360's Facebook and Twitter only for Gold members

GZ: Microsoft has announced that the Xbox 360's Facebook and Twitter integration will only be available to Gold members.

Hidden in the depths of Microsoft's announcement of an Xbox 360 Elite price cut, we've found some news that we weren't quite expecting.

Although the company revealed that access to Last-fm would require a Gold Xbox LIVE membership, there was no mention of the free Facebook and Twitter services.

[NewZealander]

im really getting sick of MS and the way they try to make people pay top dollar for everything they can, when the 360 came out it was all about the games, now its greed pure and simple, even arcade games are getting more expencive all the time, now they are putting the price of the arcade up? are you kidding me!

sorry MS im over it!

oh and if you want to keep customers try releasing some freakin games!

[pandabear]

What kind of nonsense is this???

Trying to make people pay for Gold if they want apps that are free on PC like Last FM, Twitter & Facebook.

And Increase the price of the arcade to ofset the price drop of the Elite - Have the Monkeys taken over at Microsoft Towers???

[Guido]

Talk about a rip off! Thank goodness this is free on the "other" console. Makes you wonder why it is exactly that MS never included a web browser. To keep hackers at bay or to find more ways to charge you for applications that should otherwise be free to use? Hmmm....

[JaggedSac]

ZOMG MS is Devil!!

[LoVeRSaMa]

PS3 Slim is only $300

Edit: Disagrees, so the Slim isn't $300, I am confused =/

[whoelse]

I kind of agree. Microsoft for a long time has had the opportunity to include a web browser, but they won't because they want to control what content Xboxers can get and charge for it.

I'll happily use VidZone and iPlayer for free on my PS3!

[Blaze929]

are you all retarded? They arent saying Facebook and Twitter is a reason why silver members should upgrade and pay for Gold. They are simply ADDING to the already huge list of features that gold offers vs Silver. No one is going to upgrade to gold and pay just for Facebook and Twitter, that is just stupid.

Its just like any other company like my local comcast cable service for example. They always have to add more and more features to Digital Cable vs Basic Cable so they make the offer on Digital Cable seem more and more sweet. HD channels, on demand, pay per view, all the movie channels, DVR and much more only for Digital Subscribers. I can still watch TV with my basic analog service and in the end that's what matters. If Silver members could play online, thats all that would matter and I bet the gold number of subscribers would drop drastically. They don't seem like they'll ever do that so they have to make the Gold option better and better over time to give people a reason to pay besides online gaming.

It's a business that is offering two different service tiers and making the better more expensive option the sweeter plan, just like any other company would. Silver is your basic plan which is limited to the basic essentials (hopping online, downloading marketplace items etc) and usually stays that way whereas your paid and/or more expensive option is the plan that is always getting upgraded with new features and differs dramatically from the basic plan.

But wait I forgot, since its Microsoft everything is always a rip off and them being a greedy company who doesnt care about it's consumers. Yep JaggedSac, M$ is the devil! Beware

[Sitdown]

I really can't believe the responses you guys have. So you are upset that Microsoft requires you to have a gold membership to utilize non gaming apps on a gaming console? How about its an added benefit for being a gold member..if you really want to use facebook/twitter that bad, get a computer or a decent cellphone.

@Guido
Why are you even in here..pretending as if you really care?

Edit: Yeah...what Blaze said.....as you posted, I was typing my response.

[poet215]

......some of my thoughts from a comment, that I posted the other day: (Whereas when Nintendo & Sega fought it out, and during Sony's reign......those companies broke ground in pushing gaming forward with the innovating ideas. For some strange reason, I think MS is more than ok with holding back progress just as long as they reap the benefits)

[The Meerkat]

You pay for Live anyway.
All this is additional content at no extra cost.

It seems like most of the people on this site are on the Sony payroll.

[vhero]

There free on PS3 and PC which you all obviously have as your on here. I mean your complaining about twitter and facebook on your 360 but you obviously have pcs/ps3s as your on N4G so why you care? The PC/PS3 version of them sites are far superior as you can access all the sites features.. Stop complaining about it as its a crap version anyway and just use the access you already have. Also what did you expect? MS are trying to get you to pay for their online service thats why they put stuff like facebook etc on there. Just don't pay and boycott them eventually they will make it free. I mean they have the cheek to stick ads in there and charge us while Sony make money from just ads.

[gaffyh]

This is very stupid, but if you don't have Gold membership, just continue to use your PC like normal. Not really much of a problem, but it's just that MS wants to try and give more value to the Gold membership by adding more services, because they know that eventually PSN will catch up and they will be done for.

[Guido]

And that is exactly what it is all about. MS will hold back advancements in the gaming and entertainment industry for the sole purpose of profit. Sorry, but as a gamer for decades now, I can say that so many others before MS did not chose to do what have chosen to do. Advance the industry for the greater good. MS decides to advance only if it is profitable and to that I say boo. Sorry, but Sony loses money on every console sold and it is a true showing of just how they are willing to take a loss to advance the industry.

[ID IR A G 0 N]

why is everyone getting upset about this??????? if your on xbox live, odds are you have a gold membership... i dont understand the uproar, of course this is n4g, the website of whiners(aka ps3 fanboys). everyone thinks they are righteous by complaining about costs, but in reality, you all are just b*tching. they arent charging any extra for these things. if your on xbox live and dont have gold, you dont deserve to use it anyways, and you prolly dont use xbox live all that much in the first place.

@ black smoke.... psn is not even close to xbl. you really dont know what your talking about.

[ShabzS]

haha ... just another day of complaining

[TheBlackSmoke]

Its simple really, Microsoft know the PSN is nearly on par feature wise so they need to have more reasons to justify paying for xbl gold. At the moment the only major difference between silver and gold is that you can play online with gold.

[The Wood]

'But wait I forgot, since its Microsoft everything is always a rip off and them being a greedy company who doesnt care about it's consumers. Yep JaggedSac, M$ is the devil! Beware'

facebook is free. if this is the reason MS opted not to have a browser JUST so they and people like yourself can claim how 'intergrated' these 'extra features' are then thats lame. I can understand that there needs to be a noticable gap between gold and silver but adding a free service and claiming its something great is weak. I dont feel the netflix was a slight of hand like this as that actually adds value and has worth. My bloody mobile has an intergrated facebook and twitter function for petes sake. This is why having a browser is just better and nomatter how great its intergration is it cant be better than using it on a pc in its original form. If anything MS should give a browser to the gold members but they wont because they'll lose potential revenue. Im not clompaining either as i dont think i'd ever pay to play online nomatter how great it is. Ive been gaming on pc for toooo long for ms to suck me into paying for something that everybody else gets for free. Its also the reason why pc gamers gave MS the middle finger when they wanted to charge for pc live and MS had to back down. If MS had a browser like the other next gen consoles then people wouldnt be so excited about things like this .

@ID IR A G 0 N

that attitude's the reason MS will always get your loot...your money i suppose

[Darkeyes]

lol... Even the so called money hogger... Apple gives Facebook and Twitter for FREE on their iPhones and Ipod Touches.... Bad move M$.

[Guido]

Yeah, just another day of MS raping the industry.

[ShabzS]

urgh okay ... i'll take the bait.. how is making facebook and twitter only available for xbox live gold members raping the whole gaming industry ... pls explain

[ID IR A G 0 N]

its funny that most of the people bashing microsoft most likely dont even own or play a 360. i can tell cause you all make wild outlandish accusations with no proof or reason... who gives a f*ck about a web browser??? i own a ps3 and have never even used it one time. its worthless... if sony was smart (they have proved the opposite) they would make us pay, and we wouldnt have basically a makeshift garbage dashboard.

