Microsoft: Xbox Live central to Modern Warfare 2 success

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The massive success of Activision's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on the Xbox 360 platform is primarily due to users preferring to play the multiplayer hit over Xbox Live rather than Sony's PlayStation Network.

That's according to Microsoft's David Dennis, who said that even though Live charges users a subscription fee compared to Sony's free equivalent, it's considered the better online gaming experience.

"Having an install base around 8 million more than the PS3 certainly helps - but the main factor is Xbox Live," said Dennis of the Xbox 360 SKU outselling the PS3 version by more than 2-to-1. "If you're considering a multiplatform game like that and you're going to want to play online, you're going to want to go to where your friends are and, let's face it, most people are playing on Xbox Live."

"Consumers have shown that if you can deliver value they're willing to pay for a subscription service, beyond just what multiplayer brings with an Xbox Live Gold subscription. With things like Facebook, Netflix, Twitter and Last.fm, we continue to drive more value into what a Gold subscription brings to the table.

"For a lot of people, paying [USD 50] a year for multiplayer is fine, but for a lot of people they want more, so we'll continue to add more to that. But for the cost of a latte, with the depth and richness of what Live brings, I think people absolutely see value in what Xbox Live delivers, he added.

Nintendo's Wii may have once again outsold the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in November, but Dennis believes that Live is more important for industry growth, as it allows third-party publishers to reach a wider audience than they can on the Wii.

"I would argue that having a platform that's as great for third parties as ours is a better long-term proposition and more supportive of the industry at large than just selling a lot of first-party games for your platforms.

"If you slice and dice the NPD numbers out and look at the largest games for Xbox and the competitors, obviously we'd have some great first-party games in the top ten or twenty. You'd have games like Halo and Gears [of War] and those types of experiences, but obviously you'd also have Call of Duty Modern Warfare 1, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty World at War, Left 4 Dead, Madden, Rock Band, Guitar Hero.

"What we're trying to do is build a platform and ecosystem on Xbox Live that helps third parties thrive and sell their games, and keep people coming back for more and engaged through downloadable songs, downloadable map packs, or non-gaming experiences that get people turning their consoles on every day."

Why don't you jump in?

More FPS gamers are from Western nations. The 360 has a larger installed base in Western nations. Live I doubt was that big an influence, much as MS would love to claim otherwise.SpruceCaboose

:lol:

I can guarantee that had not MW2 multiplayer, it wouldn't have sold more than 1.5 million copies.

I still dont get why people like Live than PSN.. i been playing the game on PSN since release and always play it everyday.. there is no lag, no bad connection and i can always join anyone and friends can join me anytime.. its so perfect and free but oh well

More FPS gamers are from Western nations. The 360 has a larger installed base in Western nations. Live I doubt was that big an influence, much as MS would love to claim otherwise.SpruceCaboose

I still dont get why people like Live than PSN.. i been playing the game on PSN since release and always play it everyday.. there is no lag, no bad connection and i can always join anyone and friends can join me anytime.. its so perfect and freebut oh well

finalstar2007

[QUOTE="SpruceCaboose"]More FPS gamers are from Western nations. The 360 has a larger installed base in Western nations. Live I doubt was that big an influence, much as MS would love to claim otherwise.VGCReporter

:lol:

I can guarantee that had not MW2 multiplayer, it wouldn't have sold more than 1.5 million copies.

