Why does Microsoft charge for online play when PC, Wii, PS3 doesnt?

It's totaly put me off from playing my Xbox360 online at all. I don't understand why? I rebought my 360 and PS3 when i moved to the states but tbh i hardly play the 360 because i can't afford the online each month. And don't get me started on the whole microsoft point system for dlc. PS3 however which i never had untill a year ago. Gets so much more use epsecially with the online gaming. It's free, and the way you buy DLC is so much easier than having to use stupid points everyime. Which then takes me to the PC (with the expecption of MMOs) all pc online gaming is free and stable and lag free. So microsoft charging for online play isnt about quality or customer service its about $$$. Why can't Microsoft allow the online to be completely free? yet still keep the dlc and all the extra stuff cost money? i don't buy dlc or use netbook or facebook whatever its called. I don't watch movies, i just play games online everynow and then and i shouldn't have to pay for a few online matches a week.

Even the wii has free online though its limited with it being wi-fi.

My 360 hasn't even been connected to the internet since january when i got it. Having to buy pre paid cards and microsoft points and stuff when i dont need it totaly puts me off. So i've got into a habbit now of buying singleplayer games for 360 and multiplayer games for ps3 because the online is free.

Yeah, i'm not hating on Microsoft, Halo 2 was pretty much the only game i played back in the day for 24/7 a week. And i've only just got a PS3. But after getting the PS3 and the 360. I've realized that why pay for somthing, even though people say the online is better on the 360, well maby it is if you play COD. But games like Tekken and SoulCalibur or Ninja storm series, they outsold the 360 versions. And the user base is much bigger on the ps3.

To me free = better than having to pay 15$ a month or whatever on features i dont need when the only thing i care about is the online a few nights a week.

People pay for it. When you want to play the system, especially online, you have to pay the fee.

Because Xbox LIVE has the best online infrastructure in the console world. That gives consumers, sort-of, a justification to keep paying for Xbox LIVE. In addition, Microsoft successfully captured the social network thing for consoles and people will pay if it means they can play with their friends closely.

The PC is the only platform that has a way better infrastructure than Xbox LIVE but the common folk never consider it because they just don't know about it.

because pc, wii, ps3, aren't fully integrated platforms

"I can't afford the monthly payment"

If you want to have entertainment and be poor, you should try some more poor activities like kick the can and being a thief or something

Because they like making money. I think its a dick move and online should be free like it is with every other system

because people will pay for it.

Because Xbox LIVE has the best online infrastructure in the console world. That gives consumers, sort-of, a justification to keep paying for Xbox LIVE. In addition, Microsoft successfully captured the social network thing for consoles and people will pay if it means they can play with their friends closely.

The PC is the only platform that has a way better infrastructure than Xbox LIVE but the common folk never consider it because they just don't know about it.

ShadowDeathX

Call of duty is the same game on both ps3/360 the online is exactly the same. Only difference being Sony doesn't charge you for the online Microsoft does.

Free will always be better than having to dish out for somthing that should be free to begin with.

Because it is their console and they can charge for whatever they want.

Xbox live has for more features than PSN, Xbox live is far better. If PSN was truly better because its free., no one would actually be paying for xbox live right now.

[QUOTE="ShadowDeathX"]

Because Xbox LIVE has the best online infrastructure in the console world. That gives consumers, sort-of, a justification to keep paying for Xbox LIVE. In addition, Microsoft successfully captured the social network thing for consoles and people will pay if it means they can play with their friends closely.

The PC is the only platform that has a way better infrastructure than Xbox LIVE but the common folk never consider it because they just don't know about it.

thingta42

Call of duty is the same game on both ps3/360 the online is exactly the same. Only difference being Sony doesn't charge you for the online Microsoft does.

Free will always be better than having to dish out for somthing that should be free to begin with.

Social Aspect. If a few friends get Call of Duty on Xbox 360, maybe because its the only platform they have, then I would get Call of Duty on Xbox 360 as well. I don't see why PS3-only gamers would go out of their way and get a 360 to play Call of Duty.

Xbox 360 gamers will get Call of Duty, on Xbox 360. PS3 gamers, on PS3. People who have both, can be swayed. Most likely they will go to where most of their closer friends are on.

