Xbox users brought the price increase upon themselves.

[QUOTE="static197"]

[QUOTE="BPoole96"]

I guess you're right. I always see things immediately for how much they cost when I buy something. Spending $50 to me just means $50 deducted from my bank account rather than thinking of it over an elongated time frame (especially for services). Even things like my gym membership that is $50/month I just see as $600/year. Maybe I should do that to make costs seem lower so I don't stress it too much.

BPoole96

yikes $50 a month

I pay $90 a year for gym membership

What!? :shock:

I mean the gym I go to is nice and has multiple swimming pools, basketball courts, hot tubs, indoor track, the whole shabang, but I'd definitely switch to a $90/year in a heartbeat

yea mines has all that too except it only has one swimming pool.

[QUOTE="Twixty"]

60 a year? thats nothing bro nothing

Gxgear

I see what you did there.

I've spent $15,000 on hardware and peripherals alone.

$800 on PC software- MS Outlook 10, Symantec, FTP sites

$200 on PSN, XBLA, iTunes, Steam and Wiiware games.

heck I can spend more then that in a year on the occasional cab fares.

I actually tend to agree with the TC. Those who willingly pay for things that are in no way worth the money, are the ones perpetuating the cycle of increasing prices.

raynimrod

[QUOTE="Twixty"]

60 a year? thats nothing bro nothing

static197

if it's nothing send me $60 a year.

you could buy a game with that money.

why does PC/PS3/wii get it free while microsoft feels they can charge xbox users for it ? reason - because you allow it.

But he'll get nothing out of it.

Your point = fail.

Paying for LIVE was fine since 2002 because it was always substantially better than the competition(as if there was any last gen). Sony has really improved PSN over the past 2yrs, so now it seems like LIVE is overpriced, but what can you do?

I gladly paid for LIVE over the past 3yrs, and it hasn't even cost me $100 due to some lucky deals I got. That was at least the difference between the 360 and PS3 when I purchased it. I'm gonna renew at $40, so it will be $140 for 4yrs., and I don't regret it one bit.

Next gen it might be different. No more Bungie Halos, Mass Effect is multiplat, Sony wouldn't dare release a $600 system again. If PSN is free I just might start off with Nintendo and Sony systems, then buy the next Xbox later in the gen.

Lucky for me my subscription ends October, so I'll get another year for $40. After that, I'm not sure if I'll continue with it, though. Halo Reach and Gears 3 are the only exclusives with multiplayer I want to play, and both of those games usually don't last long online for me (2-4 months max).

[QUOTE="static197"]

[QUOTE="Twixty"]

60 a year? thats nothing bro nothing

roflcopter317

if it's nothing send me $60 a year.

you could buy a game with that money.

why does PC/PS3/wii get it free while microsoft feels they can charge xbox users for it ? reason - because you allow it.

But he'll get nothing out of it.

Your point = fail.

As one person stated here some do see value in it.

If we are going to compare between XboxLive and steam then fine:

Its convenient because it's on a console (this has been argued many times between PCs vs Consoles but convenience and ease of use are huge selling points)

standardised

and supports all games

compare XboxLive to PSN

when you browse around NXE friends, spotlight, game, video and music it is more immediate and apparent- its better intergrated as opposed to you having to enter into the PSN store and then browse.

Cross party game chat is still a big deal as transitioning between games, movies and MSN messenger is more seamless.

XboxLive had more features earlier on then PSN and PSN has had to catch up, but now you have PSN+ subscription.

XboxLive vs Wii

Is not exactly a fair comparrison.

I don't think online play is one ofNintendo's priorities.

I do like Mario bouncing up and down when you purchase something from virtual ware though.

Though I buy in yearly brackets I don't like the price increase at all, but I expected something like this would happen because well companies have to turn a profit sooner or later.

yea i personally hate people who try to downplay spending and pull the "what are you poor or something" card. Just because i dont want to buy a stick of gum for $1 doesnt mean i cant afford it, just means i dont think its worth it.

