Games With Gold: Too little, too late

[DudeistBelieve]

But as if you haters need a reason to hate microsoft. Do something constructive with your time, you aren't going to change the minds of people who genuinely enjoy the service as it is just because you have some nebulous beef with the company.

I'm curious as to why we're wasting our times doing something unconstructive by typing our opinions on a service we pay for and you being on here to state for the other side is not a waste of time...

Anyway, if the service is worth it to you, I don't think anyone who's argued how stupid this is has said that you can't get it. If it's worth it in your eyes, I would even encourage you to get it for I've always been a "Vote with your wallet" type of fella.

I've been a member of Xbox Live for over five years and I said it before all the Xbox One cluster-fun (so it's not some nebulous beef I have; I was a big 360 supporter when I said this):

Paying for just internet service these days is not worth it in my eyes; you need to offer more. Sony changed the standard when they started offering PS+. Microsoft's answer when they offered more was...a handful of games that are 3+ years old. To me, that's just not good enough. To a brand new 360 owner I'm sure it's wonderful but I find the offerings pitiful at best. Microsoft still has time to prove me wrong and offer something that's at least relatively new but I'm not going to hold my breath based on what we've seen so far.

And you know, you could be right. I have a PS3 and a 360 but I've never taken my PS3 online (for gaming at least). For all I know, I will hop onto PSN, give it a shot, and see that Xbox Live has been worth the $60 or so that I pay each year. All I see is that Microsoft is offering X service while Sony is offering X + other stuff for a cheaper price.

Ya know as an Xbox Live user, I don't care what Sony is offering on their console because I don't own it anymore. Even when I did have it I only played it for exclusives and never played online anyway.

So it matter's little to me that this is Microsoft's "response" to Sony's offering. What does matter is that my game collection is going to be increasing over the next couple months.

 

[The_Echo]

Really? You people are going to ***** about being given free games now? It's fucking free!!!!

I don't have copies laying around of any of those titles, and even if I did I'd download them anyway. They're fucking free.

Given that they're some of the most popular titles on the console, it's really... not that good. And they're pretty old (i.e. cheap). Sure, you don't have a copy of Halo 3, but 11.5 million other people do.

Comparatively, PS+ subscribers got four games this month. Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, LittleBigPlanet Karting and Machinarium. Uncharted 3 is the oldest title there (not counting Machinarium's PC release), having released in November 2011.

On top of this, PS+ gets a 30% discount on Music Unlimited (not that I'd use it myself, but still) and lower prices for the E3 sale. (PlayStation All-Stars is $27.99 on sale, but PS+ pays $14.00.)

I'm not saying we should be complaining about free games. But when this temporary offer is an obvious means to compete with Sony's similar service... it's really not up to snuff. (PS+ is currently cheaper than Gold, too.)

It's kind of like if two kids compared their allowances, where one child got a shiny five-dollar bill, and the other one got a few stray quarters and some pocket lint.

 

[tippy2k2]

Ya know as an Xbox Live user, I don't care what Sony is offering on their console because I don't own it anymore. Even when I did have it I only played it for exclusives and never played online anyway.

So it matter's little to me that this is Microsoft's "response" to Sony's offering. What does matter is that my game collection is going to be increasing over the next couple months.

As I stated in what you just quoted [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.819656-Games-With-Gold-Too-little-too-late#19767124], that's perfectly fine. If Xbox Live's current offerings are enough for you, who am I to tell you that you're wrong?

Personally, it's not enough anymore because the competition has stepped up their game and so I expected that Microsoft would also step up their game. Live alone is not enough for me anymore and Microsoft's attempts to get me to stay with this Gold gaming stuff does absolutely nothing for me. As a consumer, I have a choice and I am exercising that right to buy a product that I believe is the better deal.

 

[Arnoxthe1]

...No, we pay for Gold for the Multiplayer primarily. This is just a silly little promotion that only benefits those of us that choose to pay for the service.

And it's fucking free. It's like when people complain to Kevin Smith about the ads on Smodcast.

I got your back, bro.

So I don't get it. If OP hates Microsoft and Live Gold SOOO bad, why doesn't he just stop paying? Or better yet, get a PS3/PC and leave the rest of us alone?

You know what? You guys are right. He, and you all, have every right to complain about any service you want. Just as I have every right to laught at your complaints. And I'm laughing.

