4 Things to Consider Before Complaining About the XBL Price Hike

The new pricing for Xbox Live Gold membership hit the internet yesterday, and immediately a wall of grumbling went up from Camp Green. In the US, the new pricing shows an across the board increase; up $10 on the annual option.

Before you join the grousing too heartily, consider a few things.

[BlackBusterCritic]

"This is good business."
You know what else was good business? The following:
1. Releasing crappy hardware a year early.
2. Charging 149.99 for hard drives
3. Removing the rubber bumper from around the lens to save 25 cents per console at the expense of having your games scratched.
4. Holding a portion of your $60 games for ransom, that can only be fully utilized by paying Microsoft's now $60 a year subscription.
5. Telling gamers that the Elite model has better hardware, but it still RRODed on us all.
Do I need to continue with the GOOD BUSINESS decisions at the gamer's expense?

[Philoctetes]

In fairness though, all of the things you listed really were good business decisions for Microsoft, because as we've seen people are happy to keep putting up with it, and there are always fanboys on the internet who are willing to write articles rationalizing stuff like this. As long as Microsoft can keep fleecing its customers with impunity, why shouldn't it do so?

[ABizzel1]

It's wrong to charge people more for the service.

But I believe they're doing it for the Kinect update.

Supposedly there's going to be an increase in audio and video quality for the service so users can do video chat, and there's suppose to be other features to add as well.

But at the end of they day I truly believe that XBL cost less than half the price MS is charging consumers. There are supposedly 25 million Gold subscribers and if they pay for the year that's 1.25 billion dollars all for MS. So why are they losing studios, exclusives?

I'm not one to force my opinion on people, but I'm happy I have a PS3.

[atticus14]

its not whether the fact you can afford it or not, its the principle of it. Once everyone is used to paying 60 it'll be 70. And the service in itself is a joke... p2p networking with the xbox you bought working as the server and the internet you pay for as the bandwidth host costs Microsoft zilch and they're making you pay for it.

If you cant figure that out it means your paying Microsoft again to use the console you already bought along with your internet connection you already pay for.... Its basically the utorrent service of gaming consoles as far as networking goes.

I just hope sony decides to stay free when PS4 releases...otherwise it'll be back to exclusive pc gaming for me.

[rockleex]

#1. Lube

[douchedebater]

Does any one of you above my comment have an XBL Gold Account, Or an XBOX 360?

Just curious.

[Garnett]

I had a 360, and i sold the dam thing, i barley paid the $7 a month (i didnt find any games that fun online) but you want me to pay $10 now?

If you want to check my gamertag its Deutscher Konig

[rwarner174]

I will never own a XBL gold account. I was playing doom online in 1996 for free. Don't see why I should be paying for online gaming now. Funny thing is, in 2005 I was going to get an XBOX360 until I found out you had to pay to play online. I stuck with PC gaming instead and then moved to the PS3 when it was released. XBL wasn't a good decision if they wanted my business. Guess I am just not a sucker.

[boodybandit]

and I find it appalling that MS has raised the price even higher to game online when every other format to game online is free. They are not offering or have recently made any major upgrades to XBL to warrant this increase in price.

I don't understand how or why anyone would defend Microsoft over this decision.

[douchedebater]

Not trying to beef guys, just curious. I don't think they should hike the price either, but, it doesn't bother me that much as it's just another 10 bucks for the year.

Perhaps it's because I can easily afford it.

[boodybandit]

^And there you have it folks. The single biggest reason why MS gets away with this nonsense and why we are facing a global economic meltdown from which we might never recover. People like you gladly willing to pay a fee for something that every other format offers for free.

Not only are you willing to pay for it but you are willing to pay MORE for it even though it's not going to offer you more value for that extra $$$.

I just love when I hear people justify their spending because it's peanuts per day/ month/ year/ etc. It sounds more to me like you are trying to justify it to yourself more so than you are to others.

BTW DB would you mind taking some photos of your mansion and luxury cars?
Hell I would settle for your XBL account info since you were so ready to believe anyone not thrilled by this increase is either not an XBL member or are dirt poor.