[Silellak]

I'm sorry, but that's a load of crap. Everything everyone does in this industry is for profit. None of these companies are making valiant sacrifices in the name of "advancing the industry". Sony doesn't sell their consoles at a loss because they're kind-hearted and loving. They do so because they're a business, and make their money from selling accessories, games, and the right to MAKE games for that console. If they DIDN'T sell their consoles for a loss, they'd probably already be out of the console business.

You do know that when the 360 came out, Microsoft sold IT for a loss too, right? Everyone does that - the Wii is actually the exception rather than the rule. Yes, Microsoft is a company that puts profit first - but so does EVERY OTHER COMPANY in this industry. If they didn't, they wouldn't still BE in this industry.

[ElementX]

So much anger at MS! Well you're tying on a computer, use Twitter and Facebook while you're at it. Those things don't belong on consoles anyway.

Furthermore, I'm guessing a majority of 360 owners are on Live so this is just some extra stuff to do. Like someone who doesn't go online on 360 is suddenly going to want to use Facebook and Twitter?

[Sitdown]

"lol... Even the so called money hogger... Apple gives Facebook and Twitter for FREE on their iPhones and Ipod Touches.... Bad move M$."

You do realize why its free on the iphone and ipod touch right? Okay...let me help you out. 1.)Both of these devices have a web browser, so you could just go directly to the website rather than having to buy the app. 2.)There are plenty of facebook apps that work without having to go through apple....where as, such things on Live have to go through Microsoft. So yeah...you really can't compare the two in this instance.

[Guido]

Simply put, MS has been given an opportunity to make these aps available to the entire Xbox 360 crowd but instead they decide to only make it available to the folks that pay for Live. Do you see this type of backward thinking on the PC when it comes to these aps? Nope. Do you see this type of backward thinking on the PS3 when it comes to these aps? Nope.

So rather than being more consumer centric they chose to be bastards and offer up this already free service for PC and PS3 as a "pay for service" available to only those on Live, which in itself is a service that should already be free.

[Space_cancer]

This site is a bad joke.

[JD_Shadow]

Wow...so the usual MS defenders that PM me to "joke" about taking all my bubbles come on here to try to make this into a GOOD move.

Let me put it to you this way: do you have to pay anything to use Twitter or Facebook on ANYTHING else? No? Then you shouldn't have to anywhere else, either. Period.

Microsoft made a bad decision here. No, it's not a charity, but if you want to have the gamers reward you with their dollars, you have to at least give them SOME indication that you GIVE a sh!t about them and not do sh!t like this.

@Shbzshar: You're making excuses for them. You could just as easily get a Twitter app or FB app for free on the iPhone, and it would be "integrated"

@AAACE5: Apparently you're not even listening to what the debate is about.

@sitdown: Ah, f*ck me! *facepalm*

But guys, don't let ME stop you from needing to justify paying 50 bucks a year for something that doesn't offer much more extra than the PSN! You go on right ahead!

[ShabzS]

lets get to it ... first thing they're free on a pc coz they are social networking sites that require a web browser.. again they are free on ps3 coz again it has also has web browser... did you know that the 360 also has a web browser ?... you can surf youtube twitter fb anything through it if you want its free for silver and gold users just like how the ps3 offers it... ( http://www.youtube.com/watc... but this however is different ... this time twitter and facebook are being integrated directly onto the nxe ... even in i phone facebook and youtube apps are direct links to the site through the web browser... in the end all the "free apps" are links to the web site through a web browser.. but this is different you turn on the 360 and your fb status updates and new wall posts notifications are right there on your main dashboard.. its more simpler and convinient... plus the fact that you can pause anytime and take screenshots of some cool moments in your games and upload them directly to your profile on facebook from live is an added bonus... so this immidiately gives it a stand out advantage against the internet browser method ...

now onto the second thing ms has 2 services ... silver and gold ... and like any other company they put in the extra services and the cool feaures on the payed service ... it can be argued that even an inclusion of a service like this must not exist... but for 4 bucks a month we're so past that now

@darkpower: you have it wrong .. microsoft is not asking you to pay for gold to use facebook and twitter... they are adding more features for gold users...

[AAACE5]

I said this many times before... If you don't like what (any) company is offering, you don't have to buy into it! So why are you guys so mad?

It's not like they are forcing you to buy this sh*t! I go to facebook maybe once a month and I am not signed up for twitter, so I could care less (Yes, that is the right way to say that phrase)! LastFM might be cool though, but like I said, you don't have to activate or sign up for anything you don't want to.

I didn't have sign up for Netflix, but I made the choice to do so!

[Sitdown]

"Simply put, MS has been given an opportunity to make these aps available to the entire Xbox 360 crowd but instead they decide to only make it available to the folks that pay for Live."

So what you are saying, is that its not okay for Microsoft to offer extra benefits to those with Gold accounts?

"Do you see this type of backward thinking on the PC when it comes to these aps? Nope. Do you see this type of backward thinking on the PS3 when it comes to these aps? Nope."

So now PC and PS3 is the standard, and all other consoles should follow the model that you believe to be right? Wait..is there a facebook/twitter app on the ps3?

[duplissi]

@blaze

you are right to a point. there is nothing wrong with adding features to a paid service to make it more desirable over a free service, but i think people are mad because last.fm, facebook, and twitter are all free on their own and freely accessible from your phone, pc, ps3, psp, ds, wii, and ipod. im not sure if last.fm works on the ps3 though.

its like what gives ms the nerve to charge for it when no one else does?

i do have an xbox just so you know, and im considering getting xbl gold when i get the net hooked back up.

[The Wood]

wait a minute.....isnt this whole article about twitter and facebook. My point is that a browser kills any argument. if i wanted to bash id say some bs about 54% or no games in a topic that has nothing to do with either. All you're doing is defending like MS is some little puppy whilst attacking sony.... we're insignificants in this whole game yet you're claiming sony are 'not smart' and you have the gaul to say others make outlandish accusations...¬_¬ Id love to see anything you've done in your life being discussed since you must be smarter init.

[Kaneda]

you're not complaining getting up switching disks.. why complaining walking to your computer? :)

[StayHigh]

Someone likes makeing out with Microsoft Cough *blaze*..FaceBook and Twitter should be free like it always is from the start.. they just want to make more money.You guys are paying for over expensive assecories and online service..lol..how does it feel to have ya butt hole tear up all the time by Microsoft you must love it!!..

[xTruthx]

Attitudes like that are the reason y MS can get away with everything.

[IdleLeeSiuLung]

"[UPDATE] - A Microsoft spokesperson has told MCV that the paragraph concerning Twitter and Facebook is "incorrect," since the company is still formulating their plans for the console's social network integration."

So it seems it might still be free and all the people jumping the gun can eat their own words, but even if it is Gold required I don't give a hoot. Most gamers probably don't care either, otherwise they would have made a bigger stink of both the browsers in Wii and PS3.

I never use the PS3 browser since it is so damn cumbersome and I could care less about Facebook and Twitter.

[randomwiz]

In my opinion, they should do whatever they want. Its a useless feature and just Microsoft's lame answer to Home(not that Home's the best the thing in the world, but Home is a better answer for Social Networking on consoles rather than Facebook and Twitter integration).

[Poopface the 2nd]

its funny that the ps3 fanboys are more upset about this than any 360 owner. I have live gold and I dont give a crap about facebook or twitter.

you losers on here get so upset about useless stuff coming to a console that you will never buy. The owners of the 360 however cant care less. I have gold already so im getting new features ill never use for free. As an actual 360 owner I dont care at all. As whinny little kids you all seem to be soo upset about nothing.

