I never said it was. That wasn't the argument you started. Before you cleverly edited your comment, you stated that more and more people are realizing that PS+ is a better deal than XBL...implying that XBL users are switching over in "droves" to PS Plus.
That is incorrect. The number of unique XBL users have risen, not fallen. The only purpose of my comment was to counter your argument.
Are some people dumping XBL for Plus? Sure, thats possible. But not so much so that Microsoft has to worry.
Now...if you want to talk about whether or not this is good for gaming, we can discuss that in a new argument.
"The reason i edited that part out was because i thought it might give some people the wrong idea. Which, sadly, it did."
Hey man no harm no foul. I was just really confused. You must've edited your second comment five times lol. If you still want to discuss whether or not XBL is good for gaming, I'll be happy to do so here or somewhere else. Send me a PM.
Let me ask you this, was anyone else, but MS pushing online play on consoles?
Was anyone else, but MS that pushing apps on consoles? Anyone else pushing Netflix?
That is the power of paid premium service similar to how HBO is a premium channel with premium content. Very few other channels match them in terms of content quality.
Most people claim it is the same, but there is a reason why people choose to pay.
It's like saying Craigslist is the same as eBay. They might do similar things, but they are in no way shape or form the same.
let's see that number once ps4 comes out at the same time as next xbox along with free psn with cross game chat. Xblive has few features that psn needs but what's to say psn won't get those next time around.
but there is also a chance that psn won't be free any more so let's see
i am not hating on xblive but all things equal why should one service be free and other worth $50-60? just to use netflix you need a gold account whole on ps3 you don't
create value for consumers
buy a used game pay $10 for online pay for xblive
buy the same used game for ps3 pay for online pass and psn is free
I hope you know that a lot of Steam games require players to register to a Live account in order to save our progress or unlock DLC that we've all ready paid for on Steam.
Batman games, Dead Rising games, most Capcom games, etc. all require Live.
I think he's saying Microsoft is dumb for charging you to do anything on Xbox Live. Here's Sony PS4 with free online, here's Valves console in 2013 with free online and then there's Microsoft the "only" console charging you "making you pay them" to use other things like Netflix which you already pay for. It's old news and a damn rip off.
The reason why XBL isn't free is because it started last gen when online gaming wasn't standard. MS saw online gaming as an additional feature, which at that the time it essentially was. But now pretty much every single game has an MP portion so charging to game on online seems borderline criminal.
Nothing wrong with a premium service, but there is something wrong in charging an additional fee for someone to play the online portion of a game that they have already paid for.
Let me ask you this, was anyone else, but MS pushing online play on consoles?
Was anyone else, but MS that pushing apps on consoles? Anyone else pushing Netflix?
PS2 not only had SOCOM series that came with a headset and commercials that promoted communication, sony not only had an MMO, FFXI, which was primarily a console title with a pc version that resided on the same servers with international play, but they also had a first party mmo Everquest Online Adventures a first party game that ran well without a hard drive. Online fees for EQOA and FFXI were standard server support for MMO's just like with World of Warcraft.
Also before netflix, sony talked about apps and media services, its one of the reasons it came with a browser for html apps and such.
Linux desktop on ps3 as well as a PS2 linux model that also existed.
Matter of fact I recall many MS fans saying they did not want media services or apps on their console so they hated on ps3. Until MS did it too and then the same people loved the idea and thanked ms for inventing it. Just like they invented motion gaming.
Yall some fools for paying for xbl. PC gamers had it right, told MS to kick rocks. You know what MS did in return? Dropped the fees and still provided the same services they originally asked money for but now only for free.
I can't speak for other gamers, but for me personally, after being very loyal to the brand for about 6 years, I no longer play Xbox or use Xbox Live. When it comes up for renewal, I won't renew.
About the beginning of 2012, I turned all my attention to Playstation and that's become my primary console. I use it every day for gaming, movies, Netflix and more. I feel it's interface is much more user friendly (my 5 year old uses it), that Netflix is a lot better on it and with free online gaming, it was an easy choice. Playstation Plus was just icing on an already delicious piece of cake.
I'm not hating on Xbox, though. I have high hopes for it and was a loyal customer for years, but Kinect integration into just about all aspects of it turned me OFF in a big way. I'm simple. I like things simple. And Playstation is simple to me.
Xbox live only has about 45million users if that. But yet 70million sales Hmmmmmm.... I say this everytime RROD. That acount for the majority if 360 sales. PS3 owners like me stile have there original fat ps3 for years.
