Comparison: PSN and Playstation Plus vs Xbox LIVE | Examiner.com

Examiner.com
"Sony launched Playstation Plus for the PS3 today. The premium subscription service has been causing a buzz ever since it was first rumored as gamers have been drawing comparisons between Playstation Plus and Xbox LIVE with its free and paid subscription tiers. We're going to make a comparison not just between Playstation Plus and Xbox LIVE but include PSN in the mix too to get a sense of the PS3 online offerings versus what the Xbox 360 has to offer."

[killyourfm]

Jesus, that was freaking thorough.

[Neco512]

VERY! good job man!

[presto717]

I haven't upgraded to PSN plus yet. Has anyone made the jump? Would you say it "works as advertised" (unlike you-know-what). Anyways is it worth it?

[NecrumSlavery]

I got PSN+

It's was nice to get WipEouT HD for free. Being getting trophies from it. Also there's tons of free content for games you own or can buy from 20-50% off. Free avatars, themes. The mini and psone games say they are available throughout the entire service. I thought it was month by month only, so this is great.
I enjoy it. But I'm going to support this service. They will be able to add more content the more we support it.

[UltraNova]

Thorough indeed!

Leaves nothing in doubt..

[Razmossis]

Would it be fair to say that free PSN is better than Xbox Live Silver, but Xbox Live Gold is better than PSN+?

[FarEastOrient]

I got PSN+

I've been drinking Xbox Gold Kool-aid for awhile so I was like why not for the PS3's also.

I already made back $31 in content just from this month alone.

[HolyOrangeCows]

For gameplay experiences: PSN Plus
For Social features/TV stuff that I get on cable: Xbox Live

Hmm, did I buy my consoles for games, or for things that I could do free on any computer or watch on cable?
That's a tough one. /s

[Wrathman]

the critical category here is PRICE.

nuff said

[MerkinMax]

Can someone explain to me how Playstation Plus affects PSP users. I see all the PS3 benefits.

[D4RkNIKON]

"Sony's expanded offerings of free games for PS Plus subscribers, free video editing for PSN users along with store sales available to everyone puts the combination of PSN and Playstation Plus ahead of Xbox LIVE."

THIS ^^

[blumatt]

PS3 Online is still free. That's always trumps, even if it's missing a couple features. And from what I've played of both of them, Live is not THAT much better.

[Jinxstar]

I wouldn't even give it an inch of "Better" because simply put the only thing a hardcore XBL fan ever says is "Cross game chat". Now would you, as a gamer, rather have a service that offers "cross game chat" when you have a cell phone or would you prefer 256 player online deathmatches. Would you as a gamer prefer "Cross game chat" or an open service that entices MMO developers. Would you as a gamer prefer "Cross game chat" or play, create and share with the world. Would you as a gamer prefer first party dedicated servers or "Cross game chat"... I guess it's up to the individual but for myself I don't care about "Cross game chat" and that is the only thing people who defend XBL seem to talk about when shouting from the top of their lungs how justified it is paying 5$ a month... Oh and a "nicer" interface which is all up to individual preferance... No matter how you try and spin it I don't see the price of XBL worth it when compared to the competition. Game on Blumatt.

@ Blu

I mean there is the video chat program which I have used outside of games on PSN which is about the only time I would want it. Custom sound tracks would be nice but at the same time game music these days is a huge part of the experience. Think about Dice and how sound plays a role in their games. Think about playing dead space with, like you said, a metallica solo going.... Custom sound tracks would ruin the mood of many games for me imo. However for a spped run of GOW3 it might be nice but then again I absolutely loved that soundtrack.... To each his own though. Although I think it's more on the Dev's to provide that then Sony...

[blumatt]

@ Jinxstar Yeah, Cross Game Chat would really be more of a bad thing than a good thing. I want my teammates to talk to ME, not their buds playing another game. However, a universal party system would be very nice. In-Game music would be nice to, but I could really take it or leave it. When I'm playing Cod4 (Yes, I had MW2 and sold that crap a long time ago. lol), I want to be able to hear people's footsteps nearby, not Metallica's wicked solo. lol

[blumatt]

I completely agree. Really the only thing Live's got going for it imo is that it's a standard that's been set from the beginning. Hopefully, the PS4 will have more of a standardized network, where every game has every feature. I'd like to see everything Live's got plus full Facebook/Twitter intergration as well as gameplay recording on every game with Youtube uploading for every game as well.

LOL It's funny someone disagreed with this. haha

[Why o why]

totally smashes x game chat. 360 fans go on like x game chat its the holy grail when the invite system is far more valuable.

[Jinxstar]

why o why.

You know I thought of that. I used to own a 360 a long time ago but the problem is. Yeah while your friend who is playing halo can invite you to a game while your playing fable 2... It still kinda defeats the purpose if you have to swap out discs anyway because by the time your in the match might be full anyway... I dunno. Maybe it is a good thing it has going for it but I would still rather have the 256, Play create, Dedicated servers, MMO's, home, video chat, etc... all free of charge... Well maybe not the MMO's but I still don't have to pay a premium to have the option to pay for them...

