Why the Hell Are the Xbox One's Best New Features Behind a Paywall?

You don't buy a Big Mac and pay extra for special sauce. You don't buy an iPhone and pay extra for FaceTime. So why in the hell is Microsoft putting some of its most heavily promoted Xbox One features behind an idiotic Xbox Live Gold paywall? Because it can. But that doesn't mean that it should.

[Mystogan]

Why the hell do you buy a console to watch Netflix?

[Prcko]

no idea

[pedrof93]

I laugh because they announce the all in ONE, but the whole ALL in ONE is just ALL if you get the XBL gold membership.

So Xbox one is only complete if you get the gold.

Classic Microsoft.

[xHeavYx]

@Mystogan
Wow, now all of the sudden it's about gaming and not other features? You Xbox lovers change your mind so much.
Plain and simple, MS wants you to pay for every single thing you use. That's why you end up with a more expensive (yet less powerful) console, that doesn't even let you play free-to-play games for free, how sad is that people support a money grabbing company who doesn't care about their consumers?
Before some people start saying "Well, Sony is a company that wants money too", there are ways to get money from your consumers, and MS has chosen all the wrong ways.
How can a company with as much money as MS charge for things that a less rich company gives out for free?
MS is its own worst enemy this generation

[Menech]

@xHeavYx

Guess what, you wanna play online with the PS4? you better be ready to buy a subscription too.

And lets be honest here, the play online feature is the only feature that truly matters to most people.

So go ahead and act like Sony is any different in this regard, be both know your full of ____.

"In June, Sony revealed a change to its previous policy which gave all owners of its PlayStation 3 console access to online multiplayer games. With the PlayStation 4, owners will have to pay $50 (£32) a year for a PlayStation Plus account to do the same." taken from the below BBC article.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/t...

[xHeavYx]

@Menech
Seriously? that's the best you got? Yes you need PS+ to play online, but you can still use Netflix, Skype, play free-to-play games, record gameplay and a lot of other stuff without having to pay for PS+.
You also get a console that's more powerful for $100 less (unless you want to use your GAMING console to watch TV)
BY THE WAY, PS+ is a way better value than Gold, since it gives you tons of discounts and free games

[Deividas]

@Menech
No shit sherlock. Everyone already knows you have to pay for online on the ps4 but at least sony comes right out and says which features are free and which are not. Also dont backtrack on everything they say!

Ps4 has almost every feature the xbox one has yet most of ps features are free and ms is behind a paywall, and even online is only a little over $4....seriously how is this even a serious question pn which one to get? And i was only a 360 user all previous gen

[pompombrum]

For me, putting stuff like this behind gold isn't a problem because I'm a gamer and going to pay for gold anyway but the console is marketed as a must have living room accessory and pretty much almost all the reasons why it should be in our living rooms is behind a pay wall. There are loads of reasons why people wouldn't care about online gaming and I'd speculate that a good proportion of Microsoft's marketing campaign will be aimed at people with zero interest in online gaming yet Microsoft are still going to force them into a subscription for features they will assume are free.

I never realized how bad it was as I've always had gold for my 360 but really, it's pure greed and I hope M$ get a lot of bad press coverage for it as they deserve it.

[malokevi]

"So Xbox one is only complete if you get the gold. "

I would say its pretty obvious that your wasting your money if you don't have a gold membership.

This console is online focused. The online requirement may be gone, but it's still basically a necessity.

I would bet my money that all 1st/3rd party exclusives will require a connection to some degree, and be rendered moot without it.

And... this is the part your not gonna like... that's a good thing.

[Mystogan]

The percentage of people who buy the console and want to watch Netflix but don't have gold is ridiculously low. It doesn't even matter.

This is just something for the PSfanboys to talk about yet 99% of them are going to have PSN+ and a Netflix sub.

[ALLWRONG]

Meanwhile on the PS4! Sony charges to play PS3 games you already own, and shutting down PS3 game servers forcing you to upgrade.

[Deividas]

@Mystogen

Thats not the point. They are marketing this as an all in one box that even non gamers should consider buying because of the value and features. So if someone was to buy this for their living room to use all these features to watch netflix or something they can, but wait a minute, they have to pay to use a feature they are already paying for? Ummm this cleary shows they just want everyones money now and not just core gamers.

[xHeavYx]

@ALLWRONG
Congratulations, your comment wins as the lamest comment of the year (still waiting to hear from Georgeenoob though)
What you are saying is pure bull, servers closing? Which server has recently closed because of the PS4?
Which 360 games will you play for free on the One?

[darthv72]

Having been a gold member since the original xbox i dont see an issue with them stuffing my subscription with more features.

People want to complain about these thing being behind a paywall...im already a paid member so to me these are added bonuses.

the paid service has grown exponentially since the days of it being only to play online. the ones complaining are likely ones who were never gold members to begin with. its okay to have that pov but once you become a paid member of something you want to have that feeling of being catered to first and foremost otherwise why continue to pay.

someone who isnt a gold member will complain about paying but someone who is already a gold member...they see it as adding more bang for the buck.

[abzdine]

MS are so classy!
ONE more reason to hold back from this scum practice.
And the reason why everything is behind a paywall is because they want everyone to be always online so DRMcan make its way slowly back post release.

@ALLWRONG: you are all wrong!! this really shows that you have no idea what PS+ is about, and next time please keep away.

[Death]

Just so we are all clear here,

1. If you want to enjoy Netflix, Skype and play online with the XboxOne, you have to pay for a subscription.

2. If you want to enjoy Netflix, Skype and play online with the PS4, you have to pay for a subscription.

Does it really matter what is and isn't behind the paywall if both require you to pay to play online? This isn't even about options since it isn't ala carte. If I don't want Netflix, skype or anything besides online play i pay no matter what. All non-gaming features of the PS4 are free, but to play games online you pay. That punishes the people that bought the system purely for games. That is no better than Microsoft punishing people who bought their console to only watch Netflix.

[xHeavYx]

@Death
You can twist it as much as you'd like, at the end of the day, you are being screwed by MS for online and offline features behind a paywall

[blennerville]

LOL iPhone, you pay extra for lots of things with Apple which are free else where

Microsoft is the same

[cybervike]

You don't need PS+ to watch Netflix. And why should you? I've always hated that on the 360. If I decide I want to let PS+ or Live run out I shouldn't have something like Netflix stop working. Period.

http://www.gamesradar.com/p...

[Codey47]

@Menech

The difference is PS+ is an essential purchase at this moment in time because of the Instant Game Collection and 1GB of cloud storage for each system you own (PS3, PS Vita and PS4).
Sony Consumers won't need a subscription for Cross Game Chat nor free to play games released over the PSN

But Microsoft apparently feel the need to charge for the DVR feature and even Skype(which initially is a subscription less programme...That's until MS got their grubby little mitts on it)
There's no wonder why the PS3 is the number 1 device for viewing Netflix...they don't charge you to watch a service that you've already paid for. There's also a reason why Microsoft's version of Unreal Tournament 3 didn't have MODS capability

Answer

Microsoft don't like giving anything away for free.

[Death]

How many don't have a smart tv by now? I can watch netflix from any of my tv's without a game console. If you are connected and enjoy playing online, you have all these features with your subscription anyway. You are also avoiding the question of gamers that bought their system for games only. Why are they getting punished on the PS4? As a gamer I would rather play for free if given the choice and accessing all the extra content as a premium with a fee.

I subscribe to both so I don't personally care,but if you are going to take the stand that Microsoft puts the premiums behind a paywall, you really should take into consideration PS4 gamers will have to pay for online gaming with all the extras being free. You can make the arguement either way or "twist" things, but at the end of the day anyone that wants to enjoy online gaming and the extra features each console offers, they will pay.

[mcstorm]

@Death Wow finally someone who looked at this from both sides. This site is becoming a massive my did is better than your dad site and people spend all day going on about the same things and carry on to defend one side of the other. People need to face it both the PS4 and Xbox One you have to pay a subscription to get the full use out of them no matter if one gives you less than the other without a subscription. If paying a subscription is an issue for you stay on a Wii or PS3 or get your self a WiiU as everything is still free to use on its platform but at the end of the day anyone who buys the xbox one or PS4 and the Wiiu are not getting them to watch lovefilm or Netflix the are getting it to play games they want for that console and because if has Netflix or lovefilm app on they will also use it to use this app but this is not the reason why they buy the console in the 1st place.

[malokevi]

@Deividas
"Ummm this cleary shows they just want everyones money now and not just core gamers. "

A corporation... wanting money?

What in gods name are you going on about? Corporations exist solely to shove free stuff at you... not to offer you devices/services for money. that's just silly!

*eyes roll around so much that they fall out of my head and onto the floor, out the door, down the street, to Florida, up a metal staircase, onto a spaceship, which then plummets into the sun*

[DragonKnight]

I love how more than a few people here don't understand the difference between the Xbox One and the PS4's paywall.

Xbox One paywall has even services that require their own subscription to be behind the Xbox One paywall. Wanna watch Netflix on Xbox One? Then you have to pay the $8 fee for the month on Netflix, and the $5 fee for the month on Xbox Live Gold. That's $13 for one month of just watching Netflix on Xbox One.

PS4 paywall doesn't do that. Any 3rd party app that requires a subscription isn't locked behind the PS+ paywall. That means if you want to watch Netflix on the PS4 you're only paying the $8 subscription fee for Netflix.

The next hilarious argument is "well if you're a real gamer you'll have Xbox Live Gold anyway" as though to say that real gamers never have to worry about expenses piling up, or maybe they aren't much of an online gamer. Which then leads to "why would someone who doesn't game online much even buy an Xbox One?" Exactly. But also, because they like the games that don't require online.

Conversely, none of that is a problem on the PS4 because free-to-play games don't require PS+ memberships, asynchronous multiplayer doesn't require PS+ memberships, online features in single player games don't require PS+ memberships. So all around, PS4 is a console for the various different types of gamers while Xbox One is for the semi to well to do Western gamer that only cares about online gaming and maybe has no concept of value or principles.

In summation, the Xbox One will double dip in charges for virtually every feature, and the PS4 won't.

And on the subject that ALLWRONG brought up, the Xbox One is currently NEVER going to have ANY form of BC whatsoever, and Sony has never stated they are going to charge people to play PS3 games they already own. But which would gamers rather have; a system with literally no BC, or a system with a BC program you MIGHT have to pay for?

[Death]

Sony charges you to play your PSP UMD's that you own if you want to play them on your PSP Go. They also removed B/C from the PS3 and resold you your PS2 games digitally if you wanted to play them on the PS3. Why would you even think there is a remote chance the PS4 will allow you to download PS3 games for free?

[xHeavYx]

@Dragon
http://www.everyjoe.com/wp-...
@Death you are so lame dude, let me remind you that there are a ton of original Xbox games that were not compatible with the 360 games

[HiddenMission]

@Death

That's not true at all you straight up lied kid!

Netflix, Skype and video sharing are not behind the PS+ pay wall which is the opposite of XBLG.

Yeah it does matter because for gamers who rarely ever play online or have a smaller budget it is an issue...only a MS defender can ignore this!

I personally have PS+ and will continue to have it with the PS4 but it has nothing to do with online play being behind a pay wall it's because of the perks.

What I mean by perks is all the free and discounted products I've gotten. Examples of AAA titles given away for free Hitman Absolution, Journey and Crysis are just a few. I've been a PS+ member since day one and I've saved hundreds of dollars on games each year...can you say the same???

[XB1_PS4]

He says, "You don't buy an iPhone and pay extra for FaceTime."

Yeah you do, it's called your phone bill. If you buy an iPhone without service, it's a brick.

[No_Limit]

@xHeavy

"Death you are so lame dude, let me remind you that there are a ton of original Xbox games that were not compatible with the 360 games "

Xbox Games compatible with X360
http://support.xbox.com/en-...

I think that is like 95% plus of all Xbox games that are compatible with the X360, where are the Tons of games that are not compatible that you are claiming?

[HiddenMission]

@Death

You just don't get it do you not every gamer wants to play online and it's just that simple!

Not everyone has a smart TV...it's a horrible economy right now if you havent' noticed 7.5% of the population is unemployed so not every person can afford the cool stuff in life.

Not everyone has a tablet...hell not everyone even has PC or internet in their homes yet you just assume that everyone does!

You make a lot of childish assumptions!

Yeah I'm a little worked up and it's because of your ignorant propaganda that you're trying to spread.

Reality is you pay for electricity in your house, pay for the console, pay for internet, pay for your game, pay for netflix and then are told hey if you actually want to use all that shit you already paid for then you have to pay another company just to access the stuff you already paid for.

GTFO bro!

[Codey47]

Not everyone has a smart TV because...a certain device has provided me with those "SMART" capabilities moons before the SMART TV was ever conceived.

[darthv72]

@dragon, while you make a compelling argument you are missing one key piece. You cant simply turn off your PS+ sub if you want to watch netflix or play a F2P game. If you are a paid member of PS+ it ticks away each day until the sub is up.

So please take that into consideration when making such a rational thought of the things that arent behind paywalls but still relate to those who are PS+ members.

Now show me a single person who ONLY takes advantage of the free things on the PS4 and i will show you a person who will NEVER play multiplayer in KZ Shadowfall, Battlefield 4, or ANY PS4 game that requires the PS+ service to play multiplayer.

That person would be better off not getting a PS4 to begin with considering the overall majority of the reason for getting it would be completely wasted. that being online multiplayer in sony 1st, 2nd and 3rd party games.

The F2P ones are no comparison to the number of retail games that would offer a more compelling online community. if you think a user could survive on only F2P....you just made a great point in favor of them sticking to the PC instead.

[DragonKnight]

@Death: "Sony charges you to play your PSP UMD's that you own if you want to play them on your PSP Go."

We can all agree that the PSP Go situation is abhorrent and pathetic. But that's not confirmation of anything. That's you reaching for the "precedent" straw.

"They also removed B/C from the PS3 and resold you your PS2 games digitally if you wanted to play them on the PS3."

That's funny because my 2 launch 60GB PS3's were fully backwards compatible. I also remember people whining about the price of the PS3 and enough people saying BC is irrelevant. PS2 BC in the PS3 was costly, people were griping about the price, Sony removed it. You don't get to have your cake and eat it to, one day all of you who are going to try and argue about BC are going to have to pick a side. It's either important for the entire life of the console, or it's not important at all. In the case of the latter, stop griping. Only one Playstation console ever had full BC for its whole life, and that's the PS2. No Xbox console had FULL BC for it's entire life at all, and few Nintendo consoles did either unless you bought an attachment. Give up the BC argument.