Xbox live has for more features than PSN, Xbox live is far better. If PSN was truly better because its free., no one would actually be paying for xbox live right now.

shahilsyed

The online as the ability to play your game online not including the features outside of the game. Yes but it's those features i shouldnt have to pay for when all i want to do is play the game online. Not use facebook, netflix, twitter. DLC, movies, demos, video walkthroughs, avatars, and all that other pointless stuff when all i want is to play Soul Calibur online. Why should i pay 15$ a month for one game to play it online. I'm tight on cash right now. So i can't get the full experience of my console. Yet with PS3 i can.

Xbox live has for more features than PSN, Xbox live is far better. If PSN was truly better because its free., no one would actually be paying for xbox live right now.

shahilsyed

People pay for XBL because Microsoft charges them for features in addition to the ability to play online.

[QUOTE="shahilsyed"]

Xbox live has for more features than PSN, Xbox live is far better. If PSN was truly better because its free., no one would actually be paying for xbox live right now.

thingta42

The online as the ability to play your game online not including the features outside of the game. Yes but it's those features i shouldnt have to pay for when all i want to do is play the game online. Not use facebook, netflix, twitter. DLC, movies, demos, video walkthroughs, avatars, and all that other pointless stuff when all i want is to play Soul Calibur online. Why should i pay 15$ a month for one game to play it online. I'm tight on cash right now. So i can't get the full experience of my console. Yet with PS3 i can.

Change is created by the majority. If the majority of Gold members rioted against Microsoft, than they will most likely change their policies. However, the console world in whole is pretty communicated divided. You aren't going to grasp the majority of the console gaming population with Internet articles or word of mouth.

Much different compared to PC gaming. Where communication between one another is much easier.

I don't care for friends. When all i want is online. Good example. Because i have to pay for the online. The next Soul Calibur game i'm going to be getting on PS3 and not 360 like i did with SC4. All because of not being able to afford the online for the 360. There loss not mine.

I don't care for friends. When all i want is online. Good example. Because i have to pay for the online. The next Soul Calibur game i'm going to be getting on PS3 and not 360 like i did with SC4. All because of not being able to afford the online for the 360. There loss not mine.

thingta42

[QUOTE="shahilsyed"]

Xbox live has for more features than PSN, Xbox live is far better. If PSN was truly better because its free., no one would actually be paying for xbox live right now.

mmmwksil

People pay for XBL because Microsoft charges them for features in addition to the ability to play online.

Because people pay in droves.

Slashkice

Pretty much this and /thread. If people are stupid enough to pay for it why would MS stop charging?

[QUOTE="shahilsyed"]

Xbox live has for more features than PSN, Xbox live is far better. If PSN was truly better because its free., no one would actually be paying for xbox live right now.

The online as the ability to play your game online not including the features outside of the game. Yes but it's those features i shouldnt have to pay for when all i want to do is play the game online. Not use facebook, netflix, twitter. DLC, movies, demos, video walkthroughs, avatars, and all that other pointless stuff when all i want is to play Soul Calibur online. Why should i pay 15$ a month for one game to play it online. I'm tight on cash right now. So i can't get the full experience of my console. Yet with PS3 i can.

[QUOTE="shahilsyed"]

Xbox live has for more features than PSN, Xbox live is far better. If PSN was truly better because its free., no one would actually be paying for xbox live right now.

thingta42

The online as the ability to play your game online not including the features outside of the game. Yes but it's those features i shouldnt have to pay for when all i want to do is play the game online. Not use facebook, netflix, twitter. DLC, movies, demos, video walkthroughs, avatars, and all that other pointless stuff when all i want is to play Soul Calibur online. Why should i pay 15$ a month for one game to play it online. I'm tight on cash right now. So i can't get the full experience of my console. Yet with PS3 i can.

Isn't live about $4 / mo? ($50/12). How are you not able to afford $4 per month when you can go out and buy a $50 game? In other words, youre saying you can't afford Live FOR A YEAR yet you can buy games that cost just as much? Err... what?

[QUOTE="mmmwksil"]

[QUOTE="shahilsyed"]

Xbox live has for more features than PSN, Xbox live is far better. If PSN was truly better because its free., no one would actually be paying for xbox live right now.

BrunoBRS

People pay for XBL because Microsoft charges them for features in addition to the ability to play online.