Now that PSN is becoming more competitive, MS should be lowering costs not raising them. I plan to finish out this gen on 360, as im already rather heavily invested in the platform... but come next gen, i think that online fee is gonna be in the back of alot of gamer's heads.

but then again if you love halo... there isnt a competitive alternative for online play... so i could see how that service could be worth well over $60 to said person.

as a business decision i dont really understand what the hell MS is thinking though. At the beginning of this gen there was a massive service gap for online play that could easily justify the $50 expenditure for many, next gen its going to be a little more difficult for gamers to justify that expenditure as PSN becomes increasingly better.

without a major online exclusive keeping me loyal to xbox live... i would say that strictly on a value added service level... xbox live is probably worth about a $20 annual premium to me over PSN.

I complained about it because it was just pure greed, I do not buy expensive map packs that said and I buy my live in bulk so I pay less than £2.50 a month for it, I am however incredibly cheap and I resent every penny of it. I only think the cost of Live is really a problem to a)young kids and b)people who pay monthly via their xbox.

Bravo sir, bravo.

YES

[QUOTE="raynimrod"]

I actually tend to agree with the TC. Those who willingly pay for things that are in no way worth the money, are the ones perpetuating the cycle of increasing prices.

GrilledCharlie

No, it's not the same thing as your examples. We're talking about charging millions of people en masse for services that are found elsewhere in the mainstream market at no cost to the consumer - this is not a niche market for a painting or collectable football cards. I'm not sure how you can play the "it's a matter of opinion" in this respect.

It's fact that if the rest (or some) of the systems offer the same basic services at no charge, then it's not worth the money to pay for those same basic services (such as playing games online - seriously) on a different system.

60 a year? thats nothing bro nothing

Twixty

[QUOTE="GrilledCharlie"][QUOTE="raynimrod"]

I actually tend to agree with the TC. Those who willingly pay for things that are in no way worth the money, are the ones perpetuating the cycle of increasing prices.

raynimrod

No, it's not the same thing as your examples. We're talking about charging millions of people en masse for services that are found elsewhere in the mainstream market at no cost to the consumer - this is not a niche market for a painting or collectable football cards. I'm not sure how you can play the "it's a matter of opinion" in this respect.

It's fact that if the rest (or some) of the systems offer the same basic services at no charge, then it's not worth the money to pay for those same basic services (such as playing games online - seriously) on a different system.

his example is entirely fine. Paintings arent a niche market. Alot of people hang paintings on their walls..

when a painting goes at auction... lots of people put in different bids according to what that painting is worth to them. The painting is the same, just certain people value it higher than others, and those are the people that win the auction. The same people might bid less on a different painting... because that painting isnt worth as much to them.... even though they are both paintings.

ive actually stopped buying DLC for now. most of it isn't worth the price.

I'm sorry but I love when When north American citizens would gladly pay $60 to a company and tell other people not to complain about it, but when there government would just even imply to raise the taxes to get them benefits like free health care (something that could actually benefit everyone), they will go in to tantrum.

I know there is a difference in the money involved, but not in the principle.

It sounds like you would rather have company's dictate what you use you're money on, than you're government.

Either way I don't care what you think is right or wrong. just don't tell people that they should not complain if they feel there is a reason to complain.

if you want to play online and only have a 360 there is no other way than to complain. But if you're like me and have a 360, ps3 and PC to play on, then stop paying.

[QUOTE="GrilledCharlie"][QUOTE="raynimrod"]

I actually tend to agree with the TC. Those who willingly pay for things that are in no way worth the money, are the ones perpetuating the cycle of increasing prices.

raynimrod

No, it's not the same thing as your examples. We're talking about charging millions of people en masse for services that are found elsewhere in the mainstream market at no cost to the consumer - this is not a niche market for a painting or collectable football cards. I'm not sure how you can play the "it's a matter of opinion" in this respect.

It's fact that if the rest (or some) of the systems offer the same basic services at no charge, then it's not worth the money to pay for those same basic services (such as playing games online - seriously) on a different system.

I'm sorry but I love when When north American citizens would gladly pay $60 to a company and tell other people not to complain about it, but when there government would just even imply to raise the taxes to get them benefits like free health care (something that could actually benefit everyone), they will go in to tantrum.

I know there is a difference in the money involved, but not in the principle.

It sounds like you would rather have company's dictate what you use you're money on, than you're government.

