am very selective in the games I play.

But, this is coming from a married guy w/ 2 girls...
To each their own I suppose.

Ares84HU4173d ago

Good thing PSplus gives us full retail games not just arcade games for free right????

Ares84HU4173d ago

You already got it. It's called Xbox Gold.

brish4173d ago

Really? With next weeks update there will be 18 games that playstation plus subscribers can download. What games does xbox gold come with?

http://blog.us.playstation....

ALLWRONG4173d ago

Stop paying for it and see if you get to keep em.

moegooner884173d ago (Edited 4173d ago )

@Allwrong, what's your point, if you stop paying for XboxLive you lose the service privileges as well

lodossrage4173d ago (Edited 4173d ago )

And?

When you resubscribe, you get them ALL back.

Sort of like when you stop paying for live your system is quite literally cut in half UNTIL you resubscribe.

The only difference is with live, you'll lose access to stuff you're probably paying for anyway right along with the "right" to play online. (Netflix, Hulu Plus, etc)

brish4173d ago

"Stop paying for it and see if you get to keep em."
- allwrong

Playstation plus is a subscription service just like xbox live. If your subscription runs out for either the subscription services end.

You didn't answer my question. What games does xbox gold come with?

cee7734173d ago (Edited 4173d ago )

@all wrong

Stop paying for live and see if you keep your online gaming ,web browser, netflix or hulu plus lol what do you call that it goes both ways you guys call PS+ a game rental service when live 10 time's worse in that regard you have to already pay monthly for many services already and on top of that you need live gold to use them including the web browser what a joke the discounts alone on PS+ pays for itself not to mention early beta access free themes and avatars so in the end who gets the most for its money

ALLWRONG4173d ago (Edited 4173d ago )

MS gives out free games and content every year for Silver and Gold. If you stop paying for gold, you still get to keep it.

As for paying for Live: Security, and the ability to communicate with anyone across the entire platform (not just text) Something other services can't seem to provide.

Ares84HU4173d ago

Looks like 23 people did not understand the sarcasm.

Oh well.

lodossrage4173d ago

@ALLWRONG

And? you get free games you get to keep on PSN as well. DC Universe, Free Realms, DUST 514, etc.

And if you think you're paying for security with live, you're delusional. Is that why people are constantly getting their live accounts stolen WITH money spent on them? And it's not like these are just normal customers. This happens to industry figure heads live accounts as well.

It even happened to Larry Hyrb (you know him as Microsoft's Xbox spokesman, Major Nelson).

And keep latching on to that "we pay for cross game chat" mantra. The Vita has that FREE. And when the next Playstation system comes out and has that FREE, how will you justify that?

It never ceases to amaze me how microsoft has so many people duped into this "pay to use services you already pay for" ideal. But then again, we live in a country where people were dumb enough to vote for Mitt Romney so (even though he didn't win)...

trouble_bubble4173d ago (Edited 4173d ago )

@AllWrong

People generally don't collect $60 videogames like comics or cards. You beat it, play online for a bit, the end. Thats why Gamestop and 90% of stores that sell games also do trade ins. People don't play most games 3 months to a year later.

Are we still playing AC2 even though Brotherhood/Revelations/AC3 have come out since then? Of course not. PS Plus saves us a trip to the local game pawner and the facepalm of poor customer service and "wanna insure your scratch resistant bluray against scratches for an extra $5" scripts. I platinumed my free Trine2 from Plus in a couple days. Dont need it for another 2 years.

"MS gives out free games and content every year for Silver and Gold. If you stop paying for gold, you still get to keep it."

Umm, so does Sony, except instead of Doritos Crash Course lol, you keep DC Universe Online.

@chuckj
pretty sure you're not the only gamer with a wife 'n kids. According to the ESA, the average age of a frequent game buyer is 35, the average age overall of peeps who play is 30 http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed... . inFamous2/LBP2 on PSPlus VS HarmsWay/AegisWing on XBL isn't even close in terms of "free" value.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 4173d ago
mcstorm4173d ago

@Ares84HU I agree. Live Gold is what Sony PS+ is they just offer different things as PS+ would not be worth paying for if they did no offer games as there online is already free.

I do think MS will offer Another package next gen along with Gold that will offer things like xbox music, Videos, Office 360 ect as Xbox live is going to be on Windows 8, Windows Phone and the next xbox.

