My problem with X-Box Live

So I bought Super Stardust for my PS3 because I liked the demo. I've played XBL's Geometry Wars before, and SSS is similar, but in my personal and humble opinion SSS is better (like both, I'm a bit of a dual stick shooter fan.)

Anyway, at the moment SSS is $10 for whatever reason, although I feel like the $8 they were apparently originally charging for it was a more fair price (Although after owning it, I think it was worth every penny.) I was shocked when I found out though that Geometry Wars was only $5 and my little jealousy senses started tingling.

Then I realized that Geometry Wars doesn't cost $5, it costs $55, or at least that's how much it would cost if it was the only XBL game you bought all year. The way I see it, PSN's online service for its multiplayer games is already free so when making the comparison this is what it comes down to. Now not every comparison is like this either, a lot of the XBL games cost just as much (Although they are a lot more numerous.) But assuming they were like Geometry Wars and that there was a PSN counterpart for every one, you'd have to buy upwards of 10 XBL games a year just to break even on the savings. I'm sure some people actually do this, but at the moment I only have 4 downloaded games between the two systems I have.

Paying $50 a year basically means 2 less games for me a year. I could say it means ONE less game, but I tend to shop around so I'm not paying full price for anything, and the last purchase I made was two games; Orange Box and Resident Evil (The gamecube remake) for exactly $50. I happen to like those two games, a lot.

$50 is also a week's worth of groceries for my wife and I at the moment. Now one week might not seem like a lot, and sure, we could cut back; but this is a matter of eating healthy too; we buy fruits and vegitable produce along with our staples.

$50 is about 2-3 weeks worth of gas at today's current prices. As we all know, travel is a necessity to a certain degree. I guess we could stop going to see family occasionally and just hole up in our appartment more though. I mean a year is a long time. A shame we're already walking as much as we can.

We don't go out to the movies very often, but $50 represents about 3 trips with some money leftover assuming we don't buy popcorn.

Now, I happen to like the 360, I don't own one (my in-laws do and I play with it when I'm over there), but if I did I probably would get XBL because, well, it's nice to be able to play your online games online. And I know that there are a lot of extra services for your buck too, like news and stuff...

But when it's free to play your online games online on PSN and on your PC, there is a lot I could do with that $50 I'd be losing every year.

No, you can use a FREE month XBL card and then download every game you want. Honostly if $50 is going to break your bank then why game to begin with?AlphaGamer469

It won't break my bank, but I can think of a lot of things I could spend that $50 on.

And you need XBL to play your games online...

Cant you access and buy stuff from XBLM with a silver membership?

Also, Geometry wars, not galaxy wars.

Cant you access and buy stuff from XBLM with a silver membership?

Also, Geometry wars, not galaxy wars.

whocares4peace

[QUOTE="AlphaGamer469"] No, you can use a FREE month XBL card and then download every game you want. Honostly if $50 is going to break your bank then why game to begin with?mstc_Q

It won't break my bank, but I can think of a lot of things I could spend that $50 on.

And you need XBL to play your games online...

Well you don't have to spend $50 on it. You say you like to shop around for games. So why not do it for the Membership for Xbox live. You can buy a Live 12 month gold (with a month free) for $43.99 at buy.com, so that is like 390 days of online gaming.

Cant you access and buy stuff from XBLM with a silver membership?

Also, Geometry wars, not galaxy wars.

whocares4peace

Heh, that's a funny typo. I refer to it as geometry wars later in the same paragraph...

Well anyway, Arcade games aside, there are 3 other paragraphs with my problems with it.

And I do like SSS more than GW.

[QUOTE="whocares4peace"]

Cant you access and buy stuff from XBLM with a silver membership?

Also, Geometry wars, not galaxy wars.

killerfist

And why would anyone really want to buy map packs if they arent playing online? And dont say LAN

What the hell is Galaxy wars? You've not even used XBL have you? You don't need Gold to buy arcade games, that'd be the stupidest thing around.

[QUOTE="whocares4peace"]

Cant you access and buy stuff from XBLM with a silver membership?