Sony wasn't pushing online play, they were merely enabling it. Dreamcast technically had the most push early on, but they died a horrible death. That said, Sony didn't push online play. Heck, PSN was a piece of shit on release and took it years to merely get the status of being similar. Even today, despite what everyone else says is the same between XBL and PSN, the technology behind PSN is still behind.
You can see this in from the OS down to the network. Example: game updates on Xbox 360 does not require a reboot of console, it's just log-in, logout automatically. Try that on PS3?
Xbox 360 OS takes 32MB fingerprint, PS3s around 48MBs. Achievements on XBL is sync incrementally, on PSN it is slow as molasses as it downloads the entire thropy list (and Sony's servers are slow).
Problems on Xbox Live is automatically reported on different apps/services:
"Also before netflix, sony talked about apps and media services, its one of the reasons it came with a browser for html apps and such."
Talking about something isn't pushing it, and neither is having it as an option. It really has to be, not only available, but have belief in the technology will succeed, continually supported with updates and new products.
Merely releasing it, and hoping it will catch on is NOT PUSHING it.
Sony pushed 3D, they barely push apps (although to Sony I think they think of it more as extension of PSN than apps).
Also, the PS3 browser is still piece of shit. It had support for Youtube, but constantly crashed making it almost useless, let alone apps.
MS pushed XBL and many of those things are now copied on other consoles and some still can't copy all the features. MS is the leader in online console gaming.
I was hoping Nintendo would challenge them and it looked like it would work, but it looks like they are botching their online network, by not supporting many basic online features we come to expect.
I agree with you, Plus is excellent therefore, MS should adopt a similar service. In my opinion, the cloud storage is essential to any serious gamer with an aging console.
live is to console gaming....... what AOL was to PC internet access. Anyone who isnt old enough to understand that analogy should stop reading.
Live introduced the world to a dedicated online system for console multiplayer. Yes there were attempts prior via seganet or even going further back with xband and older. Those failed to create a standard.
Live may have started as a secondary to the xbox but it was a primary from the xbox R&D days. MS just needed a system in place to make that standard work. Had Sega NOT pulled out, Ms would likely have been the main backbone for the DC and seganet.
MS main goal for online is similar to what they have been doing for PC. Create a platform for others to use and expand upon. They couldnt get it done with sega so they did it themselves. It has certainly improved over the 10 years its been around and has definitely influenced the development of PSN and the remodeling of even Steam.
So, like the AOL analogy, Live has been a pioneer of many ideas and represented a convenience to the consumer for its ease of use. AOL (in its hey-day) was THE service to use if you pretty much didnt know about how to get online. Others who were more savvy obviously circumvented the use of AOL (and others like Prodigy, Compuserve, etc) and went to the web straight through their ISP.
AOL is now a shell of its former self because they were slow to adapt to the changing demands of users. MS has been making changes to live that they feel will better suit the trends and uses of its users. Will Live suffer the same fate as AOL?
From the many transitions live has gone through and the commitment to making live better and better it is uncertain if live will close up shop but it is certain that live will take a more active role in broadening the pc side like it has the console side.
I don't see XBL as a "social networking tool" in any kind of way. If anything that's PS Home. XBL has a more vocal audience than PSN simply because MS added that cheap, but essential, headset with every Xbox 360. Sony offers a better option through Blu Tooth, but for some reason the masses seem completely oblivious of that.
Next generation will be completely different for Sony. They know they need to improve their online network, which as the article said was the 360's greatest strength against the PS3.
1. XBL 2. Price 3. Heavy Focus on Co-op and Multiplayer games 4. Exclusives 5. Huge Marketing push (America)
But looking at all the strides Sony's made with PSN now SEN with the PS3, and even features exclusive to the Vita you can see that XBL's online advantage is about gone, and that's coming from the free PSN service alone. PS+ is nothing but huge perks to gamers who are willing to pay.
I'm the exact opposite. $60 for XBL is money I could have spent on a new game. If you've had Live since the Xbox 360's launch you've potentially missed out on 6-7 games ($360 - $420) by the time the next Xbox comes out.
To each their own, but XBL isn't worth it to me. The only reason I still have it is because I'm on a family plan with 3 other relatives making it $25 a year instead of $60.
Nothing against Xbox, but MS SHOULD to come with something better next gen, because XBL just isn't cutting it for many gamers who have both consoles.
"Xbox Live is Old News" Yet it still remains the most imitated and copied online entertainment service. Xbox Live is responsible for all those apps, marketplace, social gaming, achievements, TV and music you all use on your console. PSN and Trophies will always be known as just a "copy" of Live and Achievements.
