Why do people say that Xbox live is better than PSN?

Hi,

I just post this on PS3 forum and was told to come here to ask. i don't really get why this simple question has to be post on a "war" forum, whatever that may be, and I for sure don't want to hear fan boys talking non sense, just simple facts. That being said, here's my original message:

I was talking to a friend yesterday who said that xbox live is better than psn for online gaming etc., based on the comments he heard from a video game store owner... now, that might be true, but if it's so, why? What is better of xbox live exactly, compared to psn, regarding online playing, DLC, etc. etc.?

Please do not start a flame war or anything. I'm no fanboy, just would like to hear some facts.

Its a much more user friendly and enjoyable experience. Xbox live is seemlessly integrated into every game. Cross game chat is another extra, and since every xbox comes with a headset it would fair to assume there is more communication. When I play PSN, and then play xbox live I feel like im getting a better package.

Only reason I see Xbox live better:

~ Cross game chat, better message user interface, and best in game music.

Downside ~ Not free, ad infested, and above all lack of any ability to play offline. Microsoft wants to strong arm you to get online with the thing.

xbox live has ease of use factor. I like PSN, and it's free! However, I really don't take advantage of all it's features...they're just there.

I think Xbox live gets you more involved as an online community. Last FM, Facebook pad, avatars, ease of use, better netflix, party chats, 1 vs 100, competitions, and all around it's always updated. (plust the CoDMW2 maps help)

PSN is great though! You can just tell that MS put A LOT of time into LIVE>

Only reason I see Xbox live better:

~ Cross game chat, better message user interface, and best in game music.

Downside ~ Not free, ad infested, and above all lack of any ability to play offline. Microsoft wants to strong arm you to get online with the thing.

Zanoh

I think the online play on PSN is adequate, my only gripe is that the PSN store is just so bare and not really full of too much content. I think PSN needs a massive overhaul.

look 360s main advantage is cross game chat thats it. there are small bonuses but not enough to make up for the 50 dollars per year mark. and all those small advantages ps3 players dont care about. only cross games chat.

why psn is better, not for just me but for everyone else is dedicated game servers. which means no lag at all.100% lag free

most of ps3s exclusive games have dedicated servers. out of like 10 exclusive games around 8 have dedicated servers.

and for 360 around 2 exclusive games out of 10 have dedicated servers.

thats why psn is better for more people because you have lag free experience..

i dont know why people say XBL is better because it lags like crazy.

on ps3. mag 256 players online no lag. and a great exclusive like Ge0w lags like crazy with 4 vs 4 or 5 vs 4 depending if its 1 or 2.

look 360s main advantage is cross game chat thats it. there are small bonuses but not enough to make up for the 50 dollars per year mark. and all those small advantages ps3 players dont care about. only cross games chat.

why psn is better, not for just me but for everyone else is dedicated game servers. which means no lag at all.100% lag free

most of ps3s exclusive games have dedicated servers. out of like 10 exclusive games around 8 have dedicated servers.

and for 360 around 2 exclusive games out of 10 have dedicated servers.

thats why psn is better for more people because you have lag free experience..

i dont know why people say XBL is better because it lags like crazy.

on ps3. mag 256 players online no lag. and a great exclusive like Ge0w lags like crazy with 4 vs 4 or 5 vs 4 depending if its 1 or 2.

planbfreak4eva

*cough*fanboy*cough*

Anyways...i guess why people say live is better is because of party chat i guess. Which is no way in hell worth $50

use the search function..this same thread has been posted 3 times this week.

[QUOTE="planbfreak4eva"]

look 360s main advantage is cross game chat thats it. there are small bonuses but not enough to make up for the 50 dollars per year mark. and all those small advantages ps3 players dont care about. only cross games chat.

why psn is better, not for just me but for everyone else is dedicated game servers. which means no lag at all.100% lag free

most of ps3s exclusive games have dedicated servers. out of like 10 exclusive games around 8 have dedicated servers.

and for 360 around 2 exclusive games out of 10 have dedicated servers.

thats why psn is better for more people because you have lag free experience..

i dont know why people say XBL is better because it lags like crazy.

on ps3. mag 256 players online no lag. and a great exclusive like Ge0w lags like crazy with 4 vs 4 or 5 vs 4 depending if its 1 or 2.