"Why would you even think there is a remote chance the PS4 will allow you to download PS3 games for free?"

Point out where I said that please.

@darth: "You cant simply turn off your PS+ sub if you want to watch netflix or play a F2P game. If you are a paid member of PS+ it ticks away each day until the sub is up."

Why would you turn off what you don't even have to have on? You don't have to have PS+ for Netflix at all. So regardless of the service ticking away, that service is irrelevant to Netflix usage on the PS4.

"Now show me a single person who ONLY takes advantage of the free things on the PS4 and i will show you a person who will NEVER play multiplayer in KZ Shadowfall, Battlefield 4, or ANY PS4 game that requires the PS+ service to play multiplayer."

Your argument is based on your own sensibilities and cannot be factually accurate or inaccurate because no 2 people are the same. There could easily be a PS4 gamer who plays only the single player or free-to-play games that come out. It can and likely will happen.

"That person would be better off not getting a PS4 to begin with considering the overall majority of the reason for getting it would be completely wasted. that being online multiplayer in sony 1st, 2nd and 3rd party games."

Again, your own sensibilities. You can't say that the major reason for getting the PS4 is online mulitplayer. That's YOUR reason for getting it. That's not EVERYONE's reason for getting it.

[Johnsonparts23]

@sofresh412 thats the worst argument I've ever heard. You buy a cell phone to use it as a phone, duh. You buy a gaming console to game. But when they come out and say "hey we can do other things, Netflix, DVR, etc." and then only one company charges extra for those things it's shady and really doesn't make sense.

[Death]

So you are saying if you are unemployed or money is tight, watching Netflix on your new PS4 is the better solution since it's not behind a paywall.

Yeah, if that is the case and your limited means are best spent on a new game console it makes perfect sense.

If you are anything like the vast majority of early adopters, everything you said is irrelevant. How many "hardcore" gamers or early adopters fit the profile you painted? If you can't afford the internet, what are you doing on Netflix and skype? If you can't come up with $50 a year for a subscription, what do you even use your console for?

You can play this what if game all day. The reality is most people that are on this site have a console, internet access and $50 for Plus or Live. Arguing what services gets you more is a moot point since subscribers to both get the same thing. Those that don't play online are a completely different topic and most likely not the ones waiting in line on launch day for a new console.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

The thing is MS hasn't released a complete plan on what will be paid and what's not. The netflix and Hulu is all speculation to be behind a paywall.

Skype communications is behind gold. Smartmatch is obviously behind gold because mp is behind the subscription. So of course it comes with it.

Unless MS is about to announce some standard MP for free or something.

Either way this article of assumptions and half truths of rumbles of speculation.

We only know certain services will be behind gold.

[xHeavYx]

@Angelic
You are either on denial or you did not read the article, I'll just leave this link for you
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/L...

[mewhy32]

The reason is because micro$oft will milk the sheep that follow them, even after the DRM thing, and the NSA thing. The sheep will praise micro$oft no matter what they do. That's why.

[fr0sty]

Microsoft has gone from banning you from using half of your game (multiplayer) unless you pay for it to banning you from using half of your console unless you pay for it. Sony jumped on the multiplayer paywall bandwagon as well, but at least the rest of the service remains free. You can still watch netflix, surf the net, and even play free to play games free.

I was hoping microsoft's foot-shooting was over, as it was turning from funny to tragic, but they've picked it back up again.

[darthv72]

@dragon

"There could easily be a PS4 gamer who plays only the single player or free-to-play games that come out. It can and likely will happen."

Are we to assume that, as outspoken you are towards the situation, you will be one of these people???

If not then you should not even be making the argument that does not apply to you. which is why i can speak for myself and my own sensibility.

Let someone come forth who isnt going to be paying for PS+ and the benefits that come with it be the one to say the things you speak of. I will give them respect for standing by their morals.

[DragonKnight]

@Death: Nice try trying to twist the situation to be pro-paywall, but at the end of the day it comes down to this.

On one console, free or third party subscription services are locked behind a $5 a month additional subscription. On the other, they aren't. That's what it all boils down to. And when a person is considering the costs, whether those costs be monthly or yearly, of supporting one console over the other that person will see that one console offers more features NOT locked behind a pay wall than the other. Whether you want to make sarcastic remarks or not, there are people out there who won't see the value in paying an additional $5 a month to access services they can get on a competitor's product which is cheaper and not trying to gouge the costumer for every single penny they are worth.

There is absolutely no justification in locking free-to-play games, or Netflix, behind an Xbox Live Gold subscription and whether or not you feel that any "real" gamer would have a subscription anyway is completely irrelevant. In any other industry, if something like this was attempted it would either be completely illegal or fought against by the consumer.

If sticking with the argument of "I'm paying for Live for the online play, and the other stuff is just added features" justify the idea of those features not working if Live, for any reason, goes down while the services themselves are still perfectly fine. You can't because there is none. If you pay for Netflix, you expect it to work because you paid for it. You essentially are in agreement, or are playing Devil's Advocate, for a situation in which a person pays for their internet, pays for Netflix, and then has to pay for Live in order to use both despite Microsoft providing neither and having a partnership with Netflix in which they likely get some kind of payment. It's ridiculous.

@darth: Actually I am primarily a single player gamer. The only online I normally play is Dark Souls type stuff, so yeah I can speak about that.

[ZombieKiller]

Why is it that every time a butthurt MS fan gets some new policy or crappy feqture , they throw that $50 a year speech about Sony in our faces?
That argument is absolutely pointless. I voulentarily pay for PS+....I'm human. If I want something, I buy it. Sorry, but I make enough money to afford the things I want which is why I work.
Just because MS policies suck this time around doesn't change the fact that people are going for the ps4 a bit more because MS is showing their true colors. Its almost like damage control.

Bottom line, I'm buying both because I'm a fan of games. Thanks to the Xbox BS, I'll wait until everyone else buys then approach with caution.

The ps4 did nothing except welcome all fans with open arms. Yeah $50 a year but not only are they giving us free games but everyone will have the same free games online to play together. All your friends will have the same games....To me, that's worth the $50 a year as it is.
To me this has even MORE value. Obviously you ALL know COD has gotten crappy throughout the years, but still year after countless year, it brings my friends and all the casuals back together. Well the "casuals" that buy a system for COD, are going to see those free games. More people to play with!
Not to mention maybe these free games (Since they are free) will bring a bit more attention away from COD thus making gaming in general not so much of a joke.
By joke, I mean COD being the center of attention in the industry. Not that its a bad game, but it needs more development time. Go away for a year or something.
I want more people to game instead of play COD and to me, Sony seems to be along that right track.

[tokugawa]

@ heavy and dragonknight. congratulations, all your time and effort has finally convinced me to cancel my xbo pre-order and just stick with my ps4... not

give it a rest ffs. the people that have already ordered an xbox dont give a fu#k. same as those with a ps4 on pre-order.

spouting the same nonsense day in day out doesn't change anything ffs

[CerebralAssassin]

You people are retarded. Its all about money. That will never change. If they can get more incentives to sign up for gold then why wouldnt they do that? And for all the people that want to disagree with menechs original post is retarded because its just a fact. He didnt throw any opinion in that post. Just facts WITH source. Sony fan boys have taken the stage...

[DragonKnight]

@tokugawa: So no one is allowed to have an opinion in your world right? You need to take a chill pill. The amount of ffs in your comment suggest heightened blood pressure and a short fuse. This is likely attributed to a lack of funds due to spending $100 more for an Xbox One.

Luckily, there is a cure.

http://www.theicarusproject...

[miyamoto]

because the X men continually support getting screwed again and again.

Sony would rather get my respect first and foremost then my money second.
Respect is earned by giving respect to people.

[Kryptix]

The reason why Microsoft puts almost everything behind a paywall is because they have learned that 360 users like paying for a subscription just to access a subscription. What do they do when they acquire this knowledge? They become more greedy, make the Xbox One all in one, lock everything behind a paywall, then get every type of consumer, casual or not, to pay $60 to access a feature that can easily be given free to Silver members. While PS Plus is only there for online multiplayer and everything else can be accessed by non payers. Even voice chat will be accessible. Free to play games on the PS4 is accessible. Netflix, Facebook, Hulu, internet browser, Youtube, all of the apps used by many is accessible with no subscription. Let's be honest here folks, if you buy an Xbox One, Microsoft also wants $60 out of your pocket or you got a bare bones system with no access to any of the features. Truth...

[XabiDaChosenOne]

@death actually one the PS4 you have to pay A subscription to access Netflix, the Xbox one requires TWO subscriptions to use Netflix lmao!

[XboxFun]

All this back and forth is moot because the truth is that 99.8% of the PS4 players will be paying for PS+.

So it doesn't really matter where Netflix is located, whether it's behind or in front of the paywall because no matter what you WILL be paying that extra fee.

Now a lot of you can spin it all you want but none of you here are going to buy a 400 dollar system just watch Netflix on.

[MrBeatdown]

@XboxFun

Gotta love how you pass off BS as fact to downplay the features available to non-subscribers.

80 million 360s have been sold. Microsoft says 46 million people have accounts. And only about half of those are Gold accounts.

Three quarters of 360 users don't play online. Yet you act like everyone who buys a PS4 will pay to be online.

Please, explain why you think only 25% of 360 users pay for Live, yet 99.8% of PS4 users will pay for Plus.

I'll get popcorn.

[XboxFun]

@ Beatdown

Will you pay for PS+? And more than half of the users here will pay for + too.

Please explain why you would buy a console at 400 and change to watch Netflix. I expect full spin with keywords like "options" or "f2p" in your comeback.

I'll grab the garlic butter for the popcorn.

[Kryptix]

@XboxFun
Whatever makes you feel better or you're probably Marty from the movie Back to the Future and you're here to warn us all of the Playstation Plus success in the future. 99.8% of Playstation players will have a subscription? I guess in the future, everyone knows of the great value PS Plus gives with all the free games it comes with.

http://thehipstercomplex.co...

[MrBeatdown]

@XboxFun

"Will you pay for PS+? And more than half of the users here will pay for + too."

Wow. You're only confident enough to say "over 50%"? That's an awfully steep decline from your "99.8%" of all PS4 owners statistic. Please, explain the math behind what I'm sure are entirely accurate and well-researched facts you are stating.

"Please explain why you would buy a console at 400 and change to watch Netflix. I expect full spin with keywords like "options" or "f2p" in your comeback."

While I'm flattered that my personal opinion is of such value to you, I'm just one man. Perhaps you're better off asking Microsoft why 60 million of their Xbox customers don't have Gold subscriptions if you're that interested.

That might help you figure out why you look so foolish and desperate when you make ridiculous, completely unsubstantiated claims that go against factual data about the purchasing habits of millions of people.

[Kryptix]

@MrBeatdown
Don't bother using facts and real data with XboxFun. It's been proven time and time again that blind Xbox fanboys can't comprehend numbers and logic. He already said 99.8% PS4 users will be getting a subscription anyway but you gave him factual data that not everyone pays for subscriptions. There's also the percentage that there's gamers that are only interested in single player and some only access Netflix or Youtube on their console. The only defense XboxFun can now say is that a lot of those extra sales are from RROD and 360 rebuys so the numbers of current Xbox 360 owners equal to the subscriptions. But in a different argument he will say that RROD boosting sales is not entirely true. It's just typical Xbox fanboy mentality, making up things to back up their statement. But when it's against facts and reported numbers, they got nothing to say or they panic and really think something made up for a reply.

[XboxFun]

@ Beatdown

So I guess you have no idea how to answer my question. Instead you desperately try to insult and make lame jokes. Very classic on this site.

I guess I can also assume from you dodging my question that you will be paying for +. Making everything outside of the paywall (as I already said)moot.

Well here, let me ask you again.

Why would you spend $400 and some change for a shiny new PS4 console to just watch Netflix?

Let me ask you some further questions...

Isn't the main draw of both new consoles and the games for it going to be the multiplayer experience? Wasn't that the main draw of the PS3? it certainly was not Hulu, Netflix or any other app.

To get the full experience of great titles like Killzone 4, Destiny, Deep Down, CoD, BF4 you are going pay for PS+.

I do find it funny that all you could do was harp on my obvious sarcastic remark of 99.8%. That's all you had for me was it. If it makes you any less hard I'll retract that and saaaay ...uuuuh...67.8%...how's that number?

Anyways and as usual I won't get answers. You and that Kryptix guy (which I won't even respond too since his remarks are beyond retarded) have enough bubbles to play circle jerk, party down and chest bump each other while completely ignoring the question I asked you.

Good luck with that.

[MrBeatdown]

@XboxFun

I like how you criticize me for not answering your idiotic question about what I'm doing, as if what I do is in any way representative of what the vast majority (the 99.8%, the 67.8%, or whatever outrageously high number you want to pretend it will be) will do.

If it "makes you any less hard" (because apparently, things of this nature conjur up the thought of a stiffy in your mind) I'll let you know I have Plus, and will have it for a good long while.

As for your the rest of your idiotic questions...

Q: "Isn't the main draw of both new consoles and the games for it going to be the multiplayer experience?"

A: No.

Q: "Wasn't that the main draw of the PS3? it certainly was not Hulu, Netflix or any other app."

A: No.

Hopefully those answers pointing out the obvious were of help to you in your struggle to understand the subscription market. I noticed you left out a similar question about the 360 (shocking!), a console that's greatest strength was online play, and should therefor have the highest subscription to console attach rate.

But I'll answer that too...

Q: Wasn't that the main draw of the 360?

A: No. When you're tallying up the results from this little survey you are conducting, you can multiply that by 60,000,000; the number of people who have a 360, but don't pay for Live.

Online wasn't the selling point for the overwhelming majority of 360 owners, and the same likely holds true for PS3. You might have to apply some common sense to understand that. Good luck.

Now, since you are such a big fan of Q&A sessions, and you've blown all your bubbles in a desperate little dance around reality, let me ask (and as an added bonus, answer on your behalf!) questions about these random stats you make up to justify your BS...

Q: Why do you act like the PS4 subscription attach rate will be any different from the 360's?

A: It's because that way, you can pretend that features available (or in the One's case, not available) for free, and the millions and millions who would value their free status, are irrelevant and unimportant.

Q: Why do you pretend that features available for free are irrelevant and unimportant?

