Why should Xbox LIVE be free?
I’ve come across the argument that Xbox LIVE should be free quite often. I can’t remember these arguments when Xbox LIVE first launched. It’s likely due to the fact that there was no competition when it launched or rather no real alternative to gaming online with your console. However, now that Xbox LIVE is the dominant arena for online console gaming, the arguments for “FREE LIVE” have begun. Pay no attention to the ability to voice message/chat, the universal friend’s list, online features and whatever you do totally forget about the free system updates that happen.
I hope people understand why PlayStation Online is free. It has to be free because if it weren’t, no one would pay for it. If they presented anything other than “free” to compete against Xbox LIVE, they’d be toast. The funny thing is that it’s still not comparable to Xbox LIVE even while offering it for free. If it was the great alternative to Xbox LIVE that a few suggest, I’d imagine we’d hear a little bit more about it but we don’t.
Games for Windows - LIVE was just recently announced as being free and the uproar grew even louder. Well, that’s PC online gaming. It has always been free so there’s no reason why it shouldn’t have been to begin with. But why were there rumblings soon after that Xbox LIVE has no justification to charge simply because GFW LIVE is now free? It’s PC online! When has it not been free in the PC realm?
I’m very interested. I’m very curious about your reasons why Xbox LIVE should be free. Convince me. Help me understand this madness. I’m all for getting things free don’t get me wrong but as far as I can tell, no one has a good reason that makes sense. I feel that if Xbox LIVE were free, we’d hear a bunch of “if only Xbox LIVE had this or that then I would pay for LIVE if it had this”. (which would be things it already has)
Some of the arguments that I will ignore are listed below.
- Because PC online is free
- Because PlayStation Online is free
- Because there are no dedicated servers
- Because Steam does (insert thing) for PC users
Xbox LIVE and PC online are two separate animals and shouldn’t be compared. I understand what Steam does for PC but what does Steam do for console gaming? Nothing. That’s why that argument will be ignored. Talk about the PlayStation Network if you must but I’d wager, based on several friends who don’t bother playing online with it, that it’s not what Xbox LIVE is in comparison.
So let’s hear it then. I’d love to save my $4.17 a month too.
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well i feel noobish lol
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:43 am
I do feel bad for the people in Europe that don’t get the same stuff. Sure would be nice if they could give them something along those lines or something we don’t get. Is there not a EuroFlix or something?
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:53 am
When I pointed out that when Xbox live started we only had 4 titles I was only pointing something out. It’s not stupid and no ones point or thought is right or worng it is a matter of what they feel.
I still think that the service is worth the price. Look at the PS3 online service its pretty rough and no sign of getting better. Maybe if the EU gamers would voice their thoughts it would help? All I know is a free service is not going to happen so why debate about it.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:18 am
i’m not debating about free service as i’ve already stated rich reed. one question: where can i voice my opinion for this EU case then? thats the main problem. its all over the internet but they dont look for that.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:20 am
Well, Deacon, eventhought $50 a year is even more difficult for people here in Venezuela (due to the foreign currency change), I still thing (even with the limitations about content) we’re getting back what we pay for. So for my part, I prefer to pay for a good service that have a crappy service for free.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:29 am
At some point, I think it should be free, particularly if cross-platforming (XBox and PC) decides to become a trend, rather than a dabble. But in its current state, I think we should still pay for it. It limits the jerk-offs from rampaging Live, unlike PC and presumably Playstation.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:48 am
It doesn’t HAVE to be free… maybe lower the prices down to $25 a year
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Read this people - http://editorials.teamxbox.com/xbox/1967/AN-INCONVENIENT-TRUTH/p1
He’s right.
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:42 pm
To add some plusses in favor of the current xbox live price, one mustn’t forget the chat, messaging, etc. that all works with anyone else you want no matter what you’re doing, whether it be playing a game or watching a movie. Another little known fact: picture messages are Gold only. Same with video chat IIRC. So, part of that $50 a year goes towards the extra bandwidth and server space you’re alloted on their networks (don’t forget that messages are stored on Live servers, not your 360). A small perk, but perk nonetheless: earlier access to promotions and Gold-only demos, etc.
Using the video marketplace as an argument in regards to EU and other markets is moot. Silver members pay for video content as well (and other MP content of course). The cost for hosting, sending, etc. that content is paid for with points. Also, don’t forget that things that are free are paid for by devs in some form to MS, so it’s up to them if they want to offer it to other regions or not.
Another thing: PRICE SHOP! I haven’t paid more than $25 or $30 for a 13 month card since I got my original Xbox. They go on sale quite often (especially online). Take advantage. You can have up to 2 years of service in reserve on your account. As mentioned before, MS points are where the real money is on Live. The subscriptions are often marked down to entice new customers, but you too can take advantage.
Now, to flip sides before I finish. The announcement that GFW is now free intuitively suggests a price drop for Gold members. GFW will be getting a marketplace and they have free matchmaking, *including matching with 360 users*. Now, even if PC gaming is free, why should we have to pay to match up with them? This essentially boils down to a loss of a feature for XBL Gold. They will essentially have many features of XBL gold, even non-gaming related, but will not have to pay. This loss of value for the Gold subscription should warrant some drop in price at the least.
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:10 pm
“dominant arena for online gaming”!? I would never consider live to be used for any type of online gaming arena. Cheating and lag is common on live because they are too cheap to use your money towards dedicated game servers. People are paying an outrageous yearly fee because they have no other choice, have their parents paying for it, or just OBLIVIOUS. And how could you NOT compare this with PC, the xbox is practically a PC!! Online PC gaming is free because you can connect to hosts that are paid for and setup by someone else.. where as Xbox live only allows you to connect to their login/matchmaking server. Kinda like what battlenet did before there was xbox live, but hey, that was free!
You are paying 50-70 bucks for them to keep your information, gaming statistics and gaming habits, which they should be actually paying you for since they could use that to market and R&D better.
Most PC games that have online components have updates at no additional cost. If we MUST pay for updates for live, why couldn’t they just charge users to download the update? My guess is, 20 bucks from each user would more than cover the cost to provide an update for xbox live.
You only convinced me that Sony should start charging a little for their online services. They are still rolling out updates and are adding similar features to that of xbox live. In addition to this, they have not charged their gamers for any of this.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:05 pm
can’t say that i don’t agree with adding more features to Xbox LIVE. slowly they have been adding to it.
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:32 pm
xbox live for the win.
July 24th, 2008 at 10:12 am
MS should have Grants on xbox live for po’ folks like me
July 28th, 2008 at 8:16 am
and me too lol. and contrary to popular opinion, there actually are some dedicated servers on Xbox LIVE.
July 28th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I don’t mind paying for XBL. I believe the money is worth it. Portions of our subscription go towards maintaining and improving the Xbox Live experience and this fall it will be better than ever.