Modern_Unit

*cough*fanboy*cough*

Anyways...i guess why people say live is better is because of party chat i guess. Which is no way in hell worth $50

[QUOTE="Modern_Unit"]

[QUOTE="planbfreak4eva"]

look 360s main advantage is cross game chat thats it. there are small bonuses but not enough to make up for the 50 dollars per year mark. and all those small advantages ps3 players dont care about. only cross games chat.

why psn is better, not for just me but for everyone else is dedicated game servers. which means no lag at all.100% lag free

most of ps3s exclusive games have dedicated servers. out of like 10 exclusive games around 8 have dedicated servers.

and for 360 around 2 exclusive games out of 10 have dedicated servers.

thats why psn is better for more people because you have lag free experience..

i dont know why people say XBL is better because it lags like crazy.

on ps3. mag 256 players online no lag. and a great exclusive like Ge0w lags like crazy with 4 vs 4 or 5 vs 4 depending if its 1 or 2.

planbfreak4eva

*cough*fanboy*cough*

Anyways...i guess why people say live is better is because of party chat i guess. Which is no way in hell worth $50

Forza 3 has dedicated servers. Uncharted 2 does not. Don't make sweeping statements. List allthe games PS3 has with dedicated servers, it's nowhere near 4 times more. More like 4 more.

Xbox Live's biggest advantage is it's intergration. PSN has some shoddy intergration, it was obviously an after thought for sony, as opposed to the Xbxo ebing built around Xbox Live.

As an owner of both consoles, i'd say Xbox Live is leaps and bounds ahead of PSN, just for it's intergration. Is it worth $50 a year? I don't think so, but it's better nonetheless

[QUOTE="Zanoh"]

Only reason I see Xbox live better:

~ Cross game chat, better message user interface, and best in game music.

Downside ~ Not free, ad infested, and above all lack of any ability to play offline. Microsoft wants to strong arm you to get online with the thing.

MFDOOM1983

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEPZdiC9gKo

[QUOTE="Modern_Unit"]

[QUOTE="planbfreak4eva"]

look 360s main advantage is cross game chat thats it. there are small bonuses but not enough to make up for the 50 dollars per year mark. and all those small advantages ps3 players dont care about. only cross games chat.

why psn is better, not for just me but for everyone else is dedicated game servers. which means no lag at all.100% lag free

most of ps3s exclusive games have dedicated servers. out of like 10 exclusive games around 8 have dedicated servers.

and for 360 around 2 exclusive games out of 10 have dedicated servers.

thats why psn is better for more people because you have lag free experience..

i dont know why people say XBL is better because it lags like crazy.

on ps3. mag 256 players online no lag. and a great exclusive like Ge0w lags like crazy with 4 vs 4 or 5 vs 4 depending if its 1 or 2.

planbfreak4eva

*cough*fanboy*cough*

Anyways...i guess why people say live is better is because of party chat i guess. Which is no way in hell worth $50

I don't care about dedicated servers as long as the games don't lag...and they don't. And the 360 not only has a better online service but better online games as well...MAG: lol...KZ2: dead community

[QUOTE="MFDOOM1983"]

[QUOTE="Zanoh"]

Only reason I see Xbox live better:

~ Cross game chat, better message user interface, and best in game music.

Downside ~ Not free, ad infested, and above all lack of any ability to play offline. Microsoft wants to strong arm you to get online with the thing.

Zanoh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEPZdiC9gKo

lol how old is that guy? Anyways you can play offline without GOLD...are you ok?

It's not "better" than PSN and it "sucks".........as in it sucks for people (myself included) who don't play online too often or have any motivation to play online.

The bottomline, XBOX Live's paid subscription service is primarily for people who:

• enjoy online gaming
• play online MP very often
• are dedicated to online mp gaming

There's no more other ways to put it.

It's not "better" than PSN and it "sucks".........as in it sucks for people (myself included) who don't play online too often or have any motivation to play online.

M8ingSeezun

Than having XBL Silver shouldn't bother you

[QUOTE="Zanoh"]

[QUOTE="MFDOOM1983"]WHat?

BURSTIIIFIRE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEPZdiC9gKo

lol how old is that guy? Anyways you can play offline without GOLD...are you ok?

Gaming has no age limit really. Dude I tested this theory out. You can not officially play offline with it...without microsoft hounding on your to go online. And they do so by putting these forced firmware updates made by them and not the developer. Sony does this, and Nintendo does this. All three do it.

Am I pissed? No. Am I in denial? No.