[Lightsaber]

its funny how upset people are at this. Especially when its obvious they dont even own a 360. No one buy a 360 and goes online if they dont have a gold account. What be the piont of it ? Oh and the 360 has never gone up in price its still 199 was at best buy a few mins ago.

sonyfans on here seem to be filled with so much hate.

[Hobadoon]

Go the hell away PS3 fanboys. This is ridiculous. You all are so angry at shyt that doesn't even concern you. Why? I have no idea. Oh lemme guess...

"Welp, I was gonna buy a 360 until I heard this. Sorry M$."

You all need to get:

a.) A Hug
b.) A New Game
c.) Laid
d.) Your Ass Kicked
e.) All of the above

I picked C. I didn't study though.

[Arnon]

This is not a regular Facebook and Twitter. It is being integrated so that it can update freely while you play a game. They will update all the progress/achievements/and even videos & screenshots from your game strait onto facebook and twitter.

"PS3 AND PC DO THIS FREE BECAUSE THEY HAVE A WEB BROWSER!!!" The Xbox 360 does have a web browser. It's accessible through the media center. Fortunately, that's not the point. The point is that whenever you hear that Microsoft is going to integrate something that is free on a web browser, do NOT relate it to that. It is it's own exclusive application that works to co-exist with the Xbox 360.

EDIT:

Did the mods just give up on this site? I can count at least 10 PS3 fans in this FIRST response.

Seriously? I thought this was the gamerzone?

[coolirisGB]

First they bash XBL for having a fee, now that Microsoft adds value for the money it's bad? Notice how the only people complaining are PS3 fans, hell notice how the only people in here are PS3 fans. These are different versions of Facebook and Twitter that are tied in with XBL functionality.

[kalebgray92]

they are seriously defending paying for something that has no value.... yes i have both the 360 ps3 and a laptop so i can go on any console and use fb and twitter (twitter is useless i dont care what your doing)....seriously ms is milking you guys... the only reason im paying is to pay games online but i hate doing that ... but i can justify it cuz i actually have a job

[TheDeadMetalhead]

"Wait..is there a facebook/twitter app on the ps3?"

Yes there is.

It's called a web browser.

[JD_Shadow]

Last time I checked, this was a free site. This means that ANYONE can comment on ANY story. No one b!tches at the thousands of 360 fanboys that troll every PS3 story. Seriously, how do you guys figure that you're the only ones that are allowed to ever comment on 360 articles. If you don't want them trolling your stories, practice what you f#cking preach and stop trolling THEIR stories (since we're all about keeping people from being able to comment in certain stories now, apparently).

Besides, how do you know that any of us don't own 360's, too?

[Arthur_]

games???? Halo 3 is STILL outselling your top titles, and has more players online a night than ANY 2 PSN games combined. the 360 has plenty of games, and plenty more to come. AND SURE--the PS3 is putting out plenty of games as well----but the sales charts sure as hell arent showing it.

You have to pay for Netlfix, AND have a gold membership----but its worth it, especially when you can get so much out of XBL. Facebook, Twitter, and LASTFM are FREE with the gold membership, so stop with all the b!tching. Silver memberships? Dont know a single person who has one. Obviously a lot of you only have ps3's, otherwise you wouldnt be complaining, b/c you would have gold memberships and would realize its free for you.

But none of this matter since MS is still "working" on their final plans for Facebook & Twitter on the 360.
It might be available for silver members.

[DevastationEve]

They're leary to get a browser because of all the antitrust suits and complaints of unfair business. Especially in Europe.

A browser in the dashboard would really push those sanctions and Microsoft can't jeopardize Xbox 360's sales in other countries like that. But they did manage to get MCE working (you download the MCE program from your Vista PC to the dashboard).

[JoeRated]

im done with MS i need a gold to get that please, thank god ps3 lower to 299 about time, and is free and a brower free built in wifi, wow i just sound like a ps3 fanboy lol is sad because i don't got a ps3 and i alway had 360 but they let me down big time F them

[Mr Brownstone74]

i agree with "blaze" and "sitdown". they are just adding to the list the benefits of being a gold member.

ya isn't it so bad that they are adding Last.fm, Facebook, and Twitter to a game console? i mean seriously, most people are gold members anyways

[SlaughterMeister]

Are YOU retarded?

Microsoft is currently in a very precarious position considering that the PS3 has now been reduced in price, and they can't even offer the use of Facebook and Twitter to their average, non-paying user? Sony allows the ENTIRE internet to be accessed on their machine, as long as you have an internet connection. Why should Microsoft customers have to pay for a "premium" membership just so they can access Facebook and Twitter?

"Oh look! Live now has Facebook and Twitter access included in the Gold membership! Now I can access those things from home...with my controller...for more money... Hooray Microsoft!"

Think, fanboy.

[bodybombs]

this is the most ridiculous argument i think i've seen on this site. first of all, most of you people complaining probably dont own a 360 so you shouldn't care, let the people who own/plan to own the console care. secondly whats the problem. they didnt have the service before and live gold cost 50 bucks a year, now they plan to implement the service and guess what....its still 50 bucks a year. so you're all complaining because the people who pay for a service get more out of a service they already pay for? what a backwards retarded argument.

not only that, they haven;t officially said that its going to be only for gold users. did you guys not see the update on the site this article is about? it said "A Microsoft spokesperson has told MCV that the paragraph concerning Twitter and Facebook is "incorrect," since the company is still formulating their plans for the console's social network integration".

and for the love of god, who the hell ever said that psn was comparable to live gold is horribly mistaken. look at the numbers of unique users. live gold has 10 million unique users. psn has about half that in unique users (which if you dont know, cause im sure ill get disagrees, is every account on a single ip adress. meaning that if i have 5 accounts, then i am a unique user)

[njr]

* Goes on PS3/Wii's browser and goes to facebook.com *

Oh wait, I don't have an account.

[bekum_aka_jarhed]

lol fail

[OmarJA]

I love my PS3 browser. :)

[TheBlackSmoke]

Bots will act like this is added "value" but the fact remains.... your paying to use facebook and twitter....

[PS3PCFTW]

lolz

i love being right.

its over for the 360. fucc natal. xbox is done.

Good riddance to that piece of sh1t.

[dustgavin]

How will GiantenemyCrab and Mooks continue their twitter relationship then?! Guess they will have to wait for natal for the intimacy portion.

[Deadman64]

It's funny how the Sony Fanboys are the only ones complaining about more and more features being added to Xbox Live ever other season.

[Silentmerc3nary]

@TheBlackSmoke
You pay for internet to use the internet.
You pay for the phone bill to use your phone.
You pay for electricity to use electrical appliances.
You pay for food to eat it.
You pay for games to play them.

You get the picture? You're statement conveys clouded judgement. Doesn't matter if you "pay to use facebook and twitter". It is indeed added value, ontop of everything that comes along with Xbox Live. Just throwing that out there.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

Poor droids stuck in text chat for the rest of this gen. If Sony charged you would have better, enjoy text cha...everything.

[DonCorneo]

but here's the main reason: xbots are in a support group that uses twitter and facebook. that support group helps xbots cope with the fact that they have no good exclusives and their crapbox has a 54.2% of FAIL and that xbots have limp d!cks and erectile dysfunction. LMAO!!!!

[36T]

Don't even bother. They know all of that already. It's plain out jealousy. Why would a bunch of losers that don't own a 360 come and comment on something they will not even be able to use? Do you see any 360 fans in PS3 firmware update articles? Of course not because it's all complete garbage that nobody cares about even most PS3 fans (the very few i know).

For those of you mentioning the PS3 browser, who gives a fvck about the browser, i can't see anybody that owns a computer using that anyways. If the 360 had a browser, it would be useless to me. My computer is 5 feet away from my tv and 360.

