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[ Excremento's blog ]

Dear Xbox Live: I Quit
Excremento \| 8:34 AM on 04.06.2008	74 comments

Dear Microsoft and Xbox Live,

The joy that I have been experiencing with your system playing games like Lost Odyssey and Mass Effect have been rather substantial. This does not however excuse you from providing me with an online experience (that I must pay for) which has seen its fair share of problems in the last couple of months.

I thought that the concept was pretty straightforward. I give you money, you give me uninterrupted service and speedy connections with people who are a joy to play against/with. I do enjoy the fact that you have a great file service for downloading demos and game videos, but your constant lack of being able to see upcoming service spikes has led me to think that you might not know what you are doing when it comes to online connectivity.

This leads me to my conundrum, I enjoy the 1~2 matches that I play against online opponents every month but I don't see why I must pay for a feature that is included with a game. Should not the creators of said game and online capabilities be responsible for paying for the server time that might be used by its customers? Shouldn't all games have a memorable single player experience that I won't need multiplayer like Halo: Combat Evolved? Did I not pay you $60 for a new game that in all actuality shouldn't cost that much considering that I pay $8 a month for online connectivity?

Microsoft, I have to say that after buying my PS3 and enjoying the free multiplayer for my games, not to mention the promise of Home soon, has led me to this. As of this month, you will no longer be allowed to take money from me for a service that should be provided for free. I will no longer buy multiplayer specific games for the Xbox 360, but will instead pick up said game on the PS3. This latest fiasco with the CoD4 maps has left a sour taste in my mouth. The money I save from not paying for your service will go into a savings that will pay for real social activities, not the one that you promised me with Xbox Live.

Regretfully cancelling my Live Gold membership,

Excremento

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71 comments | showing # 1 to 50

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Revolt in Colour says:
(# 0) on 04/06/2008 08:38

LOL.

covah says:
(# 1) on 04/06/2008 08:47

I mean really... why even address it to microsoft? its not like they're pulling a JT and trolling the dtoid cblogs. you just want attention

Elitechief27 says:
(# 2) on 04/06/2008 08:47

Am I the only one not hyped for Home?

wardrox says:
(# 3) on 04/06/2008 08:55

my PSN name: wardrox

media haze says:
(# 4) on 04/06/2008 09:00

Also LOL. ROLFMA...

"The money I save from not paying for your service will go into a savings that will pay for real social activities, not the one that you promised me with Xbox Live."

I would like some clarifications what these 'real social activities will be for 8$ a month' The idea that you can use that money to do something exciting every day for a month makes me laugh. It would be an interesting experiment that would be worth blogging about. Just don't spend the money all in one place :P Please keep us posted on how it goes for you.

Day 1: Changed 8$ into pennies, threw 25 of them at passing cars on the road. Money Left (7.75)
Day 2: Bought a pack of cigs and smoked it with the local homeless
Day 3: Bought lighter fluid and lit my pants on fire before jumping into a pool....
Day 4: Gave up and bought XBL... :P

You get my point.

media haze says:
(# 5) on 04/06/2008 09:02

Edit, its alot less then $8 a month, try $4. WOOT More of a challenge!

power-glove says:
(# 6) on 04/06/2008 09:02

Mento, you do realize that one after a significant increase in the install base of the PS3, that this stuff could happen as well. It is not easy to handle 200,000 to 300,000 people downloading a 440mb size at the same time.

power-glove says:
(# 7) on 04/06/2008 09:06

*on the PS3, as well

440mb size file.

Excremento says:
(# 8) on 04/06/2008 09:08

@media haze

It's all in fun, I don't think that my $8 can significantly be saved for fun activities every day of the month. I just wanted to jump on the Xbox Live hate bandwagon and I simply don't use the service enough for me to warrant more future purchases of the monthly fee. My laziness is what's costing me so much money, if I only was to go out and buy a 12+1 membership card...actually that $8 can go toward the goodwill stores and the yardsales fund for me to beef up my retrogame collection. Anyways, I love you guys!

wardrox says:
(# 9) on 04/06/2008 09:17

If the price is so small, why do they bother charging? HMM?

Y0j1mb0 says:
(# 10) on 04/06/2008 09:25

Hate to see you having online troubles with your 360 Excremento. While I've had my fair share of problems with the 360 it was never the LIVE service, just the shoddy hardware.

