Microsoft: Xbox Live central to Modern Warfare 2 success

Games that need communication on the ps3, users use mics. MW2 isn't a tactical game or even a good team based game by no means. On Socom 100% of players use mics, unless theirs went dead from use and they are recharging it.

Some people just don't need all of that screaming and non sense going on while playing. Once again if the game needs communication ps3 players use mics.

Also seeing where my friends are in a SP game, isn't $50 important to me, nor is party chat. If and when psn delivers that stuff it will be fully welcomed, but not worth paying $50 for.

[QUOTE="VoodooHak"]

[QUOTE="Bladex2k"] all i care about is lag free online gaming. the ps3 has that and its free win win for me

cainetao11

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="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

The fact that you have to go through an extra step makes it different. Small step, yes, but PSN has plenty of these extra small steps.

What if a friend in another game wasnt to invite you while you're in a totally different game. In general, the invite doesn't pull you straight into the session. Sure you can manage it through texts, but again, a couple extra small steps.

How about sending messages from Playstation.com? You can't. Not a big deal because you can do it while on the console. Another small step. Not that big of a deal, right?

Having your trophies update realtime? Well, you have to click on your trophy list. Update your portable ID as soon as possible? You can go to Playstation.com and click on the update button or wait a while for it to update. With achievements, it's automatic.

Want to see what community events are going on? Launch into Home and navigate to the area where they're listed. Or launch into the browser and navigate the through the Playstation.com site. On the 360 dashboard, there's an Events section that very visible once you log on.

I could go on, but this should illustrate my point.

Individually, they're really not a huge concern. But... when you take all these small steps together, they pile up and become an annoyance that detracts from the whole online experience.

The fact that you have to go through an extra step makes it different. Small step, yes, but PSN has plenty of these extra small steps.

What if a friend in another game wasnt to invite you while you're in a totally different game. In general, the invite doesn't pull you straight into the session. Sure you can manage it through texts, but again, a couple extra small steps.

How about sending messages from Playstation.com? You can't. Not a big deal because you can do it while on the console. Another small step. Not that big of a deal, right?

Having your trophies update realtime? Well, you have to click on your trophy list. Update your portable ID as soon as possible? You can go to Playstation.com and click on the update button or wait a while for it to update. With achievements, it's automatic.

Want to see what community events are going on? Launch into Home and navigate to the area where they're listed. Or launch into the browser and navigate the through the Playstation.com site. On the 360 dashboard, there's an Events section that very visible once you log on.

I could go on, but this should illustrate my point.

Individually, they're really not a huge concern. But... when you take all these small steps together, they pile up and become an annoyance that detracts from the whole online experience.

Games that need communication on the ps3, users use mics. MW2 isn't a tactical game or even a good team based game by no means. On Socom 100% of players use mics, unless theirs went dead from use and they are recharging it.

Some people just don't need all of that screaming and non sense going on while playing. Once again if the game needs communication ps3 players use mics.

Also seeing where my friends are in a SP game, isn't $50 important to me, nor is party chat. If and when psn delivers that stuff it will be fully welcomed, but not worth paying $50 for.

[QUOTE="VoodooHak"]

[QUOTE="Bladex2k"] all i care about is lag free online gaming. the ps3 has that and its free win win for me

cainetao11

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.

Hi cainetao11. I'm still around. I guess our paths haven't crossed in a while.

For Game With Fame, I remember playing Halo 3 with Method Man a while back and my daughter got to play Paramore in Left 4 Dead and Green Day in Rock Band 2.

Not an earth-shattering experience, but more of a "Hey, that was kinda neat" experience. I'm sure not everyone takes advantage of it, but I'm sure many other do. It's great that the option is there. Tells me that MS is always looking for cool things for its subscribers.

Why don't you jump in?

VGCReporter

Costs money

Games that need communication on the ps3, users use mics. MW2 isn't a tactical game or even a good team based game by no means. On Socom 100% of players use mics, unless theirs went dead from use and they are recharging it.

Some people just don't need all of that screaming and non sense going on while playing. Once again if the game needs communication ps3 players use mics.

Also seeing where my friends are in a SP game, isn't $50 important to me, nor is party chat. If and when psn delivers that stuff it will be fully welcomed, but not worth paying $50 for.

[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

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.

It's simple: If you just want to play online, PSN is fine. Not great, but OK.

But if you want to play online with your friends (including friends you may not have met yet) then Xbox Live is by far the better choice.