Facebook built into the dashboard, if done right should be very cool. Can't wait to get my hands on it. If it sucks, it sucks! I already have gold so no extra expense for me. Last.fm is what i'm waiting for the most. Never used twitter so maybe i'll give it a look.

At least the PS3 has something coming to there free service. New themes! Not sure if there's anything else cause i simple don't give a crap. LOL

@ DonCorneo

Wow! I think that post failed harder then the PS3. I would be embarrased but then again, i'm not you.

[SSCOOLCHEA]

LOL this is funny , bots are screw every fkn position you can think off ..

@below ...hulu ???

who the fk cares i have 2 fkn dvr recorded on HD ..hulu looks like shlt on a browser . keep thinking thats HD bots.

I rather watch porn

[Trevorthenerd]

I love my wii browser too :)

[The-Warranty]

LOL you do that while I use my web browser to go to every site for free on PSN.

[N4PS3G]

like hulu? lol

[The-Warranty]

Actually there is a bypass for Hulu. And I can still go to Twitter & Facebook :P

[dustgavin]

You laugh about Hulu when you have no web browser at all on the 360.

[36T]

"You laugh about Hulu when you have no web browser at all on the 360."

OMG!! NO! What will we do now 360 owners? We have no web browser! I'll go sell my 360 tonight! LMAO!

54.2%!! OMG!!! You fanboy's almost got me to switch consoles shooting that number around every couple of posts. PSLS should write another article to feed the trolls. They're desperately running out of material!

You fanboys are really scraping the bottom of the excuse barrel. Keep it up, i'm enjoying every minute of it.

[MaximusPrime]

typical MS.

letting down their devotees again

[Godmars290]

Just not treating people who buy the console the same as someone paying extra for Gold.

[JoeRated]

you know what F that,this getting me mad this is my 2nd comment, i don't got gold im broke but i alway pay for my gold to play online but this year is not my year but i have to pay for that i get that for free on my computer come on and netflix i play 10 bucks a mouth but if i not a gold i can't see my nerflix thats dum come on now.this is getting out of hand,now i see why ps3 fanboy get mad now i see, im a gammer but i started to see the light lol for real, i going to sell my xbox360 soon the only reason i still got it got now because of Mass Effect 2 when im done with that game i going to sell it for good, F xbox360 F ya F xbox360 fanboy and ps3 fanboy i see why ya like that im with ya now, wow i never think i would say this lol cazy

[kalebgray92]

the only reason i still have my 360 is the same reason ME2 but other than that its in my closet with all my other college things lol.... get the ps3 you wont be disappointed

[Major_Tom]

Wait, what?

How are they to profit off of a free service anyway?

[DevastationEve]

XBL Gold in 2005: $49.99/year
2006: $49.99/year
2007: $49.99/year
2008: $49.99/year
2009: $49.99/year

XBL before NXE: $49.99/year
After: $49.99/year
Before facebook and twitter: $49.99/year
After: $49.99/year

you get the picture. they're not profiting, they're adding features. the consumer isn't paying more. we're getting more for our money.

you ps3 fanboys are such losers. spinning everything, lol.

[kalebgray92]

lols i think thats profit .... immediate or not you got ripped

edit: you bought another 360 over the year lmao you could've almost had a slim if you just saved your money and time.... its was cool when playing halo 2 but since then nothing has been worth the money

lol psn get updated every week and a new firmware every few months we are getting more for nothing

[DevastationEve]

Right...skip a few dental appointments while you're at it. Why not go a year without insurance? Or a week without eating?

Oh yeah...I forgot most of you don't even have your own homes yet and are still recieving $20 weekly allowances from your parents :\

You're right, I could've saved up for a PS3 slim...wow. $50 a year is killing me...5 years to buy a slim. Wow.

Seriously. I bring back like $550 a week...and that's nothing to brag about :\

In the adult world money comes and goes. We don't worry about what we could've had...we actually have lives and mouths to feed. We can only live today. And party when we can.

[kalebgray92]

sure im not making the big bucks but im in college and work at target so i have expenses and like any adult you have to budget... you should know that there is a recession going on if you have a house and things aren't getting cheaper... besides the ps3.... a console is an entertainment expense ... a smart person would get the most bang for their buck... you should know this but ps3 is a lot more bang for your buck... dont talk about things you dont know

[DevastationEve]

...are bluray movies free? Nope. Are PS3 games free? Nope? Is a wifi router to use the PS3's 802.11b/g wifi free? Nope.

Help me out here, I just can't see the value. Is it in having free online gaming? Okay, sure that's nice. But having wifi and bluetooth are conveniences...they're not detrimental to the experience. How many of us move our consoles around enough to need wifi? And bluetooth is just fancy named shortrange wifi.

Is it the bluray? Bluray is nice. But the movies still cost you money! So you buy 20 movies...instead of that I could've bought a whole new console! You see? Your argument really fails because I can say the same thing, replacing XBL yearly subscriber fees with what a bluray whore/couch potato would spend to build up his movie collection.

Is it in having ALL THAT? Sure, it's all nice. But the games aren't free, the movies aren't free, and the HDMI cable isn't free either. You say PS3 ALONE is a great value...but seriously you'll spend a lot on either console. At least with Xbox I don't have the stuff I won't need.

When was the last time you had the urgency to use PS3's memory stick readers anyway? Or move the console to another room and back 49 times in one day?

Help me out here...

[Major_Tom]

You seem to have me confused as yourself, I'm not a fanboy, I'm clearly stating there are no benefits in having facebook and twitter exclusive to Gold members.

Xbox Fanboys are just touchy now adays eh? All butthurt.

Don't worry your Chatbox360 is safe. Defending segregation is just stupid.

[kalebgray92]

very touchy

[kalebgray92]

ppl didnt need dvd's when they first came out now its common to purchase them... now its happening to blu rays.... you might need it but other might... two years ago when i just had the 360 i had to buy a 50 ft. cable so i can run it upstairs to my room for live... i wasn't going to shell out 100 bucks... the ps3 has wifi so i dont have to spend money on something that should be included... and of course blu rays aren't free but neither are dvd's... not saying you have to use it but for ppl with hdtv's that want a picture and sound that they paid for too see its worth it... there is no point in having an hdtv and watching standard def.... other wise vhs's and betamax's would still be sold... as time progresses so should hardware, software and etc.... sure the ps3 and the xbox 360 can be skipped and there is no need but i dont condone buying faulty products....

not to be nasty or vulgar but would you buy a rubber that had a 54% chance of failure or 10%... exactly

[The-Warranty]

I'm not surprised its Microsoft.But the xbox fanboys will defend them anyway.

[Pete_Approved]

Just be happy the Xbox360 gets Facebook and Twitter.. What about the PS3?

[Mc Fadge]

The PS3 has a web browser. I'm not sure if it can access Facebook and Twitter perfectly, but it does offer the entire internet for its users

[ThatCanadianGuy]

As soon as you click on the web browser on PS3 you can search anything on the web or choose from an instant list of

PS Blog
Youtube
Twitter
and some other site (I forget)

I never tried, but, i don't see why you couldn't connect to facebook from your PS3.

[Guido]

So yeah, Twitter and Facebook, free on the PS3.

[Godmars290]

Just not easy to access. Other fun little problems because the browser, the system, isn't as good a PC.

Not that anyone really talks about how the 360 handles features tailored to it. It tooks months to leak out that Netflix streaming had problems.

[randomwiz]

I don't understand why anyone would want to access facebook and twitter from a console anyway. Your console is going to be at home, and your most likely going to have a laptop or a pc.