[douchedebater]

For every person out there willing to pay for what they want there's 10 more the would rather b!tch and whine about another 1 dollar here or another dollar there.

Don't try to judge me, jackass.

You want to take about waste, look at the people paying 1000.00 per night to stay in a hotel rooms. What about the person buying cigarettes, something that's actually killing them at 5 dollars a pack. Guys that pay money for hookers. blah blah blah etc.

I don't mind spending 60 bucks for XBL, and now I'm the reason the economy is the way it is? PLEASE, give me a FCKin break! People double dipping in the welfare system, people stealing software (which causes prices to increase.), People stealing movies, etc. Theses are the things that raises prices and cause people to not be able to afford thing.

So, before you try and call me out jerk, try taking an economics or a business class. DOUCHEBAG! BTW it's Booty not Boody.

[ARBitrator]

They are just going to disagree with you and take bubbles. There is no reasoning with these guys. Trust me. This is a pro microsoft article so expect the PS3 fanboys to troll it. And if it was a anti-microsoft article, they would be here troll it also.

I totally get what you are saying. Perhaps "BOODY" is jealous because you don't have to search his couch cushions to find spare change to buy a game as he does.

I don't know, but I agree his comment was some serious BS soapboxing.

Edit: Initially all you did was ask which of them actually owns XBL or a 360, most of the responses were people who may have had it in the past but don't own it anymore (AKA PS3 FANBOYS).

[kane_1371]

happen, not to be thae rich kid in high school that don't understand how har is it to earn money.

the other 10 happen to be those that work for every cent/penny/öre etc.
those ten happen to understand that how expensive 60$ can be.

now, either answer the dude, or shut the fuck up.

@ARBitrator

oh yeah?
well, pls, the man who can reason, can you explain and reason the 60$, heck, 50$ to pay for xbl?

[dragon82]

If someone owns a PS3 and an Xbox 360 and decides to sell one because they don't think its worth it anymore they are suddenly a fanboy of whatever system they decide to keep???

I am sorry but that kind of stupidity just makes my head hurt.

[simplyRealistic18]

@Douche Debater

im giving you a bubble for that response to "boody"

Im going to be the first one who says i will not pay $60 for live, i dont see the point, but i dont complain about it like these whinny bitches on this site

I dont even post on this site anymore because there is no reasoning with anyone,

I like the PS3 more than the 360, i havent payed for live in 5 month, so this will not help, microsoft are jerks and get away with this, you may not have a problem with it but those extra things add up, and you have to remember there are people in this world who have kid and other thing

But what Boody said was him being a Douche, theres no reason for trying to blame you for the economy,If you dont want to pay dont pay, im going to pay eventually but i will never buy the full year one, most of my friends has xbox live and dont have a ps3, so i will have to pay to play with them

[uxo22]

Well said, bubbles!

[BXbomber]

lol i seen this guys vids on youtube ur awesome!

[bustamove]

I just knew there would be articles defending this. This is like a relative telling a wife to take the abuse her husband dishes on her every day.

And the site's name is fall damage. Lol.

[xchris92x]

This is nothing that. It's a slight increase not freaking abuse, it's not that big a deal, hopefully it will bring some decent features down the line.

[JeffGUNZ]

Thank you Chris, someone with a brain. They are increasing the price to provide better and more innovating features. XBL has always been excellent, I don't see them f*cking it up now.

[Knightmare]

"It's a slight increase"

It's a 20% increase, not a slight increase.

Someone needs to retake math...

Edit: And the other one obviously needs a brain -_-"

[Christopher]

***1) It’s still the best service available.***

Yes, for online gaming.

***2) Nobody pays full price.***

Actually, most people are ignorant and _do_ pay full price. They're not like most people here who shop online for the best deals.

***3) This is good business.***

It is good business... for just the business, though. People are right that this increase is coming with nothing added to the core feature list when it comes to games. It's all features for other functions that don't necessarily do anything for the majority of people who want to just game online.

***4) This is a preemptive move.***

Okay, this is a great reason to complain about the service... probably the best one out there. You're saying that they're raising the price now before others start charging more for their own gaming features? Prior to Activision doing monthly subs for CoD? Prior to EA's online pass going full swing?