X game invites seems like a nice idea I just don't see it working all that well. Or maybe I just don't understand why it's different then the PS3. I mean I get invites while playing motorstorm PR to join my buddies game of Super Street fighter 4 all the time... So really I don't see the difference here. Please explain it to me...

[Christopher]

I found it inane, actually. Instead of comparing what you get for $50 from each, they instead break everything down and then make the price comparison its own item. A comparison like this, IMHO, should be what you get for $50 and not which has what feature.

***The comparison wasn't so much the price (since they are the same) but a comparison between how users are able to purchase subscriptions. ***

Which included talks about getting one for cheaper. And even that comparison failed to see that current PSN cards can be used to purchase PS+ subscriptions as well.

[guitarded77]

You are correct sir.

[Queasy]

The comparison wasn't so much the price (since they are the same) but a comparison between how users are able to purchase subscriptions.

[UnwanteDreamz]

I agree as well.

[D4RkNIKON]

I used a PSN card to get PSN+ yesterday.

[UnwanteDreamz]

Wait where are all the trolls talking about ripoffs and such?

[avengers1978]

How many free games have you gotten from XBL, I'm at two so far with PSN+ and I've only had it for a day.

[AAACE5]

And the irony of this is that people are happy to pay for a service on Playstation, while they bashed gamers for paying for XBL!

I know PSN+ offers you more, but people kept complaining about XBL and boasting the fact that they didn't have to (or didn't want to) pay for extra stuff on PSN!

It's strange how brand recognition can change people's mind!

[Raoh]

because its optional. a gamer like myself feels comfortable paying for added bonus features..

free online play should not be a paid to play feature

[vhero]

last fm?? ESPN?? Why are they comparing that??? They are not required services plus they should all be bundled into 1 category.. Sites VERY biased though they are quick to list ESPN and MLB and to give MS a point but ignore Iplayer and Vidzone?? Sure they free but thats the point right?? PS offers MORE for free still. And I lok at it this way what would you rather pay for online gaming and ESPN or free games and expansions?? Games wins everytime. All MS has on PS network is cross game chat and thats not even an important service it's only important to 360 fanboys as its the only thing they have ps3 doesn't..

[MattyF]

Lots of categories of comparison. I just like the option Sony has in place for Plus, but Live still feels like a better service.

[deadreckoning666]

Agreed. XBL is more of a necessity than PSN Plus and these days you can buy a 12 month XBL gold card for under 40 bux on Amazon as opposed to the 50 you need to pay for PSN Plus.

@Queasy- You DO get more for your money with PSN &PS Plus vs Live. But the things PSN Plus are offering are things that I don't care about. I don't care about PS One classics, PSN games, PSN minis. I don't care about automatic downloads.

[gokuss122002]

"...of an necessity..." because if you don't have it (gold account), you can not access 50% of the game (the online portion) you already paid for.

So let's weigh this out: with XBL, it's mandatory unless you want to be restricted to single player only. And with PlayStation+ it's optional, and grants you free content (games and dlc) as well as discounts towards content (up to 50%), which essentially makes PlayStation+ free as well.

(at the risk of sounding redundant) Here's a rhetorical question to multiple console owners, people sitting on the fence, and anyone that can process thoughts; If you had 50 bucks, would you rather option A: spend it towards unlocking the online portion of the games that you already have, or option B: spend it on 12 full psn games, plus 12 ps1 games, plus 12 game related dlc's, plus 24 "mini" games, plus premium themes and avatars, plus early beta access, plus discounts on game related purchases?

Side note: for those that will say things like you can get xbl for less than $50 on amazon; amazon offers bargains for everything, so if you think that you won't be able to get playstation+ for the same price then I need to borrow you so that I can fix my sink lol.

[Snakefist30]

Dude Nice Comment and well said definetly pwned tat xbox fag deadreckoning666.Here hav some bubbles+

[Queasy]

Yeah, but looking at the total offering of PSN & PS Plus vs LIVE, you're getting more for your money. Mostly because of the free games.

[MorganX]

Would rather have consistent invite system. Ability to block/mute/report users on-the-fly. User ratings. Parental control. ESPN. MS' implementation of Netflix. XGame Chat, Private Chat, Party Chat.

I don't need no demos, betas, minis, wallpaper or anything else. Especially anything that stops working when I stop paying.

[UnwanteDreamz]

@ Morgan

You have the ability to block useres on the fly with PSN and everything else you mention is not for gaming but social interaction. You do go on however to say that you don't want betas or demos.

Why did you buy a games console if you only use it for chat? Seems like Skype would have been cheaper. I guess this means it is official the 50$ a year is just for chat?