[QUOTE="finalstar2007"]

I still dont get why people like Live than PSN.. i been playing the game on PSN since release and always play it everyday.. there is no lag, no bad connection and i can always join anyone and friends can join me anytime.. its so perfect and freebut oh well

Jamex1987

I already have many friends on PSN, not so many people i know play on Live thats mainly why i got the game on ps3.. even my brother plays it on ps3 so i totally know how perfect it, you should try it out on PSN and see for yourself.. anyways all this Live being better is just bs to me.. again i been playing since release and find nothing wrong with PSN

[QUOTE="SpruceCaboose"]More FPS gamers are from Western nations. The 360 has a larger installed base in Western nations. Live I doubt was that big an influence, much as MS would love to claim otherwise.h575309

[QUOTE="Jamex1987"][QUOTE="finalstar2007"]

I still dont get why people like Live than PSN.. i been playing the game on PSN since release and always play it everyday.. there is no lag, no bad connection and i can always join anyone and friends can join me anytime.. its so perfect and freebut oh well

finalstar2007

I already have many friends on PSN, not so many people i know play on Live thats mainly why i got the game on ps3.. even my brother plays it on ps3 so i totally know how perfect it, you should try it out on PSN and see for yourself.. anyways all this Live being better is just bs to me.. again i been playing since release and find nothing wrong with PSN

[QUOTE="h575309"][QUOTE="SpruceCaboose"]More FPS gamers are from Western nations. The 360 has a larger installed base in Western nations. Live I doubt was that big an influence, much as MS would love to claim otherwise.SpruceCaboose

[QUOTE="SpruceCaboose"][QUOTE="h575309"] 4 times the install base?h575309

[QUOTE="h575309"][QUOTE="SpruceCaboose"] MW2 only sold 2.25 times more on the 360. :SSpruceCaboose

Since Xbox 1, paying Live subscribers have been the catalyst behind the progression of online console gaming. Sony wouldn't have done crap with PSN if they didn't feel the pressure to copy Live.

Live is always progressing the online experience, and since people are paying to play I think you get a more intense and competitive experience on Live.

So, basically, I agree with what he said.

Unfortunately, we're not privy to their data, so all we have is their word. There's really no way for us to independently verify the claim.

Whether you believe it or not, I think there's a little truth to it. I would even go so far as to speculate that Xbox Live is a major factor in the 360's success this gen.

Unfortunately, we're not privy to their data, so all we have is their word. There's really no way for us to independently verify the claim.

Whether you believe it or not, I think there's a little truth to it. I would even go so far as to speculate that Xbox Live is a major factor in the 360's success this gen.

VoodooHak

My PS3 is for exclusives and PSN-exclusive games, nothing more nothing less. Everything else, especially multiplayer games I get on 360.Mau-Justice

That's why the best-selling PS3 games are multiplats? GTA IV, CoD4, MW2 outsold ANY PS3 exclusive. :lol:

PSN has less annyoing brats so MW2 PS3 version wins.

ZippySlappy

PSN has less annoying brats because it has far fewer players with mics (and even fewer players who actually talk). That isn't a good thing for team-based multiplayer.

Anyway while XBL likely had something to do with it, the fact MW2 and the 360 sell to virtually identical demographics is certainly the main reason.

I still dont get why people like Live than PSN.. i been playing the game on PSN since release and always play it everyday.. there is no lag, no bad connection and i can always join anyone and friends can join me anytime.. its so perfect and free but oh well

finalstar2007

PSN has less annyoing brats so MW2 PS3 version wins.ZippySlappy

I agree with you on this.

However PSN has no one that talks, wheter it's idiots or brats, your very rarely going to find someone that talks.

So i'll take the odd brat on Live than the complete silence on PSN.

[QUOTE="ZippySlappy"]

PSN has less annyoing brats so MW2 PS3 version wins.

PSN has less annoying brats because it has far fewer players with mics (and even fewer players who actually talk). That isn't a good thing for team-based multiplayer.

Anyway while XBL likely had something to do with it, the fact MW2 and the 360 sell to virtually identical demographics is certainly the main reason.

wow, a MS representative stating that XBL is better? well, that is a shocking turn of events.

[QUOTE="finalstar2007"]

I still dont get why people like Live than PSN.. i been playing the game on PSN since release and always play it everyday.. there is no lag, no bad connection and i can always join anyone and friends can join me anytime.. its so perfect and free but oh well

hiryu3

Get your facts straight.

Their are certain game modes you are allowed to go into party chat in. Not to mention you can go into private chat in any game mode.