[kalebgray92]

of course its not as good but i can promise you is 360 had it you would be bragging about it like you do netflix and cross game chat which aren't all that great.... lol netflix i have a car and a job so i can go to a video store or i can just download it ... its not like i have no life and a couple of minutes will ruin the movie... have you ever been to a midnight movie release ... you have to wait if you get there early but its worth it lol.... you might not have i guess

edit:cross game chat ..... who cares if im playing games im playing games not talking to friends ... i could go to their house or call them on my phone... they arent all that important to just drop everything i am doing to talk while playing... besides the ps3 might get it soon ... and even when it does i really dont care

[TrevorPhillips]

facebook and twitter will be a great feature on the 360.

[snaileri]

Free for PC :)

[MaximusPrime]

free on PS3 and iphone and itouch

[The-Warranty]

And even the Nintendo DSI.

[koehler83]

Yeah.. I'm gonna pay for twitter and facebook...

Who makes these decisions?

[PlayStation X]

well atleast there trying to add value to that $50 they rip you off by every year :/

[Boty]

two free services?

Yea that's a crap load of value!

/sarcasm

[Ocelot525]

M$ is acting like they're the first console where you can use facebook, while you can already use it on the PS3 and wii(if you buy the browser on the wii)

[NaiNaiNai]

OMG MS is making people pay for this..

god both zones are pathetic. is the price of XBL going up. NO!. so in the end they are not charging anymore for facebook, twitter,lastFM.

f#cking sony fanboys are starting to get more and more pathetic as time goes on. IF ITS FREE ELSEWERE AND YOU DON'T OWN A 360 DON'T B!TCH ABOUT IT.

Pathetic ass trolls

*and before anyone of you idiots trys to call me a troll, everything I post has facts around it, Everything*

[Boty]

denial.

"You spin me right round baby, right round like a record baby."

lol

[- Ghost of Sparta -]

Cry more, Nai. I like it when you cry.

[Javier19]

Lol

When the free PSN is a better service than the paid for Xbox Live Gold service, people havee a reason to complain

But for now, you get what you pay for, superiority.

[Boty]

What a word that is.

So your paying for "superiority". I have just one question then.

What is so superior about XBL?

I'm listening.

[TheBlackSmoke]

You pay because you have no choice.. You HAVE to pay them if you want to play online, stop making excuses.

[fishd]

Who is host?!

[Etseix]

--*hey mommy! buy me an xbox live card!*
-why son? a new game is comming out ?!?! ...finally!!??
--no, i want to be a gold member so i can meet friends :D
-oh! my lil poor Billy is goin to meet friends! im so happy!

LOL

ah this is fun ;]

[GiantEnemyCrab]

If you guys only knew Javiers past and how much he has supported Sony and now can appreciate the 360 as well. This guy knows first hand both systems and I wonder if any of you have even tried Live.

Some live superiority:

-Trueskill Match Making System across all games and unified.

-Unified Game tracking, not spotty with public API's that allow for realtime score tracking.

-Complete web integration. I can queue from the web and download at my 360 when I turn it on.

-Netflix integrated

-Cross Game Chat

-Unified leaderboards for games. I can track against both the entire 360 user base or just against my friends. This is for all games.

-More content, there are more XBLA titles and DLC than on PSN

-User Ratings system for all content

-Demo's for every single XBLA game

-Community Games

-Daily content updates vs once a week updates. Usually means 360 gamers get a lot of content first.

-Party Chat and can watch movies with up to 8(unsure on that number) of your friends.

Do I need to list more? I can if you want.

[Sir Ken_Kutaragi]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! ;-D

[Mo0eY]

Me too. I'm so devastated that the 360 has these features that I'm going to end my life. I will miss all of you, exclusive PS3 games, because you could never satisfy me like the Xbox 360's features.

/suicide

[peeps]

doesn't surprise me tbh.

it's not such a big deal cus these features would only actually be useful to someone who uses their 360 a lot and so is likely to have gold. for every1 else, as mentioned you can just get these things on ur pc for free.

i don't have gold atm cus i find myself using my ps3 a lot more, however i'll probably resubscribe for when odst comes out. i doubt i'd use these features though

[divideby0]

MS give us gamers who are paying for GOLD just what we want.
FREE ONLINE GAMEPLAY for SILVER MEMBERS

Put twitter and facebook and all the other useless crap for paying GOLD members.

Than I would have NO needed to pay for Gold...MS knows this and they are hanging on by a thread with Gold membership for gameplaying online

[Hyrius]

And it's free on the PS3 thanks to the internet browser, lol.

[Mo0eY]

The Fail Whale embraces its new home: the 54.2%Box PleaseTweetMe.

[lordkemp007]

Why am i not surprised.

[divideby0]

ask anyone..
FACEBOOK/TWITTER OR A BROWSER.

BROWSER WINS HANDS DOWN

[ZILLA]

the xbox is just a toy not an entertainment machine!!!what a joke.

[Mo0eY]

$50 for something that's free elsewhere - FAIL.

[Game13a13y]

and those dumb idiot bots want MS to kill off Sony. imagine what would that be like, crap!

[TheTruth89]

AHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAA HHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHH AHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAH AHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAH AHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAH AAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAA HAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHA HAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHA HAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA HAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA HHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHH AHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAH AAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAA HHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHH AAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAA AHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAH HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHA HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHA HAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHA HAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHA AHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAH AHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAH AHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAH AHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAH AHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAH HAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHA HAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHA AHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAH HAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHA AAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAA HHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHH AHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAH AHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAH AHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAH AAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAA HAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHA HAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHA HAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA HAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA HHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHH AHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAH AAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAA HHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHH AAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAA AHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAH HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHA HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHA HAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHA HAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHA AHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAH AHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAH AHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAH AHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAH AHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAH HAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHA HAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHA AHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAH HAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHA AAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAA HHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHH AHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAH AHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAH AHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAH AAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAA HAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHA HAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHA HAHAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA HAHHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA HHAHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHH AHAAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAH AAHHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAA HHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHH AAAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAA AHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAAH HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAA

[36T]

Hey mods.. do you guys do any work at all?? What kind of site leaves this nonsense in the comment section? Seriously?

[Silentmerc3nary]

I think he wants to be the Joker. Too much Arkham Asylum.

[GuruStarr78]

Picked up a new ps3 on tuesday. My 360 is going to be a dust collector now.....MS needs to do something drastic to save my business.

[mushroomwig]

I hate how people are getting Disagrees for something they are only stating as a FACT.

It's a fact that the PS3 browser is free, it's a fact that the slim is $300.

It just looks like people can't handle the truth.

[poet215]

I tried to give an honest open opinion of MS the other day and I got nothing but disagrees......lol.....it's probably some of the younger crowd that's not old enough to have experienced gaming in the so called golden era. I'm 32yrs old, I remember how it felt playing an 8-bit NES for the first time after years of a 2600...lol...lol.....some of us have literally seen gaming grow from a niche hobby to what it is 2day.

[divideby0]

Yep...blind disagrees just say it all for posting a fact...
They are so transparent, you know who they are...lol @ them.
The tide is changing...with the slim any REAL gammer will own a PS3 and enjoy the hardware and games....the console wars are gonna be so mute in the near future

[forgot my password]

so you have to pay for something you can use for free on a pc and ps3? (-internet connection)

[koehler83]

That's Xbox Live in a nutshell

[Ashby_JC]

No one is going to get a 360 to PAY for LIVE to use Twitter or Facebook.

Are you SLOW!!??? Is everyone who is making these comments SLOW.

Its a ADDED feature for existing GOLD memebers and new incoming GOLD members.

Its an extra PLUS feature that you will have access to as well as the other features..

Do you really think they are gonna MAKE any substantial amount of money from twitter/FB on the 360??

At the moment twitter and FB are VERY popular so adding the feature and having the names on the BOX itself will entice potential future BUYERS.