So, you are saying that your final argument is to support the primary complaint on this change that Microsoft is just doing it for the money and not to support new features for gamers?

====

In the end, this is a good business decision for Microsoft, and pretty much just for Microsoft and those who use XBL for core gaming purposes (and any of the other features in addition), because it will make them more money. Now, let's just hope this results in more features that everyone can appreciate in the long run.

[cemelc]

1- Its the best service??? how??? cross game chat???, have you tried the psn service? cos im sure have tried live and psn i still eludes me that mayor difference.

2- Yeah true that, but now the deals will be around 10$ more so is a hike even for the deals.

3- Wrong i dont want to pay more for ESPN, i have Direct tv for that, why would i want to pay extra for something i alredy have...

4- This part fail on so bad its just no funny:

Do tou realize that if cod start charging subcriptions youll be paying 60$+ MW2 subscription, or do you think M$ in the goodness of their heart will pay that subscription for you... LOL.

BTW whats the problem with the online pass? the only reason youll have to worry about it, is if you buy a second hand game, in witch case youre not giving them money... at all, to the creators, the ones that took the risk of creating a game. Why should they care about you, as far as they are concerned youre a leecher in their server and to some degree is true.

Its not a good business decision, its just a plain old rip off.

[Christopher]

Cemelc, you _really_ need to improve your reading comprehension.

1. XBL is the best online gaming experienced based on the statistics.

2. You're arguing a point I'm not defending.

3. You're arguing a point I'm not defending except from the standpoint of the business making more money.

4. You're _really_ arguing a point I'm not in the least defending. And, I'm one of the biggest supporters of the Online Pass concept for used game sales. Check my post history.

It is a good business decision, it's just not a good customer-based decision. Why? Because in the end they will make more money off of this, no matter how much people here complain.

[midgard229]

agreed, MS sux!

[rroded]

pay the price or dont play...

ms has every 360 owners jewls in the vice if they want ta sqeeze em they will....

[marinelife9]

I pay $60 for a game to own it. I don't want to have to pay an additional fee in order to enjoy the other half of it.

[Roozium]

I've had my elite for 3 years know, It works perfect. You're the one that needs to stop throwing shit on your gaming consoles.

[sikbeta]

lol @ "good business"

for who? the dudes that pay for something every other person with no x360 can access for FREE?

Unbelievable....

[Immortal321]

the 360 is not a console for this(me) hardcore gamer. I still had warranty for the 3rd console but, I was to insecure of it breaking on me the 4th time.

[JeffGUNZ]

Dude, hate to break it to you, but if the system breaks three times on you, it's most likely user error, if it ever even broke on you or if you even ever owned an xbox in the first place. People here are so immature. How come the magic number is "I went through 3 Xbox's...." If you really went through 3 xbox's then you need to take care of your stuff better. I don't know ANYONE in my life who actually went through more than 1 breaking. Actually, I had one Live friend who had 2 die in 5 years.

[Scotland-The-Brave]

How ignorant can you be? you think that 50-60% (RROD statistics) of RROD was due to user error? No, it was because microsoft built shitty quality hardware. Obviuosly there would have been some user errors, but no where near what you think.
Also i know of about 10 people that has replaced their xboxes more than once. Infact most of them 3,4,5 times. And now about half of them have jumped onto PS3

[EvilBlackCat]

I have seen you before and im trying hard where... mmm...

OH NOW I REMEMBER!!!

HERE >>> http://www.youtube.com/user...

[CimmerianDrake]

1. Easier to navigate, and communicate, and organize a group. With Cross game chat and party chat used as an example over PSN.

-Well, for starters, Cross game chat can't be used as an example for gathering a group, since the premise behind it is that you are talking to someone playing a different game than you are. Maybe it works for setting up FUTURE groups, but can that really be considered? And is that really worth paying extra for when there are things like, oh I don't know, messaging systems and phones? Easier to navigate is subjective. I have absolutely no problem finding anything on the XMB or in PSN store. It's all neatly categorized and easy to see.

2. Nobody pays the full price.

-This is the most pathetic justification for unethical business practices I've seen in awhile. No need to even touch this.