Also, Geometry wars, not galaxy wars.

mstc_Q

Heh, that's a funny typo. I refer to it as geometry wars later in the same paragraph...

Well anyway, Arcade games aside, there are 3 other paragraphs with my problems with it.

And I do like SSS more than GW.

SSHD IS the better game for sure but your other points don't really make any sense at all. Also, where I live, buying games for the PS3 generally costs me £10 more than the 360 and £20/30 more than the PC. When you put that into perspective paying for Live really is nothing.

[QUOTE="mstc_Q"]

[QUOTE="AlphaGamer469"] No, you can use a FREE month XBL card and then download every game you want. Honostly if $50 is going to break your bank then why game to begin with?Chaos_HL21

It won't break my bank, but I can think of a lot of things I could spend that $50 on.

And you need XBL to play your games online...

Well you don't have to spend $50 on it. You say you like to shop around for games. So why not do it for the Membership for Xbox live. You can buy a Live 12 month gold (with a month free) for $43.99 at buy.com, so that is like 390 days of online gaming.

Here are some games I can get for $40 or less (used or new)

http://www.amazon.com/Rockstar-Games-Grand-Theft-Auto/dp/B000HKP88C/ref=pd_ts_vg_3?ie=UTF8&s=videogames - I'm not actually interested in this one, but I thought I'd list it, because it's popular.

The rest are ones I am interested in, and don't have;

http://www.amazon.com/UBI-Soft-Assassins-Creed/dp/B000P46NMA/ref=pd_ts_vg_6?ie=UTF8&s=videogames

http://www.amazon.com/Ratchet-Clank-Future-Tools-Destruction/dp/B000UC5ML0/ref=pd_ts_vg_12?ie=UTF8&s=videogames

http://www.amazon.com/Naughty-Dog-Inc-Uncharted-Fortune/dp/B000UW21A0/ref=pd_ts_vg_14?ie=UTF8&s=videogames

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-711719810728-Resistance-Fall-Man/dp/B000JLIXIG/ref=pd_ts_vg_16?ie=UTF8&s=videogames - And hey look! Free online!

http://www.amazon.com/Capcom-Devil-May-Cry-4/dp/B000P297EI/ref=pd_ts_vg_25?ie=UTF8&s=videogames

http://www.amazon.com/Call-Duty-4-Modern-Warfare/dp/B000TG72TM/ref=pd_ts_vg_33?ie=UTF8&s=videogames - This one too!

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Warhawk-No-Headset/dp/B000WJFZEA/ref=pd_ts_vg_78?ie=UTF8&s=videogames - Add another online one to that list...

http://www.amazon.com/Capcom-Okami/dp/B000Z9A95M/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1217079184&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Super-Mario-Galaxy/dp/B000FQ9QVI/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1217079210&sr=8-1

Now this isn't a complete list, but I hope I've made my point...

[QUOTE="killerfist"][QUOTE="whocares4peace"]

Cant you access and buy stuff from XBLM with a silver membership?

Also, Geometry wars, not galaxy wars.

whocares4peace

And why would anyone really want to buy map packs if they arent playing online? And dont say LAN

and some people play offline multiplayer games too ya know;)

can you give me $50 for a blue tooth headset? cuz there not free and i want to play with people that talk=XBLqbell

Alright, That's one year, what are you going to say about year two?

Plus, if I happen to like Warhawk, the Blue tooth headset comes to about $30 (and $30 for Warhawk, split evenly. Or you could say the headset costs $50 and warhawk comes with it for $10 if you want to look at it that way.)

And if I'm willing to get Warhawk USED, I think it comes to $20/$20 at the current market price.

i looked for it and they dont sell it no more, according to gamestop. I guess i will have to wait for socom?? i know there packing it with another game soon i cant remember?qbell

http://www.amazon.com/WarHawk-Bundle-with-Bluetooth-Headset/dp/B000K9K9AC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1217080038&sr=1-2

Hmm... I guess it's only $10 less for used, and some of those guys aren't selling it with the headset...

Anyway, even if I did pay the full price for the bluetooth by itself, I actually own the thing, and can't I use it on other things?