I agree and disagree with this, i mean i like xbox live because of the party chat and other features, the ps+ games are nice and yes the online service on xbox is superior but honestly i am hoping the next generation comes with free online.
If they do I hope their customers don't complain as much as people complain on Sony's blog. It's always something on there. Europe gets better games. Where's Red Dead Redemption. Why do we only get crappy fighting games or PSN games. It never ends. Some people think every free game on PS Plus should be something they want.
There's a ton of people who swear by Xbox Live and its authority over all other gaming services, but I don't know if charging for P2P online gameplay can stay relevant for much longer.
The truest test would be comparing PS4's network and Xbox 720's network. As it stands I hear that party chat and cross-game chat are like THE major things that set PS3 and 360 apart in terms of online functionality in game.
It's obvious PS4 will have these and more, so the question is what will Microsoft add to XBL next-gen to make it stand alongside something like PS+ as well as what will be a heavily improved online network with PS4? A service that matches PS+? Streaming games perhaps? Microsoft Eco-system integration? (not that XBL needs something like PS+, but I'm sure it will be welcomed to those who are currently only paying for access to online).
It seems Sony is going in this direction too, so it will be interesting to see.
my god, i think you have the least fanboyish comment I've read so far. But I agree, except for the cross game chat, i really dont understand why everyone is so butthurt about that. Frankly when I'm playing a game I dont want to distract myself from the task at hand by talking to someone playing something different. Mabey that's just my problem because lots of other people seem to want it but it just doesnt matter to me.
Its not going to, trust me. I think Sony will be doing a huge disservice to themselves if they do and to. Having the Vita to go by, and with more and more people joining Ps+ through the vita and PS3, and since plus is probably going to be available through all playstation enabled devices come next gen, then I don't see that gamer's should worry about this.
they already have free video/audio chat with up to like 6 people if you have a ps eye, its just not in game, but i dont really know why you would want to carry on a coversation with people not playing the same game you are, it seems distracting.
Its evident Xbox Live is truly successful this gen if people feel the need to write these kind of articles. Its like the Internet rebels against something successful like Xbox Live. If Xbox Live wasn't successful we wouldn't have articles like these pop up every week.
Just another article that doesn't like Xbox Live OMG I get it. Why are people still complaining about a service they obviously don't pay for? Give it up with these articles your not convincing nobody but the fanboys, not the world.
Because XBL is trying to kill gaming. Why bother paying a fee to play a game online when you can play that same game on every other platform? It was $50 and Microsoft decided to bump it up to $60 for some stupid reason like because you can use a free program like Twitter on XBL or because they want to pay Activision for CoD exclusive DLC when not everyone who has XBL plays those games anyway.
Really now? As far as I'm concerned Xbox Live has brought people together for gaming and among other things. Seeing how XBL is a gaming service. I'm not sure if you knew that.
News flash: people don't buy XBL for Twitter and twitter's not on XBL anymore its through the browser. Seriously twitter? If you wanted XBL to discontinue, change whatever it is you want MS to do, comments like yours and many, many others need to be smart and come up with realistic fully thought out and compelling argumentive statements for anything to at least consider change.
Starting off your sentence by saying "Because XBL is trying to kill gaming." is subjective and higly immature sentence.
"Its evident Xbox Live is truly successful this gen if people feel the need to write these kind of articles"
In that same vein that must mean that Sony has been truly successful this gen, if not the most successful it's ever been, what with getting these kinds of articles 5-6 times a day?
Anyhow, on topic: While I don't normally like doom or fanboyish articles, I do think that MS charging for Live is something they should be called out for. If everyone just goes with the status quo because they've been doing it for so long then things don't get better. While I'm sure many people(apparently 12 million) are willing to pay for XBL, I'm sure they would like to be able to play their games online for free, or do things that the other consoles offer for free. It's an obvious revenue stream for MS, so for them they would be better suited to find a value added proposition, since their competition will likely offer it next gen putting the pressure on MS.
That being said, this article was immature and unnecessary and did nothing to really further the consumer's interest in this matter.
Agree with author 1 billion percent! This is from a long time, long standing gold member. I'm just waiting for games to be announced for the Wii U so I can jump ship. I'm done with M$$$$$.
You Know Something is huge and popular When: 1 - Many People hate it 2 - The internet is allways making bad headlines about it 3 - Everyone goes nuts when you speak about it
Examples:
1 - Apple with Iphone 2 - Windows 8 3 - Kinect for Xbox 360
Opinion : Microsoft should give their users something like Ps+, its an outstanding service no doubt.
