350°

Xbox Live is Old News

GI - Without a doubt, Xbox Live was the best online gaming experience offered on Xbox Original and Xbox 360. Focus in on the keyword, was. The thought of Nintendo having a superior online network is laughable, so that only leaves Sony’s PlayStation Network to hold the crown for offering the best network to PS3 and PS Vita owners. Clearly the presses stopped and jaws dropped when that statement was made. It is one thing to claim that the PS3 is better than Xbox 360, which is a sometimes forgotten fact, but when the one legit advantage the Xbox has is challenged, it’s “mind-bottling”.

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gamingillustrated.com
-Mezzo-4170d ago (Edited 4170d ago )

Yup, Microsoft definitely needs to introduce a program similar to PS+.

LOGICWINS4170d ago

Microsoft SHOULD introduce a program similar to PS+, but they don't NEED to. You make it seem like Microsoft is in some sort of "trouble".

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.

-Mezzo-4170d ago (Edited 4170d ago )

@1.1.3 -- "I stated that more and more people are realizing that PS+ is a better deal than XBL"

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.

WilliamH4170d ago

How do you not put yourself to sleep. Put a cork in that whine

LOGICWINS4170d ago

"So how exactly is that good for the game?"

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.

LOGICWINS4170d ago

"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.

nukeitall4170d ago

If paid Xbox Live is good for gaming?

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.

GraveLord4170d ago

USERS not Subscribers.
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?

youndamie4170d ago

The only reason it has risen is because more people purchased the xbox, and they have to buy live to play online, unlike were its optional for psn.

showtimefolks4170d ago (Edited 4170d ago )

LOGICWINS

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

ThanatosDMC4170d ago (Edited 4170d ago )

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.

4170d ago
Outside_ofthe_Box4170d ago

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.

Raoh4170d ago

@ nukeitall

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.

BLAKHOODe4170d ago

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.

Riderz13374170d ago

"Ballmer said that of those 66 million Xbox 360 consoles, there are 40 million users who have signed up for an online Xbox Live account."

SIGNED UP FOR AN ONLINE XBOX LIVE ACCOUNT

Y U NO READ?

black9114170d ago

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.

nukeitall4170d ago (Edited 4170d ago )

@Raoh:

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.

Cam9774169d ago

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.

darthv724169d ago

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.

BuLLDoG9094169d ago

people pay for live and get bombarded with advertisements regardless, ms are ripping you people off, like day light robbery.

If the steambox and ps4 both have free2play models, MS need to take heed and stop being so greedy and offer the same.

+ Show (16) more repliesLast reply 4169d ago
LOGICWINS4170d ago

LOL, that edit feature is pretty convenient ain't it Mezzo?

Godmars2904170d ago

That would mean charging more then they do now. Create a different service.

B1663r4170d ago

If you align sales to the launch date, the PS3 is now in fourth place, behind the Wii, WiiU, and Xbox 360.

ABizzel14170d ago

Go find a bridge not a forum.

MysticStrummer4170d ago

How is that, when PS3 has sold nearly the same amount as 360 in a year less time? O.o

BuLLDoG9094169d ago

back up your bs statements with fact or dont speak.

NeverEnding19894170d ago

PS+ is a terrific deal for gamers and I HOPE Microsoft introduces something similar next gen to compete with the premiuim service.

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 :|

ABizzel14170d ago

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.

ALLWRONG4170d ago (Edited 4170d ago )

"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.

DragonKnight4169d ago

"PSN and Trophies will always be known as just a "copy" of Live and Achievements."

Only to you and your fellow Xbots friend.

sitharrefus4170d ago

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.

FunkMacNasty4170d ago

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!?

hadouken0074169d ago

I think your on to something!

Amiroo4169d ago

wow so many Junk fans latley praise Junk+
lol

BrianC62344169d ago

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.

shutUpAndTakeMyMoney4169d ago

Valve will make MS look even worse.

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 4169d ago
M2-4170d ago

"It is one thing to claim that the PS3 is better than Xbox 360, which is a sometimes forgotten fact"

Stopped reading there. An opinion is not fact.

CommonSenseGamer4170d ago

that quote is almost as dumb as this one:

"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.

rainslacker4170d ago

Yes...It's very "mind-bottling" isn't it?

FunAndGun4170d ago

Yeah, you know when things are so crazy, you get your thoughts trapped, like in a bottle.

XD

rainslacker4170d ago

Forgetting a fact that never existed is much harder than forgetting an opinion that doesn't match your own.

DigitalRaptor4170d ago (Edited 4170d ago )

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.

violents4169d ago

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.

Ryo-Hazuki4170d ago (Edited 4170d ago )

Free online with free party chat on PS4 with the option for PS Plus is the way to go next-gen along with STEAM.

stage884170d ago

Once PSN is updated for the PS4 a lot of people will wise up and realise paying for these features isn't worth it.

keabrown794170d ago

I have a strong feeling that PS4 will adopt the live model next gen. Lets hope not thought.

ILive4170d ago

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.

violents4169d ago

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.

MysticalTobi4170d ago

I have a year-long subscription to both.

Show all comments (121)
110°

7 Deserving Games That Never Got Backward Compatibility

Backward compatibility works for many games on newer consoles, but titles such as The Simpsons: Hit and Run have been left out.

90°

20 Best Survival Games of All Time

From base building to swinging willies, here are the best survival games around, which include a couple of less than obvious picks.