[Sunny_D]

But, the only reason you feel like Live is worth more is because you HAVE to pay if you want to play online. Not, on Playstation Plus. Online s free like it's always been so they offer other premium stuff. Plus, why wouldn't you want free games?

Edit: UnwanteDreamz said it perfectly. Don't you want to play games? Or would you rather have more apps that you use to socialize? If you like twitter and last.fm, then ok...

[mrcash]

It's about the same, from what i've seen, but yes psn is a better deal. You don't have to subscribe to play online.

[MorganX]

Not sure how you conclude that I only have a console for chat. We're talking about the two online services. And I told you the things I want in a paid online service. The things I mentioned, not betas, demos, wallpaper, minis or anytyhing else. I'd rather pay $19.99 for WipeoutHD and $50 for an online service with all the thigns I mentioned. Especially since I can keep the game if I decide I don't want to pay the monthly fee anymore. I like to own my content, period.

Social interacting is a part of multiplayer and being online. If you don't agree then you must think PS Home is a waste, and the limited chat it does have is unnecessary.

Edit: I like my PS3, but I'm not about to pretend these features are desireable and sorely missing just because the PS3 doesn't have it yet.

[mrcash]

The only thing i've noticed when it comes to online play, is that xbox does have better match making and that's from my experiences with both services. I feel psn is lacking some features, but for free i cant complain :)

[UnwanteDreamz]

@Morgan

I don't believe I said anything about chat functions not being desirable. Worth 50$ a year though?

I guess you missed my point. If I am going to have to pay for a service. (I don't have to because online gaming is free on PSN) it better offer more than social features. Like I said it is a games console. Just my opinion anyway.

Edit: Cool I see where you are coming from. I have only used live never subscribed to it myself so I can only speak from my time with it and that wasn't much bubs + to U.

[MorganX]

I gotcha unwanted. What I'm saying is, clearly, PSN is the winner in the free service area. Since you can't go online for free w/XBL. But for $50/yr, I don't think the PSN service is worth it with the missing feature.

Of course, this is ethnocentrism. I've already enjoyed the performance and features of XBL for 2 years before switching to Playstation. If Sony stopped allowing free online play, would I pay? No, I'd go back to XBL having experienced both. If Sony had all the features of XBL, I would stay with PSN.

XBL, XBLA (Sony is now getting much better PSN games but IMO still behind), and Media Center Extender are the only things I miss and will probably eventually drive me to add a new Xbox to go next to my PS3. Gears of War 3 is looking real good and a friend is giving me a broken Elite to trade in.

[Why o why]

i already owned like 70% of the games available as part of the service. What i really want as part of the normal service is a unified invite system. sony should force that like MS have done...couldnt give a crap about xgame chat right now to be honest as it olny really makes sense if both parties are playing 1 player games at most. If your wearing a mic im sure its kinda counter productive to to be speaking to folks outside of the game when you have team mates to speak to inside the game. Of course different games require a different online etiquette so people could get away with speaking to externals in lets say a racing game but not so much in a team tactical shooter. Of course the option would be nice and i suppose people may not appreciate a feature until they actually try it just like trophies *cough* achievements.

[insomnium]

You like to own your content? I have a newsflash for you. You don't own the online aspect of the games you buy for your x360. All those hours playing online needs to be paid for or it will be taken away from you.

Contradict much?

[MorganX]

I actually haven't played WipeoutHD or Fury online yet. Haven't finished either single player campaign. The only game I can't enjoy without being online is Poker.

[gokuss122002]

you said that you don't want "...anything that stops working when I stop paying", well you must not have an xbl gold account, because the moment you stop paying, you will not be able to play your games online.
So here's the difference, whereas you are "renting" the "free games" (not the games you bought at a discount or the free dlc) when using playstation+; on the other hand, with the 360 you are actually "renting" 50% of every single game via XBL, due to the fact that payment is required to play online, despite having paid for 100% of the game.

[vhero]

You would rather pay for online gaming and facebook/twitter over free games, automatic updates and free themes/avatars?? Anybody who prefers that is a liar who only says it either because they only own a 360 and want to justify that fee or a fanboy.

[baodeus]

@vhero,

I payed for live because of a unified online system: you can form a party that allow you to go anywhere together from games, movies, netflix,last.fm etc... if you want. You can see what your friend are doing at all times and chat them up or invite them to anything with just a click of a button. Even if you get disconnected, when you sign back in, you automatically sign back into your party. You are always connected with your group of friend to play game. How is this feature not great for gaming? If you guys like the idea of forming a party before playing a game (something that home did try to implement) then you guys should love this party aspect of live because it is just so much better(fast and simple) instead of running around in circles as in Home.

Other great things about live (this include silver member) is that it is fast, organized, and informative place for purchasing anything. U can look up a demo, arcade, original xbox, dlc, for example and all the informations (demo, pictures, descriptions, and anything related to it) are there in one place. It greatly helps you to decide if you want to purchase it or not. The integration aspect of app in Live like netflix, last.fm, espn for example is also really great.

