I underestimated the XBLGold membership numbers

LINK

So even if the number of gold subs has dropped to 50% since the 56% figure was released that would make 8.5milion gold users.

Annually that would generate cash flow of around (assuming $50 as the cost of the sub) $425million p/a.

Note that's not all profit for MS, however, that is huge amounts of cash flow and something Sony can only dream of from PSN.

When you see these people posting why can't XBL Gold subs be free this is why and then you can start to question Sony's business model, they don't charge for the online aspect of PSN and so are missing out on a valuable revenue stream, I think this is why they put so much into Home because it needs to be money generator for them - remember there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Phil

LINK

So even if the number of gold subs has dropped to 50% since the 56% figure was released that would make 8.5milion gold users.

Annually that would generate cash flow of around (assuming $50 as the cost of the sub) $425million p/a.

Note that's not all profit for MS, however, that is huge amounts of cash flow and something Sony can only dream of from PSN.

When you see these people posting why can't XBL Gold subs be free this is why and then you can start to question Sony's business model, they don't charge for the online aspect of PSN and so are missing out on a valuable revenue stream, I think this is why they put so much into Home because it needs to be money generator for them - remember there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Phil

Nomad0404

"remember there's no such thing as a free lunch"

Unless you eat from Sony or Nintendo's plate. Good for Microsoft though, I've always thought those guys needed more money.

Xbox Live is free money, yes.
SolidTy

[QUOTE="Nomad0404"]

LINK

So even if the number of gold subs has dropped to 50% since the 56% figure was released that would make 8.5milion gold users.

Annually that would generate cash flow of around (assuming $50 as the cost of the sub) $425million p/a.

Note that's not all profit for MS, however, that is huge amounts of cash flow and something Sony can only dream of from PSN.

When you see these people posting why can't XBL Gold subs be free this is why and then you can start to question Sony's business model, they don't charge for the online aspect of PSN and so are missing out on a valuable revenue stream, I think this is why they put so much into Home because it needs to be money generator for them - remember there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Phil

Poster_11

[QUOTE="SolidTy"]Xbox Live is free money, yes.
dotWithShoes

And your foolish to think that they need ANYWHERE NEAR the amount they charge now to run servers.

[QUOTE="dotWithShoes"][QUOTE="SolidTy"]Xbox Live is free money, yes.
hip-hop-cola2

And your foolish to think that they need ANYWHERE NEAR the amount they charge now to run servers.

[QUOTE="hip-hop-cola2"]

[QUOTE="dotWithShoes"] You're foolish to think that Xbox live costs MS no money to operate.dotWithShoes

And your foolish to think that they need ANYWHERE NEAR the amount they charge now to run servers.

[QUOTE="dotWithShoes"][QUOTE="hip-hop-cola2"]

And your foolish to think that they need ANYWHERE NEAR the amount they charge now to run servers.

SpruceCaboose

Yes, we are buying that content, it isn't free, and furthermore, M$ has closed down a ton of 1st party in houses, that's where a large part of revenue kicks in as well.

For the record, I never said Xbox Live costs NO MONEY to operate (Being someone with two Xboxs and two 360's, Live has cost me so far over $600), what I said was quite evident. So please, Dot, let's not put words in other posters mouths, k?

[QUOTE="hip-hop-cola2"]

[QUOTE="dotWithShoes"] You're foolish to think that Xbox live costs MS no money to operate.dotWithShoes

And your foolish to think that they need ANYWHERE NEAR the amount they charge now to run servers.

SMH LMAO

but then we have to make another payment to get those DLC

Yes, we are buying that content, it isn't free, and furthermore, M$ has closed down a ton of 1st party in houses, that's where a large part of revenue kicks in as well.

For the record, I never said Xbox Live costs NO MONEY to operate (Being someone with two Xboxs and two 360's, Live has cost me so far over $600), what I said was quite evident. So please, Dot, let's not put words in other posters mouths, k?

