Microsoft justifies Xbox Live price hike

As of yesterday, Microsoft’s price hike for Xbox Live Gold membership went into effect in North America, Canada, Britain and...

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As of yesterday, Microsoft’s price hike for Xbox Live Gold membership went into effect in North America, Canada, Britain and Mexico. North American annual subscriptions jumped by ten bucks, while other countries had seemingly random subscription increases. Don’t worry about it though, because Microsoft still thinks you’re getting your money’s worth.

“… if I’m playing Halo: Reach, Gears of War, Call of Duty, the consistency of the service and the experience needs to be there regardless of what that entertainment application is,” says marketing thrall Craig Davison. “So that has been critical. As you can imagine, the costs associated with maintaining a service at that level and making sure all of those features are consistent … Infrastructure costs, of course. And we’re continuing to bring more and more content.”

Microsoft also added that Xbox Live users get such benefits as timed exclusives on Call of Duty map packs, exclusive games, and features like ESPN. Then of course, you have stuff like Twitter, which I believe you can only get through Xbox Live, and Facebook, which Microsoft invented. 

Interview: Microsoft’s Davison On How Kinect Will Help Xbox Live Ramp Up [Gamasutra] [Image]

As of yesterday, Microsoft’s price hike for Xbox Live Gold membership went into effect in North America, Canada, Britain and Mexico. North American annual subscriptions jumped by ten bucks, while other countries had seemingly random subscription increases. Don’t worry about it though, because Microsoft still thinks you’re getting your money’s worth.

“… if I’m playing Halo: Reach, Gears of War, Call of Duty, the consistency of the service and the experience needs to be there regardless of what that entertainment application is,” says marketing thrall Craig Davison. “So that has been critical. As you can imagine, the costs associated with maintaining a service at that level and making sure all of those features are consistent … Infrastructure costs, of course. And we’re continuing to bring more and more content.”

Microsoft also added that Xbox Live users get such benefits as timed exclusives on Call of Duty map packs, exclusive games, and features like ESPN. Then of course, you have stuff like Twitter, which I believe you can only get through Xbox Live, and Facebook, which Microsoft invented. 

Interview: Microsoft’s Davison On How Kinect Will Help Xbox Live Ramp Up [Gamasutra] [Image]

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