3. It's good business.

-Why should we be happy, or care, that it's good business? Are we getting any of that money? Are we given the choice to opt out of this price hike because we don't need the useless ESPN addition or whatever? No? Thought so.

4. It's a pre-emptive move.

-Lame argument. Why should we be happy that MS is trying to milk more money out of us before the next person does?

Horrible article.

[zoks310]

The only thing we need to think about is our allowance or disposable income, dont factor M$ into this equation, they make Billions a Quarter so no sympathy for them, where as most of us here most likely dont crack $40k a year and have to pay rent/mortgage, car loan, and school loans out of that. People are on a very tight budget now a days.

Screw M$, $10 price hike is too much, and it surely is not worth it, not while the competition offers nearly the same thing it for free.

[Raendom]

1. Free internet browser, with facebook, twitter, youtube layouts specifically for PS3 as well as on-demand TV services such as iPlayer and Crackle.

2. Free online multiplayer, with free content being offered for games in some cases.

3. Video store, game store, classic PS1 store,comic store, and better gaming services such as Qore and FirstPlay.

4. Additional services coming such as : Steamworks, Square's OnlinePlay and more. I.e. you can't play MMO's with the PAID service of XBLA unless you want to play VERY old and uninventive ones.

This is 4 reasons, I think with a little help we could expand this to at least 10... :O

[Roozium]

1 word:

ESPN

[Deafman420]

But I don't care for ESPN. Im already paying for it thru my cable service.

Microsoft: Too bad, wanna game with your buds, pay up biyatch!
Microsoft: OH, and here, take some ads with that!

Me: Aww D@mn!

[ironcreed]

Just stop talking to us like we are blind and loyal subjects who need to donate more money because you are 'giving us so much.' That may work on some of us, but not all of us. This is nickle and diming and charging for something that is FREE elsewhere... period. Your 'better value' argument is a joke at best.

Now, kindly stop insulting our intelligence. "Core gamers will love Kinect", "We are increasing the price of Live because we are giving you the best value."... Just ugh. Microsoft is really making me sick here of late.

[Myst]

"needed" cross game chat and static parties? I don't really think so...Granted I see it's worth but in my own personal view point and opinion it's not needed. Due to my laptop and friends being nearby and generally the ones I play online with the most I just jump on Skype. Works just as well. Now this isn't to say that cross chat and the party function wouldn't be welcomed on PSN. I just figure that some people obviously are losing a bit of interest after having asked Sony for so long and have not been given a bone to nibble on.

The second reason sounds almost sound, but the fact of the matter is the price is still going up so in turn the cards will go up later. Some commenters on N4G have already stated they paid for a year and a half [or maybe it was nelson's blog?] Either way what happens when the price rises again due to something else being added? The bar will slowly be moving upwards to that price point that you weren't paying full price to begin with. Though I can't be the one to complain on this I stayed Silver since I got my 360 and have been paying for an MMO so really I have no right to complain or talk of these payments.

The third I would agree with on the grounds that many only have 360s as a primary gaming console still. Despite the other systems drop in prices they continue to support the 360 through their own reasoning. This isn't to say it's bad really but that they have just made their bed and are laying in it. Couple that with games these main 360 people have grown accustomed to and the guess more than likely won't be far from the point. With Reach due soon and other games that have either extensive or just down right fun online gameplay it would be easy to see people continuing to pay. Same with an MMO if it's fun enough and friends are still playing it more than likely the person will continue to pay *points at self*

The fourth one I'm not sure I quite understand. So microsoft instead of effectively lowering the price point just in case Activision does bring a subscription based CoD raises the price instead? They could even go the route of Monster Hunter Frontier for 360 in Japan, where they have a deal of pay for Frontier and you get a gold subscription as well. If they struck a deal with Activision the same way they did with Capcom of Japan I'm sure thousands would probably take that offer.

Overall I just think 10.00 more [9.99?]? My personal voice on the matter is 'Meh' to me it makes no difference as I have never once paid for Gold. For those who are probably working those 9-5 jobs I'd assume some would be saying "meh" as well while others look and wonder as to why the price was raised. To make this price rise more effective Microsoft will have to show the benefits of such a raise to those who question rather than to those who say 'Okay'. Thus far I have only seen a few articles which seemed to be aimed more so at those who say 'okay' and 'don't worry about it.'