SolidTy

MS will never make XBL free, but I see no reason why they can't reduce the price to $30/yr

[QUOTE="hip-hop-cola2"]

[QUOTE="dotWithShoes"] You're foolish to think that Xbox live costs MS no money to operate.dotWithShoes

And your foolish to think that they need ANYWHERE NEAR the amount they charge now to run servers.

XBL is a rip-off in my opinion. Considering what you can get for free, it ridiculus. Its a better service here and there but your paying to play online, thats not even where MS will be spending most of the server costs, its P2P. Your paying for everybody else's silver accounts, and increasing MS profits, for barley anything.

Its defeantly a powerhouse for money for Microsoft.

Doesn't it piss some of you gold subscribers off that you pay for the features that EVERYONE uses? That you pay for features used by those who don't care enough to "chip in"?PoppaGamer

Doesn't it piss some of you gold subscribers off that you pay for the features that EVERYONE uses? That you pay for features used by those who don't care enough to "chip in"?PoppaGamer

[QUOTE="PoppaGamer"]Doesn't it piss some of you gold subscribers off that you pay for the features that EVERYONE uses? That you pay for features used by those who don't care enough to "chip in"?yoyo462001

For those who complain about the price. I usually pick up two 13-month sub cards for $39.99 each on sale. Best Buy puts them on sale every 4 months or so. fanboy999

I always wait for the Amazon sale for $30/yr for XBL, which Amazon runs about 2x a year. I've been doing it since 2004

[QUOTE="PoppaGamer"]Doesn't it piss some of you gold subscribers off that you pay for the features that EVERYONE uses? That you pay for features used by those who don't care enough to "chip in"?yoyo462001

[QUOTE="yoyo462001"][QUOTE="PoppaGamer"]Doesn't it piss some of you gold subscribers off that you pay for the features that EVERYONE uses? That you pay for features used by those who don't care enough to "chip in"?PoppaGamer

[QUOTE="PoppaGamer"][QUOTE="yoyo462001"]XBL is a great service, you get what you pay for its like asking me why dont i get the Free bus everyday instead of Driving which costs money..yoyo462001

I dont know but maybe we are paying so MS could have some money to pay developers so they could make downloadable content like GTA IV the lost and Damned which PS3 ain't getting...Legzdins

Doesn't it piss some of you gold subscribers off that you pay for the features that EVERYONE uses? That you pay for features used by those who don't care enough to "chip in"?PoppaGamer

Nope. Not in the slightest.

MS will never make XBL free, but I see no reason why they can't reduce the price to $30/yr

LosDaddie

What I think they should do is reduce the yearly sub, make it a recurring payment say $5 and give you XBox points as well.

$5 a month feels like nothing, it's $60 a year though and you'll be more inclined to spend your points on stuff online.

Phil

the bulk of those great features are available to NON-PAYING customers as well. Again, you pay, they get a free ride. It makes ZERO sense.PoppaGamer

[QUOTE="PoppaGamer"] the bulk of those great features are available to NON-PAYING customers as well. Again, you pay, they get a free ride. It makes ZERO sense.heretrix

[QUOTE="heretrix"]

[QUOTE="PoppaGamer"] the bulk of those great features are available to NON-PAYING customers as well. Again, you pay, they get a free ride. It makes ZERO sense.PoppaGamer

None of that has anything to do with me as a gold XBL subscriber paying for everybody else. I get cross game voicechat and online multiplayer, they don't. I really don't care about any of that other crap. When I get tired of live I will stop paying for it. If I want to play free online, I have a PS3 and a PC. It really doesn't bother me in the slightest. When it does, I won't pay for live anymore. It's as simple as that.

Doesn't it piss some of you gold subscribers off that you pay for the features that EVERYONE uses? That you pay for features used by those who don't care enough to "chip in"?PoppaGamer

to all the whiners, if you dont want to pay it then dont, just stop preaching to people who are ok with paying. your all starting to sound like my mother..SmokeyMcMuffin

If you crazy people stopped paying then MS would need to take action. But 50% happily pay a wild fee.

