With Steam doing so well these days, it was only a matter of time before Microsoft realized that the majority of PC gamers will never, ever pay to play games online.
Now that Games For Windows LIVE is free and its console counterpart Xbox LIVE isn't, it's only natural that people get up in arms. GFW LIVE Head Kevin Unangst spoke to Gamasutra to try and explain the whole situation.
He says that the PC focuses on game content, whereas the Xbox LIVE Marketplace is all about multimedia, not just game expansions or DLC add-ons. Plus, it's not like there are any alternatives to online gaming on the 360 like there are on PC.
Yes, we'd all love to have free Xbox LIVE, but that's not going to happen so long as the service remains as popular as it is today. Oh well, I guess paying $50 a year isn't that bad for what's offered.
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Contest:
1:01 PM on 08.06.2008
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Me too.
Bullshit, I say. Especailly since you have to pay for the multimedia anyway.
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LogoWriter? Anyone?
It's all due to lack of competition.
Where is JackofNoTrades? With his hatred for the Wii and the PC, I'm sure he'd valiantly defend Microsoft's money-grubbing tactics.
Trust me, if PC gaming died, you'd see Live! prices shoot through the roof.
Taking a break from being Gold for awhile. Honestly I don't feel assured about it altogether.
can't they charge for all that multimedia crap i don't want and let me play my games for free. they could charge whatever they want for whatever they want as long i can play for free and i would be happy.
can't they charge for all that multimedia crap i don't want and let me play my games for free. they could charge whatever they want for whatever they want as long i can play for free and i would be happy.
Cause the alternative is free?
I was going to say that the XBL people must have woke up with a few more brain cells this mourning but after reading that I don't think so.
Have you tried downloading Siren off the PSN? It took me 2 weeks to get all 12 episodes. When I can download 1.5 gig demos on XBL in a matter of an hour or two I'll gladly throw down the 50 bucks (most likely less with deals) and have that extra server push.
Free feels very nicendiddy.
I'd check your connection. I got the entire collection of Siren in a couple of hours at the most. Which, for like, what, 7 gigs, is pretty damn good if you ask me. I think the only two thing XBL has over PSN is a slightly better visual design and more people (which also equals more assholes), but if people begin to realize that there isn't that much of a difference except that one is free, it will begin to even out - only, Xbox can keep the assholes.
It would be nice if it were free, & personally I think it will be one day; when PSN approaches it's usability.
But there are a couple reasons why XBL will remain my favorite (& the best) online console platform in the near future.
1.) Cross-game invites
2.) Cross-game voice/video messaging/chat
3.) A system independent of developers; so that all games can include online smoothly. big or small.
4. A system independent of developers; so that games remain online years after sales die down.
#1 & #4 mainly. without #1 a friends list used for games is essentially dormant. & without #4 there's no guarantee a big chunk of your games library will just lose their online component after sales die down & it's not cost-effective to keep the servers up anymore.
"Microsoft realized that the majority of PC gamers will never, ever pay to play games online."
Precisely. Well, except for MMOs.
Steam is free. It is a digital distribution service, a friends list, it even has achievements for supported games now, and the service will continue to grow in the future. it's free, it has a cross games friend list, and games are completely moddable. You won't see something like Garry's Mod on the X-Box, ever, because not only is the possibility for nasty user content a legal swamp, but because users don't get access to information to play around with.
If all we had were consoles, there would be no Team Fortress, no Counter Strike, no Capture the Flag even. This stuff was user created, by people with access to the code. MS will never give up that sort of control to the community, and will make you pay just to host your own game on your own internet connection. It's BS.
Where as i turn my xbox on and invite my mate, bang in the game..oh and i can talk to him with the same service..
Im lazy, il pay for people to take away the hard work, if i wasnt lazy id be outside playing sports!
You pay for live because its good, if not it wouldnt exist, if you moan about it dont use it!