So, the PlayStation 3 will be getting Netflix, and what’s more, it’ll be providing the service without Xbox Live’s obligatory entry price. Sony will have the edge, since customers will only need to pay the $8.99 Netflix fee as opposed to $8.99 plus a Gold membership to Xbox Live. That said, Microsoft doesn’t seem to care, believing that Xbox Live is still a “generation ahead” of the competition.
“The Netflix experience on Xbox LIVE is unique and reflects our commitment for social entertainment. We believe we offer an experience today that is a generation ahead of what others are offering,” said an MS spokesman, in response to the PS3’s new coup. “For a little over $4 a month Xbox LIVE Gold membership is hands-down the best value in home entertainment, and gives you exclusive access multi-player gaming and early demos as well as Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, Last.fm, 1 vs 100 and more.”
Of course, a lot of that is BS — you don’t need Xbox Live to access Facebook, Twitter, Netflix and Last.fm. You also don’t get “early” access to demos, since all Microsoft does is delay demos for Silver members rather than put them up early for Gold ones. Also, the last I checked, online multiplayer wasn’t exclusive to the 360. Oh, and 1 vs. 100 will only ever be a selling point to idiots.
What this response seems to say more than anything is, “We’re not dropping the Xbox Live subscription free, nyah nyah nyah.” Fair enough, I suppose.
Published: Oct 27, 2009 08:40 am