[outrageous]

I don't see the big deal with a .83 CENT increase a month. Would I like it to be free...hell yeah...not gonna happen. It's not like they are saying you have to buy a $3000 Tv and $150 glasses to enjoy the full effect of the games or something LUDICRIOUS like that. Wait till you see what EA, THQ, Ubisoft and Activision have in store.

The people complaining don't own a 360 and don't matter...plain and simple.

[bustamove]

How do you know those people don't own 360's? So if Microsoft increases the price to $100.00, you would say it's not a big deal either? You know, I wish they had raise it to $100.00 because then I would like to see *your* reaction then.

What is the logical sense of increasing the price when the competition offers a paid service as an option and a free service overall? Can you explain that to me?

Stop defending Microsoft. Your logic isn't working too well.

[JeffGUNZ]

He makes a good point. I own a 360 only. I enjoy it greatly. Sure, I am not thrilled that the price went up, but it's not the end of the world to me. I see the improvements and I know my money is going somewhere. I would rather pay, and ALL 360 only users, would rather pay $10 per year EXTRA then buying a PS3 for $300 and a game for $60. It's really simple math, $360 to play on PSN for free, or an extra $10 per year to play on Live, on a system I already own?

[AntsPai]

I haven't complained yet but I am displeased and I do own a 360

Please don't think that only trolls are complaining about this for 'lulz' some people that own 360s are upset also because not everyone likes spending more money than they are used to

[ironcreed]

How the fuck do you know what people own or don't? I own all the systems and WOULD LOVE to play online on my 360, but rarely do. Why? Because it is FREE on the PS3 and Wii. Beings I own the system, of course I care and this is why I am complaining.

As for your 3D argument, it is built on sand. I don't have to buy a 3D tv to play my games online or enjoy them. Straw man much? Whereas on the 360, I have to pay extra if I want to access part of a game that I ALREADY PAID FOR, using internet service THAT I ALREADY PAY A MONTHLY FEE FOR AS WELL.

There is no argument to defend this, so stop trying to justify that which is clearly in the wrong. Then again, I suppose some are so used to bending over and taking it dry that they would not know what to do with themselves if the reaming stopped. Yeah, you enjoy that. I'll save my money and play online FOR FREE, thanks.

[PSK22]

Wow you are such a hypocrite, so its fine for MS to charge an extra 10 bucks to play online period. While you talking about buying $3000 tv for 3D, which is an optional thing. Yea you are right about me not owning 360 and that's just one of the many reason I plan not to. Besides 3D Tvs is all you need, not the glasses and its OPTIONAL. You don't have to buy a TV for 3D.

[Trroy]

Yet... you would probably scream bloody murder if the phone company tacked .83 fee per month onto your long distance bill, and might consider changing services to one that doesn't have a fee on top of the calls themselves.

[MasterD919]

Its been a good year for microsoft...They didn't need to increase the price of what they are already banking on...Live is the most successful form of online gaming- period. That being said...I've never used any other features other than online gaming (which should be free). Its ridiculous to justify an increase when there's no value coming from it...They haven't even explained what they are adding! Regardless...I'm forced to continue to pay out the wazoo just to play a game I already purchased and should be able to play online for free...

I'm hoping they lose money on Kinect and pay for what they are doing to their loyal consumers...Its not just the money thats the problem...Its the reasoning/justification.

[bub16]

i dont see how xbox is easier to navigate, ps3 is so simple to use my nan even knows how to use it. the only thing xbox has got that ps3 cant compare is x game chat. when ps3 brings this feature out. xbox is done for...

[divideby0]

I dont know what is worse, the author thinking this total trash article was worth writing or the nitwitts who approved this piece of crap.

and I am not knocking MS or Live just this stupid article probably written by the MS marketing team

[fafoon]

I Think its Great
Would'nt buy it myself not even if it was Half Price
But i Still aint Complaining

[hankmoody]

I'd just like to ask, for those of you who have both systems like myself: Do you really find PS3's interface more intuitive than the 360's?