Now, if you had a problem with paying for Gold, why didn't you talk about that instead of crying when Microsoft is giving out free stuff to people who have paid?

And don't give me any of that 'They're old games.' They still cost money. (gasp) Furthermore, some people never got around to playing some titles and now they can whenever they want to. I'm still playing Halo 3 TO THIS DAY. People who haven't got around to that can now experience that. But hey, if you don't want any of these games, fine. Just ignore it then. If you're going to complain about anything, complain about the fee. Not the free stuff FFS. You just come off as ignorant and spoiled.

 

[MeChaNiZ3D]

Well, I like to think of Games with Gold as the poor cousin of Sony's PS+ giveaways. It wants to be generous and praised for it, but it's too poor to afford giving away anythin other than games that everyone and their mother already have, or ones that are maligned by their own audience and didn't sell much anyway. It's not a large sample population, but the games so far have pretty much been that as far as I can tell. It'd be better value giving a free decent amount of points to spend on indie XBLA games.

I'm not certain Sony'll keep up the value as PS+ becomes compulsory though, and I haven't seen Microsoft's plans for other games, so I'll not make a judgment yet. But if I had to estimate, I'd say Microsoft will be giving away more either saturated or unwanted games and Sony might cut down on their offerings once everyone's roped in, but I'm more sure about the former than the latter.

 

[DudeistBelieve]

Really? You people are going to ***** about being given free games now? It's fucking free!!!!

I don't have copies laying around of any of those titles, and even if I did I'd download them anyway. They're fucking free.

Given that they're some of the most popular titles on the console, it's really... not that good. And they're pretty old (i.e. cheap). Sure, you don't have a copy of Halo 3, but 11.5 million other people do.

Comparatively, PS+ subscribers got four games this month. Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, LittleBigPlanet Karting and Machinarium. Uncharted 3 is the oldest title there (not counting Machinarium's PC release), having released in November 2011.

On top of this, PS+ gets a 30% discount on Music Unlimited (not that I'd use it myself, but still) and lower prices for the E3 sale. (PlayStation All-Stars is $27.99 on sale, but PS+ pays $14.00.)

I'm not saying we should be complaining about free games. But when this temporary offer is an obvious means to compete with Sony's similar service... it's really not up to snuff. (PS+ is currently cheaper than Gold, too.)

It's kind of like if two kids compared their allowances, where one child got a shiny five-dollar bill, and the other one got a few stray quarters and some pocket lint.

Those 11.5 million can now DL the digital copy and sell the hard copy for a couple of dollars at gamestop. They could profit.

Ya know as an Xbox Live user, I don't care what Sony is offering on their console because I don't own it anymore. Even when I did have it I only played it for exclusives and never played online anyway.

So it matter's little to me that this is Microsoft's "response" to Sony's offering. What does matter is that my game collection is going to be increasing over the next couple months.

As I stated in what you just quoted [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.819656-Games-With-Gold-Too-little-too-late#19767124], that's perfectly fine. If Xbox Live's current offerings are enough for you, who am I to tell you that you're wrong?

Personally, it's not enough anymore because the competition has stepped up their game and so I expected that Microsoft would also step up their game. Live alone is not enough for me anymore and Microsoft's attempts to get me to stay with this Gold gaming stuff does absolutely nothing for me. As a consumer, I have a choice and I am exercising that right to buy a product that I believe is the better deal.

Exactly. Look theres no doubt, Plus is probably the better deal. If you have the luxry of using both consoles it's clearly a case of best value.

But to complain about what is essentially a promotion? To complain about free shit? Complain that they're old popular titles? Did anyone have the right to ***** about the free games Sony gave us after the whole hacking fiasco?

Free is free. ya know?

 

[Dryk]

Don't forget the ads!

Oh, also some fine print:

*?Games with Gold? free games offer available 6/10/13-12/31/13 for qualified paid Gold members only.

Unless they plan on doing something else special too, this stuff ends at the end of the year.

You missed the most important part, they're only valid for two weeks

"Each participating Xbox 360 game (selected by Xbox) available for download from Marketplace only during specified half-month window"

 

[IronMit]

It's just to make sure people don't cancel their gold memberships during the console transition.