LOL...as a matter of fact Hitler was huge and popular for quite a while in Germany. The Nazi party even had strong roots in the U.S. for a while pre-WW2.
...point of clarification, I don't endorse the Nazi party or anything they stand for. This is just a history lesson.
lol i work in a pc repair store i know for a fact windows 8 is shit so there goes your theory about the huge and popular things getting all the hate, i have had about 94 ppl i think so far come into the store and have windows 7 put on there pc after trying windows 8 and there is a reason for that.
I love Live but the PS+ has it beat when it comes to the free game department.
But Live does offer all the same incentives PS+ has. I wouldn't say Live is old news I would say PS+ is now on the same level and maybe a step above Live.
Again, all you do is demand someone explain things to you like a little child. Do you not work at a game store? Can you not get this information for yourself? Are you seriously this new to gaming?
I have listed the features of Live that I like and compared them to what PS+ has before. Take the time and look for that comment yourself.
I still don't understand why people pay for online. Your experience isn't anything different from pc, ps3 and wii u. Honestly paying to play online when you already have to pay for an internet provider is ridiculous.
Its also ridiculous to pay for duplicate cable channels, cell phone contracts, and much more but people do. Xbox live has set the standard when it comes to providing content. It started out being the best and it's still the best digital distribution network on a console. Fact.
A lot of people paying for live find it ridiculous as well but all their friends are using live so what they're paying for is worth the price to them because they get to play with their friends.
They could jump ship to the PS3 but if none of their friends are using it then it might not be worth what your saving.
MS caught Sony with their pants down by gaining market share releasing a year in advance as well as having some key features that PSN doesn't so paying for Live was the obvious thing to do for some back then.
Things have changed since then and people can see not only how PSN has improved but also how great PS+ is.
Next gen will be the opportune time for people to jump ship if they want so MS will need to make sure they have the advantage they did this gen to make Live look like it's still worth the asking price but that is harder now with PS+. I think they have something planned but lets see how it goes.
Friends is what makes it hard to jump ship. You don't want to start playing PS3, when all your friends are playing Xbox. Until they make the plunge knowing you are playing on PS3 and they'll have somewhere there to interact with, they're going to play it safe and stick to what they know.. Xbox. A friend getting PS3 is one of the reasons I got a PS3. Otherwise, I'd probably still be playing Xbox.
@ BLACKHOODe Exactly what I'm saying even though I got the disagree's lol. A group of friends may not want to take the plunge now but next gen will be the best time.
Free online, PS+ and Sony's first party offerings will be hard for many to resist.
So now it's 50 million gold subscribers now. Wonder what hole you pulled that number from. Like I've said before again and again, if MS let you play multiplayer for free there would be an all time low for gold subscriptions...
Like Sony with PS+ subscribers, Microsoft doesn't release numbers of Xbox Live Gold members.
In 2010 they were quoted as saying about half of XBL are gold members. Applying these stats (the only ones available) means that Xbox Live Gold members number between 20-25 million.
@Bar_Brothers It has been said to 50 million people and they've opted to go with PSN instead. Actually I'm pretty sure it's closer to 80 million. Hope that helps.
It's ok that you don't understand because over 40 million people do understand. As long as Live continues to be the best they will charge. The other services aren't as good. When they become as good or better than live you have a point, but they aren't so........
I dont give a shit if 40 million or 100 million people do understand. I dont and never will.
What i do understand is that Steam is BY FAR the best online service on the Industry. Steam's content, community and deals are second to none in the industry and its free. "Fact".
Is Xbox Live reallyyy better than Steam, which of course runs on a PC that generally has a lot more flexibility and open standards than XBL? Nope!
A multibillion dollar corporation like Microsoft absolutely don't need your $60 per year to provide what it is that they do, but since it's always been that way, it's not really going to change unless someone makes a good example of how ridiculous it is to charge just for basic online.
Let's face it, if Microsoft announced free online gaming tomorrow, you can be sure that Gold subscriptions would plummet. Why? because most people only pay because they are forced to if they want to get the most out of their games. The whole "it's worth it" statement only comes from a feeling of investment that needs to be justified since you've never been given a choice.
To me, it's MORE about choice you give than just about the quality of a service.
---
And are there 40 million GOLD members? I'm not sure there are that many.