A: Because you're a Xbox fanboy, dedicated to pretending and convincing everyone that the obvious shortcomings of your precious little Xbox One aren't real, and apply equally to PS4 as well.

Q: Why did you blow two bubbles, avoiding all this, and instead, trying to turn this into a discussion of my personal opinions and subscription purchasing habits?

A: Because the truth hurts.

You're welcome.

[Ritsujun]

Xb00ts have been in denial since 2006. =/

[Gaming101]

Microsoft makes money on hidden fees, this is the revenue model they used for every console, it's nothing new, and if you think it's new then their plan worked, you ignored all the smaller hidden costs that easily accumulate over time.

[Kryptix]

@XboxFun
I like how you only use Netflix like that's the only app behind a paywall. There's also Youtube, the web browser, Hulu, sports apps, and hundreds of other apps that will be coming out next gen. Easily accessible and put on your TV by your console, which I'm pretty sure a lot people will buy for just like buying a new phone for the apps. There's also people that are not into multiplayer at all. Your statement of people will not be buying a new console just for Netflix is really retarded. Well, they're not buying a new console just for the multiplayer. Will Witcher 3 require a subscription? No. Will Watchdogs require a subscription? No. Great games that can be enjoyed without a subscription on next gen consoles. 33% not subscribing still is a large number of people still enjoying single player games. On the PS4 those 33% will be able to enjoy other features on the console. You're only mad cause you have to go with what Microsoft says all the time cause you're an idiotic selfish Xbot. lol Just cause you pay doesn't mean everyone has to and the PS4 gives you an option. Online multiplayer or not, at least for the ones not paying they'll get to enjoy everything else. Butthurt? Yes you are.

[maniacmayhem]

I'm going to have to agree with Death, MCStorm and I guess what XboxFun was trying to get across.

Both the PS4 and Xbox One require subscriptions to play the online portion of their games. Once you drop that cash money it is pretty pointless to argue who offers what outside of the pay wall.

Regardless you will be paying for online AND your subscriptions to the services offered on each console.

Now a better argument would have been if one of the console's online fee included access to the many applications already.

[Azmatik]

@death and the couple other guys.

I had to comment on this, you two must be the most arrogant children ive ever met no wonder why they say PSN is more mature gamers listening to you guys saying things like "everyone should have a smart tv" lmao i dont have one and probly wont have one for another 2 years and saying "who would buy a console without playing online" i actually would im a mature gamer who likes simply relaxing and playing a simple singleplayer game at times you guys are just so rediculous its unreal honestly what if i dont want ps+ theyre not gona force it on me to turn on my console! Unlike microsoft. And saying "if your so broke you cant afford ps+ then why would you buy a $399 console anyways" that is so rediculous! Seriously man do you hear urself? Ppl save money like i do for a next-gen console but moneys still tight for me that i cant just biy whatever i want make sense? Got a problems with that? I am straight up one of the broke playstation gamers that wont be geting ps+ on launch but will be buying the console and will ENJOY THE HELL OUTA IT!

[gcolley]

------------------------
| don't feed the trolls |
------------------------

[insomnium2]

WOW Beatdown and Dragon are kicking ass and taking names. Bubbles for you both. It's unbelievable the lengths some people go to see something they like in a positive way. In this case the spinning has to be so bad I almost feel a little seasick from it.

@maniac

Really now? After Beatdowns debate with xboxfun you actually come in here and say something like that? i always knew you were an xbox fanboy but after that comment there is no doubt in anyone's mind about it being true or not. A true eyeopener to anyone on the fence that one was.

60 million offline gamers on xbox360. Did you read that? 60 million OFFline gamers! Explain that. Do not PM me. I want you to do it out in the open. I'll block you if you Pm me (I'm not sure wether i blocked you earlier already for unbelievable comments like this one right here).

Aaah! It's so peacefull not having to read malokevi's and mcstorm's comments. I should've pushed that ignore-button a long time ago.

[alb1899]

You guys are sush a pussy! You cry for everything! You have to go to a mirror and ask your self what is happening to me, because i never have seen a product that everything it does, no matter how small it is.......is consider bad.
You don work, you don't go to school, you don't have kids, a girlfriend.......your time is all you got and is spent just in demonstrated that hard worked tech is a falure.
If you don't like it then buy other console.......you see......is not that hard!
Come on.....say with me........if I don't like the X1 then I will buy another console and will led others buy what they want.
Feel better?
If don't, then go to a doctor, seriously!
I will buy day one the X1 no matter what you try to proof and I hope I can get too the ps4 by February .
For me they both are a very capable machines and is not true that one is more powerful than the other because for me power is not just numbers, is about tools that you give to developers so they can innovate, not just to do the same things with better graphics.
But that is my opinion......YOU CAN DO.......WTF.....YOU WANNA DO!!!
I know......english is my third leguage .....so I try.

[awi5951]

Im so glad im going to sit this console generation out. Pc gaming all the way for me this gen. I have so many games i need to play on my backlog from greenman and steam sales. It kills me i dont have time to play them all but i still buy a deal when it comes onsale.

[saber00005]

@sofresh412 Your an idiot.... Facetime can be used by just using wireless and not through your data plan. You have no idea what your talking about. Stop bending or making things up to benefit your argument. Because how it looks right now, you're freaking out b/c the PS4 is better. Your argument is invalid and just plain stupid. Keep talking fanboy.

[ThanatosDMC]

Netflix on PC now forces you to install MS's Silverlight. F*ck MS!

[maniacmayhem]

@Insomnium2

You are less than a waste of time to even acknowledge on this site and I have fathered you so many times that I should send child support to your mum.

I don't care about who does what for the 360 because that wasn't the point of what the others up top were saying.

Let me repeat this for you, I personally don't care who pays for live or who doesn't. My point and I'm sure it was for the others too is that if you pay for PS+ then worrying where the applications are is pointless.

That is all I have to say about this pointless topic.

Now do us both a favor and put me on ignore and block. And just so we're clear, the many PM's I have received have been sent from YOU first. And for the last time, you child, because I know I have repeatedly told you this, I enjoy my xbox 360, I enjoy my PS3 but I am a Nintendo fanboy.

I mean does the avatar not give this away?

[dedicatedtogamers]

Clearly, some people use it. But what's better: pay for Netflix and then pay for Xbox Live just to use it? Or just use it on PS3/PS4 regardless of any subscriptions you have? And it's not like Netflix is the ONLY feature crammed behind the paywall. Even "free to play" games aren't truly free on the Xbox brand. Live Gold is required.

The worst part is that so many people forgave and forgot after the Xbox 180. "Oh! Microsoft listened to the fans. All is forgiven. They're, like, totally the best gaming company ever now". And yet, we still get crap like this. It's almost like...it's almost like Microsoft is still the same company that it was 3 months ago. *gasp* Who could've foreseen that?

[YNWA96]

MS does this so people on N4G will have something to talk about. But really, this is not news.

[Grown Folks Talk]

You aren't paying for Xbox Live to use Netflix. You're paying for Xbox Live to play online multiplayer. Everything just happens to be on top of that. Would I complain if Gold was no longer required for the other stuff? Of course not. I didn't sign up for Live for Netflix or Hulu.

[Mike134nl]

I agree in that they should not put third party services such as netflix or free to play games behind a paywall.

I do understand why they would want a credit card tied in to on-line account in order to prevent abuse of services by predators or other criminals when considering skype and whatever means of video chat used by the console.

[HammadTheBeast]

Don't forget, Voice chat is only for Gold members now. It's through Skype, and despite Skype being free EVERYWHERE else, it's pay walled on XBO.

[DarkHeroZX]

@Grownfolks

Not true dude. I do more offline gaming then anything. Part of the reason I gave up with the Xbox brand is because everything is behind a pay wall. I remember I let my mom use my 360 for Netflix while I was away at school but she kept calling me telling me that Netflix wouldn't boot up. Without Xbl Gold all you have is a paper weight. Even with the PS4 charging for online now you can still get Netflix, Hulu,crackle, Facebook and other media features without PlayStation plus. You can even play free-to-play games without Plus too. There is no value in Gold, if MS gave away full games for free I could say gold is trying but it does nothing more then take.

[Mystogan]

I buy a console to play my games, I buy gold to play my games online. Things like Netflix were always a nice secondary thing.

Most people who are going to use Netflix have gold or PSN+ to play online.

Nobody buys a console just to watch Netflix.

[Grown Folks Talk]

@DarkHero Live also helps pay for content they add. Things we've had for months on 360 are just coming to PS4. Redbox, WWE PPVs, ect. Who buys a console just for media? If i'm not going to play online, i'm not going to have it connected to the internet to even be able to use Netflix & other things.

[vigilante_man]

I can use Skype for free on my smartphone, tablet and PC. I can also use netflix on those including PS3. I can use youtube for free on all of those. Heck, even my Tivo box has added youtube viewing for no extra cost.

It may be a rip off but when so many people paid on the 360 MS are assuming it can do it again. As we say in the UK, "This is simply not cricket!". Who really has the gamers/consumers interest at heart?

It will be interesting to see how they spin this when advertising to the casual market, especially as so many free services are not behind the PS4 pay wall.

[DarkHeroZX]

@GrownFolk

Your being extremely naive. Even with XBL gold the majority of stuff is still expensive and cost full price. As far as online gaming is concerned I mostly only play The Last of Us and DC Universe so Even when Next gen comes I'll still be able to enjoy those games for free online. And again I enjoy games so having PS+ even if I never play online is still beneficial because in the end I save hundreds waiting to snag titles on PS+ rather then having to pay retail prices. If it wasn't for PS+ I would have never gotten Saints Row 3, I replaced my stolen copy of BF3 by snagging it on PS+. And as far as those apps your bragging about you need to pay for gold to access them. PSN has similar apps like that for download and don't need PS+ to work. You aren't helping Xbox Live's case. All that stuff should be available to silver members.

[Bubblesman]

@ Grown Folks.

All you have to do is ask yourself. Am I paying more on one system then I could pay on another?

Some people purchased a PS3 to be used as a cheap Blu-ray player. If you bought a 360 at launch just to be used as a media hub with no gaming, you would pay well over $400 more for streaming these services.

ISP gets their cut. Netflix gets their cut. Why in hell should Microsoft get a cut? They don't provide anything to the service.

[SexyGamerDude]

You don't buy a console to watch Netflix but it's nice to watch a movie or two while you aren't gaming.

Why do I have to pay MS to use a service I already pay for?

[Tony-A]

My point exactly.

People continue to defend this selfish move by saying "so what? you're gonna want it for online gaming, anyway!" or "I'm not getting Live for these add-on features"

That's the issue right there. It doesn't justify the paywall just because you're "probably gonna get Live anyway." In an upcoming generation where your competitor is more powerful, leads in pre-order hardware and software and has the biggest FPS for the next gen (Battlefield 4) more recognized as a PlayStation brand, what makes you think doing this is a good idea? The fact that these features are free to use on the competing platform makes this seem like one big selfish act that clearly hasn't changed, because it's their same strategy for the 360.

The bottom line is: no matter how much you try to make sense of it, you cannot justify it.

[SnakeCQC]

Theres something called convergence its a beautiful concept which allows us to do more than one thing on a device. If i bought a console, a hd tv and netflix i should be able to use those features especially when no other device/ platform blocks it behind a pay wall to seek additional funds.

[PSVita]

It's more of the fact that if for some reason you can't pay XBL for a month you CAN'T do these things.

[Cherchez La Ghost]

Exactly!! You pay for Netflix, Hulu, HBO, etc. This is nothing but a access point to watch your favorite apps! Just like your smartphone, tablet, computer, blu-ray player & SmartTV, you'll pay for internet to watch. So why people keep beoitching about this?!

Now the one good thing is the X1 is I can give back one of my HD cable boxes back to Verizon. That's $10 off my cable bill.

[cleft5]

People are upset because on top of paying for those features you also need to pay for Xbox Live Gold to access them through the console. This isn't going to be the case for any other device that you can use as a portal to access these features so why should it be the case for the Xbox One?

Before you could chalk it up to a sub par online service being offered by Sony and a virtually nonexistent one being offered by Nintendo, but that is no longer the case. So people are finally starting to question it.

[HammadTheBeast]

No, you need a cable box in order to use the TV features of Xbox One.

[SexyGamerDude]

Paying for Internet is not the same thing as MS putting features we already pay for behind a Pay wall.

I pay for my net and I pay for Netflix. Why do they have to charge me extra to use both of those?

Your tablet or computer doesn't put these services behind a subsription based pay wall. Poor comparison.

[MasterCornholio]

But the Xbox One isn't capable of functioning as a cable box by itself which is why it contains a HDMI in port.

If you just use the cable box for Netflix and nothing else then I agree with you.

Motorola RAZR i

[Xsilvermist]

What have u been smoking you need a cable to use the tv features sounds like a typical xbox who speaks instead of getting info

[Darrius Cole]

Cherchez La Ghost

The Xbox One WILL NOT function as a cable box. You still need a cable box in order to watch cable TV.

[XabiDaChosenOne]

Lol!! Haha you thought the Xbox one provides cable from within itself LMFAO!!!

[cleft5]

True that isn't the main reason you buy a console. But when these features are heavily marketed as one of the reasons to own your console it does become an issue when you have to pay extra to access those features.

Basically if you want the experience Microsoft is saying you should have you need to pay the initial $500 and then pay for Xbox Live Gold. That does make the console itself more costly if you just want the features that are being marketed as a reason to own the console.

[Syntax-Error]

STOP the lying. Not once was this HEAVILY MARKETED as one of the reasons to own a XBOX ONE. Every console, phone, and tablet can access Netflix so they would never heavily market that you LIAR. They touted the X1 as an entertainment hub. Everything can be accessed from ONE box. Web surfing, TV watching, game playing, and movie streaming, and stat tracking all by voice command and no remote. The only thing PS Fanboys rant about is the TV WATCHING because that's what they "heavily marketed" and the fact that PS4 doesn't offer it. You always criticize what the other one can't do. Whether you use it or not...ITS STILL THERE

[blackmanone]

Wow, Syntax, delusional much? Cleft expressed his point in a respectable way and you post with THAT?

You might think Cleft is lying to others, but you're lying to yourself, and that's much worse.

[Ashlen]

The VAST majority of Netflix viewers use some sort of box like PS3 Xbox Apple TV Roku Google TV boxes. (all of which are free btw) And that people actually spent more time on both PS3 and Xbox watching Netflix than playing games. That was part of the justification for the "all in one" focus of One.