Perhaps given it a second look after the download insanity that coincide with the new COD4 maps will make you reevaluate your stance.

Either way my PSN is:k0wb0y-b33b0p..join us on Friday Night Fights..we'll welcome you with open arms.

Excremento says:
(# 11) on 04/06/2008 09:28

There's another added bonus of going to the PSN...the disc drive is 20x quieter so I can play late at night without waking the wife up. Actually I was going to cancel before having my problems, with the kid on the way its something I really won't have time for anyways.

@ Yojimbo, I'll add you as soon as I get home tonight.

@ Wardrox, my sentiments exactly, I don't know why they insist on making us pay and at the same time have adverts in the menus.

@ Everyone Else, I realized this weekend that I actually prefer my retro consoles over the newest generation consoles for the fact that the single play experience HAD to be there otherwise the games wouldn't have done well.

B-Radicate says:
(# 12) on 04/06/2008 09:35

I've ironically not been on Live since the maps dropped. Been drinking and playing RSV2 co-op split screen and drinking. Hmm, sorry to hear you have shitty service. We'll miss you on Live.

Seth338 says:
(# 13) on 04/06/2008 09:43

I can't afford a PS3 at the moment, that's pretty much the only reason.

TheBorbes says:
(# 14) on 04/06/2008 09:44

Dear Internet

You went down for 20 minutes. This is unacceptable! I was watching naruto porn and a 20 minute hiccup in service makes me think my ISP doesn't know what they're doing when it comes to Internet service providing. I am regretfully unsubscribing from the internet.

Anus Mcphanus says:
(# 15) on 04/06/2008 09:44

Hey don't give up yet MS will sort it out now..... oh who am I kidding?! You know what else sucks though is not only do you have to buy the wireless adapter separately but I personally find that it's not as stable as the PS3 or even wii wireless connections.... fucking cheap arse MS!

JonDarkwood says:
(# 16) on 04/06/2008 09:53

That's unfortunate. Since Microsoft is really the big pioneer in this field it's too bad the public has to pay for their oversights (unintentional ones, i'm sure).

Not that they deserve 'excuses' being made for them when you are paying for a service they are unable to deliver, but I can certainly understand what this problem is coming out of.

manasteel88 says:
(# 17) on 04/06/2008 10:13

I can't wait for some big e3 reveal that will ensure that Xbox Live will still be worth paying for...I agree sony's PSN is attractive with its cost of $0.00 but the internets have told me that its not quite as nice as the 360. And with Home looming and ten times more importantly, Achievements I need some reassurance.

This hasnt been a good start for xbox this year as they've lost to the PS3 for a few months in a row and pair that with the loss to blu-ray they are gonna lose some more. I want to see MS showcase something that actually means something to me. Which I haven't heard anything exciting from the company in a while. Except maybe GTA4 exclusive content whatever that is.

My XBL account is probably gonna run over soon so I'll be sticking with single player games for a while. Hopefully, I'll hear something new that will make me want to renew the service.

PSN: AgentChieftain

We'll be waiting with Unreal Tournament 3 in tow.

Schphinkter says:
(# 19) on 04/06/2008 10:29

Now you can play COD4 on the PS3 and suffer even more problems (PSN has had far more issues). You will also notice the absence of the new maps. Have fun waiting, but hey, it's free. Just don't expect as many people or many fellow gamers who talk. PSN is about the middle ground of playing online with XBL and the Wii.

Lanontscuz says:
(# 20) on 04/06/2008 10:31

PSN: Lanontscuz

hit me up for some COD4 or Warhawk either one..i got r6v but i dont like the multi on it

Excremento says:
(# 21) on 04/06/2008 10:56

@ All the people that think it's a money issue:

Its not that I can't afford it man, its simply the fact that I shouldn't have to pay for a service that is free on other systems on top of the money we have to pay for the games AND the hardware. It's bad enough that we have to have to pay for the internet, then we have to pay for the console, after all that, we still have to buy the game and on top of all that subscribe to yet another service to use included on the disc multiplayer.

Boolean says:
(# 22) on 04/06/2008 11:04

"I give you money, you give me uninterrupted service"
HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!!! Jesus fucking Christ.

