Xbox LIVE Silver Re-invention

Before I say my peace, NO, Lemmings, I am not disrespecting your console, nor am I bashing XBOX LIVE. I am merely stating my opinion.

I have friends that own 360s, and they constantly badger me to play. I do not want to pay for online. 50 bucks a year/ 8.65 per month on top of an internet service provider bill does not bode in my book.Sony is releasing a paid subscription plan, to which I will not jump on board either. One benefit, however, is that they will keep the free PSN online service that every Cow on this thread loves.

Now I present the following target of my topic and the one thing that prevents me from ever considering or picking up a 360: XBOX LIVE silver. It is, above all things, a joke...and by joke I mean the design and concept of it's predications. True I can chat with friends and all with it. I can do cross game chat, and I can listen to my music whilst playing, but here's the thing: I can't play online unless Microsoft "wills it". Whenever they "will it" is nearly never, and at times when it is inconvenient. It also is inconvenient to know that when my friends (who have gold accounts) want me to play an xyz game, I can't play with them in not only the Microsoft Silver time laws, but also because some of their features (party chat) needs gold account service.

Now this is what I hope happens in the future:

I can live without party chat (I don't need it), but I would like Silver to have free access to online just like Gold does on a regular basis. Microsoft can even sweeten up gold by offering faster DL speeds and more content, and slow everything for Silver, but still it would be nice to have free online to be played not based on a companies whim but by a gamer's whim.

What say you, SW?

I think it's a cool idea, but I don't think it will ever happen.

Xbox Live rakes in millions and millions of dollars in pure profit, and the current XBL structure is the reason for that.

I know it sucks buying a game on Super Street Fighter 4, Call of Duty, Battlefield, Tekken 6, Soul Calibur, etc. on one console means you can't access online modes to play with strangers and friends unless you pay the one console company, but that's how it goes.

It would be nice if Xbox 360 games were a few bucks cheaper since you can't play online with paying, but that's not going to happen. To many satisfied customers.

People seem absolutely fine with that set up.

I hate that I downloaded car packs on Forza 3, but they are locked(am I doing something wrong?). And in my inbox it says "You have recieved a gift from Turn 10." But, you need XBL Gold. Some gift.

I do not see where this $50 a year comes from. Amazon usually has it for $40 and there are always sales on it.Mythomniac

49.99 at local retail mate. I use amazon.com religiously so while 40 bucks is a bit cheaper, my point still stands....

I hate that I downloaded car packs on Forza 3, but they are locked(am I doing something wrong?). And in my inbox it says "You have recieved a gift from Turn 10." But, you need XBL Gold. Some gift.

Kahuna_1

Now that takes the stick in the widget. Microsoft really want users to go gold and that is a bad marketing practice to follow....

They could make it free on weekends or something. That sounds reasonable.. I think.

Or vice versa, on weekdays.

They could make it free on weekends or something. That sounds reasonable.. I think.Karnage108

I'd even settle for that. I wouldn't mind. It still would be nice if we could play anytime just minus the gold features and extra spice.

I hate that I downloaded car packs on Forza 3, but they are locked(am I doing something wrong?). And in my inbox it says "You have recieved a gift from Turn 10." But, you need XBL Gold. Some gift.

Kahuna_1

All that to say you don't want to pay to play. This is not a new argument.

Yep, they should truly strip gold and PSN of everything, so it's a bare bones online system. You get your online gaming, chat, and stuff for free.

What you should be paying for is the use of things like Netflix, and Last FM, and other various goodies.

I doubt MS would do it though because I'm sure everyone realizes that at current 90% of people paying for Xbox Live use it solely for playing games online.

Something needs to happen though. With how much use I get out of Steam I know i won't be paying for online anytime soon.

TC, you can get XBL on bungie.net for like 37 dollars I think. I case thats a better price for you.tehsystemwarior

All that to say you don't want to pay to play. This is not a new argument.

SUD123456

It's not by me not wanting to pay to play....The topic is pretty much the re-invention of XBL silver. With Sony releasing a paid subscription to rival Gold (which seems very likely), Sony still is keeping the free online. With this in mind, could the same be implemented for Silver to be free access instead of Microsoft silver time laws...

THAT my good sir is a debate not an argument.

The problem with your idea is that they would probably lose a lot of gold memberships as a lot of casuals probably do not utilize the other services that are provided with the gold service. I on the other hand don't mind paying $50 for the service, but I don't speak for everyone. My experience has been a great one and I do not regret paying a dime for the service that is provided to me. I have metsome cool peopleand have had the greatest time ever on any game console. The community is great and strong and for that I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that people pay that 50 bucks a year.