[QUOTE="M8ingSeezun"]

It's not "better" than PSN and it "sucks".........as in it sucks for people (myself included) who don't play online too often or have any motivation to play online.

BURSTIIIFIRE

Than having XBL Silver shouldn't bother you

XBL silver doesn't allow you to play online.

I'm talking about having the option and freedom to play online without any fees whatsoever. That's the beauty of PSN, imo.

Why spend $50+ per year if I choose not to play. There's no feeling of obligation on my part with PSN.

[QUOTE="BURSTIIIFIRE"]

[QUOTE="Zanoh"]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEPZdiC9gKo

Zanoh

lol how old is that guy? Anyways you can play offline without GOLD...are you ok?

Gaming has no age limit really. Dude I tested this theory out. You can not officially play offline with it...without microsoft hounding on your to go online. And they do so by putting these forced firmware updates made by them and not the developer. Sony does this, and Nintendo does this. All three do it.

Am I pissed? No. Am I in denial? No.

What do you mean you can't play offline? I can play offline anytime i like, i don't even have to log onto my xbox Live account to play

[QUOTE="BURSTIIIFIRE"]

[QUOTE="M8ingSeezun"]

It's not "better" than PSN and it "sucks".........as in it sucks for people (myself included) who don't play online too often or have any motivation to play online.

M8ingSeezun

Than having XBL Silver shouldn't bother you

XBL silver doesn't allow you to play online.

You just said you have no motivation to play online...anyways if you are not a regular online gamer than the PS3 is a better choice.

[QUOTE="Zanoh"]

[QUOTE="BURSTIIIFIRE"]

lol how old is that guy? Anyways you can play offline without GOLD...are you ok?

-Snooze-

Gaming has no age limit really. Dude I tested this theory out. You can not officially play offline with it...without microsoft hounding on your to go online. And they do so by putting these forced firmware updates made by them and not the developer. Sony does this, and Nintendo does this. All three do it.

Am I pissed? No. Am I in denial? No.

What do you mean you can't play offline? I can play offline anytime i like, i don't even have to log onto my xbox Live account to play

Allow me to iterate on the matter. When you sign up for the service it asks for a silver or gold "account" before you create a profile. That "account" be it online or offline will eventually be linked to Microsoft if there is an available internet connection and your profile is attached to said account even though you didn't "sign in to it". For those trying to "cheat the system" by keeping it offline and unplugged, a net result occurs: They got to put firmware on their discs to ensure you are not cheating. This in due turn however prevents your from playing full offline.

[QUOTE="Modern_Unit"]

[QUOTE="planbfreak4eva"]

look 360s main advantage is cross game chat thats it. there are small bonuses but not enough to make up for the 50 dollars per year mark. and all those small advantages ps3 players dont care about. only cross games chat.

why psn is better, not for just me but for everyone else is dedicated game servers. which means no lag at all.100% lag free

most of ps3s exclusive games have dedicated servers. out of like 10 exclusive games around 8 have dedicated servers.

and for 360 around 2 exclusive games out of 10 have dedicated servers.

thats why psn is better for more people because you have lag free experience..

i dont know why people say XBL is better because it lags like crazy.

on ps3. mag 256 players online no lag. and a great exclusive like Ge0w lags like crazy with 4 vs 4 or 5 vs 4 depending if its 1 or 2.

planbfreak4eva

*cough*fanboy*cough*

Anyways...i guess why people say live is better is because of party chat i guess. Which is no way in hell worth $50

[QUOTE="-Snooze-"]

[QUOTE="Zanoh"]

Gaming has no age limit really. Dude I tested this theory out. You can not officially play offline with it...without microsoft hounding on your to go online. And they do so by putting these forced firmware updates made by them and not the developer. Sony does this, and Nintendo does this. All three do it.

Am I pissed? No. Am I in denial? No.

Zanoh

What do you mean you can't play offline? I can play offline anytime i like, i don't even have to log onto my xbox Live account to play

Allow me to iterate on the matter. When you sign up for the service it asks for a silver or gold "account" before you create a profile. That "account" be it online or offline will eventually be linked to Microsoft if there is an available internet connection and your profile is attached to said account even though you didn't "sign in to it". For those trying to "cheat the system" by keeping it offline and unplugged, a net result occurs: They got to put firmware on their discs to ensure you are not cheating. This in due turn however prevents your from playing full offline.

You don't have to sign up even if you have an internet connection ... You don't HAVE to update your games at all. You only have to update them if you want to play online.