I mean I think Xbox Live is pretty fucked up too, but how the Christ are they supposed to give you 100% guaranteed uninterrupted service?! How do you suggest they prevent it from EVER going down?

zaqu says:
(# 23) on 04/06/2008 11:06

so i hear pc's have always been free and havnt had such major fuckups that effect YOUR ENTIRE EXPERIENCE ON THE INTERNET WITH SAID DEVICE and the library is huge also isnt run by 10 year olds also i luv ps tripple

DarkTravesty says:
(# 24) on 04/06/2008 11:15

really? was this needed?

Excremento says:
(# 25) on 04/06/2008 11:21

@ DarkTravesty

I had absolutely nothing to do with that, I never even check n4g. Wow, its sad that editorials and top 10s that I write never get any attention from them, but the minute I write a somewhat scathing letter to Xbox Live, it ends up on there with 320 degrees...Jesus!

DrNutt says:
(# 26) on 04/06/2008 11:27

Actually Excremento, I love your top 10s and I hope you keep them coming. But things like this definitely bring the fanboys out of the woodwork.

I do disagree with you on this point, but only because I have had 0 problems with Xbox live, even during the times other people had. It probably helps that I logged on and started my download before going to work on Friday, while the rest of the Xbox live community was still sleeping off the previous night's Mountain Dew crash.

power-glove says:
(# 27) on 04/06/2008 11:32

The problem with posts like this is that Sony fans use it as a way to stick it to everyone that owns a MS console.

Unfortunately, this group has a stupid sense of entitlement and desire to insult Xbox users because of the criticism that Sony received in the early days of the PS3.

Mento, I hope that you will come back for a session in the future. I never got a chance play with you.:(

Excremento says:
(# 28) on 04/06/2008 11:51

@ Power-glove

Unfortunately, I wasn't saying that so and so is better, or making a statement that I prefer one over the other. I am just letting people know that I am done with paying for this service. Its too bad that people are taking it the wrong way and considering me a Sony fanboy (anyone from this site who knows me, know that that just isn't true). I never intended for this to be ammo for other fanboys to use, just thought it might get a laugh out of a few.

Excremento says:
(# 29) on 04/06/2008 11:51

power-glove says:
(# 30) on 04/06/2008 11:57

I understand, I was not accusing you of anything. I still hope to see you on Live again at some point.

Excremento says:
(# 31) on 04/06/2008 12:02

@ Power-Glove

I'm not totally done with online gaming, I'm just done paying for it. Maybe if I had more time to devote to online, i'd keep paying for it. I just see no sense in continuing paying for something I am barely using.

MrSadistic says:
(# 32) on 04/06/2008 12:08

If you actually do get a PS3:

Welcome to the dark side, I love you.

Itchy says:
(# 33) on 04/06/2008 12:13

You know, I always wanted to cancel my subscription. But then I was told I had to call them, and they're only open when I have class... And I always forget. God. I never even use it.

Never had any hiccups with PSN though.

PSN: Kaizoku-ou

DynamicSheep says:
(# 34) on 04/06/2008 12:14

I didn't renew my gold membership for this exact reason... I'll play MAYBE a game or two online every month IF when I get on LIVE doesn't decide to be a dick. No more free money for you MS!

Lord Raoh says:
(# 35) on 04/06/2008 12:21

My gold membership expires on the 10th. i will not be renewing. it's not because i'm on my 3rd 360. its not because i play my ps3 more lately.

but i feel the difference with silver and gold live service is unfair.

i know you get rankings, better match making, leaderboards, etc. thats actually great. but a silver user should be able to get online and play against people.. especially on a regular online game thats meant to be online. maybe the silver member shouldnt be allowed to be ranked, or be on the leaderboards etc.. but should still be allowed to play online.

i sometimes cant even stream movies to my 360 wihtout it demanding i connect to live..

just not worth it. i know the price may seem cheap, but its the principle not the money, i have bought all 3 consoles and have bought plenty of games but its just not worth it.

i'm trading in my 360 after the 10th because really, the 360 without LIVE access is just worthless.

DarkTravesty says:
(# 36) on 04/06/2008 12:27

@ Excremento: yeah, just thought i'd point it out. whoever it was that submitted it is sad.

Yashoki says:
(# 37) on 04/06/2008 12:33

4-5 dollars a month, WHO FUCKING CARES?