Now it is different on PSN. You don't get everything in one place. When i want to buy an arcade game on PSN for example, all i see is a download option and the price (no information, no pictures, no demo). How can i buy something if i don't know anything about it? Now if i go into a demo for a certain game, and i want to know what else are there for that game, i couldn't because it is either in another sections on PSN or there just isn't any information available for it.

PSN is not informative, unorganized, and disconnected. It is like a giant mess after the dark Friday at the mall during christmas season. Things are just all over the place or missing.

And i hate the interface of PS3, why they keep adding more icons for stuff on it, that i don't even know what it is for half of the time, making everything more confusing and unfriendly to navigate.

If you disagree with what i said, then care to explain why?

[CrAppleton]

VERY in depth comparison.. most in depth I've seen so far

[Jockamo]

"DEMOS
PSN offers demos for some games already while Xbox LIVE offers demos for almost all retail games and require a free trial demo for any Xbox LIVE Arcade game whether you are a Gold or Silver subscriber. However, Silver subscribers have to wait a week before they get access to the demo and get no access to online multi-player demos.

Advantage: PSN/Playstation Plus - We still need to see how the demos on Playstation Plus shakes out and how it affects their availability for PSN, but for right now, this is in the PS3 column"

okay...why does PSN Plus win?

"STORE SALES
Xbox LIVE already offers weekly sales on the LIVE Marketplace to Gold subscribers and even does the occasional "inventory blowout". It's unclear at the moment how sales on Playstation Plus will shake out in the long run or be all that different from the weekly sales afor PSN.

Advantage: PSN/Playstation Plus - The fact that sales are available to free PSN subscribers gives the PS3 the advantage."

huh??

"ONLINE PLAY
The Xbox 360 still requires a LIVE Gold subscription to play online with others while the Playstation Network is free. However, LIVE is a relatively more mature service and features better integration of services like cross-game chat, party chat, gamer feedback, etc.

Advantage: Tie - Free is nice but so are the additional features that Xbox LIVE offers for online play. PSN is quickly catching up though."

...so PSN is catching up...and yet it's a tie?

"DOWNLOADABLE MOVIES
Both systems offer movies and TV shows to download. The PS3 library is growing bigger but the Xbox 360 offers 1080p instant streaming with 5.1 surround sound.

Advantage: Tie"

How's that a tie?

This article is just terrible.

[Queasy]

Demos - Free PSN users get demos available immediately and don't have to wait like Xbox LIVE Silver subscribers

Store Sales - Free PSN users get access to store sales. Xbox LIVE Silver subscribers do not.

Online Play - If the free PSN catches up to Xbox LIVE then it would send PSN over the top. As for now, the no cost for PSN versus the cost of LIVE Gold balances this out.

Downloadable Movies - PS3 has access to more content but Xbox 360 has a better delivery system. Tie.

[OSU_Gamer]

I don't think he is arguing which is better. He is saying that this article is a joke because the author describes something totally different from how he rates the 2 services.

[Jack Klugman]

I have to agree this article is a freaking joke!

We get way too much Examiner GARBAGE on this site. \

More content for downloadable movies?? I've seen the video offering on PSN and it is not the selection of XBL. Also, XBL has a demo for every single game while PSN is spotty and while they've gotten better there is still a ton of content with no demos. Not even close.

No mention of the Universal Match Making System or Truskill system. Sounds like this guy doesn't even own a 360.

He writes off Twitter but the 360 will auto update your twitter feed with your gaming status.. Advantage 360 but hey let's just write it off because you feel like it.. But then include Facebook and say advantage PSN because you can update and upload videos from the PS3.

Believe this tripe garbage and continue to be ignorant. I'm guessing Queasy is also the author(and submitter! Big surprise from Examiner) he is working overtime defending this crap.

[duplissi]

if you think both xbl has a bigger selection than psn... then you obviously havent looked.

this isnt a fanboyish comment either, its also not rocket science. sony is a media company just as much as they are a hardware company, because they make movies, music, and tv shows they have more relationships with other content providers than microsoft does. just like it isnt rocket science that microsoft has better network integration and streaming options- microsoft is a software company and has been doing networking for the past 2 decades.

[Why o why]

you mean xbl arcade not xbl

[Jockamo]

The writer is comparing PSN Plus AND PSN to XBox Live. And when Plus doesn't quite fit the bill, he defaults to PSN and says things are free, but not quite there yet and still gives it to PSN.

Gimme a break...

[shikwan]

PSN is region locked!
"software titles are only designed to run in their respective regions and countries"
http://us.playstation.com/s... lock&product=PS3system& ; ;amp ;subproduct=&topic=&si t e=support

"The PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PSP® portable entertainment system will automatically direct the PlayStation Network account to the corresponding region's PlayStation Store. Also, once a PlayStation Network account is created, you will not be able to modify the country tied to that account" "....We do not have any information that will override these territorial restrictions and we apologize for any inconvenience."

http://us.playstation.com/s...