Either way I don't care what you think is right or wrong. just don't tell people that they should not complain if they feel there is a reason to complain.

if you want to play online and only have a 360 there is no other way than to complain. But if you're like me and have a 360, ps3 and PC to play on, then stop paying.

tumle

XBL is going to continue to raise in price, wanna know why? Just look above my post. As you can see, the people who pay for the service defend the price to death and act as if it is cheap. Please dont use the "well I have the money to afford it" argument. I have the money to wipe my ass with 5 dollar bills, doesnt mean it makes sense.

emorainbo

Money is NO PROBLEM for me, but I don't like the idea of funding projects I don't believe in, or want to participate in.

In the end, it could be $100, $120 a year, and we would still see the same responses in SW. There is no breaking point it seems, and that's why we see the company act as it does.

Hey, it brought it 1.2 Billion last year alone, just Xbox Live. It's money making and fantastic revenue.

PC users said NO to LIVE fees, and got it for free....because honestly, the ads, DLC, and DL games still bring in revenue.

I'm sorry to say, but I feel the only people who mention that the price raise as a concern

iammason

Wow your logic is terrible.

It really is an interesting business decision by M$ to raise the price. If they would have lowered by $10 or $20 per year, people would be praising them, and they would still be getting money for a service that should be free in my opinoin. A lot of their business decisions have been interesting. If they would have kept the price of their console lower than the PS3 by $50 to $100, they could have buried the PS3 long ago. With the PS3 including wireless, and Blueray at the same price point as M$, you would think they would have been able to.

what price increase? 12 month cards on amazon are $40.

if you go to a car lot and pay sticker price i don't know what to tell you.

I'm sorry to say, but I feel the only people who mention that the price raise as a concern are the jobless ones who live in their parents basements, or those who just make minimum wage. The increase is minimal at best, and though others will claim that they aren't basement dwellers or high school students that are upset regardless, let me just say this: If you don't fall under either of those categories and still find something to complain about an experience which you probably enjoy very much, you probably shouldn't have been paying for the service in the first place.

Seriously, it's ridiculous to see how many people are ticked off by the price hike, as the cost of living in general continues to go up, many other things will go up in price too, not just Live. Things like hydro, water, cable, phone services, etc all continue to raise their prices, some even change them on a bi-monthly basis.

Lastly I'd like to add that the only people that seem upset are the people of the Internet, which in reality isn't that many people. People outside of places like System Wars, Gamespot, N4G, and IGN don't count for every gamer. The public will not notice the change, and Xbox Live and the 360 will continue to grow strong.

iammason

That is sad dude sad excuse in did,now Carlos Slim did not get to beat Bill Gates as the most rich man on the planet by paying for thing other gaves for free and trowing money away,in fact the man has live in the same house for 20 years.

That is a sad analogy and pretty much and insult dude you are actually claiming that people that complain about live are jobless or that live in their parents basements or do minimun wage? so explain to me how i could afford a PS3 on launch,yet i don't like the idea of paying for live in any way.?

Am i jobless,live on my parents basement or had a minimun wage paying job.? Non of the early i live with my wise and kids on my house,i am sertainly not jobless an make more than $30 and hour.

what price increase? 12 month cards on amazon are $40.

if you go to a car lot and pay sticker price i don't know what to tell you.

Riverwolf007

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Month-Live-Gold-Card/dp/B0029LJIFG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1284124234&sr=8-1

Where.? the cheapest i found is $48 dollars and the price rise hasn't took place yet is on november,is funny some people claim to get live way under $50 but amazon as of now has it just $2 dollars cheaper than $50 is a juke..lol

[QUOTE="Riverwolf007"]

what price increase? 12 month cards on amazon are $40.

if you go to a car lot and pay sticker price i don't know what to tell you.

Eltormo

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Month-Live-Gold-Card/dp/B0029LJIFG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1284124234&sr=8-1

Where.? the cheapest i found is $48 dollars and the price rise hasn't took place yet is on november,is funny some people claim to get live way under $50 but amazon as of now has it just $2 dollars cheaper than $50 is a juke..lol

newegg still has em for $40.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=xbox+live+12+month

Why is it that the Cows are always complaining about the price of Live but never complain about the price of their electric bill?

360 has always been more energy efficient than the PS3. PS3 owners depending on usage are spending more than the cost of Live per year on the difference in power bill but for a bunch of whiners they never complain about that. Same thing with the Hermits. Hermits consume 3x the amount of energy of 360 users, pay monthly fees for MMO's, buy over priced hardware for their PC's and yet still complain about the cost of Live :|. Face it folks gaming is an expensive hobby. If you don't think something is worth buying then don't purchase it.