Excremento says:
(# 38) on 04/06/2008 12:34

@ Yashoki

You're missing the point...

Crunshii says:
(# 39) on 04/06/2008 12:35

Y0jim... ur friend list is full :( make some space!

Yashoki says:
(# 40) on 04/06/2008 12:37

Not really.

Danmartigan says:
(# 41) on 04/06/2008 12:59

Actually I think they've done pretty well considering the amount of traffic on their servers. It's very uncharacteristic of Microsoft to write software that doesn't crash every 10 minutes, let alone manage game servers for hundreds of thousands of players at a time while facilitating text messages and voice chat. It's actually pretty fucking amazing when you think about what they're doing.

And Sony has a horrible track record with online service- does anyone remember the nightmares playing SOCOM on PS2, and periods of COMPLETE downtime while they fix their servers. Don't even get me started on motherfucking Star Wars galaxies, either. I will always hold a special place in my cockles for the SOE team who ruined SWG.

Have fun with your "free" service.

Crunshii says:
(# 42) on 04/06/2008 13:30

oh on the topic, $4 n $8? who cares, why are you paying for something that should be free when its unreliable? you guys bought a $400 system with high chance of breaking, $60 for the game (DLC crap apart, so you can pay more later), $50 for a unreliable service.

Microsoft should make Live free if they want to Live up to customer quality since they have failed to fix the 360 and give a shit ass warranty. On the PS3 I get online with 16 players vs in UT3 with all kinds of mods and 0 lag in HD performance, 30 player vs in Warhawk for some insane fun while playing my old school games. Paying $0 for "so far" excellent service.

GutZ says:
(# 43) on 04/06/2008 13:35

I will have fun with my free service, because for once, it seems like sony may have done something right.

Yashoki says:
(# 44) on 04/06/2008 13:35

You speak as if XBL is down every single day. It's had a couple hiccups right? And last time i checked, it was still up and running, not being able to buy Microsoft points =/= Live being down. Go watch a movie while it's being retarded and play the next day.

Revolt in Colour says:
(# 45) on 04/06/2008 13:54

Any service isn't going to be perfect. Does you cable/satellite go out every once in a while? Yes. Does your internet go out every so often? Yea.

Just because it has to do with games doesn't mean it should be perfect.

Jesus Christ people, get a grip on the real world.

Kyousuke Nanbu says:
(# 46) on 04/06/2008 14:10

Yea and once PSN gets a bunch of members and slows down, you'll be hear whining and bitching on how PSN MUST cater to your demands and run exactly like YOU want it to.

XBL has been up for 5 years, its been running well, they had some issues during christmas but that was a big oversight from them, they actually fired people from that area before it happened, about 2 weeks after that XBL has been running smoothly for me, and I have a shit connection.

They had some slowdowns with the maps, same thing happened with the halo ones, you have a lot of people downloading the same exact thing, it happens.

Stop being such a whiny bitch. 8 dollars a month is chump change.

Excremento says:
(# 47) on 04/06/2008 14:14

@ Revolt in Colour

Please don't troll my blog. I wrote this as a way of saying that as a consumer, the only way that I can show my lack of satisfaction is by not supporting it by paying for it any longer. Yes, internet/cable service does go down every once in a while do to serious problems, not because of increased usage. Also, if I had serious issues with my other services I WOULD cancel them as well. Seeing how there are no other options for those said services, I am stuck with using them. However, since I do have a choice as far as online gaming goes, I CAN assert myself. Sure, Microsoft may not answer to customers who have the slightest dis-satisfaction with their service, but enough people cancelling their Live accounts would speak to the people that MS DOES pay attention to, its Stock Holders.

Revolt in Colour says:
(# 48) on 04/06/2008 14:27

Please. Someone tell me how often Live has been down in the last year or so (excluding Christmas)....

Anyone?

I can only think of when Halo 3 came out. Did it go down? No. Was it laggy. Yes. Oh well.

Excremento says:
(# 49) on 04/06/2008 14:43

@ Kyousuke Nanbu

I would have NO reason to complain about a free service. I am not going to be hurting from the $8 bucks a month being taken out. I just no longer want to use/have an Xbox Live Gold membership. Some people complain that it is taking only a matter of pennies from the user when it goes wrong, while this may be true; those pennies multiplied across the whole user base of Gold memberships is a lot of money they get for nothing.

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