IF you sign up you get to pick from silver and gold, if you pick silver then you have an online profile, which can do everything but game online, gold lets you play online.

More content. Better interface. You can do stuff when your downloading a demo or w/e.

[QUOTE="Modern_Unit"]

[QUOTE="planbfreak4eva"]

look 360s main advantage is cross game chat thats it. there are small bonuses but not enough to make up for the 50 dollars per year mark. and all those small advantages ps3 players dont care about. only cross games chat.

why psn is better, not for just me but for everyone else is dedicated game servers. which means no lag at all.100% lag free

most of ps3s exclusive games have dedicated servers. out of like 10 exclusive games around 8 have dedicated servers.

and for 360 around 2 exclusive games out of 10 have dedicated servers.

thats why psn is better for more people because you have lag free experience..

i dont know why people say XBL is better because it lags like crazy.

on ps3. mag 256 players online no lag. and a great exclusive like Ge0w lags like crazy with 4 vs 4 or 5 vs 4 depending if its 1 or 2.

planbfreak4eva

*cough*fanboy*cough*

Anyways...i guess why people say live is better is because of party chat i guess. Which is no way in hell worth $50

So which sig is more fanboyish mine or yours?

[QUOTE="Zanoh"]

[QUOTE="-Snooze-"]

What do you mean you can't play offline? I can play offline anytime i like, i don't even have to log onto my xbox Live account to play

-Snooze-

Allow me to iterate on the matter. When you sign up for the service it asks for a silver or gold "account" before you create a profile. That "account" be it online or offline will eventually be linked to Microsoft if there is an available internet connection and your profile is attached to said account even though you didn't "sign in to it". For those trying to "cheat the system" by keeping it offline and unplugged, a net result occurs: They got to put firmware on their discs to ensure you are not cheating. This in due turn however prevents your from playing full offline.

You don't have to sign up even if you have an internet connection ... You don't HAVE to update your games at all. You only have to update them if you want to play online.

IF you sign up you get to pick from silver and gold, if you pick silver then you have an online profile, which can do everything but game online, gold lets you play online.

Then explain to me, good sir, that even when I tested this theory by creating a new account offline profile and plugging in a game, I got the following message:

You must apply this CONSOLE update in order to play this game, failure to do so will not allow you to play the game. Console updates are periodically provided to the Xbox 360 console system to add or update functionality. The inability to install an update will prevent the user from signing in to Xbox LIVE or from playing a particular game.

I ask you, what part of the functionality of this requires the game to be played? Nothing. It's just the console. So when I do the following and do the update it then asks for an INTERNET connection to update. Failure to do so STILL won't allow me to play the game. And once I hook the thing online BOOM the endless ads of asking me to go online to get x y and z immerse.

It's not rocket science what Microsoft is doing...they strong arm you to go online...you can never truly have an offline console unplugged from the internet.

Not saying Sony and Nintendo are innocent either, but them's the brakes.

[QUOTE="-Snooze-"]

[QUOTE="Zanoh"]

Allow me to iterate on the matter. When you sign up for the service it asks for a silver or gold "account" before you create a profile. That "account" be it online or offline will eventually be linked to Microsoft if there is an available internet connection and your profile is attached to said account even though you didn't "sign in to it". For those trying to "cheat the system" by keeping it offline and unplugged, a net result occurs: They got to put firmware on their discs to ensure you are not cheating. This in due turn however prevents your from playing full offline.

Zanoh

You don't have to sign up even if you have an internet connection ... You don't HAVE to update your games at all. You only have to update them if you want to play online.

IF you sign up you get to pick from silver and gold, if you pick silver then you have an online profile, which can do everything but game online, gold lets you play online.

Then explain to me, good sir, that even when I tested this theory by creating a new account offline profile and plugging in a game, I got the following message:

You must apply this CONSOLE update in order to play this game, failure to do so will not allow you to play the game. Console updates are periodically provided to the Xbox 360 console system to add or update functionality. The inability to install an update will prevent the user from signing in to Xbox LIVE or from playing a particular game.

I ask you, what part of the functionality of this requires the game to be played? Nothing. It's just the console. So when I do the following and do the update it then asks for an INTERNET connection to update. Failure to do so STILL won't allow me to play the game. And once I hook the thing online BOOM the endless ads of asking me to go online to get x y and z immerse.

It's not rocket science what Microsoft is doing...they strong arm you to go online...you can never truly have an offline console unplugged from the internet.