[AntsPai]

Hmm, yeah I really like the media bar especially with a dynamic theme like the clock theme. Although there's nothing wrong with the 360 interface, I just really like that media bar

[Myst]

In a way yes and no. Perhaps because I have grown accustomed to it now and value the themes more so than the backgrounds on the 360. Then again it is not a fair comparison since I have not bought any for the 360.

Again it may just be because I got the PS3 before the 360, it's not bad just looks a bit...clunky?

[Biggest]

I don't know if if matters. The interface for PS3 leads to free online gaming. The interface for Xbox Live leads to $60 a year for online gaming. That is what matters here.

[Tapey]

Yup. It's much faster and easier to navigate, and I find I can access and do what I want much faster with the XMB. I've never liked this current dashboard ever since Microsoft released it in that "New Xbox Experience" update, it's just horrid. There are advertisements everywhere and so many things are tucked under layers of menus, it's just dreadful.

Having said that, the guide that you bring up during gameplay isn't so bad. The actual dashboard itself is a complete mess though, a huge step back from what we had at launch with the old dashboard.

[Baka-akaB]

i find the xmb faster and simpler to navigate around ..
And well truth be told , i'll never get over those in your face and impossible to disable avatar .

I like customizing with themes and wallpaper , and that crap is only eating away half the screen , when i got no use for it .

The only thing i find a mess with psn is the messaging system ... home button , then going to the list of friends , hitting triangle to see a message is a bit too much

[Trroy]

Yep. The XMB is loads better than NXE. You can't even see the entire menu item you're on, let alone the rest of the menu, in NXE, and its overloaded with ads.

The XMB is clean and simple, and extremely easy to navigate. There is no comparison really. The XMB easily trumps NXE.

[kane_1371]

xmb is faster, and simpler, although nxe is shiny and in the beginning feels cooler, it end up as a maze.
but even mazes will turn easy if you practice them.
but xmb is definitely faster.

but man, i hate Wii's interface.
worst interface eva.

[Deafman420]

Nope. But at least I can find my way thru to play free co op and multiplayer on the ps3 when the time comes.

Edit: Well now after turning on the dusty PS3 in the bedroom and actually paying attention, XMB is faster. No ads thrown in my face, and you know that thing about buying premium themes on xbox only to find out you only see very very little of it onscreen. I stopped buying themes for that very reason. Hmm come to think of it, maybe microsoft wants to charge me (some of us) for the Sh!t we don't buy on Xbox live

[Acquiescence]

it's greed, pure and simple. Nobody should try and justify M$'s actions regarding this needless price hike.

[RustInPeace]

Every time something like this is made, they always talk about features that XBL has over PS3/PSN (x-game chat, in-game music, etc...). I'm beginning to think no one (either on the MS or Sony side) ever realizes that MS has patents on specific features. They must have some sort of air-tight copyright over these if Sony can't make an equal service available under a different name. Cross Game Chat = Inter-game Talk (or something corny like that).

[Holeran]

Terrible article. Journalism drivel. They are going to charge it because there is plenty of people that will continue to pay it. Make hay while the sun shines is what they are doing. They are not magically makeing the xbox live experience better. They are hanging on with Reach and they are going to milk every dollar they can out of it whether the gamers like it or not. Probably because Microsoft needs the money...... yea right.

[Whoooop]

Seriously... All I keep hearing/reading is that basically the sole reason to pay for LIVE is cross game chat.

I know that consumers get used to a service that they have been paying for since the beginning and getting detached from it is difficult specially since you can't play online without it, but come on now...

Price increase and shutting down new subscriptions until November??

Just say that you can't do sh*t about it because you like to play 360 games online and be done with it. Stop making excuses for something that it's not justifiable, no matter how you look at it.

[slimy the g8ter]

u can cross game chat on steam for free,even use the internet while playing a game.im sick and tired of having to pay money to microsoft for withholding the online multiplayer unless i have a gold membership

[Time_Is_On_My_Side]

The PlayStation 3 comes into the gaming industry with a high price, but amazing hardware. Contrary, to the XBOX 360 with a low price tag for poor hardware, but you have to pay for a price of a full game to experience a full price tag game.