It's funny you mention steam , because it is the best online service in the industry and it is for free,
So a question to XBL users , what's gonna happen next year when the Valve console launches with superior free online ? Or what about the Ps4 guaranteed cross game chat, free online as well as the optional £10-30 PS+ ? What are you gonna be paying Microsoft for ? Aren't you gonna feel fished paying for a service that the competition offers free , and in Valves case a superior service for free?
It's been a couple of weeks since we had one of these articles, just surprised we got one when Xbox Live cards DOUBLED in sales from last year.
Guess when you need hits you can always go with the PSN+ Vs XBL argument, or Vita is dead, Microsoft vs Sony or any other number of ridiculous hit inducing articles.
Call yourselves gamers your all fanboys, you fanboys are killing console gaming thousands of console gamers are heading toward the pc-gaming scene why fanboyism so shut it.
OK. This argument again. Realistically no one wants to pay for anything another individual gets for free. That is just reality. Please stop trying to protect that. Microsoft representatives don't like doing that, and that's their job. It's like telling a raucous robber or rapist Thank you. I enjoyed that. Please come again. Literally. LOL. Don't hit the face.
i have a 360.. my friends have a 360 the games i play are on xbox i use xbl and have for 7 years. My choice is Justified. Do i care what you do on your console ... Nope!
why is this even on here ?
Sony just needs to launch the PS4 along side the nextbox, and make Killzone multiplayer as good as Halo, keep the PSN free and keep giving great content for PS+. This will force Microsoft's hand in the next gen to make Xbox live free, and if they want to charge us a fee, give us content like PSN+.
so ironic you are calling them idiots. i guess everything on the internet should be free then, since you pay for internet
netflix should be free too, hulu plus should be free too omg. why do idiots pay for netflix when the internet is free!!! heck why should they pay for psn plus, it's on the frikking internet!!!!
XBL users get nothing but overpriced pay to play online... why?, because microsoft can make a ton of money off of it, and "everyone is doing it" so, all the blind consumers pay the 60 bucks for the year, multiply that by 35 Million + people and you're a billionaire. What a scam... should be getting netflix free thru xbl and a free game every month at LEAST.
you need to pay to play online on xbox live..where in sony you can play free..and ps+ is optional and they give you free games every month plus vita games if you have a vita for less than $50?? So which one is better? I guess there is no way you can defend xboxlive from what sony is offering..what chat again?? Lolz
Oh yah you are already paying the internet..then MS will use you as a server..and you will be loaded with too much advertisments..now how relevant is the xboxlive nowadays??
I never understood these articles , but the thing that bothers me is why do people, feel like they need to try to suede people to follow them or do as they do. My things is if a person likes paying & enjoys the service leave them be , if you like getting free stuff then have a blast.
I don't hate Xbox live. It is the best online service on consoles, but the thing that drives me insane is that i have to get an Xbox Live Gold in order to play online. Microsoft, keep the 50 dollars price tag, but let me able to play online without the need of Xbox Live Gold.
In 2011, XBL reached 35 million subscribers.
http://www.joystiq.com/2011...
In 2012, that figure has jumped to 40 million subscribers.
http://www.tgdaily.com/game...
The number of XBL users are increasing...not decreasing.
I did said that, but that doesn't necessarily imply that i meant "Droves" of people are switching over.
You assumed that and replied with a bunch of Stats ( For Some Reason ).
---------------------
The reason i edited that part out was because i thought it might give some people the wrong idea. Which, sadly, it did.
I never said it was. That wasn't the argument you started. Before you cleverly edited your comment, you stated that more and more people are realizing that PS+ is a better deal than XBL...implying that XBL users are switching over in "droves" to PS Plus.
That is incorrect. The number of unique XBL users have risen, not fallen. The only purpose of my comment was to counter your argument.
Are some people dumping XBL for Plus? Sure, thats possible. But not so much so that Microsoft has to worry.
Now...if you want to talk about whether or not this is good for gaming, we can discuss that in a new argument.
Hey man no harm no foul. I was just really confused. You must've edited your second comment five times lol. If you still want to discuss whether or not XBL is good for gaming, I'll be happy to do so here or somewhere else. Send me a PM.
Let me ask you this, was anyone else, but MS pushing online play on consoles?
Was anyone else, but MS that pushing apps on consoles? Anyone else pushing Netflix?
That is the power of paid premium service similar to how HBO is a premium channel with premium content. Very few other channels match them in terms of content quality.
Most people claim it is the same, but there is a reason why people choose to pay.
It's like saying Craigslist is the same as eBay. They might do similar things, but they are in no way shape or form the same.