Not saying Sony and Nintendo are innocent either, but them's the brakes.

That has never hapened to me...and I have played plenty of games with no internet connection.

Why do fanboys keep making the same topics over and over trying to prove a point just for the end result to be the same? You're just going to walk off in the end when proven wrong and make the same topic again or at the very least reply in a similar one made by another use trying to prove a point. If you haven't played on xbox live (which many sony fanboys claim to have when they haven't) then you should know why xbox live is "better"

The service is put together better and more organized, you can private chat in a game with friends who are playing other games), the service has less technical problems (less lag, downtime for certain games, connection issues), you don't have to sync achievements they updated regularly as you play, friends list/gamercard is better in terms of you can view your friends, friends, player info and even a dedicated gamer description that you can pick from "underground, pro, recreation" that describes what type of gamer you are.

the only difference here is you pay 5$ a month

Unless you are younger then 16 that'd be a problem for you and to say it's not worth it is bogus.

I rest my case, feel free to pick what you can apart and convince yourself that PSN is indeed the "better" service but it's a lie and it's obvious and don't tell me it's your opinion because your opinion is not worth anything unless you have experience in what you are talking about. If you play both xbox live and PSN like many fanboys claim to then that's fine but I really really really do not know how anybody could claim PSN is on the level of xbox live.

Edit: this wasn't geared towards the TC but more so the general people who post on these forums

[QUOTE="-Snooze-"]

[QUOTE="Zanoh"]

Allow me to iterate on the matter. When you sign up for the service it asks for a silver or gold "account" before you create a profile. That "account" be it online or offline will eventually be linked to Microsoft if there is an available internet connection and your profile is attached to said account even though you didn't "sign in to it". For those trying to "cheat the system" by keeping it offline and unplugged, a net result occurs: They got to put firmware on their discs to ensure you are not cheating. This in due turn however prevents your from playing full offline.

Zanoh

You don't have to sign up even if you have an internet connection ... You don't HAVE to update your games at all. You only have to update them if you want to play online.

IF you sign up you get to pick from silver and gold, if you pick silver then you have an online profile, which can do everything but game online, gold lets you play online.

Then explain to me, good sir, that even when I tested this theory by creating a new account offline profile and plugging in a game, I got the following message:

You must apply this CONSOLE update in order to play this game, failure to do so will not allow you to play the game. Console updates are periodically provided to the Xbox 360 console system to add or update functionality. The inability to install an update will prevent the user from signing in to Xbox LIVE or from playing a particular game.

I ask you, what part of the functionality of this requires the game to be played? Nothing. It's just the console. So when I do the following and do the update it then asks for an INTERNET connection to update. Failure to do so STILL won't allow me to play the game. And once I hook the thing online BOOM the endless ads of asking me to go online to get x y and z immerse.

It's not rocket science what Microsoft is doing...they strong arm you to go online...you can never truly have an offline console unplugged from the internet.

Not saying Sony and Nintendo are innocent either, but them's the brakes.

I'm sorry but i played a game offline not 2 days ago and this never happened to me. Not saying you're lying but ... I've also never seen any of these ads ... A lot of what you're claiming seems to be exclusive to you and your "Xbox"

Also, why is it an issue anyway? How is it hurting you?

im pretty sure xbox live doesnt remove system features from my xbox360 either

and im pretty sure people have mics on 360s more then ps3 cause their not wired

and im pretty sure 360 came out earlier then ps3

i do admit though wii has a much better online service then ps3 does to , so ya um while sonys busy taking away features once advertised nintendo and microsoft are improving

also i am pretty sure when i play gta iv on my 360 i can listen to spice girls or take me there-theme song from rugrats

i am not force to listen to garbage either sony or rockstar puts in their games

imo PSN and XBLboth suck.

They've turned online gaming into something it doesn't need to be :?

I'd say skip both and go for steam.

I'm sorry but i played a game offline not 2 days ago and this never happened to me. Not saying you're lying but ... I've also never seen any of these ads ... A lot of what you're claiming seems to be exclusive to you and your "Xbox"

Also, why is it an issue anyway? How is it hurting you?

-Snooze-

If you've "never seen the ads" it's on the main menu and in every tab you access. I urge anyone here to try and actually admit to me the following:

~ They bought a new 360.

~ They did not hook it up to the internet.

~ (If possible) They did not apply for an Xbox Live account (which is impossible because that is the only way to access a sign in profile).