And no, did you play on PSN when it first launched, it was awful. Live has been great since day one, just recently PSN has been closing the gap and is getting close to as awesome as Live is but it still is not quite as awesome.

Why would you quote the topic? ^Jamex1987

I still dont get why people like Live than PSN.. i been playing the game on PSN since release and always play it everyday.. there is no lag, no bad connection and i can always join anyone and friends can join me anytime.. its so perfect and free but oh well

finalstar2007

Oddly enough, I rarely--if ever--suffered from "noticeable" lag in Modern Warfare 2 when I played. Since, there will always be lag no matter what, saying no lag is a false statement. PSN is far from perfect, by the way.

I own it for the Xbox 360, btw.

[QUOTE="SpruceCaboose"][QUOTE="h575309"] Ahh you are correct, I saw 4 and 1 for some reason haha. Either way, it still sold a higher percentage of its userbase....21% vs 16.5%..... not earth shattering, but theres no doubt FPS's are more popular on 360h575309

My PS3 is for exclusives and PSN-exclusive games, nothing more nothing less. Everything else, especially multiplayer games I get on 360.Mau-Justice

This....and I would add Bluray for me but everything else is 360

[QUOTE="finalstar2007"]

I still dont get why people like Live than PSN.. i been playing the game on PSN since release and always play it everyday.. there is no lag, no bad connection and i can always join anyone and friends can join me anytime.. its so perfect and free but oh well

Stevo_the_gamer

Oddly enough, I rarely--if ever--suffered from "noticeable" lag in Modern Warfare 2 when I played. Since, there will always be lag no matter what, saying no lag is a false statement. PSN is far from perfect, by the way.

I own it for the Xbox 360, btw.

Of course they would say this. Its MS. They had the most sales so they are going to gloat about it. Im pretty sure if PS3 sold the most it would be "Free online central to MW2 success" or "PSN central to MW2 success". I mean you gatta gloat when you can.

[QUOTE="Stevo_the_gamer"]

[QUOTE="finalstar2007"]

I still dont get why people like Live than PSN.. i been playing the game on PSN since release and always play it everyday.. there is no lag, no bad connection and i can always join anyone and friends can join me anytime.. its so perfect and free but oh well

Birdy09

Oddly enough, I rarely--if ever--suffered from "noticeable" lag in Modern Warfare 2 when I played. Since, there will always be lag no matter what, saying no lag is a false statement. PSN is far from perfect, by the way.

I own it for the Xbox 360, btw.

[QUOTE="finalstar2007"]

[QUOTE="Jamex1987"] Maybe you should get some friends and play on Xbox Live with them then you will see the difference.mythrol

I already have many friends on PSN, not so many people i know play on Live thats mainly why i got the game on ps3.. even my brother plays it on ps3 so i totally know how perfect it, you should try it out on PSN and see for yourself.. anyways all this Live being better is just bs to me.. again i been playing since release and find nothing wrong with PSN

I still dont get why people like Live than PSN.. i been playing the game on PSN since release and always play it everyday.. there is no lag, no bad connection and i can always join anyone and friends can join me anytime.. its so perfect and free but oh well

finalstar2007

I still dont get why people like Live than PSN.. i been playing the game on PSN since release and always play it everyday.. there is no lag, no bad connection and i can always join anyone and friends can join me anytime.. its so perfect and free but oh well

[QUOTE="finalstar2007"]

I still dont get why people like Live than PSN.. i been playing the game on PSN since release and always play it everyday.. there is no lag, no bad connection and i can always join anyone and friends can join me anytime.. its so perfect and free but oh well

cainetao11

What's funny is, these same fanboys talk about how the 360 is laggy, and lag doesn't exist on the PS3. I guess, they don't know that most games outside of Sony's first party games, use P2P just like the 360. So, they're going to have lag no matter what platform they play on, if their internet sucks.