Oh, and looking at the back of my MGS4 box, it looks like it's still compatible with a wired USB headset... Which I assume is also true with Orange Box for Team Fortress 2.

I have one of those; that is, a USB headset.

are you strapped for cash? why i ask? because you sound pathetic if you arent-platy-

I'm a newly-wed in college, you make the call.


But that doesn't change the opportunity cost. Even if I was making a six digit number every year, I still wouldn't like just throwing my cash away.

bullet lag, most 360 shooters are a joke online. here is my bullet lag ratings from 1 ( no lag ) to 5 ( some lag ) to 10 ( unplayable competitively )

Halo 3 - 6 ( its very bs at times, online i just play for fun. lan is a totally different story though )

gears - 9 ( horribad just terrible bullet lag

rainbowsix - 8 ( just as bad as gears )

ut3 - 2 ( with dedicated servers, bullet lag is very small

shadowrun - 4 ( not that bad, and pretty much the only true skilled based non casual shooter on 360 )

cod4 - 5 ( like halo 3 )

don't tell me this **** that i don't have a good connection or w.ew.e i have fios **** FIOS!

u see ut3, if the rest of theese games have what it has ( dedicated servers ) online experience would be so much better. ya rainbowsix does have an option for ded. servers, but there really never is one. lol

i don't get how ps3 games ( resistance, warhawk ) have these ded. servers for no charge. we are freaking paying microsoft, so why can't they provide us with dedicated servers. retarded bull****

bullet lag, most 360 shooters are a joke online. here is my bullet lag ratings from 1 ( no lag ) to 5 ( some lag ) to 10 ( unplayable competitively )

Halo 3 - 6 ( its very bs at times, online i just play for fun. lan is a totally different story though )

gears - 9 ( horribad just terrible bullet lag

rainbowsix - 8 ( just as bad as gears )

ut3 - 2 ( with dedicated servers, bullet lag is very small

shadowrun - 4 ( not that bad, and pretty much the only true skilled based non casual shooter on 360 )

cod4 - 5 ( like halo 3 )

don't tell me this **** that i don't have a good connection or w.ew.e i have fios **** FIOS!

u see ut3, if the rest of theese games have what it has ( dedicated servers ) online experience would be so much better. ya rainbowsix does have an option for ded. servers, but there really never is one. lol

i don't get how ps3 games ( resistance, warhawk ) have these ded. servers for no charge. we are freaking paying microsoft, so why can't they provide us with dedicated servers. retarded bull****

anshuk20002

halo3 is is not bad imo because it's hard to notice.

gears is just straight up BS at times. unless you join a game with the majority of players close by. (European with European, US with US, AUS with AUS etc.)

BTW: impressive Halo3 medals:o are those all ranked?

bullet lag, most 360 shooters are a joke online. here is my bullet lag ratings from 1 ( no lag ) to 5 ( some lag ) to 10 ( unplayable competitively )

Halo 3 - 6 ( its very bs at times, online i just play for fun. lan is a totally different story though )

gears - 9 ( horribad just terrible bullet lag

rainbowsix - 8 ( just as bad as gears )

ut3 - 2 ( with dedicated servers, bullet lag is very small

shadowrun - 4 ( not that bad, and pretty much the only true skilled based non casual shooter on 360 )

cod4 - 5 ( like halo 3 )

don't tell me this **** that i don't have a good connection or w.ew.e i have fios **** FIOS!

u see ut3, if the rest of theese games have what it has ( dedicated servers ) online experience would be so much better. ya rainbowsix does have an option for ded. servers, but there really never is one. lol

i don't get how ps3 games ( resistance, warhawk ) have these ded. servers for no charge. we are freaking paying microsoft, so why can't they provide us with dedicated servers. retarded bull****

anshuk20002

i never get lag on halo 3... but yeah vegas and gears are pretty bad. also forza doesn't lag particularly much but it is quite horriblewhen it does

yes

you dont need gold membership to buy gamestoast_burner

If that's the case, what are you paying for on XBL?mstc_Q

If that's the case, what are you paying for on XBL?mstc_Q

That is it really.