In PSN, you get alot of input lag in games like SSF4, you cant join session progress, you cant invite people unless they're on your friend list, psn has very slow download speed. I can go on but as you're not interested in other features as you said. PSN is way inferior. shahilsyed

:lol: Clearly this is a problem caused by PSN and not slow internet connections :roll:

XBL certainly wouldn't have input lag, would it?

because people are stupid enough to pay for it.

if they even understood a small thing about this, is that if everyone boycotted the service MS will be forced to make it free. unfortunately, not everyone is smart and so no one even makes the first move. MS knows this and that's why they've even increased the price to $60 and the funniest thing is that people are still okay with it! rofl.

rumbalumba

[QUOTE="thingta42"]

[QUOTE="shahilsyed"]

Xbox live has for more features than PSN, Xbox live is far better. If PSN was truly better because its free., no one would actually be paying for xbox live right now.

shahilsyed

The online as the ability to play your game online not including the features outside of the game. Yes but it's those features i shouldnt have to pay for when all i want to do is play the game online. Not use facebook, netflix, twitter. DLC, movies, demos, video walkthroughs, avatars, and all that other pointless stuff when all i want is to play Soul Calibur online. Why should i pay 15$ a month for one game to play it online. I'm tight on cash right now. So i can't get the full experience of my console. Yet with PS3 i can.

Thats down to the netcode of the game not the company who provides the online. The netcode from my experience playing online from Tekken 6 on both 360 and PS3 was the same.I can have perfect none laggy matchers on all my online games on my ps3.

And lets take Battlefield 3 into account. The servers on all three platforms are provided by EA. Battlefield 3 is on PC/360/PS3. It's the same game on all three platforms only difference being is that that PC veversion supports 64 players due to the hardware not being limited like it on the consoles. And that the PS3/PC online for the game is free yet Microsoft charges you for that same exact online. Now if i had a choice between free online on the ps3 for the exact same game which is on the 360 i'd rather choose the PS3. Theres no defending the cost of playing online when they are completely free alterintives out there providing you the exact same game with the exact same gameplay for no extra cost outside of buying the game.

[QUOTE="rumbalumba"]

because people are stupid enough to pay for it.

if they even understood a small thing about this, is that if everyone boycotted the service MS will be forced to make it free. unfortunately, not everyone is smart and so no one even makes the first move. MS knows this and that's why they've even increased the price to $60 and the funniest thing is that people are still okay with it! rofl.

shahilsyed

[QUOTE="shahilsyed"]In PSN, you get alot of input lag in games like SSF4, you cant join session progress, you cant invite people unless they're on your friend list, psn has very slow download speed. I can go on but as you're not interested in other features as you said. PSN is way inferior. mmmwksil

:lol: Clearly this is a problem caused by PSN and not slow internet connections :roll:

XBL certainly wouldn't have input lag, would it?

[QUOTE="shahilsyed"][QUOTE="thingta42"]

The online as the ability to play your game online not including the features outside of the game. Yes but it's those features i shouldnt have to pay for when all i want to do is play the game online. Not use facebook, netflix, twitter. DLC, movies, demos, video walkthroughs, avatars, and all that other pointless stuff when all i want is to play Soul Calibur online. Why should i pay 15$ a month for one game to play it online. I'm tight on cash right now. So i can't get the full experience of my console. Yet with PS3 i can.

thingta42

Thats down to the netcode of the game not the company who provides the online. The netcode from my experience playing online from Tekken 6 on both 360 and PS3 was the same.I can have perfect none laggy matchers on all my online games on my ps3.

And lets take Battlefield 3 into account. The servers on all three platforms are provided by EA. Battlefield 3 is on PC/360/PS3. It's the same game on all three platforms only difference being is that that PC veversion supports 64 players due to the hardware not being limited like it on the consoles. And that the PS3/PC online for the game is free yet Microsoft charges you for that same exact online. Now if i had a choice between free online on the ps3 for the exact same game which is on the 360 i'd rather choose the PS3. Theres no defending the cost of playing online when they are completely free alterintives out there providing you the exact same game with the exact same gameplay for no extra cost outside of buying the game.

[QUOTE="BrunoBRS"][QUOTE="mmmwksil"]

People pay for XBL because Microsoft charges them for features in addition to the ability to play online.

shahilsyed

This is me. I have 3 Xbox 360 and 2 PS3. I'm always on live more.

[QUOTE="mmmwksil"]

[QUOTE="shahilsyed"]In PSN, you get alot of input lag in games like SSF4, you cant join session progress, you cant invite people unless they're on your friend list, psn has very slow download speed. I can go on but as you're not interested in other features as you said. PSN is way inferior. shahilsyed

:lol: Clearly this is a problem caused by PSN and not slow internet connections :roll:

XBL certainly wouldn't have input lag, would it?

