I’ll be one of the first to say that Xbox Live definitely has its share of flaws. It can suffer from lag and much of its community does have the collective etiquette of a two-year-old. But here are the reasons why I continue to be a Gold subscriber to Microsoft’s online service.
1. Usability
Xbox Live provides a very streamlined experience. I can see what my friends are playing whenever I want by bringing up the guide and send invites across games. I can also download items while playing games and get instant access to demos and game add-ons before Silver subscribers. For the most part (not always) the service is pretty reliable, and when it isn’t, Microsoft has owned up to that, updating its servers and infrastructure. During my personal experience, it has been very stable and easy to use.
2. Community
Obviously, XBL is riddled with a lot of prepubescent gamers who enjoy screaming into their mics as if the louder they scream correlates directly with how much I respect them. Honestly, I don’t play a hell of a lot of matchmade or ranked games anymore because I’m sick of it. Instead I play with my friends. If this last Friday Night Fight was emblematic of why I love the Destructoid community and reinforced why I’m willing to pay for the service (CoD4 really needs a zombie mode). I had a ton of fun playing with you guys and I’d gladly do it again.
Also, Tazar is a fucking champ. Big ups to Rio for the picture.
3. Doing the math
Why not just buy a PS3 and never have to pay for online features ever again? If the cheapest PS3 costs $400 then I’m going to do some math.
$400 console / $50 per year = 8 years of Xbox Live
In my opinion, repositioning my main online console doesn’t seem very cost efficient right now. I certainly wouldn’t trade in my Xbox 360. I think I've already sunk a substantial amount of money into it to be past the point of switching now.
4. It’s in a developer’s best interest
The difference between PS3 servers and Xbox servers are that developers and publishers administrate the PS3 ones and Microsoft handles the ones for every Xbox game. By subscribing to Xbox Live, I’m ensuring that a game’s servers will remain online even after a newer iteration of a series is released. Additionally, by putting more cost onto PS3 development, what’s going to stop multiplatform games with online functionality from costing more on the PS3? It’s a nightmarish future, but certainly not improbable.
Those are some of the reason why I have no reservations about paying for my Xbox Live membership. I’d just like to make a note that nowhere in this article do I believe I have looked down upon the PSN, nor have I claimed its feature set to be inferior. If I had a PS3 and PSN cost $50 a year, I would probably pay for that too. These are simply reasons I continue to pay for XBL.
It think megagroup Boston said it best when they wrote:
I understand about indecision But I don't care if I get behind People livin' in competition All I want is to have my peace of mind.
Nice write-up. I'm with you man. I love playing some Warhawk and MGO, but when it comes down to it, I love playing XBL more because all my friends are on it. I only have one personal friend with a PS3.
To answer everyone asking, yojimbo wrote a blog earlier today entitled "how long are you willing to pay for live and look like a dumbass i love the ps3" or something, which sparked a big debate aka flame war about PS3 vs 360.
@dvddesign: I think that was for people who already own a 360.
I think Heretic is a pretty cool hypocrite and isn't afraid of posting multiple comments.
Dude, just leave the trolls alone. They'll go away if you do. Some people are are system fanboy trolls. You're an atheist elitist troll. 2 wrongs don't make a right.
Nice write up. What I dont get is why y0j1mb0 felt the need to even post it in the first place. He mustve known that guys like The Wrath would freak out. I also lol'd at "Some will like this, some will like that" when earlier he was hating on XBL.
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#3, you have to pay for the console. Xbox 360 isn't free.
Much like freedom.
#1, it's an identical experience on PSN without any of the wait of silver vs gold.
Damn it. Can't we just let it go?
DREAMCAST HAD FREE ONLINE!!! AND CAME WITH A 56K MODEM FOR FREE!
To answer everyone asking, yojimbo wrote a blog earlier today entitled "how long are you willing to pay for live and look like a dumbass i love the ps3" or something, which sparked a big debate aka flame war about PS3 vs 360.
@dvddesign: I think that was for people who already own a 360.
Also XBL wins. Bloop!
Dude, just leave the trolls alone. They'll go away if you do. Some people are are system fanboy trolls. You're an atheist elitist troll. 2 wrongs don't make a right.
BLUE RED BLUE GREEN GREEN BLUE
ALRIGHT WAHT EVER YOU SAY FATASS BITCH <333
As for Xbox Live, if Nintendo ever gets their act together and if Sony keeps improving their service, MS is going to be looking kind of dumb.
LOLOLOLOLOLLOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!ONE!!112
end.of.story.
its such a good image for a good post.
hope this will stop the fan boy now :)
That one never gets old.