My major concern is what will happen to XBOX Live when developers start charging for online, are there going to be two fees just to play a single game on the XBOX 360?

[blahblah]

xbots constantly say how ps3 is more expensive. if they bought 360 in 2005 they had to pay 5 subscriptions which comes together just as much as ps3 for starting adopters when ps3 was really expensive.

[kane_1371]

being worth, is different from pretending to be worth.

[JeffGUNZ]

So, I should have waited for five years to save that extra $50 and bought a PS3? Come on, Live is not mandatory, you can pay to play online or you don't play on line. It's optional and left to the discretion of the user.

I am tired of this argument. Do you ever hear someone yell at another person because they are using a GPS, which costs money, when you can just use mapquest or google maps?

[Time_Is_On_My_Side]

Do you realize that the XBOX 360 at launch was $499.99 and the PlayStation 3 was $599.99, basically if you went with XBOX 360 it would be more. Still do this day, the price difference still remain, XBOX 360 is $100.00 cheaper without buying the usual rechargeable batteries, XBOX Live, HD-DVD etc. with no HDMI port.

If you actually look at it, the PlayStation 3 made the XBOX 360 what it is today, Black, slimmer, bigger HDD, etc.

As with XBOX Live itself, for example Halo 3 will make DLC mandatory for certain game types or you can't play on top of the price tag for the game itself. Especially a game called "Shadowrun" an online-only game or Left 4 Dead that was meant for online-only.

[hybridtheory12]

The fact that PSN is free?

[cliffbo]

oh the irony lol. we had 360 fans telling PS3 owners that PSN+ was a rip off because the free stuff wasn't really free, even though you got $200 worth of stuff for $50, and now MS change 10$ more for nothing and it's marvellous!

and while i'm at it, why is it that when sites compare LIVE to PS+, they always omit every other feature of PSN... it's not as if the two are mutually exclusive

[Theparanerds]

meh get used to canadians pay 60 dollars already

[Sez]

As I said before I don't have a problem paying alittle more for live. But at least give us more than what got so far. I don't care for facebook,myspace,espn,ect. I want some features that I'm going to actually use.

[SeraphimBlade]

1. I suppose if you have xbox-owning friends, you could use cross-game chat, but there's also this magical device called a telephone

2. I don't even get this one honestly. you're probably still going to pay more once the price hike takes effect whether you're getting discounts or not. I actually had an employee discount at wal-mart. that worked on PS cards, but not Xbox cards. And I don't recall ever seeing them on sale.

3. ...what? um, duh, that's why they're doing... huh?

4. Oh, OKAY! So because everybody else is being an asshole and charging more for what was once free, there's nothing wrong for microsoft to be assholes too. It would just be stupid for them to show loyalty to customers. It's not like they'll release another console that frustrated customers then wouldn't buy, right?

[MasterD919]

I think this has prevented developers from charging subscription fees...Microsoft has made a monopoly of this situation because no company will throw out a game with its own subscription fees any time remotely soon. Microsoft beat them to the punch.

I worry that this will increase the price of games themselves...60 bucks for a game....60 bucks for live. Thats 120 bucks. More than 1/3 of your Xbox hardware cost. Matter of fact...you could probably get a standard 20 gig 360 Pro for that.

Games used to be 40 dollars. Online gaming used to be free....What has really changed that offers people more value for their money? I don't see anything.

You can't just charge more because you think its deserved...There must be reasoning!

[ThatIrishGamer]

Same price in 2002 when they were getting money off 1 million people.
Here we are in 2010. . .7+ million subscribers. . .and they STILL need more money?

They are only rising the price because people are FORCED to pay the new price if they want to continue playing games online that they've already paid for with their friends.

[SSmoke]

Money is tight these days, bad timing here.. I'm going back to the PC and PSN cause they are free.. Xbox likes dudes!

[Fadetoblack69]

Just finished building my new PC and mulling over a new PS3 before christmas. I can never say this enough but I WILL NEVER pay to play NON MMO games online. This entire scene has just gotten ridiculous.