Just a boring temporary promotion. They are probably hoping consumers will assume it will continue on the xbone

 

[Echo136]

I bought Playstation Plus yesterday and as a reward I got for FREE: Deus Ex Human Revolution, Saints Row 3, Xcom Enemy Unknown, Little Big Planet Cart Racing, and Uncharted 3 (which I already beat), plus a dozen games for Vita but I dont own one. Plus Ill get more next month, and I pay $50 a year for it. I did this because Im tired of paying an arm and a leg for games Im running out of games to play on my playstation, and Im getting a jump on the Playstation 4 and its PS Plus requirement. So far its already paid for itself. Its brilliant really.

That is why people are complaining. Playstation Plus is offering way better games and discounts for using the service.

 

[hatok]

I hate the "it's free, you can't complain" argument, because it applies to WAY too many things in life.
I mean, by that thread of logic, people shouldn't be able to complain about ANYTHING on this site, right? It's free after all.
When Sony offered free games for the hacking debacle, wasn't it critique worthy that they happened to give out games that just so happened to have incoming sequels?
I mean, it's not that big of a deal, it's just some harmless free games, but the fact of the matter is that it's competing directly with the PS+ service, whether it wants to or not. And you can get hundreds of dollars in free games atany time from PS+. And don't give that 'well at least I can keep it' argument. If you're paying for Xbox Live already, you're going to be paying for it next year anyways. The only reason it's financially viable for Microsoft to let you keep the games is because they're pretty much worthless anyways, and it's a limited time promotion

 

[Andy Shandy]

Playstation Plus is clearly superior in terms of games at the moment, but I for one am glad that Microsoft is at least trying to compete now with that service that Sony has provided.

 

[sanquin]

People don't complain about xbox giving free games. They complain about the games being given, being old games that most gamers have already bought at/close to launch and are dirt cheap now in stores. All while Sony has a similar service, for 10 dollars cheaper, AND with far better/newer games to choose from.

In others words they complain about Microsoft claiming to give you more value for your money, while in fact you barely get any extra value, if at all.

 

[hooksashands]

Really? You people are going to ***** about being given free games now? It's fucking free!!!!

I don't have copies laying around of any of those titles, and even if I did I'd download them anyway. They're fucking free.

Except they're not, which has already been pointed out. Multiple times.

If the games were free, then they'd be given away to people with Silver accounts too (i.e. people who literally gave nothing to get something). Since they're only available to people who currently have Gold accounts, then it's safe to assume they're not free in the literal sense.

I choose to look at it as their way of saying "Thanks for continuing to pay this ridiculous mandatory fee. Here's some table scraps."

 

[DudeistBelieve]

Really? You people are going to ***** about being given free games now? It's fucking free!!!!

I don't have copies laying around of any of those titles, and even if I did I'd download them anyway. They're fucking free.

Except they're not, which has already been pointed out. Multiple times.

If the games were free, then they'd be given away to people with Silver accounts too (i.e. people who literally gave nothing to get something). Since they're only available to people who currently have Gold accounts, then it's safe to assume they're not free in the literal sense.

I choose to look at it as their way of saying "Thanks for continuing to pay this ridiculous mandatory fee. Here's some table scraps."

It's not mandatory at all, you can play your games just fine. Just offline and in single player.

And no, they are free promotion for us customers and anyone that chooses to become a costumer between now and december.

Lets say I own a bakery. And with every loaf of bread, I'm giving away a cookie. You'd be the guy saying my bread is of low quality and you don't want it, fair enough, but still demand a cookie anyway. Well that's not how the promotion works dude. You get a free toy with a happy meal at McDonalds when you buy the meal, you don't just walk in to the place and demand all the Teenie Beanies they have and get to walk away with them.

Entitlement.

 

[hooksashands]

It's not mandatory at all, you can play your games just fine. Just offline and in single player.

It's mandatory if you want to play with your friends, which I do. So in my case, yes, it's mandatory. The only way it wouldn't be mandatory is if I only played solo games, wasn't using the Internet Explorer browser and didn't access Netflix on my 360.

And no, they are free promotion for us customers and anyone that chooses to become a costumer between now and december.

It's. Not. Free. Gold members have already given Microsoft cashmoney. Playstation + members have already given Sony cashmoney. Also, the words 'free' and 'promotion' are mutually exclusive.