You can't play with/against PSN users outside your region (unless u create an acct in the region out of your area). REGION-LOCKED.

ALSO, PSN can do NONE of this:

View news videos (MSNBC), etc. from dashboard.
Listen to Last.fm.
Access COMMUNITY videos.
Upload user-created games for independent sale on XBL.
Game with famous entertainers, weekly.
Stream movies in 1080p.
Connect with PC IM Chat users.
Access your freinds list while watching movies or Live TV (via Sky & Windows Media Center).
COMMUNICATE with your friends while watching movies or Live TV, as well as ALL games.
Access & Communicate with your friends from a PC or smartphone.
Access your text msgs from a PC or cell phone.
Fast multiple D/Ls that can be started from the PC.
Fast game & system updates.
Share pics (w/o uploading) and watch movies with 8 friends.

[ipe]

i live in eu and i play with friends from us any time of day. My account is EU and his s US.
What a heck re u talking about????

And rest of ur list is LOL, chat, communicate, chat, communicate.......

Do u ever go out with ur friends and talk with em FACE TO FACE????

Other stuff not important , i can name same things what live cant do, like web browser.

[TheBlackSmoke]

LOL, this is what happens when you hate on something you cant afford... you dont actually know fuck all about it.

Reading comprehension is not your strong suit i see. All it is saying is that games are designed to run in there specific region and each region has their own store. If you actually played a PS3 (you haven't) for more than 10 secs online you would know that you can play with anyone around the world unless a game specifically region locks you.

[interrergator]

the very thing i love about plus is its an option and i can play online for free and plus is still worth it i bought magic orbz and got dlc for free im savin money from this thing

[sedx]

you kidding? ps3 is better if you can DL infamous, cant wait to see whats in the future ...

[madmonkey0]

ps3 has always been better.

[midgard227]

um only thing live has over free psn is crossgame chat, and X-game chat aint worth 50$ a year, also live doesnt even have an internet browser yet MS made Internet explorer.

so yeah y compare live to psn+ when Live barley beats free PSN?

[OSU_Gamer]

First of all, its not like MS can't put a browser in XBL. Don't kid yourself.
They chose not to put one in.

Second, you are really telling me that the PS3 single letter typed browser is so amazing? Wow.

[Why o why]

so they can butter up subscribers with services that everybody and their dogs gets for free everywhere else in the world. Just look at why iplayer isnt on xbl.....cause silver members wont be able to access it. Dont be fooled

use the keypad or a normal usb/blu tooth mouse and keyboard and the browsers fine. Every other current gen console including handhelds has one....lol

[midgard227]

Osu_game wtf are u talking about. no offense but um

"First of all, its not like MS can't put a browser in XBL. Don't kid yourself.
They chose not to put one in"????? so even tho its free everywhere else but live its ok because its MS for u?

my cellphone, ds, psp, computer (no crap), ps3, wii, and Grandma have internet browsers for free.....yet u pay 50$ a year and dont have one.... U just let MS stomp all over u lmao.

and yes, single typing on my bigscreen tv to look for youtube videos is awesome. its like texting, but on a hige screen.

or like why o why said, buy a mouse and keyboard if ur so anal

[OSU_Gamer]

midgard

So MS stomps on me because they don't include a feature that I don't
use? I have used the PS3 browser no more than 5 times. I should not be ok with them not including a feature I nave no necessity for?

The more thing you list that have a browser on them, the more you make my point. Why the hell do I need a browser on Xbox when I can use every other device known to man to get to surf the web.

And typing one letter at a time is absolutely nothing like texting. Since when do you scroll through letters while texting on your phone.
Now you are making things up just to defend the PSN.

[MGRogue2017]

... I'm *still* on the fence about this PSN+ .. I really want to to get it along with the downloadable LittleBigPlanet.. but come on? £39.99 is alot of money & I could get a brand new retail PS3 game for that. :(

I'll have to leave it until I see something really good that they offer.. or at least until the service has developed alot more & then I'll join up :)

[Trroy]

PLayStation Plus offers discounts over regular PSN as well, on stuff like DLC, etc. Also, it's only the free PSOne and other complete, free games that have "while you're subscribed" licenses. I'm pretty sure every discount, every piece of DLC, etc... you get to keep that stuff even if you unsubscribe.

Here's the catch though -- the free/discounted stuff may only be free/cheap for PlayStation Plus members for one or two months. If you're not subscribed at that time, you can't get it free/cheap later on. Thus, its rewarding to simply stay subscribed.

I'm thinking... I buy a ton of games, and if there's a decent amount of DLC discounts... it's probably more than worth it for me.