My TV has Netflix built in but I still prefer the PS3 because the interface is faster and it automatically plays the next episode in a playlist.

What do you watch Netflix on?

[CynicalKelly]

No PC or laptop? Or prefering to watch it on the Big TV rather than a tiny screen?

I have a bunch of family members who bought the PS3 for it's blu ray and now use it for Netflix.

[Godmars290]

Bought the PS3 in part because it was a media player. Certainly wished Sony had been better in getting support for it in that regard.

[kayoss]

@Menech
Everyone knows that for the PS4 you will require PS Plus in order to play a multiplayer game. However, you must agree that teh PS Plus offers more then the Xbox Live Gold. With PS PLus subscription you can download 2-3 games a month with no additional charges, "rental games" "free games" call it whatever you want but the point is that its better then what gold offers. The biggest difference between ps4 and xbox one is that for the PS4 netflix, video sharing, facebook, browsing online, hulu, party chat is accessiable without a PS plus subscription. Microsoft is charging you to use apps that you already paid a subscription for. HOw is it that Sony could offer those without a subscription but Microsoft cant? It comes down to greed.

[shivvy24]

Unlike gold , im willing to throw money at ps+ ! Seriously guys its definately worth it !

[cell989]

not to mention free to play games wont require a PS+ account to play online, which speaks volumes of Sony's strategy compared to MS's(the greed on this one is strong)

[joeorc]

@KAYOSS

with agreement

"Everyone knows that for the PS4 you will require PS Plus in order to play a multiplayer game."

But,

Say you have two friends each one buy's a PS4 one decides i have PS+ but the other does not decide to get it because they are more of a single player game player. even though they both have accounts that are not the same. that still does not mean the OTHER NON ps+ member cannot play online multiplayer games with the PS+ member.

Example:

You still can play "online" Multi-player gaming on the PS4 without the need for playstation+. Now you are restricted to those online Multi-player games that are free to play, that still does allow you some online Multi-player gameing for free without PS+ being required, so in effect, this allow's those with non PS+ and those with PS+ to still play online together with out the need of both having to have PS+.

[GraveLord]

You don't but it is a nice extra to have. Look at your friends list and I bet half of them are watching Netflix at some point.

[PS3PWNSALL]

PS4's best features are behind a paywall too, ie., PS+, Online Play, Gaikai.

Please kill this noise.

[McScroggz]

Although I'm not saying every game-centric feature should be behind a paywall, I at least understand. But on PS4 Netflix won't be behind a paywall. Hell, F2P games are behind a paywall.

I just don't think Netflix should be behind a paywall. It costs Microsoft nothing when people use that service, so they shouldn't be charged for it. Multiplayer really shouldn't either, but at least there are some expenses on behalf of Microsoft/Sony to somewhat justify it.

[JP1369]

PS+ is one subscription that allows you to play online. Netflix, game recording and F2P games (even multiplayer) don't require any payment. This is nothing like what MS is doing.

[grimmweisse]

PS+ is not behind a paywall. It is the paywall. And of course gaikai will require a subscription, why would it be free if Sony heavily invested in buying the service out.

The noise is because not everyone plays online, believe it. So actually having extra features that don't require being behind a paywall is great. There is no justification for 3rd party apps to be behind a paywall, as well as free to play games.

[Sitdown]

Probably the same people who think the best part of a big Mac is the secret sauce, and best part of an iPhone is face time.

[McScroggz]

Nobody buys a console to play Netflix, but you'd be surprised at how many people use it to watch Netflix. Your argument is extremely reductive.

I didn't buy my phone to use the internet, but I'm extremely happy it can.

[Seraphemz]

i have a couple of family members that were duped into getting a 360 for netflix..tried to get them to get the PS3 but they were brainwashed...lol

[FamilyGuy]

The point isn't "buying a console to watch netflix", it's more along the lines of. "Why does this multimedia device (360/XOne) charge me a subscription fee to use a service that's free to access on other multimedia devices?"

MS tries to inflate the "value" of Xbox Live Gold by packing in things that are free everywhere else. What about people that don't like to play games online? People that just enjoy single player games an like to watch movies occasionally?

It really makes no sense to boast about these "Xbox One features" as console features when they're actually Live Gold features. They claim the xbox one could be used in businesses because of the Skype ability but forcing you to pay for an online gaming subscription service just to access Skype when Skype is free on all other devices makes that completely moot/useless/false.

This game dvr thing is just another no-reason-notch, they might as well be requiring Gold subs to save your family photos on the system as well. It saves to the system right? I could see if this was only for the uploading aspect because they want to charge for any possible thing that has to do with the internet, but just to have the clip saved onto the HDD too? Makes no sense.

Guess things like this are just how they got so rich.

[JP1369]

You don't. But, you also don't charge someone to use something they're already paying for. Especially when neither of your competitors is doing it. It's people like you that constantly make excuses that will end up giving Sony and Nintendo the idea to follow Microsoft's lead by grabbing their customers by the feet, hanging them upside down and then shaking every last penny from their pockets.

[Jeff257]

Why would you buy a console to watch tv? It is just stupid to put a feature they are touting as the next big thing for the living room behind a fee. Put the multiplayer, cloud service, and otehr stuff behind the pay wall. But the entertainment stuff should be free.

[kewlkat007]

Nothing new here, you need to be able to serperate Silver and Gold services or consumers might not see much value in purchasing gold.

After all, this is all about making money and Microsoft does well enough to be able to charge for certain features as it is right now, with the 360.

Some Gold features already requires you to be online anyhow, especially game DVR which should be saved on the cloud and of course that requires maintenance fees. Paying for XBL, which I have been touting for years, gives you access to a lot. Besides the multi-player features everything is just EXTRA. MS figured that out and is making lots of money so Sony is now charging. You think it's not about making money, they didn't have to charge.

Although some said that they would never pay for online based on principles. Right....

About 40 million XBL subscribers, so there have to be some incentive to have XBL. If your buying a $500 for Netflix/HBOgo/Hulu then that is very stupid, although Sony's PS3 numbers were padded because of these same reason, when a PS3 was bundled with TV's. I know many that use a PS3 as just that.

Go out and buy a SmartTV/Roku and other Media streamers if that is your only focus.

The Xbox is still a GAMING MACHINE with ADDED BENEFITS. Yeah it'snot perfect what they allow based on the membership tiers but XBL is nothing new. What one company offers and what the other don't only adds healthy competition for consumers wallets.

[cell989]

of course you could still use the game dvr to record single player games and then copy them from your HDD into a Memory stick so that you can post it on youtube or whatever, but I bet the xbone wont let you do that

[walkincarpet]

don't you mean why do you buy a console to watch blue ray?

[Syntax-Error]

Because people dont want to watch Netflix on a laptop, tablet, or phone.

Pedro, are you an idiot? You do know that you have to buy PS+ in order to play games online right? Whether you pay for XBL subscription or not both systems are charging for online play. No one is buying a game system just to use the apps. They are just a bonus. Lets see you hook your cable or satellite up to PS4 so you can switch between functions without using the input features on the remote or tv. Oh you cant.. because PS4 doesn't have the capabilities. ALL IN ONE means SURF THE WEB, PLAY GAMES, PLAY ONLINE, WATCH TV, LISTEN TO MUSIC. It's an entertainment hub

Everything the PS4 does...the PS3 can do

[blackmanone]

I've seen several of your posts now and not one is expressed in a mature manner. I'm not trying to be rude, but are you under the age of 13? Nothing wrong with that, but you seem to love calling people names when you clearly don't understand what you're talking about.

[JP1369]

Actually, apart from cable television, PS4 lets you do all of those. And the only one Sony charges you for is online play, but even that isn't strictly true, since F2P games like Planetside 2 won't require a PS+ subscription.
You can call the One a media hub all you want, but the statement won't hold any water until MS stops forcing people to pay a monthly fee for the privilege of running their cable box through the One. Oh, and that Netflix subscription you're already paying for, still can't use in on the One until (you guessed it) MS gets a slice of the action.

P.S. " ALL IN ONE means SURF THE WEB, PLAY GAMES, PLAY ONLINE, WATCH TV, LISTEN TO MUSIC. It's an entertainment hub"

So is my phone, but Samsung and Google aren't forcing me to pay money to use those features.

"Everything the PS4 does...the PS3 can do"

Funny how you started by saying how no one buys a console for apps. Well, if the games are the most important feature (and they are) then the PS4 being like its predecessor is a good thing, seeing as how the PS3 mopped the floor with the 360 in the exclusives department. PS4 will continue this tradition, while also providing superior hardware at a lower price.

"Xbox One, it charges you extra for shit you don't need...and probably don't even want. Go f*** yourself."

[Syntax-Error]

What are you talking about? Everything I stated is exactly how it is. Every time there's an XBOX article you nerds seem to want to dive in like it's a bag off cheese puffs. Always repeating old news or trying to come up with clever ones and failing miserably. Brown nosing and cool points don't work over here nerd. Why don't you prove me wrong instead of showing what a coward you are

JP-Your post is not only riddled with fanboy rhetoric, but contains sentences that can only come from a confused girl believing what she heard in school. Anyone who compares what he can do with his phone and laptop to a console is desperate parasite looking to justify his purchase.

[JP1369]

Actually, everything I said about services is true. As far as the superiority of exclusives goes, that only matters if you actually like those games or the genres themselves.
A laptop these days can actually do much more than consoles, don't know why you felt the need to bring that up. Mobile devices can do many of the things you mentioned, the exception being the ability to connect your phone to your cable box. However, you can perform a wireless transmission from phone to smart television. Unlike MS with their glorified DVR (whose recording function you have to pay to use), this is actually something new and interesting. You can also play games, make video calls with or without Skype, use Netflix or any other streaming service, play music (either your own, or via stream), use GPS and make calls and text. You can do all of that without having to pay an extra fee. So yeah, it's not fanboy drivel. It's just another sad fact that the rest of us will eventually have to get used to because idiots like you set the precedent by salivating at the feet of Microsoft. Have fun paying more money for inferior hardware that will never be truly yours.

[joeorc]

you and other's try to spin this no matter how you slice this this is the truth.

But,

Say you have two friends each one buy's a PS4 one decides i have PS+ but the other does not decide to get it because they are more of a single player game player. even though they both have accounts that are not the same. that still does not mean the OTHER NON ps+ member cannot play online multiplayer games with the PS+ member.

Example:

You still can play "online" Multi-player gaming on the PS4 without the need for playstation+. Now you are restricted to those online Multi-player games that are free to play, that still does allow you some online Multi-player gameing for free without PS+ being required, so in effect, this allow's those with non PS+ and those with PS+ to still play online together with out the need of both having to have PS+.

Now try this very same scenario with xboxlive "gold" and a xbox live "silver" Subscription can they play online Multi-player games together?

[Darrius Cole]

Why do fish swim in the water? Why do beavers build dams? Why does the Xbox 1 have its best features behind a pay-wall? Why do honey bees make honey?

All these questions have the same answer, my friend. It's their nature. If they didn't do those things they wouldn't be who they are.

If the honeybee didn't make honey, it wouldn't be a honeybee, it would be some other kind of bee. Likewise, if the Xbox One gave you access to internet based services without charging you for Xbox Live, it wouldn't be an Xbox, it would be some other console.

[JP1369]

You can't tell but I responded by giving you a slow clap and a bubble.

[AirJohnston]

So now it's only about gaming, then? What happened to the "All in One" entertainment system thing that yall hold on to? Well if it's all about gaming all of the sudden now, then yall can't compete. Unless you're a casual who only likes CoD

Why anyone would support such a greedy company is beyond me.

[harrisk954]

I use my PS3 to watch Netflix... and the PS3 is the most widely used device to stream Netflix according to Netflix! So, obviously a lot of people use consoles for this purpose.

[ziggurcat]

i don't think people buy a console for netflix, but you shouldn't have to pay money to access something you're already paying a monthly fee for.

[lexisnexis]

This actually reminds me of an interesting thing. Remember when Final Fantasy XI got released on Xbox 360 and they only required you to have Xbox Live Silver (the free one)? That's an example of a service that's already a paid subscription that wasn't behind the Xbox Live Gold paywall.

Fast forward to today. Remember what the developers of Final Fantasy XIV said as to why the game won't come to the Xbox One or Xbox 360? They said it's because Microsoft said that it needed to be behind the Xbox Live Gold service. Wargaming.net corroborates this and says that their free to play games will require Xbox Live Gold.

Let's think about this for a moment. How could the same company who was ok with Final Fantasy XI being on Xbox Live Silver now turn around and not be ok with the newer FF MMO and a free to play game be on Xbox Live Silver?

I chalk it up with poor management. Back in the day, you had some really good leaders at the beginning of the Xbox 360 cycle: J. Allard, Peter Moore, Ed Fries... those guys were a perfect storm of people that really made the Xbox 360 into a must have device, ensuring exclusivity on many games and DLC. Fast forward to today, if you look at the management, it pales in comparison to what they had before. To keep tabs, they had Don Mattrick and Phil Spencer, but Mattrick jumped ship and joined Zynga.

Food for thought, and I'm curious to hear what other people think about this theory.

[Sarick]

It looks like when you buy an XBOX your buying a subscription box. Much like the cable and DVR boxes people rent or buy. They're selling the subscriptions to allow the box access to most online content.

You pay for the internet to a 3rd party.

You pay for all the hardware at marked up prices.

You're obligated to receive advertisements without payment.

You're given opportunity to moderate live without pay.

You must pay for the subscription for most online services, even ones you already paid for too third parties or are FREE elsewhere.

I kind of agree about who buys a console to watch Netflix. But still IMHO Netflix is a third party that is totally separate from Microsoft.

Microsoft is choosing to act as though you're renting the rights to use their devices to access the internet at all. Even though you own the hardware, already paid for the Netflix service and the ISP subscription.

Sadly, the same issues kind of exist on PS3 now. I can't access Netflix Youtube or most online services unless I log on PSN first.

Sony could do the same if they wanted to with plus but from my understanding didn't. I just wish I didn't need to log in PSN to watch Netflix. At least I didn't need a PLUSS subscription last time I tried it.

So who buys a gaming console to watch netflix. Well they don't they buy it for games and may not want a GOLD subscription. So the complaint is why are those services behind a paywall when you can play games on a silver subscription?