So one game having input lag on PSN is the basis of your entire argument? :roll:

And yeah, it's VERY hard to invite people to play Blazblue on PSN. I mean, I have to press one button, select their name off a list, and hit send. I am quivering. :roll:

No inviting people because they're not on the friend list? Add them to the list :|:o By the gods! Could it have been any simpler? You're still arguing XBL is better over bells and whistles, sir.

One guy having more lag. Well i'm not taking your opinion into even account because it's just one guy. I've played several online games on both platforms and both have equal or the same amount of lag.Sorry but you need more proof to convince me of that. Move along please!

Wii has more lag because it's Wi-fi imagine if Nintendo charged for the online? having to pay for somthing doesn't mean its gonna be better. Thats like paying out more for a hotdog across the street because its more expensive so it's bound to be better. Wheres the logic behind that?

Because PS3, Wii and PC love their customers, and give everything away for free. While MS is an evil evil company that practices shady business practices like trying to make a profit. Take your Xbox outside right now an destroy it. Show them your not going to take it anymore.

Seriously if the $30 a year live costs is too much then just sell the 360 and play on the PC or PS3 for free. It's really simple.

It's bad enough when u buy a 60$ game thats only six hours long *Cough Call of Duty* But then the only way to get more out of the game is to buy DLC and pay for a online. I mean it's like pick your poison. So that 60$ game becomes a 100$ game after the first few months because of the paid for online. Now i don't mind paying for DLC. I paid for some DLC on Playstation 3. But only because they don't charge you for the online too!

Microsoft is bad. Halo 3 and to some extend halo reach is bad. Why? to even keep acess to the online or most of the good online modes outside basic 8 man DM you have to buy the map packs else u can't have fun. That right there shows how bad Microsoft is. But with uncharted 2 one of sonys flagship games. The online is lagfree and the mappack you dont have to download. Shows how much Sony cares. Good lag free online and optional Map packs.

Wish i could talk to Bill gates about it all from a customers perspective.

[QUOTE="shahilsyed"][QUOTE="mmmwksil"]

:lol: Clearly this is a problem caused by PSN and not slow internet connections :roll:

XBL certainly wouldn't have input lag, would it?

mmmwksil

So one game having input lag on PSN is the basis of your entire argument? :roll:

And yeah, it's VERY hard to invite people to play Blazblue on PSN. I mean, I have to press one button, select their name off a list, and hit send. I am quivering. :roll:

No inviting people because they're not on the friend list? Add them to the list :|:o By the gods! Could it have been any simpler? You're still arguing XBL is better over bells and whistles, sir.

why does your grammer stink when most of our doesn't?

RandomWinner

No, its not just ssf4.itsll fighting games that have more input lag on psn.shahilsyed

Ever occurred to you that MAYBE... just MAYBE... you are an isolated incident?

Clearly, if there was as much input lag as you say, people wouldn't even consider playing fighters on PSN. Yet there's millions that do on a regular basis.

why does your grammer stink when most of our doesn't?

RandomWinner

[QUOTE="shahilsyed"]No, its not just ssf4.itsll fighting games that have more input lag on psn.mmmwksil

Ever occurred to you that MAYBE... just MAYBE... you are an isolated incident?

Clearly, if there was as much input lag as you say, people wouldn't even consider playing fighters on PSN. Yet there's millions that do on a regular basis.

[QUOTE="mmmwksil"]

[QUOTE="shahilsyed"]No, its not just ssf4.itsll fighting games that have more input lag on psn.shahilsyed

Ever occurred to you that MAYBE... just MAYBE... you are an isolated incident?

Clearly, if there was as much input lag as you say, people wouldn't even consider playing fighters on PSN. Yet there's millions that do on a regular basis.

When did this shift to a conversation of XBL is better because there's no input lag? I thought you were trying to convince me that XBL is a better service, and thus the reason why you must pay for it.

I'm still waiting for an answer on that front, sir. :roll:

[QUOTE="RandomWinner"]

why does your grammer stink when most of our doesn't?

shahilsyed

Now I have to appologize. I didn't read the post and everyday people who speak english as a first language mess up the doesn't don't thing. I jumped in here to express some frustration. So now I'll contribute to the topic:

MS saw a chance to make a killing off of more than just first party games on those who purchase their console. Sony needed to separate their online system, Nintendo's is terrible, and there are options on PC. If one starts a subscription no one buys their games.