[Whitey2k]

and whats even better that even thou theres no cross game chat we get to play games with our fellow pc players :D

[theonlylolking]

Very nice comparison but why is xbox live and PSN twitter tie when you can actually look at links on PSN!? Also they also tied on betas when most XBL betas you have to buy a game to get in. Again why are they tied with movies when xbox has better movie selection and streaming?

[ALFAxD_CENTAURO]

Becuase Sony will add a lot more services for PS Plus.

[BabyTownFrolics]

I think its a no brainer. Why pay for 2 pay services, especially if one lets you game for free. I pay for LIVE, I enjoy the service and I dont feel compelled to pay PS+. I will still use PSN for my online gaming needs, but in my situation my gaming community is larger and much more active on the 360.

Everybody has a different situation, so mine may not be applicable to you and vice versa.

In terms of preference its hard to say, if I only gamed on the PS3 then I would most likely prefer PSN, but thats more due to a lack of exposure than to the quality of the service.

Cross Game Chat or what I call Party Chat does come in handy in team based games that restrict the team from talking to each other. BF:BC 1 and 2 come to mind. Beyond that I rarely use it. Though it is nice to have.

[Trroy]

Wait, I don't understand your comment... why pay for Live when you claim to use PSN online for free? About the only thing of value that Live offers is the online play, really. The other functions of Live don't add up to anything close to the additional services of PSN+.

If you're going to play on PSN, there's NO reason to get a Live subscription, whatsoever. Getting PSN+ is still optional, but its certainly a better choice than getting Live, if you already play with your friends on PSN.

[BabyTownFrolics]

In my situation my gaming community is larger and much more active on the 360. By this I mean more people I know play on the 360 than on the PS3.

If you can convince my friends to buy a PS3 then maybe that would change, but until then if I want to play online with my friends I have to play on LIVE.

On the PS3 I usually have to play with strangers, I play MAG, KZ2, and UC2 all the time.

My psn ID is:

rowsdower1979

I could always use more friends on PSN

[The Great Melon]

Love the part about twitter.

TWITTER
Honestly, this isn't much of an advantage to either system.

Advantage: Nobody

So true.

[oguzsasi]

But i want custom soundtracs,
Cross game chat,
Voice messaging!

All of this features is on Xbox Live. Sony today releases 3.40!
It has video editing software which i first jump out of my seat when i saw that news
!
But later i saw that its not for ingame pics and videos.
Another epic fail update for me!
Ive been waiting this 4 feature dor 3.5 years since the console launches!

WTF!? No! Its not only does everything!
It have a lot of ways to go for me!
Im not satisfied!

And please dont tell me again and again that this features is in PS3. Its the developers choise to turn it on thing! Why is it like that? Its the ultimate question that i want the real answer for it this generation!

[mrcash]

If you're referring to the in game music, I heard something on this site a few years ago, that ms had a patent on the whole universal music thing in a console, I don't know if it's true but just something i heard.

As for voice chat who knows, that's actually something i want for psn as well, i think most of us do.

[ukilnme]

I was favoring Xbox Live for many years over PSN but ultimately PSN won me over because multiplayer is free. Playstation Plus and Xbox Live are fine services but PSN is all I need...for now.

[mrcash]

Yeah psn is great, but i have too many friends on live that i game it with, plus they have gears lol which is one of the few games i play online. I was hoping UC2 would replace it but it doesnt come close they are too diferent

[van-essa]

Haha, I was like you at first, I traded my X360 and started gaming only on the PS3 because PSN is free.
I bought Uncharted, Killzone, CoD...

But few months later I had to rebuy a 360 because multiplayer is just so much better on it.

I think you'll appreciate LIVE more when you start gaming on PSN only.

[A change in the wind]

PSN+ gives you a ton of content. Live is just a fee, nothing more. Once again, my 360 will be collecting dust.

[dagreylion]

paid PSN Plus subscribers will also get annual subscribtion to Qore.

[hunter21]

well for now xbox live for me had all the benefit services i hope ps plus can catch up. anyways its injustice to compare both cause xbox live has been sevicing for a long time now and ps plus is just starting.

[gamingisnotacrime]

i have to conclude that they are tied. Live has some nice things, PSN has more free things so it balances out to a tie

[DA_SHREDDER]

Ill get ps+ when they offer something that I dont already have and at least would sorta want. I haven't seen anything worth the $50 yet

[rungunbeast]

Microsoft is in a bad position, MS need to give the silver members more features such as online playin otherwise PSN will destroy Live to the ground.

[BeaArthur]

To me it's no comparison since I'm not going to be paying for PSN+.

[EVILDEAD360]

Everytime LIVE is clearly in the lead..he runs back to bu-bu-but PSN is free...instead of a true comparison on the merits of each system..just man up and admit the advantages and the disadvantages of both. Why even bring Silver into the conversation. We know it's limited..it's the incentive teaser for members to upgrade to gold. This guy uses the cost of Live and Silver as a crutch to pretend the PS3 won or tied categories they didn't.