Hell look at the avatars. When that came out ppl complained like all HELL but I can tell you that EVERY person on my friends list and others I have seen USE there avatar and buy clothes and change there avatars clothes on the regular.

[forgot my password]

how is it an "EXTRA FEATURE" if you're paying for it?

[Boty]

Then let them pay. Its their stupidity. Let them lose their money. they're not wasting our money, in-fact They're entertaining us!

[Ashby_JC]

"Well if its userbase wants to pay for two services that are otherwise free.
Then let them pay. Its their stupidity. Let them lose their money. they're not wasting our money, in-fact They're entertaining us!"

The userbase as you stated would be me...I am a GOLD member goin on 6 years!!! I have alot of friends who are in the same boat.

I pay no more then 35-40 bux for 13 months of live. Having added features (twitter/FB/last FM) I have not gotten a notice from MS as of yet that I will INCUR additional FEES for these features.

I have never paid for anything outside of the membership fee. So I ask you how are me and my friends LOOSING money??

All the ppl on here laughin and complaining dont even have 360s!!

[Boty]

Think about this my friend:

Your a silver XBL member and want to become a member of the XBox Twitter or facebook community, but can't because you HAVE TO PAY to do so. If the silver community had the option to become a member of the XBL Facebook or Twitter community then your point would be valid.

You see Having to pay 50 bucks for otherwise free services is just wrong. Get my point.

[typikal82]

Now if only my 360 would actually work

[Game13a13y]

may be the 360 knows its company are evil and try to save us by RROD itself out on purpose.

[techie]

Facebook does suck in the PS3 browser.

[ndibu]

Please, don't even try it, you're just embarrassing those of us that are still sensible and not blinded by a misplaced sense of loyalty...microsoft isn't worth defending this time my friend

[techie]

What? Deep is a Microsoft fanboy!? lol

Doesn't look like you've been on N4G very long (here's a hint...I've been here for two years).

Facebook doesn't work on the PS3 browser - you can't look at images, you can't send back messages...I know because I've tried. Works with other websites, but Facebook doesn't look like it's been made compatible.

[greatjimbo78]

This is true. When our laptop was broken recently, I said to my wife " you see that's why the PS3 is hella bad, you can log on to Facebook on it". And it turns out you can log on but you're unable to use a lot of the functions, cue massive withdrawal symptoms for her, and a ban on marital relations for me for getting her hopes up.

[ndibu]

I've just about had it with Microsoft's crazy greed!! We as Xbox 360 users only have ourselves to blame because we've proven to them that its ok to be greedy, we'll keep shovellini money in their direction.
We've continually showed MS that we don't mind being financially raped...crazy expensive HDD's, overpriced wifi adaptor (starting to make $ense why they didnt just build it in aint it?) we've bent over and taken the a$$ pounding so much that they believe we enjoy it.
I'm not going to pretend having facebook and twitter on my silver account was going to enhance my gaming experience, I honestly couldn't care less, I'm just disgusted and pissed off at MS for again showing just how deep that greed of theirs runs. I mean come freaking on!! Those things are free on pc and Ps3, mobile phones too!! The pricing on the avatar gear had already gotten me livid, this has just pushed me right off the edge!
That old adage that ''Xbox Live is better than PSN and therefore worth the cost'' has lost its teeth recently as Sony have made beautiful strides at improving their network and is just about on par with Live at this stage.
I refuse to remain a mindless cash drone for MS and in light of the now very sensibly priced Ps3, am moving back to Sony. I hope Sony have learned their lesson as well, that arrogance they displayed before and during the launch of the Ps3 has had them eating humble pie for a while, but its good to see them coming around

[kevinx1000]

the xbox does have a browser in windows media center.
i'll stick with my PC and iTouch though.

[zok310]

360 fanboys don't support this move, only an idiot will pay for FACEBOOK/TWITTER, seriously guys I know my post history shows that i'm not a big 360/MS supporter, but come on be conscious about this, FACEBOOK/TWITTER should be free or at least be available to Silver subscribers out the box.

[BlackPrince 42]

I don't understand MS's logic here.

If you're already a gold member, MS already has your business and you probably would have continued paying with or without these features.

Clearly, MS thinks that by adding these features to gold, more people will pay for Live. But if you're a silver member, Facebook and Twitter are supposed to push you into buying a gold account? Not the fact that you can play online, or have access to XBLA, or Netflix?

If you're a part of the 50% of Xbox owners who don't pay for Live, why would adding support for two already free applications push you into purchasing a gold account?

I just don't see how anyone really gains by MS exclusivi-ing (a word I just made up) Facebook and Twitter to gold accounts.

[DARK WITNESS]

very well said, thats just what i was thinking.

[Ashby_JC]

"
I just don't see how anyone really gains by MS exclusivi-ing (a word I just made up) Facebook and Twitter to gold accounts."

I dont see MS thinking there gonna convert many if any Silver (non paying) users into GOLD (paying users)

For me I will use these new features when I am logged into my GOLD account (6 years and counting)

What I feel MS is doing is adding 2 of the MOST popular social networking services onto the dashboard. I am sure it will be implemented well and I am sure just like netflix it will be able to be improved upon ovee the duration.

Think about it like this....a potential buyer is gonna GET a 360 regardless. But seeing twitter and facebook on the BOX versus the competition will in SOME cases have a person feel they are gettin alot out of the system.

Also having NETFLIX a very popular service on the BOX helps also. The consumer sees POPULAR names on the BOX can only HELP in sales. Now will ANYONE go get a 360 JUST for twitter/facebook/Netflix?? I seriously DOUBT it....but having BRAND name services on your BOX when the competition DOESNT is HUGE!!!

So in the end it is about making money and am I upset about it?? No ..why would I be I already have a gold account.

And if you are SILVER why would you upgrade when u can go on your PC to use it. So its NOT aimed at SILVER account users.

Its aimed at ppl who are gonna buy a 360 and SEEING recognizable names on the box.

At the moment...NETFLIX is number one in what they do.

At the moment....Twitter is number one in what they offer

At the moment ....FAcebook is number one in what they offer

How many times have you heard ..... twitter/facebook from the moutch of the media????

Its a BRAND name!!! So having a brand name plastered on your gaming comsole BOX sitting on the shelf in the store will ONLY HELP in sales in the end. (and as I stated earlier..no one is buyin it JUST for these features)

[DARK WITNESS]

i miss the days when gaming was... about gaming.

now all this crap is nothing more then a measuring stick for fans between camps who want to shout " my D**K is bigger then yours " !!!

oh well, i don't know about the rest of you but i really can't wait for sept which will mark the end of this dry gaming season. I care as much about all this facebook crap as i do avatar clothes... which is about as much as i care for home. Just give me games to play ! ok sure, for some people its a point of interest, but does it really need to constantly dominate all the news.

[ElementX]

Browsers and such suck on consoles. I'd rather use a PC for surfing and a console for gaming/blu-rays. Call me old fashioned...

[Peter North]

Complete failure.

[Gamer1111]

ps3 fanboys on this site get worse and worse every day..

[DARK WITNESS]

well, i agree to a point.. but fanboys aside, this is a dumb move by MS.

[Gamer1111]

how is it dumb. i already had gold to begin with. yes i have a ps3 and a pc. so don't tell me that a extra features is a dumb idea. Last fm is going to be awesome on the 360 i have already made a account and some playlist(i never even knew LASTfm exsisted until now) i am very excited.

i get gold for 30$ online for a year...big deal ill save a cheeseburger a month....

[DARK WITNESS]

dude relax man... i also have a 360 and have been a gold member for the last 4 years. i also have a ps3 and a pc.

I just don't see this as an incentive for silver members to upgrade to gold.