They are counting silver accounts and those on the 30-day trials.
Even right there in the first article you cited it says "(last we heard, there were over 12 million Gold subscribers),".
Do you not read what you post?
let's see that number once ps4 comes out at the same time as next xbox along with free psn with cross game chat. Xblive has few features that psn needs but what's to say psn won't get those next time around.
but there is also a chance that psn won't be free any more so let's see
i am not hating on xblive but all things equal why should one service be free and other worth $50-60? just to use netflix you need a gold account whole on ps3 you don't
create value for consumers
buy a used game
pay $10 for online
pay for xblive
buy the same used game for ps3
pay for online pass
and psn is free
it all comes down to value
Batman games, Dead Rising games, most Capcom games, etc. all require Live.
Nothing wrong with a premium service, but there is something wrong in charging an additional fee for someone to play the online portion of a game that they have already paid for.
Let me ask you this, was anyone else, but MS pushing online play on consoles?
Was anyone else, but MS that pushing apps on consoles? Anyone else pushing Netflix?
PS2 not only had SOCOM series that came with a headset and commercials that promoted communication, sony not only had an MMO, FFXI, which was primarily a console title with a pc version that resided on the same servers with international play, but they also had a first party mmo Everquest Online Adventures a first party game that ran well without a hard drive. Online fees for EQOA and FFXI were standard server support for MMO's just like with World of Warcraft.
Also before netflix, sony talked about apps and media services, its one of the reasons it came with a browser for html apps and such.
Linux desktop on ps3 as well as a PS2 linux model that also existed.
Matter of fact I recall many MS fans saying they did not want media services or apps on their console so they hated on ps3. Until MS did it too and then the same people loved the idea and thanked ms for inventing it. Just like they invented motion gaming.
Yall some fools for paying for xbl. PC gamers had it right, told MS to kick rocks. You know what MS did in return? Dropped the fees and still provided the same services they originally asked money for but now only for free.
About the beginning of 2012, I turned all my attention to Playstation and that's become my primary console. I use it every day for gaming, movies, Netflix and more. I feel it's interface is much more user friendly (my 5 year old uses it), that Netflix is a lot better on it and with free online gaming, it was an easy choice. Playstation Plus was just icing on an already delicious piece of cake.
I'm not hating on Xbox, though. I have high hopes for it and was a loyal customer for years, but Kinect integration into just about all aspects of it turned me OFF in a big way. I'm simple. I like things simple. And Playstation is simple to me.
SIGNED UP FOR AN ONLINE XBOX LIVE ACCOUNT
Y U NO READ?
Sony wasn't pushing online play, they were merely enabling it. Dreamcast technically had the most push early on, but they died a horrible death. That said, Sony didn't push online play. Heck, PSN was a piece of shit on release and took it years to merely get the status of being similar. Even today, despite what everyone else says is the same between XBL and PSN, the technology behind PSN is still behind.
You can see this in from the OS down to the network. Example: game updates on Xbox 360 does not require a reboot of console, it's just log-in, logout automatically. Try that on PS3?
Xbox 360 OS takes 32MB fingerprint, PS3s around 48MBs. Achievements on XBL is sync incrementally, on PSN it is slow as molasses as it downloads the entire thropy list (and Sony's servers are slow).
Problems on Xbox Live is automatically reported on different apps/services:
http://support.xbox.com/en-...
"Also before netflix, sony talked about apps and media services, its one of the reasons it came with a browser for html apps and such."
Talking about something isn't pushing it, and neither is having it as an option. It really has to be, not only available, but have belief in the technology will succeed, continually supported with updates and new products.
Merely releasing it, and hoping it will catch on is NOT PUSHING it.
Sony pushed 3D, they barely push apps (although to Sony I think they think of it more as extension of PSN than apps).
Also, the PS3 browser is still piece of shit. It had support for Youtube, but constantly crashed making it almost useless, let alone apps.
MS pushed XBL and many of those things are now copied on other consoles and some still can't copy all the features. MS is the leader in online console gaming.
I was hoping Nintendo would challenge them and it looked like it would work, but it looks like they are botching their online network, by not supporting many basic online features we come to expect.
what AOL was to PC internet access. Anyone who isnt old enough to understand that analogy should stop reading.
Live introduced the world to a dedicated online system for console multiplayer. Yes there were attempts prior via seganet or even going further back with xband and older. Those failed to create a standard.
Live may have started as a secondary to the xbox but it was a primary from the xbox R&D days. MS just needed a system in place to make that standard work. Had Sega NOT pulled out, Ms would likely have been the main backbone for the DC and seganet.