First off..If you own a PS3 then PSN is where it's at..but if you own a 360 then it's a no-brainer if youran online multi-player kind of gamer to upgrade to Gold.

What happened over the last 4 years is Xbox Live is the 360 golden goose..it is why the 360 has been so successful..so there have been a million of these comparisons from every site and fan blogger on the net.

At least most of em' keep it real..but this comparison..not so much..

'Online Play..Tie - Free is nice but so are the additional features that Xbox LIVE offers for online play. PSN is quickly catching up though'

It's catching up..but it's a tie..LOL

Free Games? The games are not free..you paid 50 dollars for them and you don't keep them if leave the subscription..but plus definately wins that one

THe WORST offender was demos..did this guy actually READ his own writing

PSN offers demos for SOME games already while Xbox LIVE offers demos for almost all retail games and require a free trial demo for any Xbox LIVE Arcade game

End of Story..The 360 Demo system has always been a strong point..but he tries to backpeddal and tries to bring up that Silver members have to wait longer..that why it's Silver..he then points out that the demo info on the PSN plus is unknown

But the results? 'for right now, this is in the PS3 column'

LMAO..the comedy keeps gping

Store Sales

Xbox LIVE already offers weekly sales on the LIVE Marketplace to Gold subscribers and even does the occasional "inventory blowout". However, Silver members do not get the benefit of sales

Again..he resorts to the limited Silver members to pretend PSN won a category that is clearly tied or a 360 win..

Even when he admits the 360 won..he'll revert back to price

Netflix..Advantage: PSN - Using the disk is a pain but free is ultimately better

LMAO..free is better..

So if free is beter then why get PSN+? Xbox Live makes no illusions about what is offered and if you ACTUALLY did a true comparison without spinning in the cost or what Silver members get..then this would have been a different story..

But what we are finally seeing is the PS3 press eat crow and having to point out that it's ok to pay money for services you feel are good for you as a consumer..that's good because 360 owners have been saying this all along

It'll be interesting to see if Sony can come up with something down the line that makes us ALL run and purchase the system..until then like this guy loved to point out..free is better

Evil

[killershadow117]

"DEMOS
PSN offers demos for some games already while Xbox LIVE offers demos for almost all retail games and require a free trial demo for any Xbox LIVE Arcade game whether you are a Gold or Silver subscriber. However, Silver subscribers have to wait a week before they get access to the demo and get no access to online multi-player demos.

Advantage: PSN/Playstation Plus - We still need to see how the demos on Playstation Plus shakes out and how it affects their availability for PSN, but for right now, this is in the PS3 column."

How can you spend the whole paragraph talking about why you like live better and end up saying PSN is better just because you want to see how the demos work out. Is anybody with me?

This guy is clearly a PS3 fanboy, he just keeps contradicting himself. Plus he isn't even comparing the two, he just goes with, "PSN is free so it beats Live" for everything, even with netflix. How can you say that one is better than the other just because you have to pay for Live. It's like saying, "Hey, why don't we compare tap water with bottled water. Bottled water is supposedly more clean, but tap is free." This guy is a moron.

[EVILDEAD360]

LOL..yeah it doesnt take C.S.I. to see what this fan blogger's agenda was..

I like the bottled water comparison..hit it on the nail..

+bubz.well said

Evil

Edit..!3oyond the Circle hit it out the park as well..LOL at the OMG statement

[Hades1337]

Sky Player is my main reason for preferring XBL to PSN, it's a big deal here in the UK.

[i3eyond the Circle]

PsN being free destroys its social quirks..

The service is nowhere near XBL in terms of community, events, and online play...be aware I didn't throw in features, content, download speeds, no installing, a faster in game menu, a faster interface for friend comparison, cross game chat, and a universal interface.

XBL is more efficient with its subscription.....more active players equals more productive online experiences for more titles.

The psn has only a handful of games you can jump right into and find players ready to play....the psn is boring and quiet....it's the poor mans XBL and comes with a subscription based coupon book that most if not any of you fanboys even care about.

OMG I JUST PAYED 50 DOLLARZ FOR THAT FREE FAT PRINCESS DLC AND SOME OTHER GAMES I HAVEN'T HEARD OF...LOOK AT THESE SWEET DISCOUNTS.

Welfare office indeed.

[BubblesDAVERAGE]

Gives you nothing for free...nothing

[Karum]

This is a pretty good article but my only gripe is why are Last.fm, ESPN and MLB.tv categories all on their own? Surely they should have just been grouped in some kind of "services" category. I was going to say that they should then have gone on to add categories for BBC iPlayer, Mubi and Sky Player but realised this is clearly based solely on the US.

Good article overall but there's not much point pitting them against each other. If you own a 360 and want to play online the rest of the services/features aren't going to matter to you a hell of a lot with the exception of cross game chat etc. If you own a PS3 then it's going to be about whether or not you want a ton of free PSN games etc.