Lets say I own a bakery. And with every loaf of bread, I'm giving away a cookie. You'd be the guy saying my bread is of low quality and you don't want it, fair enough, but still demand a cookie anyway. Well that's not how the promotion works dude. You get a free toy with a happy meal at McDonalds when you buy the meal, you don't just walk in to the place and demand all the Teenie Beanies they have and get to walk away with them.

Not sure where you're going with this string of contrived analogies, but as far I know bakeries don't charge me 60 bucks a year to watch them make bread. Also, the toy in a happy meal is not free either, by virtue of the fact that it's a signature component to the happy meal (which you've already paid for).

Entitlement.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.379604-Entitlement-You-Should-Know-These-Definitions#14887316

 

[Full]

I'm just a little bummed that I bought Assassins Creed 2 the day that was announced.

 

[search_rip]

The fact that I am -just now- receiving some kind of recompense for years of patronage is sort of insulting, not the least of which because you fools stole the idea from Playstation Network. Nay, it is because only now at the end of this current console's life cycle do you feel the need to hand out items you aren't charging up front for. It's also because you assume your entire user base is flat-out stupid by making the first "freebie" Fable III... a game that's been packaged with the 360 bundle for well over 2 years now, along with Halo Reach. C'mon, seriously?

So, would you rather keep paying for your Gold account without no promotions at all? you could like or not like or already have Fable III or any of the future games this promotion will anounce and it's your choice to download them or not, it will really not affect us (yes, I say "us" because I've been a Gold suscriber for 9+ years) we been already paying so far with nothing in return but multiplayer and crappy video/internet apps, also, I remember Xbox saying the 360 would still have support for 5 more years so I'm not really seeing the "end of this current console's life cycle", could they gave away "better games"? that's on the eye of the beholder, "newer games" as in this year? they will definitely not.

 

[hooksashands]

The fact that I am -just now- receiving some kind of recompense for years of patronage is sort of insulting, not the least of which because you fools stole the idea from Playstation Network. Nay, it is because only now at the end of this current console's life cycle do you feel the need to hand out items you aren't charging up front for. It's also because you assume your entire user base is flat-out stupid by making the first "freebie" Fable III... a game that's been packaged with the 360 bundle for well over 2 years now, along with Halo Reach. C'mon, seriously?

So, would you rather keep paying for your Gold account without no promotions at all? you could like or not like or already have Fable III or any of the future games this promotion will anounce and it's your choice to download them or not, it will really not affect us (yes, I say "us" because I've been a Gold suscriber for 9+ years) we been already paying so far with nothing in return but multiplayer and crappy video/internet apps, also, I remember Xbox saying the 360 would still have support for 5 more years so I'm not really seeing the "end of this current console's life cycle", could they gave away "better games"? that's on the eye of the beholder, "newer games" as in this year? they will definitely not.

I'd rather they got rid of the bullshit subscription altogether and found a less leech-like way of making their money, promotion or not. Of course, any time I express this opinion I'm immediately finger-wagged by gamers who will defend Microsoft no matter how bad their PR gets. Apparently I'm just a spoiled child who doesn't know how good he's got it and Xbox Live is a benevolent (if somewhat neglectful) god who deserves my worship. Oh thank you, Live! I love having to take 35 minutes out of a weekend so I can fill out useless Security Proofs! Fun, fun, fun.

About the "life cycle" comment: I'm not suggesting Microsoft won't support the 360 after XboxOne launches, I'm saying that eventually triple AAA game studios won't be making any games for it, much less hosting dedicated servers. There's probably still Arcade and Indie games to look forward to 2 years from now, but big name publishers (and developers) will always go where the market is. Besides, who's still gonna be paying for last-generation Live service by then?

 

[Above]

I wouldn't mind the free games, if they weren't the biggest sellers on the console. On face value it looks generous, but realistically most Xbox 360 owners are going to already have or had most of these titles so they're not really giving away a lot here. If someone was going to have bought Halo 3, they've done it already. No loss to Microsoft here, but they get a shit-tonne of free brand exposure.

Free is free, so I can't really complain. But I'd like to have seen them giving away under-appreciated gems to help build those brands, franchises or developers potentially customers for future installments. Put Condemned up there, for example.

you've just saved me typing this all out, i have to agree, the Free games with gold WOULD be great,if i didn't own all of them for about a few years now.

It would be great if instead of releasing massive games and series' like Fable,Halo and Assassins Creed, they released smaller, more unheard of franchises, it would give the developers publicity and maybe some new fans.