Yes it is a ripoff.

Whoa whoa... good post, but I got to the part about $50 gas lasting 3 weeks and almost had an accident in my undies.

What do you drive, a moped? $50 gas gets me like 3 days of normal driving, at best.

just do what i do, reverse the polarity of the power couplings, its just crazy enough to work
st1ka

:lol:

Whoa whoa... good post, but I got to the part about $50 gas lasting 3 weeks and almost had an accident in my undies.

What do you drive, a moped? $50 gas gets me like 3 days of normal driving, at best.

excelR83

We live in walking distance from campus and work.

We only drive up to my in-laws once a week.

bullet lag, most 360 shooters are a joke online. here is my bullet lag ratings from 1 ( no lag ) to 5 ( some lag ) to 10 ( unplayable competitively )

Halo 3 - 6 ( its very bs at times, online i just play for fun. lan is a totally different story though )

gears - 9 ( horribad just terrible bullet lag

rainbowsix - 8 ( just as bad as gears )

ut3 - 2 ( with dedicated servers, bullet lag is very small

shadowrun - 4 ( not that bad, and pretty much the only true skilled based non casual shooter on 360 )

cod4 - 5 ( like halo 3 )

don't tell me this **** that i don't have a good connection or w.ew.e i have fios **** FIOS!

u see ut3, if the rest of theese games have what it has ( dedicated servers ) online experience would be so much better. ya rainbowsix does have an option for ded. servers, but there really never is one. lol

i don't get how ps3 games ( resistance, warhawk ) have these ded. servers for no charge. we are freaking paying microsoft, so why can't they provide us with dedicated servers. retarded bull****

anshuk20002

[QUOTE="-platy-"]are you strapped for cash? why i ask? because you sound pathetic if you arentmstc_Q

I'm a newly-wed in college, you make the call.


But that doesn't change the opportunity cost. Even if I was making a six digit number every year, I still wouldn't like just throwing my cash away.

I dont see with the expense of gaming for a hobby, that people cry over 50.00. Gaming is not cheap, the games, systems, add ons . Really live is the least of my worries. It really is just used by sony fanboys to make PSN seem better. MY problem with psn is the lack of communication. Seriously hardly anyone talks and that is not just made up. I was playing BBC the other day and out of 5 hrs of playing one person was talking.

you can buy arcade games with a silver account

thread fail

[QUOTE="AlphaGamer469"] No, you can use a FREE month XBL card and then download every game you want. Honostly if $50 is going to break your bank then why game to begin with?mstc_Q

It won't break my bank, but I can think of a lot of things I could spend that $50 on.

And you need XBL to play your games online...

Multiplayer games on-line that is ... be more complete to qualify that last line.

And the other things you could do with that $50 would be IMO very much similar to what you originally posted.

Not much unless you want to cite something you could do with the "one time" $50 that would last you a whole year.

Broken down its still little more than $4 a month.

$50 could very well be another game IF at the time my subscription were due at the time when i want the game but that short time is passed easily and i just get it after the subscription is paid.

Like someone else said in the thread PSN users use the FREE argument

and while that's always better than paying to play Multiplayer games, function-wise Live Silver still has more with what you get for free on PSN.

P.S A little something extra I been on Live since it launched (2002) Gold didn't exist at that time but its the same price as what you paid for the yearly subscription. At least one thing i can say the price of the games have gone up since but the yearly fee has been and for now always been 49.99 so for almost six years and 2 systems that is somewhat of a positive.

Next you see your in-laws try check out all the features if you can. Online multiplayer isn't the only thing that good about Xbox Live.

1. newly wed

2. in college

3. thats a big mistake nice job buddy way to get married early and still be in college

4. if you cant afford live then sell your 360 and just go with the ps3.

5. if you dont want to sell it then just deal with it thats life.

[QUOTE="mstc_Q"]

[QUOTE="AlphaGamer469"] No, you can use a FREE month XBL card and then download every game you want. Honostly if $50 is going to break your bank then why game to begin with?NetFink

It won't break my bank, but I can think of a lot of things I could spend that $50 on.