MS main goal for online is similar to what they have been doing for PC. Create a platform for others to use and expand upon. They couldnt get it done with sega so they did it themselves. It has certainly improved over the 10 years its been around and has definitely influenced the development of PSN and the remodeling of even Steam.
So, like the AOL analogy, Live has been a pioneer of many ideas and represented a convenience to the consumer for its ease of use. AOL (in its hey-day) was THE service to use if you pretty much didnt know about how to get online. Others who were more savvy obviously circumvented the use of AOL (and others like Prodigy, Compuserve, etc) and went to the web straight through their ISP.
AOL is now a shell of its former self because they were slow to adapt to the changing demands of users. MS has been making changes to live that they feel will better suit the trends and uses of its users. Will Live suffer the same fate as AOL?
From the many transitions live has gone through and the commitment to making live better and better it is uncertain if live will close up shop but it is certain that live will take a more active role in broadening the pc side like it has the console side.
If the steambox and ps4 both have free2play models, MS need to take heed and stop being so greedy and offer the same.
However, PSN still has a ways to go before it can becomes a social networking tool, as Xbox Live is. The has nothing to do with free rentals.
I'll be finishing out this gen on LIVE, meanwhile, I have no reason to buy PS+ again since I've played those free games :|
Next generation will be completely different for Sony. They know they need to improve their online network, which as the article said was the 360's greatest strength against the PS3.
1. XBL
2. Price
3. Heavy Focus on Co-op and Multiplayer games
4. Exclusives
5. Huge Marketing push (America)
But looking at all the strides Sony's made with PSN now SEN with the PS3, and even features exclusive to the Vita you can see that XBL's online advantage is about gone, and that's coming from the free PSN service alone. PS+ is nothing but huge perks to gamers who are willing to pay.
I'm the exact opposite. $60 for XBL is money I could have spent on a new game. If you've had Live since the Xbox 360's launch you've potentially missed out on 6-7 games ($360 - $420) by the time the next Xbox comes out.
To each their own, but XBL isn't worth it to me. The only reason I still have it is because I'm on a family plan with 3 other relatives making it $25 a year instead of $60.
Nothing against Xbox, but MS SHOULD to come with something better next gen, because XBL just isn't cutting it for many gamers who have both consoles.
Only to you and your fellow Xbots friend.
I'm starting to wonder if N4G has a daily quota of "XBL vs. PSN" articles that they are required to meet.
Is this not getting a bit rediculous at this point!?
lol
Stopped reading there. An opinion is not fact.
"PlayStation Network to hold the crown for offering the best network to PS3 and PS Vita owners"
This is like saying Microsoft offer the best network to Xbox owners...duh.
XD
The truest test would be comparing PS4's network and Xbox 720's network. As it stands I hear that party chat and cross-game chat are like THE major things that set PS3 and 360 apart in terms of online functionality in game.
It's obvious PS4 will have these and more, so the question is what will Microsoft add to XBL next-gen to make it stand alongside something like PS+ as well as what will be a heavily improved online network with PS4? A service that matches PS+? Streaming games perhaps? Microsoft Eco-system integration? (not that XBL needs something like PS+, but I'm sure it will be welcomed to those who are currently only paying for access to online).
It seems Sony is going in this direction too, so it will be interesting to see.
Its evident Xbox Live is truly successful this gen if people feel the need to write these kind of articles. Its like the Internet rebels against something successful like Xbox Live. If Xbox Live wasn't successful we wouldn't have articles like these pop up every week.
Just another article that doesn't like Xbox Live OMG I get it. Why are people still complaining about a service they obviously don't pay for? Give it up with these articles your not convincing nobody but the fanboys, not the world.
Also, GFWL sucks.
Really now? As far as I'm concerned Xbox Live has brought people together for gaming and among other things. Seeing how XBL is a gaming service. I'm not sure if you knew that.
News flash: people don't buy XBL for Twitter and twitter's not on XBL anymore its through the browser. Seriously twitter? If you wanted XBL to discontinue, change whatever it is you want MS to do, comments like yours and many, many others need to be smart and come up with realistic fully thought out and compelling argumentive statements for anything to at least consider change.
Starting off your sentence by saying "Because XBL is trying to kill gaming." is subjective and higly immature sentence.
Come stronger next time.
In that same vein that must mean that Sony has been truly successful this gen, if not the most successful it's ever been, what with getting these kinds of articles 5-6 times a day?