The truth is MS is using those third party services as leverage to get customers to pay for gold subscriptions. Why else would they put them behind a pay wall when it cost them next to nothing to provide those 3rd party services?

[TwistedMetal]

why do you buy an xbox one?
its not even a game console

[saber00005]

@Menech, PS4 is cheaper, better specs, more FREE features than your crappy, expensive xbox one, and doesn't require an internet connection at all. While you enjoy spending more money, PLUS an expensive month to month subscription, I will be enjoying my PS4 with money saved.

I used to like the xbox but even I know that the new xbox is crap.

Also, if your saying that xbox One is like the PS4, why on earth does the PC4 not have a power brick, like the xbox One?

[JohnS1313]

It's one way to watch Netflix but I sure wouldn't buy a Microsoft console to watch it. Sony lets you watch for no extra cost.

[Jamaicangmr]

No one buys a console to watch netflix but its a nice addition. Which considering you already pay for netflix gaining access to it on ur Xbox should be free.

Stop trying to muddy the water by diverting.

[GaminGuys]

how else do most people watch netflix on their living room tv but via an xbox?

[lexisnexis]

A PS3, actually. Netflix said so themselves:
http://www.ign.com/articles...

[LAWSON72]

No one buys one to watch Netflix, but it is a nice app to have available on a TV, and its saves you from needing to buy one of those stream devices or a smart TV

[lexisnexis]

I think as long as people are ok with Microsoft charging for multiplayer, they'll be ok with services being behind a paywall. Really, no one is going to buy a console for Netflix when there's Apple TV or the Roku at $99 - but existing owners who already have Gold will use their Netflix accounts anyway on their box if the option was given. Now, I'm not saying that this is ok by any means... but I think this is what Microsoft is seeing from their perspective.

[slapedurmomsace]

agreed, it's a nice feature (netflix etc.) but if this is what swerves your choice in console you're probably better off with a smart tv and not a console. BTW...when the hell did $5 a month really become something to bitch about? Hell I spend more than that killing myself like millions of other people every day on tobacco products.

[opinska]

Ps4 will require a paid subscription too for online play, so I guess Sony is getting as greedy as microsoft. To enjoy the ps4 you will need "gold subscription" too,,, fin fanboys

[rela82me]

I believe the Microsoft is adding to the value of XBLG, if all that XBLG provided was online play, who would want to buy a $60 a year service? I mean, if they offered free games every month like Sony, then maybe they could justify everything else being outside the paywall, but what else would justify $60 a year? Definitely if you aren't a heavy online gamer.

I hope they decide to revamp the games with gold for the One and after the games have been out for 6 months or so give out some launch titles. Perhaps for the first few months offer some arcade games, I just don't expect to get a AAA game for free while it still sells for $60 on the market. I wonder how that is going to work for sony, has anyone heard what kind of games they are offering to boot the PS+ program, I know they are offering a watered down Drive Club, but what full titles will they be offering?

Also have the Sony servers improved from PS3 --> PS4? I heard something like 60,000 servers, but from what I hear the Xbox One will have around 300,000. We don't know if some are virtual or how many of them, but that seems like there is going to be a swift difference in online support.

If someone could enlighten me on some of the stuff from the Sony side, I know these releases are coming out soon; I just want to justify my buy. I know that the hardware on the PS4 is a bit better, but how much of an honest difference will their be? I hear numbers like 50% being thrown around, but I haven't seen much of a difference in actual games that have been displayed.

Also besides hardware and price, what does the PS4 offer as features that the Xbox One doesn't have? I hear both have the DVR and play while you download feature, but Microsoft has Skype, twitch, kinect functions and navigation, smart match, HDMI in for cable, and rumble triggers. I just don't know what the PS4 has that the Xbox One doesn't besides a trackpad on the controller, and vita support.

I want to justify buying the PS4 because of the price but I don't want to miss out of essential features outside of gaming as well. I use my console for 60% gaming 40% media, and it seems like the Xbox one covers the other 40% pretty well as well as the gaming seems to be pretty snazzy as well. Any help would be appreciated, this is time to sway an on the fence Xbox One buyer.

[Christopher]

You don't buy a console to watch Netflix. But, it's nice if you can and don't have to pay another fee just to utilize it.

- Why do you buy a console to watch movies?
- Why do you buy a console to browse the Web?
- Why do you buy a console to listen to music?

The console is about more than just gaming, even if that is our central interest. Comparing the features of a console overall to another console is perfectly normal. Should it be THE deciding factor? No. But... still, it can be compared.

Or am I just wrong?

[VENOMACR]

Haha I love people who act like they know every stat and demographic and throw all these numbers around. Truth is, you PS4 fan boys and trolls will have to pay online too. And where were your tears when Xbox Gold has always been like this for Netflix? I've got a tablet, PC, phone, and Blu-Ray player that all have Netflix apps on them so I could careless about some of those features. The reason these items are behind a Gold account so it feels like your getting more for your $40 subscription then say PSN which is sub-par at best. Theres a reason why cross platform games are more popular on XBOX then PS, because the online experience is way better. I use my system for gaming and movies sometimes, not to search the internet or watch YouTube videos.

Enjoy paying for a sub-par PS experience. Funny how when Sony wants to charge it's customers and make money it's ok, but when MS does everyone has their period.

[Eidolon]

Because sometimes, when one is out of cash a flow and having bought a Xbox One a while back, one may want to watch Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime using a family member's account(for these video services) without having to purchase a Gold membership.. for example. :x

But yeah, the membership is cheap and the console is expensive, so I agree to some degree.. no one will purchase is for its media services, but if you can be happy playing games offline then the console will still serve for games.. then the dumbest restriction would be the inability to use a service that you are already paying for(Netflix).

[dedicatedtogamers]

Is this news in any way, shape, or form a surprise to anyone? Seriously? We're talking about a company that less than 3 months ago was telling us that we'd have to check in every 24 hours just to play our games.

[tuglu_pati]

Is it in any way, shape, or form a surprise to anyone that you are talking crap about MS? Really?...

[AirJohnston]

Why would you defend Microsoft? They don't care about you or the rest of their customers. They're one of the greediest companies out there. There's nothing good I can think of to say about Microsoft.

[EXVirtual]

Talking crap? How about talking sense? Stop drinking the Kool-Aid. You know that they tried to slap DRM on your forehead.

[tuglu_pati]

@EXVirtual, AirJohnston

you have to stop licking dedicatedtogamers's you know what, the guy is in every MS article trolling. It's getting old. Go look at his comment history, his like between the first 10 comments in every MS thread and its funny because i don't see him in articles like

http://n4g.com/news/1328762...
or
http://n4g.com/news/1328349...

he's clearly pushing his own agenda trolling every MS thread. Insecure much...

BTW im not saying MS is the best company in the world, im a gamer, i play games and i support MS as well as Sony and Nintendo. But this guy is just getting old.
#2.3

[M-M]

Microsoft almost ruined gaming until people spoke up about it. Their vision was great, but their greed completely blurred that vision.

[Syntax-Error]

Are you still bringing up their old policies which they have since reversed? GET OVER IT DUMMY. Do we have to bring up the PS3 launching with a $600 price tag only have it drop 2 more times within that year in order to sell without giving the launch customers a rebate? At least MS changed its policies before releasing the console on the market. MOST companies do to begin with and it's called research and development. The consumers disapproved and MS responded. Netflix did the exact same thing a year and half ago and they removed their policy. Learn something and STOP repeating stupid sh!t like an effing parrot

[tuglu_pati]

...

[rela82me]

Every company justifies their service one way or another. I think Sony saw that on the PS3 not many subscribers bought their system because they were already able to do what they wanted and that was to game for free. There were of course some subscribers but the numbers were SUPER low for PS+ subs compared to XBLG. They wanted to capitalize on PS+ so they decided to give the PS+ some worth by putting certain features behind a paywall as well, and that is pay to play online.

So when their numbers dont match up with XBLG AGAIN do you think that they will start to put MORE services behind a paywall, because according to their history they will. According to their history PS fanboys wont care either way. Sony is slimey because they just let MS do all the bad stuff first and follow suit later because it became the norm.

[joeorc]

@rela82me

"Every company justifies their service one way or another. I think Sony saw that on the PS3 not many subscribers bought their system because they were already able to do what they wanted and that was to game for free. There were of course some subscribers but the numbers were SUPER low for PS+ subs compared to XBLG. They wanted to capitalize on PS+ so they decided to give the PS+ some worth by putting certain features behind a paywall as well, and that is pay to play online.

So when their numbers dont match up with XBLG AGAIN do you think that they will start to put MORE services behind a paywall, because according to their history they will. According to their history PS fanboys wont care either way. Sony is slimey because they just let MS do all the bad stuff first and follow suit later because it became the norm."

while i see your point's, what your saying does not realy jive. it does not add up.

example:

Say you have two friends each one buy's a PS4 one decides i have PS+ but the other does not decide to get it because they are more of a single player game player. even though they both have accounts that are not the same. that still does not mean the OTHER NON ps+ member cannot play online multiplayer games with the PS+ member.

Example:

You still can play "online" Multi-player gaming on the PS4 without the need for playstation+. Now you are restricted to those online Multi-player games that are free to play, that still does allow you some online Multi-player gameing for free without PS+ being required, so in effect, this allow's those with non PS+ and those with PS+ to still play online together with out the need of both having to have PS+.

Now if it was really all about being in back of Microsoft's subscription rate and trying to get more Money, why on earth would Sony still allow free "Online Multi-player gaming on the PS4" at all?

you cannot have it both way's, the start of this generation, many stated Sony's network was no where near as good as the one on xbox live and for that i will say it was not as user friendly nor have as many features as xbox live, with the Hacker's targeting PSN was not as secure also, but if you look at what the service has had done to improve those very problems there has been a much increased benefit to the PSN services and function's added to such. but also the fact that you can still play for free "online" on the PS4 clearly defines that it must not all be about the Money, if that was the case Sony would be putting all of those services in back of a pay wall. you may say Microsoft could do it, but Sony cannot get away with it for as you said a "sub par service" but really Sub par is an opinion. and in my Opinion PSN is far above a Sub par service.

[Mr_Pinky]

It's Microsoft, what do you expect

[DigitalRaptor]

Wow, look above.

People are ACTUALLY defending the scummy company that charges people to use 90% of its features that are free elsewhere and even the apps that you already subscribe to.

I'm not even talking about deserving features like SmartMatch, which is obviously an feature integral to online gameplay. I'm talking about Skype chat (really??), Game DVR (that requires Gold??) and the multitude of other apps like Facebook, YouTube, Netflix, Internet Explorer, Hulu Plus, NFL and at least 10 more free services.

Microsoft is ridiculous. And so are their fans that divert the relevance of the conversation with crap like:

"I already pay for XBL so it's okay"

"I don't mind with Microsoft stuffing my subscription with features"

These people deserve this treatment if they're so willing to accept the shaft this bad. My honest assessment of this is to go with the company that has actual reasonable and respectful practices.

[isarai]

yeah, i'll never understand people's logic for defending it, how much are you willing to fuck yourself just to stay loyal to your precious console, consumer sense and common sense go right out the window for some reason. The whole fanboy mindset is something i'll never understand

[Prcko]

microsoft changed a lot of things lately,maybe they will change something here again?...??

[PSVita]

If gamers reacted like they did with the DRM and 24hr check-in I bet they would.

[shivvy24]

Time to unite once more !

[Robochobo]

I don't understand the problem. You buy the game console to play games. (I also don't believe multiplayer should be behind a paywall) Although, if you want the other stuff, it makes sense to pay for it.

[SexyGamerDude]

We do pay for it. Netflix already has a sub price. Why does MS have to put it behind XBLG? There is no reason.

I love gaming, I can do it for hours straight, but there is nothing wrong with wanting to watch a movie on your console.

[Robochobo]

I'm not talking about Netflix only. Just saying, added features like this arn't what make a console. You go back a few years and remember all that a console did was play games, and watch movies.

[Aces17]

@Robochobo Those added features are the man selling point for Xbox One, so it does make this console. So if you don't have gold your getting nothing of what it was said to do.

[Syntax-Error]

Robochobo, you watched movies on your console back in the day because it was a DVD player. These are apps. You can still watch movies on your console for FREE, but if you want them streamed from a service YOU GOTTA PAY!!!!!! Why do you fools think all this stuff is for free? Do you think this stuff just appeared? Don't you think a developer out there somewhere is supposed to get paid for his creation? Jesus f-ckin' christ you people are such whiners! No wonder no one likes you nerds. Maybe because of this wayward thinking you have as if you're entitled. No one is buying any of these consoles for the apps. They are just a bonus. You buy it for the games and to play online with others. Since both companies charge for online play, WHY ARE WE STILL HAVING THIS DEAD AZZ DISCUSSION?

[Sarick]

"We do pay for it. Netflix already has a sub price. Why does MS have to put it behind XBLG? There is no reason."

There is a reason. It's so MS can leverage the hardware device as a service to enforce the paid live subscription.

Microsoft is basically using the XBOX HARDWARE to leverage gold subscriptions for any online content. This includes content that has next to nothing to do with the actual live service.

You may have bought the console but to access most online content you're required to pay MS subscription fees even for content you've already paid for.

In essence Microsoft still has full control over the way your console connects to the internet and what it's allowed to do.

Keep in mind all the big three (Sony, MS and NOA) have these capabilities. It's just some exploit their customers less by not enforcing pay wall subscriptions for content/services they don't actually own.

[DigitalRaptor]

@ Syntax-Error

I'm done dealing with the retardation. Seriously.

These are apps. Yes, they are apps. Apps that are free on every single other device and platform, or if they're not free, they're a one-time purchase.

Courtesy of Microsoft's console, they're $60 a year, every year.

And do you really think Microsoft are streaming all this content to you? Holy crap these fans are deluded. These apps use API data. It's the third party website's data and networking wrapped in an app interface, not Microsoft's servers running all this sh*t.

I swear PS4 is the mature gamer's console this generation around, when you consider the mentality of the folk who are supporting practices like this.

[sashimi]

Than make a striped down Xbox One without all these so called "features" at a lower cost, The fact is we as consumers are being told hey its an all in one entertainment system, so it is no longer only a game console only that you are being sold. Yet these entertainment feature are being put behind a paywall and you don't see a problem with that? or is netflix not entertainment. Might as well flush your money down a drain.