Rhythmattic4173d ago (Edited 4173d ago )

mcstorm

"I agree. Live Gold is what Sony PS+ is"

I have to chime in here and say Live Gold is not what PS+ is at all.

"they just offer different things as PS+ would not be worth paying for if they did no offer games as there online is already free. "

Exactly....If all features that where free on PS3 where on 360 for free (silver), do you believe people would really subscribe to Gold?

mcstorm4173d ago

@Rhythmattic No but it is the same thing as Gold. You stop paying for gold you lose plaing online, Apps IE ect.

You stop paying for PS+ you lose all your PS+ games, Demos, Try before you buy, cloud storage ect.

They are the same thing as in you are paying to rent a serves like xbox music, Netflix ect but PS+ and Live offer different ways of there own services.

Rhythmattic4173d ago (Edited 4173d ago )

PS+ is an option.

Actually my last paragraph was comparing features that are free without PS+ to Live Silver.

To reiterate, if people could play online and access netflix ect , like all other consoles/PC's, without any other bells and whistles, do you really think everybody would pay for gold?

My view is no, but I guess we will never know, as MS have you hostage for online play, and I dont see that changing this or next gen.

I can afford gold, but due to principle, they aren't getting my money.

If silver allowed free online MP, I definitely would be using my 360 alot more.

MmaFan-Qc4173d ago

some sheeps still try to justify their monthly/yearly subscription only to play online, do you really think MS will give them more when their "sheep" have such low standards?

lmaoausaurus rexx

Imalwaysright4173d ago

I have to agree with you. I could never bring myself to pay to play online. Not even when i had a 360. Imo MS is laughing all the way to the bank by taking advantage of 360 fans that have no choice if they want play online. Call me troll i dont care. That is how i feel about this matter.

garos824173d ago

Trust ms to monetise something you already pay for.I don't see them implementing a ps plus kind is service. ms forgets what the concept of "free"means

andibandit4173d ago

You're problably right, but i just dont care about free games atm. My back catalogue is so huge i realize there are some games i will never get to play, and therefore I could care less about renting games via PS+.
I do mind paying 60$ a year for online, but i accept it as long as MS keeps marketing games that i enjoy online and keep their service steady.

knocknock4173d ago

That's a very rude statement, I'm no sheep regardless of my choice of game service provider, I've had a ps and xbox since launch and I still find feature on the station lacking, adverts on live are alittle annoying but I've always been happy with the cost of live, I was an advocate of Sony joining the payed online, and doing so has improved the service greatly but it's all alot of tacked on features! I'd rather they get there chat and profiles sorted.

256bit4173d ago

a service on top of another service? a service within a service?

inception......

Show all comments (63)
90°

10 Weirdest Video Games of All Time

Plenty of unforgettable games have completely messed up their players throughout the years, all the way back from the PS1 days to the dark recesses of the modern internet.

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culturedvultures.com
JonTheGod6h ago

Why are the Katamari games not on the list??

470°

PS5 Pro specs leak video taken down by Sony

Sony is taking actions as video by Moore’s Law is Dead, has been issued with a copyright claim.

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videogameschronicle.com
andy851d 22h ago

And people say it's all fake because Sony haven't said anything 😂 conveniently forget the PS4 Pro was only announced 2 months before release.

BeHunted1d 22h ago

It's fake. There's no factual evidence other than his own made up specs.

Hereandthere1d 21h ago

What were the specks Sony was afraid of showing?

Shikoku1d 21h ago (Edited 1d 21h ago )

Digital foundry put a video out saying what he leaked was exactly what they also knew about the PS5 PRO. So no it's not just stuff he made up

Babadook71d 18h ago (Edited 1d 18h ago )

If it’s fake what copyright does MLID infringe upon?

😂

andy851d 18h ago

Aye because they'd go to the effort of copyright claiming it if it didn't exist 🙃😂 you'd have to be a special kind to be thinking its not a thing by now

Cacabunga1d 17h ago

They need to reveal it with uncharted killzone or a heavy hitter like this

Ironmike1d 17h ago (Edited 1d 17h ago )

U mean the specs that we'll established digital foundry which said these are the actual specs published a video on 2 weeks ago I mean they are only one of most trusted sites for tech information but they just made up a video for the sake of it

Christopher1d 3h ago

I would love for it all to be fake, but lots of people are saying they've seen/heard the same thing. But, man, we 100% don't need mid-gen upgrades when we're failing hard to optimize current hardware.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 1d 3h ago
Seraphim23h ago(Edited 23h ago)

if I recall Sony lowered sales expectations for PS5 earlier this year. if that is the case we won't hear anything about a Pro until next year or shortly before/when it's dropping. After all, if the Pro was dropping this year/fiscal year they wouldn't have lowered expectations.