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culturedvultures.com
210°

Microsoft once tried to nab LittleBigPlanet from Sony after a few drinks

It turns out that many moons ago, Microsoft once had its eye on the Sony published LittleBigPlanet series.

Read Full Story >>
eurogamer.net
XiNatsuDragnel2d ago

Microsoft had a good idea but fumbled it again.

Cacabunga1d 12h ago (Edited 1d 12h ago )

Project Spark idea was decent but they quickly gave up ..
LBP was wonderful

ApocalypseShadow2d ago

Microsoft in a nutshell. Always tried to poach Sony employees, games, 3rd party games and devices like the depth camera that was turned into Kinect but was running on PS2 before Xbox 360. Wouldn't be surprised they wanted LBP. Just like they worked behind the scenes pushing the MLB to bring Sony's baseball game to Xbox instead of making their own.
https://www.playstationlife...

They didn't spend years trying to develop their own baseball game. They wanted Sony's game.

They're scum.

Zachmo1821d 11h ago

Microsoft didn't force MLB on Xbox. MLB gave Sony 2 options either go multiplat or risk losing the license.

Rynxie1d 2h ago

And why do you think MLB said that? I believe Ms approached MLB.

ApocalypseShadow1d 1h ago (Edited 1d 1h ago )

Totally ridiculous comment.

The only exclusivity Sony had was to their own creation of The Show. Microsoft could have paid the MLB for the license just like Sony did and made their own baseball game.

Microsoft instead, groomed MLB for years in trying to poach Sony's game and bring it to Xbox. They're worth 3 TRILLION dollars. You think that's not enough money to make their own baseball game? Don't be delusional.

Microsoft spun it like they always do and told the media that they had to trust Sony with their hardware. After they put Sony in that position of not having a choice. Either go multiplatform or stop making one of their successful games. That's a no win scenario.

And what did Microsoft do? They didn't try to sell the game to the Xbox community. They put it on game pass to hurt Sony. Pushing the idea of why buy games that are $70 when you can play them in their cheap service for $10. It was a dirty tactic.

You fell for the Kool aid drink Microsoft served you instead of spitting it out. Hope it tasted good because you were fooled by Phil and the gang.

20h ago
Hereandthere17h ago

Xbox executive Sara Bond has told Axios that Microsoft spent a number of years trying to get MLB The Show onto Xbox consoles. And when it finally succeeded in breaking off PlayStation’s long-held exclusivity, the company had to “trust” Sony with pre-release Xbox Series X/S consoles.

Bond revealed that MLB The Show “always came up” in conversations between Microsoft and the Major League Baseball organization. “We always said, ‘We love this game. It would be a huge opportunity to bring it to Xbox.'” she recalled. However, when Microsoft’s efforts materialized, it put the company in an awkward situation where it had to send in pre-release consoles to a rival company.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 17h ago
Notellin22h ago

"Microsoft instead, groomed MLB for years in trying to poach Sony's game and bring it to Xbox."

Take a nap, conspiracies are rotting your brain.

20h ago
Hereandthere17h ago

Xbox executive Sara Bond has told Axios that Microsoft spent a number of years trying to get MLB The Show onto Xbox consoles. And when it finally succeeded in breaking off PlayStation’s long-held exclusivity, the company had to “trust” Sony with pre-release Xbox Series X/S consoles.

ApocalypseShadow2h ago

Lying to yourself is unbecoming.

Article link tells you all you need to know in Sarah Bond's own words.

Hereandthere17h ago

They were too cheap/inept/lazy to develop their own mlb game, so they port begged for years and bribed the mlb to make the show multiplatform. Like i said many times, xbox brought nothing to the table their 24 years, ZERO.

ApocalypseShadow3h ago

At least you and others get it. Note drank the Kool aid and asked for seconds thinking it was refreshing.

Most don't even know how it all played out but it's there in black and white for all to see. Microsoft brought it up for years until the MLB forced Sony's hand. It was a win win for Microsoft. Kill one reason to buy a PlayStation or kill the game by dropping it in a cheap service to kill Sony's sales numbers on PlayStation.

OtterX1d 14h ago

"However, Healey said Media Molecule wouldn't have felt right doing that, adding it would have been "morally corrupt"."

Major kudos to Media Molecule for being an upright studio with principles.

RNTody1d 14h ago (Edited 1d 14h ago )

Great, more stories like this please. Show the last of the zombies holding the line what we've been saying for years: Microsoft is anti competition, anti industry and has no interest in making games at all.

But hey, at least there's an Xbox Games Showcase to look forward to, right?

Inverno1d 13h ago

Well considering SONY just killed the series, LBP would've been dead by now either way. Though MM probably wouldn't exist by now either, so I'm glad they stayed with SONY, hopefully they don't get shut down any time soon or ever honestly.

Sheppard7t31d 11h ago

How did Sony kill the series?

Inverno1d 11h ago

They shut down the servers, that's millions of user created levels gone. That and dead are pretty much the same, it's also been years since 3 and they cancelled HUB soooo.

20h ago
fsfsxii22h ago

They shutdown the servers because no one was playing, no one in the community cared about the user created levels so why keep them up? Wtf you guys would never succeed in running a business.

Inverno20h ago

Yea dood no one was playing so they shut off the servers. Cause people with enough common sense can't just Google why they were actually shut of, right?

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