[McScroggz]

As somebody who isn't generally interested in multiplayer, if I still had an Xbox 360 I wouldn't subscribe to XBLG. It offers nothing other than multiplaer. I would however use Netflix (which I do a lot on my PS3), and I wouldn't pay for XBLG to use Netflix which I already subscribe to.

I know a lot of people have XBLG, but plenty of people don't as well. If using Netflix cost Microsoft something then I could at least understand the idea, but it's purely about trying to force people to subscribe to XBLG who otherwise wouldn't.

[AirJohnston]

Well considering that most Xbox fans are saying that it's better than the PS4 is because it's an "All in One" entertainment system, it's dumb to make the owners buy a primarily gaming subscription to watch Netflix, which already requires a monthly fee. It makes no sense.

[iceman06]

That's the rationale of an early adopter that is used to the "system". However, when they market this console to the masses as an "All-In-One entertainment hub" that has great games (which seems to be where they are heading), there are sure to be many customers that won't understand having to pay to access everything that they already have access to otherwise. The casual consumer will see the Xbox One as a box that brings all of the entertainment needs to one place. They will get it home and they will realize that the box is locked until they get the XBL subscription as well.

[SnakeCQC]

i gave up on xbox gold when my subscription ran out and i apparently had the audacity to use the youtube app.(i then turned on my ps3 and used it)

[RandomDude655]

YOU MONSTER!!!!

[Cmk0121]

i get its annoying but who is spending 500 bucks on a console that derives most of its value online and not getting gold. whos buying it as an offline console? props to you if youve got money like that

[N7Lukas]

But when there are other companies who are doing some of the same features that aren't behind a paywall, it makes you question why MS has decided to do it the way they are.

[JBSleek]

No it doesn't. If you prefer the way the competition is doing it then you just get a PS4.

[Grown Folks Talk]

Because they did it 1st & people showed they were willing to pay. Are you going to turn down money? It's like smokers. They bitch about how cold it is when they go out for their break, or how much cigarettes cost now, but do they quit smoking? Nope. If folk are going to keep paying, they'll keep charging.

[N7Lukas]

@JBSleek

I will.

And of course it does make you question MS, i questioned it when i first read the artcle, i questioned it when i first found out, as did many other people. Why would one company charge for something that the other isn't charging for? Its basic curiosity.

[JBSleek]

Then the answer to your curiosity is that they can. 46+ Million people buy Live.

They have always put their features behind the paywall so they likely feel there is no reason to change now.

[PS3PWNSALL]

Netflix was on Xbox before PS3. MS set their own trend. I don't think people pay $50 a year for Live just to watch Netflix. It's dumb, but it's called 'added value'. I wish they would take Netflix out of the equation but they want to make XBL Gold appealing in more ways than one. Again, it's dumb, but this is MS.

[DigitalRaptor]

@ JBSleek

and if you go with the competition who's policies and decisions are there to benefit no-one else but them, I reserve the right to call you foolish.

[Dan50]

This video explains Microsoft's paywall quite well haha. http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[medman]

"I don't always play videogames, but when I do, I prefer a playstation. Stay angry, my friends."
Signed, The Most Interesting Man in the World.

[vigilante_man]

I can now die happy having finally met The Most Interesting Man In The World!

[gaelic_laoch]

I think at this stage as the (pre order numbers show) many people have made their minds up and will not be handing over any more of their hard earned money unnecessarily to MS!

Just like DLC content on a disc I just payed for I do not like feeling my console is only half accessible to me after paying big bucks to get it!

[MilkMan]

Is this article real?
The down and dirty answer is cause M$ LOVES RAPPING YOUR POCKETS.

Come on man, get a PS4 and call it a day.

[CrAzYbRoS]

Rapping? I don't think my pockets can be serenaded by lyrical wonders.

[MilkMan]

and here I was doing my best beat-box impression. :)

[JBSleek]

So basically in the past decade nothing has changed. Nothing new.

[MontyQ]

xbone gives me a chubby

[Blachek]

What a whiny article.

Brian Barrett, you bought a computer. The vast majority of 'IT'S' usefulness is behind a paywall associated with software licenses (Microsoft Office) (Adobe Suite) and a ISP such as Verizon's monthly bill. You purchased a mouse to navigate the GUI and a keyboard for input. Qualify your complaint with a valid argument.

[Parapraxis]

"behind a paywall associated with software licenses (Microsoft Office) (Adobe Suite)"

Yeah...SOME software isn't free, this does not make it a paywall, unless you think having to pay for games means that they are a paywall as well...do you?

"and a ISP such as Verizon's monthly bill."

So now needing the internet to use the internet is a paywall?
LMFAO, the lengths people will go to, to justify Miscrosoft's paywall.

You need to buy accessories for comuters...so paywalls huh???????

That was literally one of the dumbest comments I have ever read on N4G.

[Quicktopick]

u got that right brotha

[Ritsujun]

Try harder, Brachak Nelson.

[MoveTheGlow]

Yeah. I can't wait to pay for Xbox Live Gold so that I can put Internet Explorer on my TV. Seriously, it's the 3rd bullet point on the list! It's a paid priority! To put Internet Explorer on someone's TV! I thought that was a prank, not a feature.

[AceBlazer13]

Now imagine after paying for all that you pay someone to actually use them and there my good sir is Xbox live gold.

[Blachek]

I agree with you, just not the way the author illustrated his point.

[DigitalRaptor]

See, this is the kind of consumer mentality that Microsoft is absolutely welcome to with Xbox One. I have no intention of dealing or interacting with people who defend a company based on logic like this.

@ Parapraxis - you said it!

[JBSleek]

My very legitimate question is who is getting an Xbox One yet won't get Xbox Live.

If you are not getting Live then you should probably get a PS4.

[gaelic_laoch]

Exactly as far I can see it is Xbox Live Vs PS4!

[PFFT]

Yeah BUT if they get a PS4 they will have to buy PS+ to play multiplayer.

[Quicktopick]

not all multiplayers my dear sir. some of it are free. like planetside 2 etc...

[PFFT]

Ohh thats true, F2P titles also have free Multiplayer. Still you know PS+ will be needed to play MP in the retail games. 3rd party at least. Who knows about first party titles.

[Ritsujun]

Pfft @ the mad pfft.

[S2Killinit]

Microsoft seems to have the mindset that no matter what they do, people will still buy their console. They lead the way in pushing against consumer rights.

[JBSleek]

Live has been this way for a decade. Nothing has changed.

[WeAreLegion]

And yet, you keep paying for it...

[shadyiswin]

havent payed more for xbox live than $49 and that was in 2002,every since then you can find cards on ebay or catch black friday every year they are half off,liek wtf,it's really as simple as buying a 1 yr card every yr on black friday,it is not a item ever out of stock,i bought 3 one year then 4 the next,i give them out as gifts,i have 5 3 month cards laying around i payed $11 dollars for each,very happy it will carry over to xbox one,so even at the worst you pay $60 for xbox live,big deal,$5 a month? you can't stomach that? i spend almost $10 a day on just lunch,lets get real people.

[S2Killinit]

@shadyiswin
everything you say is irrelevant though. The very fact that you have to pay and that MS has been the big proponent of this is the case in point. Now that paying for multiplayer is the norm of the industry, Next up is paying for applications that are advertised as console capabilities, and guess what? Microsoft is leading the way there as well.
I mean do you enjoy having to pay? Why should we have to pay for netflix a second time? You can get netflix without a PS Plus subscription, why should we have to pay for Live's Gold just to access netflix (etc...) when we already paid for them?

[hairy]

just be thankful it still let's you play single player offline. you're lucky you get that,

[gaelic_laoch]

That is like saying "well Sir you are lucky your disease is not fatal but we will have to cut off your arms!"

[fr3d0]

the question should be what features *don't* require a subscription on XB1?

The console is simply too expensive and even loyal xbots will punish M$

[Mystogan]

If $100 extra for Kinect is too expensive for you, then you should probably not be a gamer.

[ShwankyShpanky]

I've got a mousepad for sale. Only $50. If $50 is too expensive for you, maybe you shouldn't be using computers.

[Ashlen]

You must have gone to the Don Mattrick school of salesmanship.

But I agree with you.

The other day I was getting into my private helicopter and I was thinking. "Why do people even leave there house if they can't afford a helicopter?" After that I snuck out and took a dump on my neighbors Ferrari, that will teach him. Pfft not spending money on a helicopter, he deserved it!

[Tctczach]

If that amount of money deters you from having the best experience on a console then you guys might want to rethink your careers or lives at that matter.... Things do cost money.

[gaelic_laoch]

You also don't get rich by throwing money away!

[Tctczach]

$10 is throwing money away? Hahahaha. Ok. Sorry guys. I must be wrong here.

[S2Killinit]

"best experience on a console"? Last generation begs to differ.

[stage88]

Oh Microsoft, you never learn.

[blackmanone]

Would you want to learn if people are so willingly blind to your practices? I agree with you, but people get what they deserve.

[stage88]

I agree with you too.
Seems like too many people are happy to be exploited.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

I think its because the long-term plan for MS is to turn xbox live into a service and get away from hardware and have others make the hardware for them.

[WeAreLegion]

That would be a very interesting way to do it. I can't wait to see what happens with this industry in the future. I just hope it doesn't crash again.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

If you think about it, that is how Steam has its success. Steam doesn't make a box therefore they are not needing to worry about what "retailers" want.... they provide a good marketplace service that allows any PC user regardless of brand to use it. They don't have to worry about selling PC's...PC makers worry about selling PC's. As hardware continues to grow we are seeing a merging of consoles and pc...and we are seeing other things like the Xfinity X1 and smart TV's introducing PC like features. Next generation of consoles truly could be a list of specs needed to let Xbox "next" to run on it. The key will be MS will really need to embrace softeware and features only found in Xbox Live that will make it something people want to buy vs having to buy.

[Mystogan]

That could not be further from the truth. They are actually trying to become more of a Hardware company. That is their plan right now. They already made the Surface RT and PRO. And they are planning a 7inch(rumored to be Xbox Surface) and 8inch tablet too. Rumors have it that they are also working on a new (Surface)Phone. They also made the Kin(failed horribly) and the Zune HD the best and Most underappreciated and overlooked MP3 player of all time. This thing was way better then the iPod touch. But it came out at the wrong time. Right when the iPod was at the top of its game.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

I agree they are wanting to become a hardware company for certain aspects to be a bit more "Apple" like. But if you look at what they are doing software side...all of that is moving to the cloud making it a services offering. Office 365, Dynamic CRM, Azure Services, Sky Drive, Outlook online... its all a move to make them cloud based and services that you can subscribe to.

They still might make an Xbox next gen but you can bet the bank they are actively trying to get others to make hardware that could use that OS infrastructure and basically be that device with next xbox included.

Also one point of clarification: all current windows phones are all made by a 3rd part phone maker. Only Windows Surface and Xbox are made by MS (for now as rumors suggest a possible phone). They are not manufacturing any other hardware beyond those devices currently. All laptops and PC's are also 3rd party made.

[GraveLord]

It's M$. It is expected.

There is a reason most of their consumer products are a failure. They got lucky with Xbox and now it looks like they're even messing that up.

[shadyiswin]

don't like it? get a ps4 and then complain why the psn isn't up to par with the xbox one online even after paying for it,people will always complain.

[gaelic_laoch]

Maybe in the States where they have more online features it may trump the PS4, but for the rest of the world many of us will be moving on without Microsoft's second rate online features and their hands in our pockets!

[Dfooster]

Microsofts at it again. I just can't trust them anymore and god knows what they've got planned once they have the xbox one in people's homes.

I enjoyed my time with the 360 and feel over its lifespan it has been the best console, even though playstation probably had the better of the last couple of years or so, but I'm going back to Sony next gen.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

See ya later!

[pabadamus1]

It sux that all of those touted features are indeed accessible only through a subscription but it is up to the consumer if they want to pay the fee to use those features or not. I argue that all of those additional features are extraneous to the console's central purpose -- playing games. Detractors will complain about MSFT "forcing" them to pay extra for things like Netflix but as far as I've seen no one is making anyone do anything under duress.

We have a plethora of choices in how we can participate in and enjoy the next generation of consoles. We can buy an X1 with a Live subscription. We can buy an X1 without the subscription. We can choose not to buy the X1 at all. We can buy a PS4. We can buy both with any combination of subscription based memberships we choose. For example I will be purchasing both consoles but I will only be buying a subscription to PSN. You see. That is a choice no one forced me to make.

I can understand the disappointment but never can it be said that we are without choice. Much like last generation everyone will figure out what will work best for them. Xbox 360, similarly, locked all features peripheral to he single player experience behind a pay wall so there is a precedent for MSFT's behavior. All of the sensationalism surrounding this topic is unnecessary.

Maybe these alarmists think that public outcry will soften MSFT's heart on the issue and force an amendment to their policies once again but I believe that would be an effort in futility. There is profit to be had. I suggest we save our venom for more offensive anti consumer behavior that look to take away our most basic choices.

[robotgargoyle]

I wasn't online for this generation, so I decided to bite the bullet and join the online space for the next generation. There was times that I felt I was only playing half a game. Some features should be utilized without live Gold, but I don't understand why you wouldn't be a member in the first place.

Had the option and wasn't a member, missed out on dlc, patches, multiplayer, xbl/ indie games, etc.

MS plan the whole time was to get you to Live Gold.

[MatriXcian]

Ahh lets see cause its a ripoff.

[Jeff257]

Everyone keeps going on and on about Netflix. Yes it is stupid to be behind the paywall. What is even dumber though is to access TV through XBOX One you still need a cable box, you will also have to buy an extra HDMI adpater to connect the cable box to the XBOX One, and lastly you will have to pay for Live Gold to even use it. One of the big features they kept going on about in May and yet they block access to it. I guess they figured the masses would see the TV stuff and buy it without realizing you have to pay more per year to even use that function. Hopefully anyone that does that not knowing you need Live will take it back to the store and return it. Microsoft really needs to change what is behind Live Gold and make it strictly for Cloud access and online multiplayer.

[Gamer666]

As a gold subscriber, I want all the features behind a pay wall. Why should everyone get a bunch of free stuff while I pay?

[5eriously]

Even idiots have their own qualms. Then better get a PS4 with PSN+ and its cheaper and more value for money.

[Gamer666]

The only reason anyone buys a PSN+ account is for the free games. At least MS makes sure that Gold members have a substantial amount of services unavailable to silver members. The only real difference between PSN+ and PSN on the PS3 is free games / discounts.