Why is it that the Cows are always complaining about the price of Live but never complain about the price of their electric bill?

360 has always been more energy efficient than the PS3. PS3 owners depending on usage are spending more than the cost of Live per year on the difference in power bill but for a bunch of whiners they never complain about that. Same thing with the Hermits. Hermits consume 3x the amount of energy of 360 users, pay monthly fees for MMO's, buy over priced hardware for their PC's and yet still complain about the cost of Live :|. Face it folks gaming is an expensive hobby. If you don't think something is worth buying then don't purchase it.

EG101

Oh if another company give electricity for Free and another company charger me for it i would complain to hell and beyondbut since electricity is not free and enevr has been,while online gaming has been free and is only MS who charge for it i complain.

Bringing electricity as excuse is sad your PC beat the 2 easy,in special if you have a gaming PC with a power hungry card,that even need a separate power cable.

In fact the PS3 slim was introduce a year before the slim 360,and the slim PS3 was much less power hungry that the fat 360,and in fact the difference between the slim PS3 and slim 360 is like 6 or 7 wats dude.

what price increase? 12 month cards on amazon are $40.

if you go to a car lot and pay sticker price i don't know what to tell you.

Riverwolf007

60 a year? thats nothing bro nothing

Twixty

[QUOTE="Twixty"]

60 a year? thats nothing bro nothing

jonesy1911

when it becomes 80 or 90 I'm wondering when lemmings will stop defending it, if they ever do I believe some will pay $50 a month to play xlive

[QUOTE="raynimrod"]

No, it's not the same thing as your examples. We're talking about charging millions of people en masse for services that are found elsewhere in the mainstream market at no cost to the consumer - this is not a niche market for a painting or collectable football cards. I'm not sure how you can play the "it's a matter of opinion" in this respect.

It's fact that if the rest (or some) of the systems offer the same basic services at no charge, then it's not worth the money to pay for those same basic services (such as playing games online - seriously) on a different system.

GrilledCharlie

Are there petrol (gas) stations that offer fuel to drivers free of charge? Because if there was one, and the fuel allowed you to drive your car in the very same way as those offering petrol (gas) for a fee, it would not be worth the money paying for the gas. Sure, you might be able to also drink the gas you pay for, which is nifty but not required to get you from A to B - the only reason you would require fuel.

I think that the ability to play games online should be free, and that all of the "extras" XBL offers should be optional at a fee. But the fact that you have to pay to play online, removes any sense of worth when online play is free on other systems. Please ignore my slightly drunken ramblings.

[QUOTE="Twixty"]

60 a year? thats nothing bro nothing

Santesyu

I'm not a fan of the fee, but to say, "I could have used that XX dollars for something else" is pretty silly. OF COURSE YOU COULD. It's money, that's the point.

[QUOTE="Riverwolf007"]

what price increase? 12 month cards on amazon are $40.

if you go to a car lot and pay sticker price i don't know what to tell you.

Eltormo

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Month-Live-Gold-Card/dp/B0029LJIFG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1284124234&sr=8-1

Where.? the cheapest i found is $48 dollars and the price rise hasn't took place yet is on november,is funny some people claim to get live way under $50 but amazon as of now has it just $2 dollars cheaper than $50 is a juke..lol

[QUOTE="jonesy1911"][QUOTE="Twixty"]

60 a year? thats nothing bro nothing

static197

when it becomes 80 or 90 I'm wondering when lemmings will stop defending it, if they ever do I believe some will pay $50 a month to play xlive

To all the people complaining about having to pay for XBL: Do you run Windows on your PCs? Because you could be running Ubuntu instead, for free, instead of paying for Windows. Do you run MS Office? Because you could be running OpenOffice for free instead of paying for MS Office.

Why do you run Windows and MS Office? Guess what, people pay for XBL for similar reasons.

Like Windows and MS Office, XBL is high quality and costs a premium. Like Ubuntu and OpenOffice, PSN is free but is relatively crap.

60 a year? thats nothing bro nothing

Twixty

60 a year? thats nothing bro nothing

Twixty