[Ashby_JC]

Its not aimed at SILVER members to try and get them to upgrade. If the other features that GOLD offers didnt get you to go GOLD I doubt twitter/FB will push you to upgrade.

Scroll up and read my comments. Its much more then what your thinking...think BIG my friend!!

Its about having BIG names on your box. And at the moment Twitter and FB are HUGE in terms of name recognition!!

[DARK WITNESS]

i read your post above already, agree to an extent and i would write my own long reply about it all , but i can't be a$$'d right now cos i am at work.

[Gamer1111]

man who invite ps3 fannys in the 360 article...i guess they have nothing better to do. pro bally waiting for gow3 and gt5..like i have been since i got my ps3...owell they get release soon enough

[MetalGearBear]

another punishment for xbots!!!!!

[Gamer1111]

really...your a idiot.

[Mo0eY]

"really...your a idiot."

Idiocy at its finest.

[harrisk954]

Xbox users are suckers!

[JEDI WOLVERINE]

Silver Memberships carry on like normal.........

Gold Memberships have something extra at no extra cost.............

I believe that Facebook on the 360 is going to be INTERGRATED into the system in a big way as to enhance the feeling of community on the system - See ; Party system,Cross game chat etc all

The PS3 is awesome that it gives you a web browser for free - decent or not thats debatable - but Facebook on the 360 should be better because of the INTERGRATION with everything else.

[Casus Belli]

I pay for gold so I can play games. If they want to add more stuff fine by me. I pay $50 a year (actually much cheaper if you shop around)to play "multiple games" online. There are folks out there that pay $180 a year to play "1 mmo" online. Gold sub looks much cheaper when you look at it that way...

[ico92]

us ps3 and wii owners get the whole internet for free thanks to an internet browser you 360 owners get fragments of the internet which you have to pay for thats sad

[Casus Belli]

But I didn't buy the console to use the internet regardless if its just parts or all of it... I have a HTPC, or one of my other pc's for that

I got it to play games and get dlc for the games. internet, twitter, etc is just secondary. But it's nice to see that they are adding secondary stuff regardless. Just shows upward progress with Live development and that those of us who are paying for live are getting our monies used to better the product.

[STRAIGHTASL]

I BET MY FRIEND WILL BE ANGRY ABOUT THAT! HE WILL SELL XBOX 360 AND BUY PS3 SLIM BECAUSE OF FREE ONLINE! WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW! MS YOU RUIN MY FRIEND BECAUSE OF PAY ONLINE AND GOLD MEMBER. VERY SAD. 360 SUCKS SO LONG.

[Eamon]

I think most people who even care about the Facebook and Twitter integration already have XBL Gold subscription.

[Gamer1111]

I think most people who even care about Facebook and Twitter already have a PC. but the fact the say we have to pay for it on the xbox is terribly wrong. i had gold before...before all the new things...back then was it worth it..."mehhh....." is it worth it now..$30 a year $1.some change a month ....save a cheeseburger...

LIVE + PSN = Awesome

[Eamon]

I said "integration."
You're referring to facebook and twitter in general.
And you're saying you HAVE to pay for it. You don't have to. It's just the usual XBL multiplayer experience with some added new features.

[i3eyond the Circle]

Spin away.

MSFT give Gold members more features because they pay.

This isn't your facebook and twitter from a PC browser.

This is an integrated service.

No refreshing to see if someone posted on your wall or to see if you have new messages, no little alerts on the bottom of the screen.

It all happens in real time.

I can't even remember the last time I had to even renew my XBL subscription...it had to be like 2008. It's a minuscule price to pay for a service that receives attention.

[KingKionic]

Yeah....

I wonder if microsoft will add twitter as a feature in games, like how you can use facebook to take screenshots of games.
http://games.gearlive.com/p...

[ASSASSYN 36o]

I just went back and watched old e3 09 vids on marketplace. And they stated yes you will be able to take in game screen shots that will be posted to your facebook page.

[devilhunterx]

bwahahahahahaha

[GamerscoreWhores]

This was already made public in the press conference at E3!

This is not new information!

Had people listened properly they wouldn't be shocked!

As for this being an outrage, we didn't ask for it or complain before it ever was announced, so why should it be part of the free service?

It gives your gold subscription added value!

[ASSASSYN 36o]

Exactly (+bubble deployed)

[ASSASSYN 36o]

A Microsoft spokesperson has told MCV that the paragraph concerning Twitter and Facebook is "incorrect," since they are still formulating their plans for the console's social network integration.-Now shut up.

And the two main people complaining are those without Gold accounts and the same whiny sony kids whom don't own a 360.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who caught that.

[Boink]

speaking as a gold member, I enjoy all these extra perks.

to all the poor silver folks, waddya expect for free?

[Double Toasted]

Why is anyone complaining about Gold members getting Facebook and Twitter? "I didn't pay for anything so I think I should get something...wah, wah."

And people actually think this is a bad move for MS? Really? I don't see how you make it on your own, oh thats right, you don't live on your own, you bum off of people(parents, relatives), practically a bum.

[Becko]

why pay for something u have for free and smoother on your laptop ? M$ should have a cheaper/free attitude now that PS3 SLIM FTW is only 299

[Socomer 1979]

Is it true the xbox elite has a price cut officially announced and M$ raised up the price of the arcade 360 ???

If this is true I will crack up! That would be the funniest shiz i heard all week.

[JonnyBigBoss]

Why does Microsoft act elitist? More importantly, how can support such a company?

[Dellis]

LOL MS got their fans by the junk..

[jarhead906]

If the features were something unique to the Xbox 360 I could understand making it a Gold Membership only situation.

It's situations like these that make me wonder why people view Live as spectacular. You can't even play your game online after paying full price for it. Nothing compensates for this.

Nothing.

[ZorinInc]

Hilarious, you can only laugh. You don't even have to pay for the iPhone app's for those services.

Microsoft got their firmware right from the beginning and have taken advantage of it ever since. Their time is running out and they know it.

The industry would be in a worse state if they were the leaders. Forced to pay for subscriptions, bombarded with advertisements.

You can only imagine what they would love to roll out next if they were unopposed.

[davidadrake]

Stop whining! Use Facebook and Twitter on your PC if you don't have gold. It is not your right to have everything you want, but it is a privilege given to those who have gold.

I am so sick of people complaining and thinking that they are "owed" something by developers and console manufacturers.

I do have gold, and I love playing online. I also recognize that people need to pay for Live in order for Microsoft to continue to add features that people want.

Play games and have fun! That is what you bought the thing for in the first place!

[Roper316]

That is why I will always prefer the Sony brand to the MS brand. I have both and only have a silver account for my 360 so I am always excluded from basically everything MS does unless I want to pay extra for it. where as I am free to do whatever I like on my PS and am allowed to use all the features available and that will be coming and it doesn't cost me any extra.

[Boink]

cause sony never nickel and dimes you....

[jarhead906]

Live is far from being classified as nickel-and-dime pricing. It's ridiculous.

And you're right. Sony doesn't nickel-and-dime PSN users.

[akaFullMetal]

what a rip off microsoft, I don't have gold right now, but damn, it should be there for everyone, why ripoff the silver accounts.

[Ace Killa 08]

soo this means maybe you are going to renew it since the subscription ended and go back to playing online, no where in this process do you ever think of using twitter and facebook on the 360 (hopefully im right). soo where is the bad in all this. you going to renew it for gaming not for twitter and if you do there is something wrong with you since you got jibbed by MS.

[akaFullMetal]

since its free everywhere else it then should be free on the 360, making the value of the 360 better, but if i wanted to use it, I have to get live, which means i have to pay for it either way. Also paying to play online is still a ripoff, since you already pay for internet from your provider.