Sony cooked up the idea, because they needed to start charging for PSN to support it, and pulled the wool over gamer eyes giving them free games to get them on board. Before the free games almost no one bought the PSN+ service.

Unlike Sony MS is up front and making you pay for the services that they have to pay for. Sony tells you everything is free and then starts to charge for it later. At the start of the gen, PS3 gamers mocked X360 gamers for paying for online. With PSN+ there is not much difference.

Everyone talks about the free games, but every single week there are different discounts for X360 content for gold members. If you average the total spend on all the content, I bet the services are very similar in cost and benefit for the total content. This week alone I saved about $90 on digital content I purchased (All spidey and x-men games on sale).

[5eriously]

I would really want you to prove that to me but I am 100% sure you can't. So let it be. There are no way in hell you could have received the same monetary benefits from live than with PSN+ during the last year, make it two years..

[TEZ-RaViNlUnAtIk]

Microsoft still raping idiots, nothing new lol, spread them cheeks boys Microsoft's coming!!!

[Gamer666]

I save just as much or more as a gold member buying sale content through live. MS has way more weekly sales then PSN+. And often at deeper discounts...

Sure you get Hitman Absolution free this month... Last month I picked it up for $10 on Live Gold... Oh, and by the way, I own it forever unlike PSN+ where you have to stay subscribed to keep your free content...

[Krosis]

You idiotic fanboys are all the same. You suck the dick of whatever company you support and...don't get a dime. Save the condescension bud, you're an equal embarrassment lol

[Ashunderfire86]

Well we are basically paying $600 dollars for not only X1, but also Xbox Live and a game. This the total, and I didn't even mention the taxes! X1 is following the PS3 when it launch back in 06. Well we all know how that turn out. I say stick to a free to play game like the fighter KI; that way you don't have to pay so much for X1.

[alexg587]

So m$osft just said (F U pay more) to the casual audience that don't really game. If your just getting the box for gaming then u nothing to worry about cause you are paying extra anyway...but ask yourself this if your just getting ur console to game why not get the cheaper but better ps4 with a better value gaming focused subscibtion? Exclusives? OK your loss...

[Xsilvermist]

If microsoft says you need to have gold to browse the web on the Xbox One Im done anyone who defends the xbox one after they say that is just plain stupid. I already pay for Netflix so ur telling me if i forget to have live for a month i cant use that service and if a game says free to play thats what it should be freeeeeee to plaaaaaaaay dont tell me hey u need live to acces this feature dufaq and to the xbox fans who say omg ur goona have online games anyway so u will definatly have live so it dosent matter. Now i would like you to stfu because u definatly dont speak for ths majority of gamers who arent fortunate to pay for live all the time ur just defending a money hungry company, Sony wants money too but atleast they are trying to get it through good will and show u wat ur paying for is a great value i mean come on people we all know which console is better even u xbots i rather let the ps4 reign surpreme like the ps2 did since it was the best gaming generation.

[robotgargoyle]

It will hurt some people I know personally. Not everyone has great (even good) internet. My brother chose smartphones for his family v.s. internet for the home. It was a financial decision and they could only afford one on their budget.

I have a friend who lives in town, just doesn't want internet. Still has sd cable. Loves videogames.

These are everyday Joes that would be hurt by an always online plan. A small demographic, but eliminating customers is never good.

[Brix90]

I think it's funny that MS was trying to push this as a business expense because of Skype and you would need to pay 60 for Live just use Skype and other features. I can't imagine a big firm coming in a conference with this system logging in with this avatar waving at everyone in the room and while your on video chat your friend BaLLsofSteeL235 keeps sending you a party chat invite lol.

[vigilante_man]

MS are looking way beyond gamers this next gen as they showed in the reveal. They are looking to get the casual living room audience. The casual audience don't care for shooters or online gaming.

When you consider what Sony is leaving as free it makes you wonder how MS can expect to get away with it. If the large size of the box does not put people off adding it to their TV then maybe the forced subscription will.

I hope they change their mind on this one. But it will be the con of the century if they pull it off as is.

[christocolus]

Wow..this didn't take very long... when sony announced paying to play online there was no article like this but ms says dvr feature would be for gold only and in less than. 24 hours we have articles like this.will fanboys just get off ms's back for a second. You guys aint getting the console but you worry about it more than those who actually plan to purchase it besides let's see what sony also plans to do,the truth is that ms can't please everyone with their console neither can sony. People need to grow up. If this policies are an issue then by all means buy the ps4,.I aint restricting myself to one console this gen.I didn't do it last gen either.that's why there is variety.every console can't be the same.each will come with their unique experiences.(Xbxone, wii u and ps4) ..variety is the Spice of life....trying to make one consoles features , services or policies look so bad or inferior in comparison to the other is unfair imo and quite selfish.if the xbox1 or ps 4 fails because of all this hate ,the truth is that we the gamers will be the ones who suffer..and so you know they both will do very very well.

[jay2]

M$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[all_clear]

The none-games Add-on

[solidworm]

Coming 2nd this gen bigstyle. People need to grow some and tell MS where to shove this nickle and diming pile of trash. Disgraceful.

[quenomamen]

Cuz theres always gonna be morons in this world ?

[alexg587]

Yolo

[OOG]

I dont understand people didnt think xbox live had value... but now that they keep adding more features into xbox live to make it have more value people think that all of these functions should be free... it just doesn't make sense to me. In reality it would be awesome if everything was free but it isn't .... if you don't like it don't buy it.

[Joe913]

Well when your competition is giving most of the same features for free then it makes sense for some ppl to question it. Only features the Xbox one has over ps4 is the voice stuff and face rec stuff which we do not know yet about with sony because they have not said a thing about what their cam can do.

[silkrevolver]

Honestly, the thing that makes me more skeptical about the One than anything is microsoft itself.

Windows 8, Windows Phones, Zune - all (current and recent) failures.

Honestly, their only good product as of late has BEEN the Xbox 360.

I just hope they strengthen their 1st party studios, give us consistent core games alongside the family-friendly stuff we all know they'll make, and to keep this new, pro-consumer tone.

[DoubleM70]

What the hell your on Xbox if don't have a gold subscription in the first place. Xbox has always been online focused since the Original.

[sAVAge_bEaST]

Nickel and Diming to Death... -This is just one more example as to why M$ ,, is a cancer to the gaming scene..

They don't care about providing great customer service,.. all they care about is squeezing the most amount of money, from their customer base, while providing the most minimal amount of service.

Those that defend this money grubbing company , need there collective heads examined.... Billions spent in advertising and propaganda.. but won't let their loyal customers slide on one dime. Wow.

[5eriously]

FSck I jusnt cannot fathom why people believe that because we pay a small fee for PSN+ a year we are badly off. For that $50 yearly fee I get so much more in services and free games unlike the so called live benefits.

M$ have you all where they want you (mostly Americans) to be, that is on your knees with your pants down and some lubrication for spasms to receive the raping you deserve.

[EXVirtual]

Doesn't surprise me. It's MS. Now after the DRM debacle and now this, Xbox fans should seriously worry about what M$ plans to do when they have XB1's inside people's living rooms. Big time. These features that these Xbox fanboys were bragging about (which I don't care about) are now behind a paywall. You're paying for a subscription to pay for another subscription.

[Joe913]

I think it is hard for Xbox gamers to realize that a lot of ppl like single player games I am one I have ps+ so this wouldn’t even bother me but I have ps+ so I can get betas play ps3 games I wouldn’t normally buy and vita games as well. But I haven’t played a game online since KillZone 2 I like SP games much more I don't play call of Duty and now going through Battle Field 3 single player may play it online if I can get my friends to ever try it out and guess what I would never have played that game if I didn’t get it through ps+ I have uncharted 2 and 3 and never even played it online hell I didn’t even put in the online pass code. I also have Mortal Kombat again never played it online. So my point is if I did not have ps+ with the ps4 I would be fine I wouldn’t have to pay for nothing but if I had a xbox one then I will have to pay for everything even though I do not play games online I think this is what the Sony fans are talking about and Xbox fans keep saying stuff that either don’t matter or is just plain stupid IMO of course. But if you see a good reason to get xbox live then go for it you work for your money spend it how you like. I think you have more ppl like me on ps3 who do not see why ppl would pay twice for stuff like Netflix I normally do not bash ppl but Mystogan said the dumbest thing with the first comment I can tell you now if Sony was going to make me pay for ps+ to watch something I already pay for I wouldn’t have that system simple as that and no one buys a system for Netflix but if you have a system and did not want xbox live does it make sense to buy like a 30 to 100 device to play Netflix when you have a system right there that has Netflix on it no who in hell would do that they would buy the system that allows them to do stuff like that for free.

[ElementX]

A mountain out of a molehill. When I had a 360 I rarely paid $50/year for LIVE. I bought discounted subscription cards for $35-$40. If people want to buy a 360 and use it for the Internet and social media, then they can pay extra just like those who want to play multiplayer. The only thing that is unfortunate is the Game DVR service, however I can see how MS would charge for it because it's using bandwidth and their servers to log on and upload your videos.

[Izzy408]

This article does make sense, and I wish MS would make these features free, but at the same time, the article is being somewhat bias. "You don't buy a Big Mac and pay extra for special sauce. You don't buy an iPhone and pay extra for FaceTime." True, but neither of these devices are completely free either.

You want to use internet on your MAC? You need to get an internet provider. You want to use social media apps or access the internet on your smartphone, you need to pay extra for a data plan. You want to send text messages, you have to pay for a text messaging plan. You want to watch a major sporting event or a new movie on tv, you need to pay your cable company extra money.

So it's not just MS that do this, it's most companies as well; even Sony is slowly starting to move in this direction.

[wtopez]

About time someone had the balls to say something negative about the Xbox One!

[Monkeyonfire13]

Because Microsoft, Thats why....lol

[claud3]

Just another apple company and people are going to buy this thing and assume it is the bees knees

When in fact, it will rip you to shreds every time you have to pay for something

[kingPoS]

My G_d! they're doing it again. I don't know how they did it, but somehow a silver membership was made to become even more useless.

Wonder if they'll backtrack once more.

http://img.gawkerassets.com...

[mysteryraz11]

they need to drop the price on the xbox one

[CPTN MITCHELL]

Simple xbox gold one

[TIBACCA]

Still a terrible name for their "next-gen" console.

[VENOMACR]

Funny cause I didn't hear anyone complain when Netflix and other apps on 360 were only accessible with Xbox Live Gold, but now it's a big deal. And stop with the "PS4 is more powerful and $100 more expensive." PS3 was what, like $600 or $700 and more powerful yet games looked almost identical on both systems. The same will be here too. If you think COD or Madden is going to look 10X different then on X1 your crazy. I would say 9/10 people buy an Xbox Gold Subscription to play games online not to watch Netflix. TV's, DVD player, tablets, phones, and computers let you download the app for free so if you want to watch Netflix for free and not have a Gold account, you have plenty of ways to do that. And who buys a $500 system to watch Netflix or Skype?

Instead of looking at it like "you get nothing for your basic account" how about look what I get for $40 (yes, you can find subscriptions for 12 months for $40 easily). You get the best console online gaming experience, plus this and this and this. Your more likely to record your game session online then on single player, unless your looking for glitches. But playing online is when the best/stupidest/most random things happen.

And why is it OK for Sony who was so nice and friendly to give you free online, now it's OK to charge for PSN? To charge for a mediocre online experience compared to Xbox Live is OK? Sony saw an opportunity to charge people for online and they jumped on board. Compare what you get for PSN subscription to XBOX's subscription and lets see the better value for your money.

I don't understand why PS fan boys and trolls read Xbox articles and comment. If your not getting an XBOX, good for you. Buying a PS4, good for you. If you think Microsoft is secretly trying to watch you with Kinect and they are trying to steal from you and rip you off, then don't buy it, simple.

[Rhinoceros]

I don't get it. I don't need an option for in case I go broke. I will always pay for my subscription services regardless of what walls are where. This isn't an inconvenience.

[hairy]

I do not know how they can hype up features like game recording and apps and not have to tell you it's an extra 50$ a year to use them. xbox one is 550$ unless you just want a shitty pc that can't even browse the internet,

[memots]

My xbox 360 would be used in my second bedroom for netflix if i didn't have to pay for live. But since i cannot use the console even for that i went and got a boxee Box.

[Kujii]

Understandable if you are a gamer. But what about this casual market MS are trying to expand to? They are going to think this is a rip off.

[fattyuk]

I hope so!

But will they??

[Groo]

The casual market will pay for it because they are an easy target and don't know any better.. thats part of what a casual consumer is, they see, they spend w/o fully learning what exactly they are paying for.

And example of a casual consumer, someone that buys and Iphone for the first time, they may not really need an Iphone, they just buy it cause its whats IN or know people that have them. I promise you most of the casual consumers that bought an Iphone arent even aware of all that an Iphone can do when they first purchased it. Its usually not till after they've bought it first and then spend the time to learn the device. And in todays market, not many try. They just want an Iphone to say they have an Iphone.

MS targets

[Kujii]

Thats a pretty good point.

But at the same time, how popular would the iphone be if they started to charge a subscription fee for features such as internet browsing, facetime and using the appstore.

Also Im pretty sure retailers would have to explain to customers about the extra charges. The last thing retailers want are angry customers coming back complaining about hidden costs.

[Groo]

Yeah, thats mainly what the manditory data plan is for, but if a customer goes over their usage, thats when the hell breaks loose lol.

the casual consumer will still pay for the data plan and not really know what they are paying for or why they need it, even if its all explained and broken down for them, They just pay for it anyways. thats why a lot of customers see their phone bill and freak out when they go over their usage and have no idea why the bill was so high lol. I'm not trying to sound mean here but the majority of Casual consumers are usually not too bright

[Kujii]

@Groo

But whats the difference between data plans and home internet? End of the day you are still only paying to connect to the web.

You could just as easily go over your data cap for your home internet and end up paying alot at the end of the month.

No matter how you connect the Xbox One to the internet or how much it costs you would still need to pay extra to use Internet Explorer and Skype

[Groo]

I know, I agree with you. thats one of the reasons why I won't buy an XB1. A large number of the casual consumers that purchase and XB1 on the other hand probably aren't aware of the fact you just pointed out.

[fattyuk]

As an infamous django once said

"I like the way you die boy"

Articles makes a lot of sense,

WHY ARE ALL THE ADVERTISED FEATURES BEHIND A PAYWALL!!

