Why is Microsoft not giving Xbox Live free?
- Thread starter Hellblazer12
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You sir, are silly. The PC is a completely valid platform for games and we shouldn't view things as PC vs Consoles, but rather as PC vs PS3 vs 360. The fact is, when you compare Steam, a free PC service provided by Valve, and Xbox Live, you'll notice very little differences of any importance to a gamer. In fact, it provides some services (like discounted games) to its users that Live doesn't. Live really isn't that great.Laxman9292 said:
To the OT: It's been said plenty of times, but the truth is that Microsoft charges for Live because they can and people will pay the fee. They're a company, naturally they'll try and make money where they can.
i think your confusing your self psn remember psn is the one which sucks rememberKadoodle said:
kk not better multiplayer but nuch more how ti put developed has a lot of people playing on a nice selection of gamesguruda said:
I continue to hear that X-Box Live is a far superior service than Playstation Network, so there's that, I guess. Then there's Nintendo WFC, which you shouldn't even get me started on.
Because the money we pay goes to upkeep for the service. That is why downloading updates for my games on my Xbox takes only a couple seconds while downloading updates on my PS3 takes several minutes at a time. I had to wait around 30 minutes to download an update for Gran Turismo 5, but downloading updates for Red Dead Redepmtion, Borderlands, Mass Effect 2 and Assassins Creed: Brotherhood took less than 2 minutes all together.
I however disagree with the high price. When it was $50 for a year it wasn't bad (considering 3 months was like $20) but then they added Facebook, Twitter, Last.FM and Netflix, which are, you know, things we can get with our computers FOR FREE. Things that we get FOR FREE with our INTERNET BILL. Anyone that wants Facebook, ESPN, Twitter or Last.FM will already have had it ON THEIR COMPUTER FOR NO ADDITIONAL COST. The only conceivable feature of value they added was Netflix so you could download the movies and watch them on your TV instead of waiting for the DVD in the mail, but doesn't that have its own separate fee?
I however disagree with the high price. When it was $50 for a year it wasn't bad (considering 3 months was like $20) but then they added Facebook, Twitter, Last.FM and Netflix, which are, you know, things we can get with our computers FOR FREE. Things that we get FOR FREE with our INTERNET BILL. Anyone that wants Facebook, ESPN, Twitter or Last.FM will already have had it ON THEIR COMPUTER FOR NO ADDITIONAL COST. The only conceivable feature of value they added was Netflix so you could download the movies and watch them on your TV instead of waiting for the DVD in the mail, but doesn't that have its own separate fee?
Have you played an online game on PSN? It's awful. I gladly pay for a membership to maintain servers and get content early. In other words...Hellblazer12 said:
...YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
I have used both and still haven't really noticed all that much of a difference. Most likely due to the fact I am a PC gamer and I am used to Steam. Sure my PC cost more than a 360 with several years of Live but the amount of money saved by taking advantage of Steam sales and the fact that PC games are cheaper than console games in the first place has saved me far more than the cost of my PC in the first place.
because Microsoft wants to charge for EVERY LITTLE THING (why else would they charge $100+ for office software)
also welcome to the escapist
also welcome to the escapist
So, how's the cost to get a gaming computer (usually around 900 or more US dollars if put together, more if bought already made, sometimes lower if lucky), the hours it takes to configure it, and the cost of constantly updating it over the years to then get your Steam?Zaik said:
Eh, I'll stick with my $ 200 gaming console that lasts for years and only costs approx. fifty dollars a year. Even at five years of Gold, I've only spent around $ 550. That's just little over half it cost to even buy a basic gaming PC. I'd rather take my Xbox Live.
As for the thread: Servers are not cheap, oh man they're not. Nor all the special updates and such. Though we could do without the Facebook and ESPN crap and such. That I wouldn't mind thrown out for a few extra dollars saved.
It costs money so that they can pay their techs. They pay their techs so that everything stays in working order. Everything stays in working order so that you don't have to wait an hour to play a single match when you're already on the server and it's full.
Microsoft also has that soulless money obsession (as evidenced by that recent Windows (not quite a)live ad) schtick that seems to be dominating almost everything these days (or any days, really).
What can I say? We can't all be indie.
Microsoft also has that soulless money obsession (as evidenced by that recent Windows (not quite a)live ad) schtick that seems to be dominating almost everything these days (or any days, really).
What can I say? We can't all be indie.
Xbox Live is a lot better than PSN. It's like the difference between WoW and Runescape. I pay to have the servers monitered and fixed. So they make a profit. Thats why its called a business. Microsoft doesn't support giant servers for the good of there health do they? And Xbox has a lot more titles that are out there.
As for the DLC thing, thats for if you buy the game used. The only way the devoloper can make his money to make more good video games is through the DLC's. Otherwise, they go bankrupt, and we revisit the NES ages of videogames; wich would be there is only a handfull of playable games.
As for the DLC thing, thats for if you buy the game used. The only way the devoloper can make his money to make more good video games is through the DLC's. Otherwise, they go bankrupt, and we revisit the NES ages of videogames; wich would be there is only a handfull of playable games.
Well.. you know, and that more people own 360s.Valkyira said:
Anyway, besides all that, why would they? And lose that money when people are used to paying and dont care enough to protest it? Seems pretty obvious to me.
Because Microsoft will continue to exploit the stupidity of America (took a shot at my own residence there) to keep paying R&D so they can figure out how to scam the entire world so that they can eventually take it over.
Don't you see this entire made up conspiracy? They are slowly training us to do what they want. Its manipulating the dead braincells in the gamer's mind and controls them to hit purchase on materials they don't need.
In all seriousness, service is service. I don't care how accessible my friends are (though Steam wins on that front), if it cost less and puts out greatly then it wins me because I'm a little more conscious of where my money goes. And seriously, $60 a year, you could just buy whatever the hottest game is for that year. I want to invest my money in damn good games, not a company that will charge for a service with same quality and more prepubescents yelling into a microphone.
Don't you see this entire made up conspiracy? They are slowly training us to do what they want. Its manipulating the dead braincells in the gamer's mind and controls them to hit purchase on materials they don't need.
In all seriousness, service is service. I don't care how accessible my friends are (though Steam wins on that front), if it cost less and puts out greatly then it wins me because I'm a little more conscious of where my money goes. And seriously, $60 a year, you could just buy whatever the hottest game is for that year. I want to invest my money in damn good games, not a company that will charge for a service with same quality and more prepubescents yelling into a microphone.
They like giving free stuff to students. My uni is a member of the MSDN Academic Alliance which provides free Microsoft products via download to students studying stuff like computer science or engineering. For one of my papers I did last year I needed a C compiler for at home so I could work on my project away from uni. Of course there a free compilers (including one from MS) but I wanted to use MS Visual Studio as that is what I was using at uni. Sure enough I could get just about any version of it for free from the MSDNAA so I downloaded MS Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate. Further research revealed that MS VS 2010 Ultimate normally costs just under US$12,000henritje said:
I got it for free. Legally.
Unfortunately none of the basic Office software is available on this magical service. I can only get a 60% discount on that through another source.
OMFG Can we stop with the whole STEAM thing already? Yes, yes Pc is just dandy, but the discussion is about XBL vs PSN. So PC has its perks, big F'ing whoop. PC gaming is expensive, even if you don't have to pay for anything. You still have the bill, the cost of the game (not taking into acount pirates), the internet bill, keeping up with the software and OS's, graphic cards, and so much more. 60 bucks a year isn't bad. I make that in a week. But all the PC stuff is going to cost more than $1000.