[hiredhelp]

My old xbox live gamer tag was TONYWESTERN.
I see a whole load of people complaining. but who will really stand up and not pay.
i mean really lok at the price rise of call of duty alot of you didnt like it. said u not gonna buy it. and you did buy it. then gonna do same this year.

to make somert happen you need to do it. we give the devs and the big corps. there way of life because of our money. its a simple no i wont renew you may not beable to play online. but then i say to thoes who think like that.

sit down look at what microsft really offers you. ad think what made me buy a xbox in the first place. was it games?, then why not sell up and get a ps3 this will really put a dent in microsft. if wish not to jump ship.then i say just dont pay online sub. for several months and youll soon find microsoft upset.

theres only 1 thing that makes the world go round and buisnesses that do well and its not money. its us and our options to choose were to stick that money.
if u do go the ps3 way stop by say hi. HiredHelp gamer tag

[sedx]

im sorry but paying for live is a complete scam...

[Raoh]

http://www.1up.com/news/gam...

Games For Windows Live Multiplayer Goes Free
GFW Live marketplace also planned for a fall launch.

By Philip Kollar, 07/22/2008

At the Gamefest 2008 event on Tuesday, Microsoft announced that all Games for Windows Live multiplayer features are now free. These features -- including multiplayer achievements, matchmaking, cross-platform play with the Xbox 360, GFW voice chat, and more -- previously required a GFW Live Gold account. The change is effective immediately and across all GFW titles, both past and future.

In addition to making Games for Windows Live free, Microsoft will also be creating a brand new GFW marketplace this fall to rival the marketplace found on the Xbox 360. As with the Xbox Live Marketplace, GFW's will offer demos, videos, downloadable content, and more. The GFW interface will also receive some tech-friendly changes, lowering requirements for developers looking to make their games GFW compatible.

To cap off the news, two new games were revealed to be receiving the Games for Windows branding: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II and Battlestations: Pacific. So PC gamers finally get the totally free service they've been asking for since Games for Windows launched, but is it too little, too late to save Microsoft's attempt at a PC gaming service? And will this make 360 owners question why they have to pay?

_____________________________ _______________________________ ________________

fortunately pc gamers were smart enough to not fall for microsofts pricing plans unlike the xbox community that thinks it is necessary to pay to play..

there is only one reason they charge and raised the price.. becuase they know people will pay and defend it..

thank you pc gamers for standing up against microsoft.. shame on you xbox console gamers

[Lazyeye79]

My first question when asking if the price hike is justifiable is Do I really want any of the other features that Live has to offer besides Online gaming and chatting? The answer is NO. plain and simple.

Online play shouldn't cost a dime (Besides ISP costs). I have a 360 and have been getting 12 month cards pretty cheap ($20-$40) but with the price hike I will probably just cancel my subscription and stick to online gaming on my PS3 since its free and if I do decided I want to use Facebook or twitter or some other thing that Live offers I will do it on my computer since its free.

[prettyboy1]

guys i realy wish the people who keep comparing live and psn would jus stfu,seriously everybody knows that the only diffrence between the two r,1 has cross game chat and in game music,that is all big whoop.ur purpose for online gaming is last time i checked was to play games online.the only diffrence is u play online for free on ps3 and u pay to play online on the 360.i hope this has knocked off the blinders that sum of u fanbois have on,peace and gaming

[EliteAssassin81]

Seems to me, that the only people complaining, are the ps3 fanboys. I know since this news has come out, everyone is feeling good about themselves for owning a ps3. $10 a year is nothing, I make that much in 20 minutes. Plus, we have no idea what Microsoft is planning on doing. They may add some awesome new features to live. If you don't think its worth it, then don't get it. Stop trolling every article about it

[Belasco]

I think many of you really need to take a xanax.

[rjgbyrne]

Whomever approves this should stop as the article is utter crap. MS is greedy as is every other company who charges fro DLC and online services. Heck, if Valve created a console and game steam free on it, I'd buy that before touching any next-gen machine. I will be choosing not to open my wallet for MS any more... farewell Xbox, it was good while it lasted before your creators turned into Scrooge McDuck!