[Ace Killa 08]

but the point im trying to give is you going to pay for online service, im not talking about it being a ripoff and if you dont like it then dont buy the service, its that simple.

im trying to say that you going to buy gold service for online not for twitter and facebook, the way i see it im paying to play online not for twitter, facebook, or lastfm. im paying for a year of service to play online.

here is a question for you akaFULLMETAl
if you renew your service for gold, why are you doing it for online service or for twitter facebook and all those meaningless features.

for me i renew to play online all the extra features are extra i dont care about them other ppl may but not me

[Ace Killa 08]

to begin with this announcement was announce this pass E3 and it clearly said its for gold members only, and really the majority of people do have a gold account already, so there is no damage at all.

now this is how its going to go when someone renews or buys a gold subscription, the gamers main reason to buy the gold service is to play online that is the number one reason, the twitter, facebook, arcade game, and netflix comes as features. basically you are not paying for facebook or twitter you paying to play online and there are some bonuses when you do so ie twitter and facebook now.

the one thing i know that will work good on the console is facebook since they designed it this special feature to work with the 360, now on the ps3 it does not work fully, you are limited to what the ps3 browser can do. on the 360 with a gold account you can use the service to what it can offer completely on the ps3 you should be able to use all the featues on facebook but the ps3 browser cannot let you.

[SuperStrokey1123]

Actually i think its less than 1/2 of 360 owners who have a gold account. Not the majority but still a sizeable amount.

[unworthyBOZO]

I remember when the 360 first launched in 05 the only difference was the online play and slowly but surely MS started tearing away features from Silver members like me its a real kick in the balls, I can't believe people actually defend MS when they pull this type of stuff

[Ace Killa 08]

it pays of to pay for online, however its not fair for the silver users i admit that, but business is business corperations just want to make revenue and if addin twitter will help good, or making a ps3 model slimmer will also increase revenue then the company will go for it.

all these moves are just tacticts to gain money and we are the ginnie pigs that will follow through or be smart enough not to play in, it all depends on the ginnie pig

[SuperStrokey1123]

I dont see the issue here, if you were already a gold subscriber its free. If you were silver or new and were thinking about trying it it is just another added bonus. I just dont see the issue here guys and im a ps3 fanboy (although I love my 360 too lol)

[davidadrake]

I guess people would just rather have the extra features not available to anyone. Grow up!

[poeo]

so.. how many things that are free can you put together until it's justifiable to charge for them?

IMO there's no limit, no matter how many free things they add to Xbox Live, it still shouldnt cost money. because you can play online for free on PC, and use Twitter and use Facebook and so on... all for free. so why exactly do you have to pay to use them on another platform?

[davidadrake]

So, if I can play one game on the 360, then I shouldn't have to pay to play the same game on the PS3?

[GiantEnemyCrab]

This article needs to be updated. MS have already come out and debunked this.

[DJ Pillz 317]

Update from the article:
[UPDATE] - A Microsoft spokesperson has told MCV that the paragraph concerning Twitter and Facebook is "incorrect," since the company is still formulating their plans for the console's social network integration.

Calm down N4PS3G posters lol

[napoleon_ist]

hopefully the PlayStation 3's internet browser and online service are free... :)

[napoleon_ist]

the above message was censored form the Game Zone, funny isn'it?! :|

[JustinSaneV2]

If you had the mental capacity to read the rules above the comment box you would realize why your comment was deleted.

"The Gamer Zone is for members who want a more friendly and civilized discussion. This section is heavily moderated by the N4G staff, so leave your fanboyism at the door please. Members who are unable to behave in a mature and respectful manner will be temporarily or permanently restricted from posting in the Gamer Zone. Using words such as Xbots and Sony droids, or other words from the console war vocabulary, is strictly prohibited in this Zone."

[ForROME]

So let me get this straight twitter and facebook are free online, so all you need is an internet connection, EXCEPT when you using the xbox you need an extra 50 dollar subscription, RIP OFF, bad move MS

[Ashby_JC]

FAIL

No one is goin out to get a xbox 360 and a Year subscription JUST to use twitter facebook and last FM.

Just like no one is going to buy a PC, Iphone, Smartphone, Laptop JUST to use Twitter facebook and Last FM!

Its an added feature that is intergrated into the Dashboard....are you THAT THICK that you keep repeating what every other NON 360 user has repeated over and over in this thread!!

[Socomer 1979]

Ps3 is Like a Decepticon and the Nintendo Wii are the Autobots.
Xbox 360 is like Go-BOts. generic copying transformer wanna bee.

SHOCKWAVE says SUPERIOR!

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[HappyTrigger]

Wait.... How will this Twitter and Facebook compare to the one used on your computer? Will it be the same? :(

[g0green]

arguing for or against a video game console is gay. shut the f*ck up and play the console of your preference. nobody cares about your opinion

[Stryfeno2]

How is this a bad thing...please explain.

[Kizwiz6]

Good on Microsoft, makes me happier than Gold members are actually awarded more than just paying for online but now you are getting other stuff too.

[starcb26]

wowwwwwww

[DevastationEve]

You PS3 fanboys are such R E M A R K A B L E losers.

Everytime they add something new to XBL's list of reasons to upgrade to gold you guys think that you're paying for just that feature alone!

And it STILL stands that you don't need to upgrade to gold if you don't want to!

[Z501]

Guess.

[Vip3r]

Just the two websites?

lol, $50 well spent.

[reckoner]

It's not a big deal, really. The PS3 fanboys need to calm down.

[Shendow]

Some might not think this is a big deal but the PS3 lets you do go to Facebook and Twitter for free and most of the time the link to them is the first thing you see an some ads for PS3/movies.

So it is kind of a bad thing that they want money for it, but in the sametimes its smart.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

PS3 you have to use your browser to access these apps... LIVE is creating apps that allow you to access from your dashboard just like Netflix. It's integrated into the system as opposed to a website you visit.

[Shendow]

But it doesn't change the fact you have to scroll to get to it, the only great part is the avatars with it and that is pretty much it and I got to say free sounds alot better then paying if this is true.

Here is something I wonder, what if you got a month of Gold but then couldn't get another month? what happens? do you lose your facebook an twitter or do you get to keep using it? Theirs some loop holes in the idea and I think free sounds better an means I can waste more money on games I want.

Only over 500 dollars for this year of games preorder an bought.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Seriously guys...you really are trying to make an issue out of this? I wish I could say there were intelligent debates going on but its just more fanboy crap as per the norm nowaday on N4G. I long for the old days when fanboys weren't the majority here.

[orange-skittle]

@ Guido

Those apps are FREE because they are accessible on the INTERNET you moron. XBL is a pay service you douche bag and those features are for PAYING CUSTOMERS! How is this that hard to comprehend you dumb PS3 fanboys. Microsoft isn't charging anyone to use the service, they are only adding it to GOLD MEMBERSHIPS. I can't believe some of these gay comments

@ SHENDOW

You can access it on PS3 because it has a browser you dumb ass. You know what a BROWSER is don't you? It's so you can visit the IN-TER-NET. That's how you access all these nice free apps. XBL is an online service that intergrate these apps to make online dashboard. XBL Customers dont pay for it nor do we have to search for it on the World Wide Web, you idiot

[bdup46]

when you got Pandora Radio, and Youtube to watch and listen to music. And as a added bonus you can download FREE music off the PS3 browser by going to beemp3.com
Netflix streaming sucks anyway when you can't watch new releases.
I tried it on my ps3 using playon and it BLOWS.
This is coming from a XBOX user since 2002.

[Saaking]

MS ripping people off like usual. This is just going to piss people off more and make them migrate to PS3. It's like MS WANTS to loose or something seriously.