Anyhow, on topic:
While I don't normally like doom or fanboyish articles, I do think that MS charging for Live is something they should be called out for. If everyone just goes with the status quo because they've been doing it for so long then things don't get better. While I'm sure many people(apparently 12 million) are willing to pay for XBL, I'm sure they would like to be able to play their games online for free, or do things that the other consoles offer for free. It's an obvious revenue stream for MS, so for them they would be better suited to find a value added proposition, since their competition will likely offer it next gen putting the pressure on MS.
That being said, this article was immature and unnecessary and did nothing to really further the consumer's interest in this matter.
1 - Many People hate it
2 - The internet is allways making bad headlines about it
3 - Everyone goes nuts when you speak about it
Examples:
1 - Apple with Iphone
2 - Windows 8
3 - Kinect for Xbox 360
Opinion : Microsoft should give their users something like Ps+, its an outstanding service no doubt.
Xbox Live is amazing aswell.
...point of clarification, I don't endorse the Nazi party or anything they stand for. This is just a history lesson.
ps+ hands down
But Live does offer all the same incentives PS+ has. I wouldn't say Live is old news I would say PS+ is now on the same level and maybe a step above Live.
What other incentives are there that PS Plus offers that Live also has?
Again, all you do is demand someone explain things to you like a little child. Do you not work at a game store? Can you not get this information for yourself? Are you seriously this new to gaming?
I have listed the features of Live that I like and compared them to what PS+ has before. Take the time and look for that comment yourself.
I would have thought they may eventually, let Silver = play online. Then Gold = play online & other features.
They could jump ship to the PS3 but if none of their friends are using it then it might not be worth what your saving.
MS caught Sony with their pants down by gaining market share releasing a year in advance as well as having some key features that PSN doesn't so paying for Live was the obvious thing to do for some back then.
Things have changed since then and people can see not only how PSN has improved but also how great PS+ is.
Next gen will be the opportune time for people to jump ship if they want so MS will need to make sure they have the advantage they did this gen to make Live look like it's still worth the asking price but that is harder now with PS+. I think they have something planned but lets see how it goes.
Exactly what I'm saying even though I got the disagree's lol. A group of friends may not want to take the plunge now but next gen will be the best time.
Free online, PS+ and Sony's first party offerings will be hard for many to resist.
Good Luck.
In 2010 they were quoted as saying about half of XBL are gold members. Applying these stats (the only ones available) means that Xbox Live Gold members number between 20-25 million.
What i do understand is that Steam is BY FAR the best online service on the Industry. Steam's content, community and deals are second to none in the industry and its free. "Fact".
A multibillion dollar corporation like Microsoft absolutely don't need your $60 per year to provide what it is that they do, but since it's always been that way, it's not really going to change unless someone makes a good example of how ridiculous it is to charge just for basic online.
Let's face it, if Microsoft announced free online gaming tomorrow, you can be sure that Gold subscriptions would plummet. Why? because most people only pay because they are forced to if they want to get the most out of their games. The whole "it's worth it" statement only comes from a feeling of investment that needs to be justified since you've never been given a choice.
To me, it's MORE about choice you give than just about the quality of a service.
---
And are there 40 million GOLD members? I'm not sure there are that many.
So a question to XBL users , what's gonna happen next year when the Valve console launches with superior free online ? Or what about the Ps4 guaranteed cross game chat, free online as well as the optional £10-30 PS+ ? What are you gonna be paying Microsoft for ? Aren't you gonna feel fished paying for a service that the competition offers free , and in Valves case a superior service for free?
You can only justify XBL for so long
According to the article Logic posted it was around 12 million gold members last year, so now it could be up as high as 15 million.
Although gaining 3 million in a year is very unlikely.
Fact.
Guess when you need hits you can always go with the PSN+ Vs XBL argument, or Vita is dead, Microsoft vs Sony or any other number of ridiculous hit inducing articles.
if so,we have the online service for you.
Who never got involved in this pathetic argument
convince yourself,not me.
why is this even on here ?
netflix should be free too, hulu plus should be free too
omg. why do idiots pay for netflix when the internet is free!!! heck why should they pay for psn plus, it's on the frikking internet!!!!
/s
Oh yah you are already paying the internet..then MS will use you as a server..and you will be loaded with too much advertisments..now how relevant is the xboxlive nowadays??
Party Chat is where it's at for me and well worth it. When Sony can have that for free, than you have an argument.
Pretty sad if you ask me.
If anything, get a PS+ card for christmas, unbelievable value.