As for squashing rumors. Yeah, shit like this prevents potential buyers from adopting now, just like slim rumors in the past. It only makes sense to keep things under wraps from a business perspective. Despite living in a technological age of unfettered access to information we don't need to know whats going on behind closed doors be that at Sony, Nintendo, MS, or amongst any development studios. When the steak is done we shall feast.

JackBNimble22h ago

By the time games are actually made to take advantage of the pro spec's the ps6 will be released or close to it.

jznrpg1d 21h ago (Edited 1d 21h ago )

Just announce it already! I want to preorder one asap. But in reality they don’t want to lessen PS5 sales until Pro is ready to launch so I understand the business part of it. September is probably when they announce it with an early November launch like the PS4 Pro

Ironmike1d 17h ago

Pro won't lessen sales sames ps4 pro never and the ps4 pro was more relevant at the time cos move to 4k this not needed

RaidenBlack1d 10h ago (Edited 1d 10h ago )

Yea, my brother got his PS4 (coz of a good deal) after the PS4 Pro's release.

darthv721d 7h ago

^^same here. I got a base 4 for only $100 off a guy who bought the Pro. then a few months later I found a guy on craigslist selling a pro for $100 because it was left behind by his former roommate who moved out. That was the beginning of my obsession to buy up the different variants of the PS4 that were released.

As of now I am really only missing the 500m one and the gold slim but otherwise I have pretty much all the other retail ones. https://consolevariations.c...

BoneMagnus1d 5h ago

@darth - Nice collection!

crazyCoconuts1d ago

Anyone with 4K that appreciates 60fps is gonna disagree about it not being needed.
DLSS is a god send for Nvidia, and there's been nothing like it for AMD...yet ...

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1d ago
DeadlyFire1d 5h ago

They will announce it around E3 timeframe about May-June whenever they do a showcase for the year.

neutralgamer19921d 21h ago

Just announce it this thing will sell well

Ironmike1d 17h ago (Edited 1d 17h ago )

I don't think it will pll still haven't seen the potential of ps5 yet

Cacabunga1d 3h ago

agreed, but it might sell if they announce some 1st party games to lead the way. if people see the difference with the base version they can move on. for my sake I am still gaming mainly on PS4 (still not finished with RDR2 due to lack of gaming time). I have a huge backlog on PS5 I am hoping to get into.

mark3214uk1d 12h ago

why? game makers havnt even come close to maxing out current spec yet, were getting al lthese new TFlops and game maker are making crappy remakes not worthy of the ps3

Minute Man 7211d 7h ago

The guts of the 5 and X are 5 years old

fr0sty1d 1h ago

People keep saying that, yet we still have games running at near HD resolutions, 30fps, and ray tracing features turned off.

PRIMORDUS1d 18h ago (Edited 1d 18h ago )

I would take that video and upload a torrent of it, fuck that copyright bullshit. If your going to do something that has a chance of being taken down, make a torrent first share it. Then Sony or any other company is helpless and you can laugh in their faces, taunting them to try to take it down 🤣

LoveSpuds1d 11h ago

With kind of analysis and advice, you could be a lawyer for Trump!🤣

tronyx121d 11h ago

As much as the PS4 Pro didn't represent a major % in the playerbase, announcing a 'better' model will hinder sales from the 'base' model. They are right, business-wise.

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80°

Tales Of Graces Ƒ Retro Review – Holding Out For a Hero

Gary Green said: Namco Bandai heard the call of many fans asking for the PlayStation release of Tales of Graces which was originally released seemingly exclusively for the Wii back in 2009. If you’re acquainted with the Tales series then Graces f won’t be something entirely new to you, yet if you’re a newcomer then you’ll find a plethora of gameplay mechanics and nuances that distinguish this series from other JRPGs. While the game finds itself following the traditional archetype of JRPGs, such as a somewhat clichéd story, Graces has something to offer to both veterans and newcomers alike.

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pslegends.com
GoodGuy092d ago

Odd this and the xillia games still haven't gotten remasters yet.