[QUOTE="mythrol"][QUOTE="finalstar2007"]

I already have many friends on PSN, not so many people i know play on Live thats mainly why i got the game on ps3.. even my brother plays it on ps3 so i totally know how perfect it, you should try it out on PSN and see for yourself.. anyways all this Live being better is just bs to me.. again i been playing since release and find nothing wrong with PSN

Bladex2k

That's fine and dandy, but we're not talking about just you. We're talking about overall appeal...which is something Xbox Live has over PSN. The way its features are integrated, overall look and feel, and the laser-like focus they have on community really make it stand out.

The smoother, tighter integration between Xbox Live and Xbox.com, the layout of the dashboard so that events are very easily seen. Speaking of events, there are a couple each week like Game with Fame and the Community Playdate with devs and fan sites. All the Inside Xbox bits, new ones practically every day on top of IGN Strategize and sponsored contests. There are community managers that are very candid and vocal about things the community is concerned about. For example, Stepto (Stephen Toulouse) was tweeting about MW2's javelin glitches and went on record during Major Nelson's podcast about cheating and ban-worthy activity. All we got from Sony was an anonymous rep saying they're not doing anything about cheaters.

Features, layout and personnel... all focused on community. This, in my eyes, is what PSN severely lacks, making it abundantly clear that Sony just doesn't "get it". This an area where MS is leading the charge and ultimately, is pushing the industry forward.

Whether people realize it or not, all of that taken together, makes a great selling point for the system.

[QUOTE="Birdy09"][QUOTE="Stevo_the_gamer"]

Oddly enough, I rarely--if ever--suffered from "noticeable" lag in Modern Warfare 2 when I played. Since, there will always be lag no matter what, saying no lag is a false statement. PSN is far from perfect, by the way.

I own it for the Xbox 360, btw.

yoyo462001

[QUOTE="yoyo462001"][QUOTE="Birdy09"] Yea its not perfect, the party chat feature would be great. but beyond that, there is absolutely no noticable difference for gaming accept 100% achievement support, it is kinda frustrating that games like MGS4 dont have trophys...Birdy09

[QUOTE="ZippySlappy"]PSN has less annyoing brats so MW2 PS3 version wins.RAGINGxPONY

I agree with you on this.

However PSN has no one that talks, wheter it's idiots or brats, your very rarely going to find someone that talks.

So i'll take the odd brat on Live than the complete silence on PSN.

PSN has less annyoing brats so MW2 PS3 version wins.ZippySlappy

another huge factor that MS has over Sony for FPS games is the controller too. Alot of people perfer the xbox controller over the ps controller for Shooters especially FPS.

[QUOTE="Bladex2k"]

[QUOTE="mythrol"] Just because you find nothing WRONG with PSN doesn't mean that PSN equals XBL in terms of quality and service. PSN has made many strides to try and catch up to XBL and has closed the gap, but make no mistake about it. There is still a gap between the two services. VoodooHak

That's fine and dandy, but we're not talking about just you. We're talking about overall appeal...which is something Xbox Live has over PSN. The way its features are integrated, overall look and feel, and the laser-like focus they have on community really make it stand out.

The smoother, tighter integration between Xbox Live and Xbox.com, the layout of the dashboard so that events are very easily seen. Speaking of events, there are a couple each week like Game with Fame and the Community Playdate with devs and fan sites. All the Inside Xbox bits, new ones practically every day on top of IGN Strategize and sponsored contests. There are community managers that are very candid and vocal about things the community is concerned about. For example, Stepto (Stephen Toulouse) was tweeting about MW2's javelin glitches and went on record during Major Nelson's podcast about cheating and ban-worthy activity. All we got from Sony was an anonymous rep saying they're not doing anything about cheaters.

Features, layout and personnel... all focused on community. This, in my eyes, is what PSN severely lacks, making it abundantly clear that Sony just doesn't "get it". This an area where MS is leading the charge and ultimately, is pushing the industry forward.

Whether people realize it or not, all of that taken together, makes a great selling point for the system.