Pathetic money grabbing AAA battery sellers!

[vigilante_man]

If I was MS I would buy our Duracell!

[ziggurcat]

"Why the Hell Are the Xbox One's Best New Features Behind a Paywall?"

because it's microsoft, and they love to make you pay extra for services you're already paying for.

[cunnilumpkin]

doesn't sony make you pay for online next gen too

both consoles are a joke

cheap parts, laptop gpu, tablet cpu

highly over priced games

STEAM FTW!!

[EXVirtual]

PC elitists like you annoy me to no end. Explain to me most good graphics cards cost $400. Steam cold go down at any day of the week. PC is an ok platform, but they have very few advatages. PC won't get that many good games as the gen goes on. Mark my words. PS+ is a good service.

[cunnilumpkin]

BZZZZZZ

WRONG!!!

95% of all consoles games are on pc as well
with way better graphics than ps4/xbox1 will ever dream of, resolutions they could NEVER handle

yet not even 60% of pc games go to console

pc has mods, pc has backwards compatibility going back to the 1980's

pc can play every ps2/wii/ds/psp/ps1/gamecube etc game in native 1080p for free and completely legally if you own the original discs

consoles are just a bad solution all around, they even cost more money

ps4=$400
psn plus for 8 year=$400
games cost $15 more on average
100 games in 8 years=$1500

price of ps4

$2300 that's if it doesn't break on you in 8 years, which it will, might as well make it an even $3000

I could build 4 gaming pc's for that amount of money that would DESTROY the ps4

consoles=rip off

[ziggurcat]

@ cunnilumpkin

"pc can play every ps2/wii/ds/psp/ps1/gamecube etc game in native 1080p for free and completely legally if you own the original discs"

uh... no. it's not legal.

"ps4=$400
psn plus for 8 year=$400
games cost $15 more on average
100 games in 8 years=$1500

price of ps4

$2300 that's if it doesn't break on you in 8 years, which it will, might as well make it an even $3000"

again... no. the price of the PS4 is $400. you don't count software or a ridiculous 8-year PS+ subscription amount into the cost of the hardware. and even if you were able to build 4 PCs for $3000 (which i doubt), that's still $750 per PC, which is more than the cost of a PS4.

time to go back under your bridge, mr. trollbot 9000.

[Groo]

The Xbots are conditioned to paying for a Gold Membership and getting hardly anything for it.. this article is way over their heads. As much as common sence has spelled everything out for them since the consoles were revealed, Xbots will never see truth so stop wasting breathe. Its like pissing in the wind man..

[Jrxbarrett]

Is Xbox live or Xbox one the pay wall? These servers run all day and night. 24/7. Who is going to create these apps/see that these apps run properly? Of course we have to pay for a service that was never promised to us. MS can never win when it comes to the loyalty of Sony customers. The ps4 has free streaming and video capture. What are you going to stream? Offline gameplay? Anyways, psn is light years behind live. They both have free games. Actually ps+ free games are only free if you stay subscribed. How is that free? You pay $50 a year for some old dusty games you might not want. That's a give or take situation. Xbox provides more for people that actually have lives and do more than play games. I game.... But not all day and night. We all have our rest periods and if you buy a console to use an app you shouldn't even waste the money. You're a square if you don't like sports.

[Kujii]

What the actual f*ck are you on about?

"These servers run all day and night. 24/7. Who is going to create these apps/see that these apps run properly?"

If these servers and app maintenance costs are so high why dont they charge everyone on desktops and tablets to use Internet Explorer and Skype?

"The ps4 has free streaming and video capture. What are you going to stream? Offline gameplay?"

Not everyone wants to stream and share their "OMFG 720 quickscope bro" moments. Maybe I might want to share me kicking the sh*t out of my mate in two player street fighter or fifa.

"Xbox provides more for people that actually have lives and do more than play games. I game.... But not all day and night. We all have our rest periods and if you buy a console to use an app you shouldn't even waste the money."

So Xbox live provides you apps to use while your not gaming. But I shouldn't buy a console to use apps because its a waste of money? lol wut?

"You're a square if you don't like sports."

lol winning outlook on life. Don't give me wrong, I love sports. But I don't give a f*ck about NFL.

[Mac420]

ONLY problem with your argument is everything. PS+ has been around for a while an will continue on Ps4. Yes when you lose subscription to PS+ you no longer have those games but atleast the games are somewhat still relevant. The promotion there running on XBL is a joke, AC 2 is the only game so far worth anybody's time. Crackdown is horrible, Grid Defense if your a smartphone game lover have a blast. They haven't given us a single game past 2009 yet! So your line about old dusty games applies to Xbox's free title promotion definitely not Sonys. An the discounts on PS+ aren't even comparable to Xbox mainly because Sony puts discounts on everything in the store when your a member. Xbox has a mock up, every week of the least sold content an then throw it on sale. So please hush, I haven't owned a PS in 5 years but even as a current MS consumer I don't agree with a lot they are doing. So next time you try to argue your point, look up a little info first before you just post, an rant about bs.

[Trekster_Gamer]

I'm a die-hard Xbox fan but I've always thought it was cheap and greedy for them to charge for services that should be free. Services that I already have paid for separately should be free! I don't mind paying for the multiplayer I still think Xbox has the best way to play online gaming but the rest they charge for like netflix should be free. It is just pure greed shame on Microsoft.

[HalfNerdHalfAmazing]

PS4 & Wii U will rule next gen as far as the Xbox1 goes just be happy being 3rd

[GraveLord]

"Go ahead and charge me for online multiplayer gameplay, Microsoft. That's a distinctive feature that only you can provide. It's worth it."

Huh? I was agreeing with everything up until this point. Multiplayer isn't a distinctive feature on Xbox. It's a basic feature on PC and free on PS3 and Wii/Wii U. Charging for it is fine since it reduces downtime and maintenance, but saying its something only MS can provide? Not true.

[Picnic]

Xbox Live prices are the main reason to hate Xbox.

Oh.. and with his penetrating gaze and hare lip, Brian Barrett looks like the 'creepy uncle' he talks about.
Don't throw around metaphors if you can't take being called it yourself.

[thexmanone]

Why do PS Trolls care?

[chobit_A5HL3Y]

the same reasons why xbox trolls care about ps stuff lolz

[SynestheticRoar]

Why the hell are people so surprise about. Enough already its Microsoft.

[NewWhiteFeather]

Doesn't facetime on your iphone require a data plan?

[chobit_A5HL3Y]

not if you use wifi~

[NewWhiteFeather]

Ah, I don't have an iphone, so I didn't know. It still requires a connection though. A connection you have to pay for via the mobile companies or an ISP. Granted, MS is charging for an additional service, but facetime would require that as well if it weren't p2p and connected via servers right?

[chobit_A5HL3Y]

yeah, but there's a huge difference. ms is charging you a fee to use your own internet to unlock features that shouldn't be locked off in the first place. once you buy a data plan for your phone, you can use whatever app, as much as you want. it'd be equivalent to having to pay a fee ON TOP of your data plan in order to use facetime on your phone. get it?

[NewWhiteFeather]

But if facetime was run on Apple servers, rather than p2p, would you be upset with paying a fee to use facetime that goes to supporting and improving those servers?

[Killabites]

Why can Xbox One do 4k out the box when PS4 can only do it for films, however it does state that its 4k ready, do you remember them old days when TV's said HD ready, then the they release full HD.

So will we see this again 4k ready vs full 4K.

[Bonerboy]

Why the hell does this question even need to be asked in the first place? Even after an ice pick lobotomy the answer is clear. This MS crap is always a given, $$$$$$$$$$$

[SonyPS4]

Eh if people see value in paying for XBL let them. This console is created for XBL Gold first and foremost. Nothing is surprising here.

[MikeyDucati1]

I don't understand. Xbox charged for Live, people dealt with it. The 360 began moving towards social apps and video streaming, aka a media system, people dealt with it. MS said they are going to change the Live into Gold and Silver packages, with Silver basically being a joke if you wanted to dabble online just a lil bit. People dealt with it.

Now they outline what is included with the Gold package and people go into a uproar

You are supposed to learn history so that you are never fooled when the future decides to repeat it.

So why are we now just all brand new all of sudden? Like, we couldn't possibly fathom that Microsoft, a company whose business practices shouldn't be unknown to most, could do such a thing?

This is silly. The writing was on the wall many times and no one decided to listen to it.

[Razputin]

Just a heads up for people who keep bashing either or console, know that both Microsoft and Sony were going to do the exact same things, and are doing exact same things.

With the whole online, both you have to pay to get the full true experience.

All the extras will be tied with that paid subscription.

And for that whole DRM fiasco, that people were tripping balls over for Microsoft, Sony was going to do it also.

How do I know this? I had applied for a Manager position for GameStop over year ago, since I am in college and wanted to make extra money to buy more games. Having an interview with a District Manager, we actually became really good friends, and he told me that GameStop and other publishers and console makers are trying to go Digital Only, that it was the future. (Following technology as much as I hate and don't want this, I know it will be the truth within years).

He told me that GameStop would first start to go digital with their PC games, and that they have invested a lot of money and resources into moving into Digital only territory. There is more info but know both companies are out for your money regardless of what idiotic benchmark, number, game, or whatever at your face.

Buy both consoles because you will get to enjoy what they are for GAMING.

Me personally I'll buy both but stick to my PC the most.

[Mac420]

Sounded like a bunch of speculation to me, From my experience GameStop employees are usually the least informed people to get console or gaming news from. Usually just ask the same questions every visit. " Would you like to pre-order Call Of Duty". I don't mind paying for gold pay for it now an have been for years. Buy I definelty disagree that all there good features shouldn't be behind a pay wall. Stupid that they are, maybe this will be another time MS follows Sony. An the people saying " if your already paying for gold it's an added bonus" You have horrible consumer practices, just keep giving up your money without ever wondering why. Lol chump

[Razputin]

Notice how I said District Manager and not employee. I also forgot to say I never took the job because had a lot better offers, plus I am just sticking with my studies.

I currently have a PS3 and an Xbox360 neither of which I pay for. I stick to PC.

I was just saying that all this crap the "fanboys" -- I have to call them, are saying both consoles/makers are doing the same things, and were going to do the same things.

[Keregan]

Deal with it lol

[glennhkboy]

It seems that MS is dead-set to Kill his only child. Maybe they are thinking of driving up the sales of PS4, then buy it from Sony?!!!!!!!

[alexh]

I really dont get sony fanboys. Why bitch about something that doesnt affect you? If your not happy with the xbox one dont buy one thats your simple solution. I mean you guys obviously must be really unsure which one is better if you have the need to come onto here and try justify buying a PS4 by pointing out every flaw of the new xbox before its even come out! Its like comparing movies before you have even watched them you have no idea which is going to be the better one!

[ewstokes]

I'm getting the ps4 for gaming. Period. However I have been saving up for the Xbox one just for the tv features. Not anymore, I don't want Xbox live. This is ridiculous.

[DivineAssault]

M$ is a greedy ass company

[H0RSE]

Regardless of what you have to pay for or not, the fact that I will have the xbox controller and XBL, vs the dualshock 4 and PSN, is already worth the money, but there's more.

I have owned every generation of xbox, and I have enjoyed the service and features they have provided me. I have no gripes with xbox - any of them. I have built up relationships online that I wish to maintain, and have a group of gaming buddies that make for good company. Despite the "superior hardware" and free features, these are all things that PS4 cannot offer me, so if keeping all that means paying some money, I'll gladly do it.

[NeutralXP]

Another pointless article by a Playstation Fanboy

[joefrost00]

Casual fans complaining about this is stupid and Sony fans complaining about this is dumb for one simple reason

Comparing to Sony the only feature that matter you have to pay for also
The majority of you were going to or probably have gold (and ps+)before this information came out

Sony fans: that sucks you have to pay for features ha
Dont matter cause you are paying to do the most important and basic thing play online to
Its funny how you all keep falling for the bait and switch we will give you the features you want or dont want for free but the one you need you have to pay for
So basically you're gonna get it and pay like the MS customers anyway

[RatPriest]

So MS is offering more services for the same price Live has always been. I see no reason to get all upset and bothered about it. To access many of these apps/services on the 360 you required Live. Same applies here, so it stuns me people are acting shocked or surprised. But I guess the need to vent about something, no matter how illogical it is, is what the net has become a place for.

[gigoran]

hahahahahahahahahaha

[Demster]

What I don't understand is,
why is SmartMatch an XBLG feature? I mean you can't play online without gold anyway, so it's kind of obvious that you can't use SmartMatch without gold. Or am I trippin?

[bobdog626]

If u have xbox live gold now it ports over 2 the xbox one no big deal if u have psn free and u want 2 play your games 4 free you r n 4 a real shock u now must have psn plus 2 play online games lmao

[nachokingp]

Umm....to get you to buy XBL? It's not really a mystery...

[ghostrider32]

Stop asking stupid questions. Y'all should know this by now.

[Smootherkuzz]

People please get a life.

[gazgriff2k12]

easy microsoft make xbox. Im suprized there is-int a cash slot instead of a blueray drive

[Malacath]

Not sure what the fuss is all about.

The best features of xbox have always been behind a pay wall. It's nothing new and not surprising at all.

Its the same with the ps4 as well. The best features for that will be behind a pay wall.

[Philly Joe]

I love all these complainers.. Get a new hobby. Oh my god! I cant pay $60 a year.. Shut up already

[madabba]

It is absurd to pay for Netflix twice. It is absurd to pay for Hulu plus twice. Very sneaky of Microsoft to try and slide all this under the radar, very sneaky. Maybe they will pull another "we changed our mind based on customer feedback" type of thing. That would be good. Honestly though, this whole Xbox One thing is starting to make me rethink my allegiance to Windows 8, windows 8 phone (which by the way, Xbox music rarely works properly, if ever, and after a conference call with customer service and Xbox music tech person I was told "we do not know why it does not work on windows 8 phones", we are aware of it but can't find a way to fix it) and my new windows 8 tablet. I am starting to realize here that I have made a mistake I think.

[C_Dub]

PS4 > xBONE amirite?

[FLYINGDOG]

What's amazing, all those fanboys from Sony. This is a x1 article.....

[Truth]

This reminds me of all those Pimp my ride Xzibit memes. Except for X1 is would be, "Yo, we're putting a subscription in your subscription on another subscription!"

[JumpingJames88]

More and more I find myself wanting to wake up in 1993 with my SNES and Genesis.