And you need XBL to play your games online...

Multiplayer games on-line that is ... be more complete to qualify that last line.

And the other things you could do with that $50 would be IMO very much similar to what you originally posted.

Not much unless you want to cite something you could do with the "one time" $50 that would last you a whole year.

Broken down its still little more than $4 a month.

$50 could very well be another game IF at the time my subscription were due at the time when i want the game but that short time is passed easily and i just get it after the subscription is paid.

Like someone else said in the thread PSN users use the FREE argument

and while that's always better than paying to play Multiplayer games, function-wise Live Silver still has more with what you get for free on PSN.

P.S A little something extra I been on Live since it launched (2002) Gold didn't exist at that time but its the same price as what you paid for the yearly subscription. At least one thing i can say the price of the games have gone up since but the yearly fee has been and for now always been 49.99 so for almost six years and 2 systems that is somewhat of a positive.

Next you see your in-laws try check out all the features if you can. Online multiplayer isn't the only thing that good about Xbox Live.

If you read my original post all the way, PSN isn't the only online service that is free. PC servers are free too (Excluding MMOs.)

Speaking of the PC, for free, that is after paying the cable bill that I would need for XBL too, I can post here on gamespot with the least amount of lag, I can look up news on IGN.com, I can download music and movies, the list is almost endless.

Do I need the other extra features of XBL when I have that?

I'll also note that a lot of the X-Box games that you would otherwise have to pay $4 a month to play multiplayer cost $0 on the PC, (That is to say, the SAME games, like Halo and Gears of War.)

It's not that $50 is a lot of money, it's that it's an unnecessary expendature of money, like throwing it off a bridge.

After 4 years of owning 360 and paying for XBL, your 360 has cost you as much as a PS3. (3 years if you have, and likely have, bought your X-Box before the price drop.) And with that you don't even have a blu-ray player, or a built in Wireless, or any of the other features that you would otherwise have to spend extra money on for the 360.

It's simple...if you can't afford Xbox live don't buy it, stick to psn, I don't think microsoft will go under waiting for you to sign up. Good luck with psn and enjoy! If you can't budget in 50 dollars a year, then maybe you should find a cheaper hobby imo. Concentrate on your studies, get a degree and a good job, then maybe you can afford to splurge a whole 50 dollars a year on xbox live.robflores370

I don't own an X-Box 360.

But this is a deterrant. Gaming is a relatively cheap hobby if you shop around right, but XBL is a rip-off.

But really.. Who spends 50$ on XBL membership and only buys one game and doesnt play online with any other games?Game_Druggy

The point was is that the Multiplayer should be free anyway, like it is on the PC and the Playstation (And the Wii, incedently, but even I'll add an LOL to that...)

What exactly is it that you're paying for with XBL?

[QUOTE="Game_Druggy"]But really.. Who spends 50$ on XBL membership and only buys one game and doesnt play online with any other games?mstc_Q

The point was is that the Multiplayer should be free anyway, like it is on the PC and the Playstation (And the Wii, incedently, but even I'll add an LOL to that...)

What exactly is it that you're paying for with XBL?

[QUOTE="mstc_Q"]

[QUOTE="Game_Druggy"]But really.. Who spends 50$ on XBL membership and only buys one game and doesnt play online with any other games?Burnsmiesta

The point was is that the Multiplayer should be free anyway, like it is on the PC and the Playstation (And the Wii, incedently, but even I'll add an LOL to that...)

What exactly is it that you're paying for with XBL?

This is actually the best point I've seen in this thread.

[QUOTE="Burnsmiesta"][QUOTE="mstc_Q"]

[QUOTE="Game_Druggy"]But really.. Who spends 50$ on XBL membership and only buys one game and doesnt play online with any other games?mstc_Q

The point was is that the Multiplayer should be free anyway, like it is on the PC and the Playstation (And the Wii, incedently, but even I'll add an LOL to that...)

What exactly is it that you're paying for with XBL?

This is actually the best point I've seen in this thread.