In fact the simple part of "signing in your profile" It doesn't say "USER" it says "XBOX LIVE" meaning that you are not in control of the system you bought. It's not you and "your xbox". It's THEIRs. It makes you feel like you paid 200 bucks to just rent the thing...

It's not an issue for me, nor does it hurt me in any way. The 360 is a great system, Microsoft however ruined my gaming experience with it.

Except for the interface though (which I personally prefer the straightforward layout of the playstation :P) the only other noticeable difference is the cross game chatting. You can do it for the 360, but u can't for the PS :P

[QUOTE="planbfreak4eva"][QUOTE="Modern_Unit"]

*cough*fanboy*cough*

Anyways...i guess why people say live is better is because of party chat i guess. Which is no way in hell worth $50

-Snooze-

Forza 3 has dedicated servers. Uncharted 2 does not. Don't make sweeping statements. List allthe games PS3 has with dedicated servers, it's nowhere near 4 times more. More like 4 more.

Xbox Live's biggest advantage is it's intergration. PSN has some shoddy intergration, it was obviously an after thought for sony, as opposed to the Xbxo ebing built around Xbox Live.

As an owner of both consoles, i'd say Xbox Live is leaps and bounds ahead of PSN, just for it's intergration. Is it worth $50 a year? I don't think so, but it's better nonetheless

[QUOTE="planbfreak4eva"][QUOTE="Modern_Unit"]

*cough*fanboy*cough*

Anyways...i guess why people say live is better is because of party chat i guess. Which is no way in hell worth $50

Modern_Unit

So which sig is more fanboyish mine or yours?

Its a much more user friendly and enjoyable experience. Xbox live is seemlessly integrated into every game. Cross game chat is another extra, and since every xbox comes with a headset it would fair to assume there is more communication. When I play PSN, and then play xbox live I feel like im getting a better package.

Fizzman

Imo i dont really bother PSN may be behind in features, but at the same time im more happy with it.When i pay for something like that i feel tied to it which is something i dislike.

[QUOTE="Zanoh"]

[QUOTE="-Snooze-"]

You don't have to sign up even if you have an internet connection ... You don't HAVE to update your games at all. You only have to update them if you want to play online.

IF you sign up you get to pick from silver and gold, if you pick silver then you have an online profile, which can do everything but game online, gold lets you play online.

-Snooze-

Then explain to me, good sir, that even when I tested this theory by creating a new account offline profile and plugging in a game, I got the following message:

You must apply this CONSOLE update in order to play this game, failure to do so will not allow you to play the game. Console updates are periodically provided to the Xbox 360 console system to add or update functionality. The inability to install an update will prevent the user from signing in to Xbox LIVE or from playing a particular game.

I ask you, what part of the functionality of this requires the game to be played? Nothing. It's just the console. So when I do the following and do the update it then asks for an INTERNET connection to update. Failure to do so STILL won't allow me to play the game. And once I hook the thing online BOOM the endless ads of asking me to go online to get x y and z immerse.

It's not rocket science what Microsoft is doing...they strong arm you to go online...you can never truly have an offline console unplugged from the internet.

Not saying Sony and Nintendo are innocent either, but them's the brakes.

I'm sorry but i played a game offline not 2 days ago and this never happened to me. Not saying you're lying but ... I've also never seen any of these ads ... A lot of what you're claiming seems to be exclusive to you and your "Xbox"

Also, why is it an issue anyway? How is it hurting you?

I also have never seen any adds on either of my 360's sure adds for new movies available on the movie marketplace but never anything like McDonald's or anything like that.

XBL is better by a small margin, not worth $50. Should've been free, IMO.

Its a much more user friendly and enjoyable experience. Xbox live is seemlessly integrated into every game. Cross game chat is another extra, and since every xbox comes with a headset it would fair to assume there is more communication. When I play PSN, and then play xbox live I feel like im getting a better package.

Fizzman

BUT if we're just talking about playing online and downloading DLC..they're both pretty much the same.

I find the chat system on PSN to be a pain in the ass though. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't "chat" on PSN all handled in-game? And I'm not talking about the text-chat and private (video)chat on XMB, just talking to others while playing a game.

On XBL, all the chat functions (private chat, party chat) are handled through the dashboard. I believe that is one of the major differences, chatting-wise. Again, correct me if I'm wrong, it's been a long time since I tried to chat on PSN.. or since played a multiplayer match for that matter:P