[s45gr32]

Yet nobody mentions the browser which is great for videos. Freeeeee anime, Japanese, European, Indian films, American films, if possible movies from Mexico yet a monthly subscription movie rental service is better. Get out of here Mega Video, Wise Vid, and Veoh are far better than Netflix any day of the week. Hell DIVX is way better than netflix. PSN beats xbox live in one major area able to share your digital content.

[etownone]

I think PS is trying to entice people to sign up with free games, thems, wipeout HD, etc etc ....

But after a couple months I think ps owners are going to realize, the regular FREE psn service isnfine enough so ..... I would expect Sony to have a very similar service in the near future as LIVE where gamers have to pay some fee to play online because Sony is really losing out on a ton of $$$

If not this gen, without a doubt next gen 2012-13 .... Same as they had to bring back rumble, bring achievements (trophies) and now Wii HD (move) ..... It wouldn't be the first time Sony went back on the word (no more backward compatibility)

[RockmanII7]

Netflix is included in the price of an Xbox LIVE Gold subscription but PSN users don't have to pay anyting extra beyond their Netflix subscription. However, they do have to use a disk to access the service.

Advantage: PSN - Using the disk is a pain but free is ultimately better

You have to have a Netflix subscription for both PS3 and 360 so its the same price. How is that free for PS3 but not 360?

[FFXI101]

I think what he means, on PS3 we can watch without buying PSN+. However, on 360, you need to be a gold member in order to watch netflix. That's the different.

[strickers]

WHY still does no one concede that Live has lower player counts per match.On PS3 I play 32 player in games like Warhawk and Killzone.Paid for Live barely scrapes 24.Cross game chat is more important than average 32 player and up to 256?

[etownone]

Just cause a game has higher player count does not mean that specific console/game is superior. So what is PS3 has a 256 players in one game...... if the game sucks and there is no one playing it?
Frontlines on the 360 had 50 player count and when there was that many people playing it was chaos, unorganized fragfest, and definitely not fun.

Anyways, would yor precious UC2 be a better game if it was 20x20 ..... No, just as Gears is perfect for me a 5x5 or Halo 8x8.

More does not mean better.

[Phil Mc Crackin]

Just not gears, halo, fable, forza, gears 2, Alan wake or any other possible good ones. No worries they got "dark sector"!

[etownone]

Luvin that avatar pic

[Mkai28]

Why would they say that? The only thing that is truely free is psn online gameing which really the only thing that counts. What are we paying plus for? You pay 50 bucks and you get "free items". That is what your paying for so how is it free? Can someone tell me so more features I am missing with this service? Why would I get this service, true xbox live offered 50 bucks day one but added satisfying features year in year out. This move from sony will only make live better..

[jaosobno]

Taking all this is consideration, I'd say that PSN/Plus is a better offer.

I don't know why everybody is all over PS3 for not having cross game chat, is this something you really use that much? How the hell can you concentrate on, let's say, modern warfare 2 match if somebody else is boring you with completely non related stuff?

If I'm chatting while I'm in the match, it better be about enemy positions.

Regardless of that, cross game chat is only a matter of time, so is last.fm and other stuff.

Considering that live has been on the scene much longer than PSN, I'd say that this is amazing success for sony.

I'm also thinking of switching to PSN Plus, but, I'd like it to have prepaid subscription cards like LIVE (3,6,12 months).

[FFXI101]

It really is up to each person what they like and how they'll use the features on either systems.

For example, lots people(included me) use Gamefly. I pay $15.95 per month, I get one game out at time. there's no due date and no late fee, so I can keep as long as I want. Buying a game could cost from $40-60, if we don't like it or the game sucks, well there goes our money. But if you use gamefly service and did not like the game, you could send it back the very sameday or next day and get a different one(saves us a lot of money).

Some people said is not cool you only get the game as long as you paid but once you stop you don't own it. Well, is the Samething with most paid services, when you stop paying you don't get the use services(whether is MMORPG like WOW or FFXI, or service like Netflix and Gamefly or even your cable tv.

To me PSN+ worth the price for all the services they provide and I'm glad I subscribed.

[Jeff-Ryan]

you can argue all you want about who wins in features like photo, netflix, facebook BS. But Ultimately you bought a game console to play games. When you just want to play online and chat with another gamer. PSN gives you all that for FREE. PSN PLUS is there if u want more of it. Xbox LIVE doesnt give you online free at all....nothing is free with LIVE.

[captainjy]

yaaaawwwnn.... Sony could have only one title and you guys would claim it's better. Give it a break- everyone knows Live is superior to PSN, hands down. Stop being cheap for the sake of having something to complain about. Or better yet, go out and get a job!

[0LDSCH00L]

I agree this guy is a complete twit. I have both consoles and it's a no-brainer that when i want to play on-line i go with XBL. I'm calling shenanigans on this guy, it's just too obvious that he's trying to hard to fail XBL.