[QUOTE="SmokeyMcMuffin"]to all the whiners, if you dont want to pay it then dont, just stop preaching to people who are ok with paying. your all starting to sound like my mother..hip-hop-cola2

If you crazy people stopped paying then MS would need to take action. But 50% happily pay a wild fee.

I posted this in the other XBL-cost thread, but I figured I'd re-post it here since it applies:

Personally if I were a MOD, I'd lock all XBL-cost threads unless something new happens to XBL. Otherwise, XBL-costs threads all end up the same like they have for YEARS now:

• Cows: XBL is a waste of money. Hope you like throwing money away
• Lems: XBL is a good service. I wish it were free, but $50 isn't much

I really don't see how these threads add anything to the forum.

I posted this in the other XBL-cost thread, but I figured I'd re-post it here since it applies:

Personally if I were a MOD, I'd lock all XBL-cost threads unless something new happens to XBL. Otherwise, XBL-costs threads all end up the same like they have for YEARS now:

• Cows: XBL is a waste of money. Hope you like throwing money away
• Lems: XBL is a good service. I wish it were free, but $50 isn't much

I really don't see how these threads add anything to the forum.

LosDaddie

[QUOTE="hip-hop-cola2"]

[QUOTE="SmokeyMcMuffin"]to all the whiners, if you dont want to pay it then dont, just stop preaching to people who are ok with paying. your all starting to sound like my mother..heretrix

If you crazy people stopped paying then MS would need to take action. But 50% happily pay a wild fee.

If everybody had to wear her T-shirt you would have a point...

I understand you....may...ok I dont understand where you see value, but I have strong principles. It just annoys me that other people throw there money away thats all. sorry, it's no personal attack, Im just attacking your choices....lol

If everybody had to wear her T-shirt you would have a point...

I understand you....may...ok I dont understand where you see value, but I have strong principles. It just annoys me that other people throw there money away thats all. sorry, it's no personal attack, Im just attacking your choices....lol

hip-hop-cola2

[QUOTE="hip-hop-cola2"]

If everybody had to wear her T-shirt you would have a point...

I understand you....may...ok I dont understand where you see value, but I have strong principles. It just annoys me that other people throw there money away thats all. sorry, it's no personal attack, Im just attacking your choices....lol

heretrix

[QUOTE="heretrix"]

[QUOTE="hip-hop-cola2"]

If everybody had to wear her T-shirt you would have a point...

I understand you....may...ok I dont understand where you see value, but I have strong principles. It just annoys me that other people throw there money away thats all. sorry, it's no personal attack, Im just attacking your choices....lol

hip-hop-cola2

Gold subscriber: "Why don't MS make us pay to play online? It should've been free in the first place!"

MS: "Why don't you stop paying us then?"

It's almost like piracy. :(

If you want to use it then you have to pay. It's simple. If not, there's always PSN or the PC.

heretrix

I know, and so i went to another service, it doesn't change anything.

LINK

So even if the number of gold subs has dropped to 50% since the 56% figure was released that would make 8.5milion gold users.

Annually that would generate cash flow of around (assuming $50 as the cost of the sub) $425million p/a.

Note that's not all profit for MS, however, that is huge amounts of cash flow and something Sony can only dream of from PSN.

When you see these people posting why can't XBL Gold subs be free this is why and then you can start to question Sony's business model, they don't charge for the online aspect of PSN and so are missing out on a valuable revenue stream, I think this is why they put so much into Home because it needs to be money generator for them - remember there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Phil

Nomad0404

[QUOTE="heretrix"]If you want to use it then you have to pay. It's simple. If not, there's always PSN or the PC.

hip-hop-cola2

I know, and so i went to another service, it doesn't change anything.