Nice opinion, here's mine, First of all, if you can't afford 50 dollars a year, then you should find another hobby. Gaming is expensive. If you just don't want to pay for the "principle" of it, then that is your choice and be happy with psn or pc online gaming. Sounds like your friends are having fun though. I know I've had a blast on xbox live and don't mind paying. The ease of use, communication (use of headsets), and overall feel of xbox live is better than psn IMO and I don't mind playing as I have had countless hours of fun gaming on my 360 on xbox live with my friends. Good luck.

The problem with your idea is that they would probably lose a lot of gold memberships as a lot of casuals probably do not utilize the other services that are provided with the gold service. I on the other hand don't mind paying $50 for the service, but I don't speak for everyone. My experience has been a great one and I do not regret paying a dime for the service that is provided to me. I have metsome cool peopleand have had the greatest time ever on any game console. The community is great and strong and for that I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that people pay that 50 bucks a year.

xscrapzx

And if that makes you feel worth it, I applaud you sir for your good times. :)

I am able to meet people on PSN, Nintendo WFC, and PC free. It would be nice to have the exact same experience with XBOX LIVE Silver in the exact same manner.

[QUOTE="Mythomniac"]I do not see where this $50 a year comes from. Amazon usually has it for $40 and there are always sales on it.Zanoh

49.99 at local retail mate. I use amazon.com religiously so while 40 bucks is a bit cheaper, my point still stands....

They could make it free on weekends or something. That sounds reasonable.. I think.

Or vice versa, on weekdays.

Karnage108

[QUOTE="Zanoh"]

[QUOTE="Mythomniac"]I do not see where this $50 a year comes from. Amazon usually has it for $40 and there are always sales on it.Mythomniac

49.99 at local retail mate. I use amazon.com religiously so while 40 bucks is a bit cheaper, my point still stands....

True and I agree with you. However, my point is not about price, but rather principle and marketing. Now that PSN is trying to compete on a premium sub war with XBOX LIVE with the basic online already given. The question is, should MS allow the same style by reinventing silver?

[QUOTE="Mythomniac"][QUOTE="Zanoh"]

49.99 at local retail mate. I use amazon.com religiously so while 40 bucks is a bit cheaper, my point still stands....

Zanoh

True and I agree with you. However, my point is not about price, but rather principle and marketing. Now that PSN is trying to compete on a premium sub war with XBOX LIVE with the basic online already given. The question is, should MS allow the same style by reinventing silver?

Would never happen because being able to play online is the only reason that people get Gold. Which is why Sony's premium online service will fail since the only thing it offers is exclusive downloadable content and free music downloads.LoserMike

[QUOTE="Zanoh"]

[QUOTE="Mythomniac"]I do not see where this $50 a year comes from. Amazon usually has it for $40 and there are always sales on it.Mythomniac

49.99 at local retail mate. I use amazon.com religiously so while 40 bucks is a bit cheaper, my point still stands....

thats cool, i guess but why deal with the hassle of looking for better deals online and having to go site searching for the cheapest possible XBL card you can find when you can just play on PSN for FREE.

MS wants your money and currently making millions off XBL Gold alone, whos company on their right mind wouldnt want that?

[QUOTE="Mythomniac"][QUOTE="Zanoh"]

49.99 at local retail mate. I use amazon.com religiously so while 40 bucks is a bit cheaper, my point still stands....

LP4EVA2005

thats cool, i guess but why deal with the hassle of looking for better deals online and having to go site searching for the cheapest possible xbl card you can find when you can just play on PSN for FREE.

[QUOTE="tehsystemwarior"]TC, you can get XBL on bungie.net for like 37 dollars I think. I case thats a better price for you.Zanoh

All that to say you don't want to pay to play. This is not a new argument.

SUD123456

It's not by me not wanting to pay to play....The topic is pretty much the re-invention of XBL silver. With Sony releasing a paid subscription to rival Gold (which seems very likely), Sony still is keeping the free online. With this in mind, could the same be implemented for Silver to be free access instead of Microsoft silver time laws...

THAT my good sir is a debate not an argument.

Of course it is you not wanting to pay to play. That is exactly what you are trying to avoid. And it is exactly what you like about PSN. If it was free to play online on XBL this thread would not exist.

Your protestations about reinventing XBL are just a smokescreen and you should at least own up to that. This is easily discernible by a simple answer to a simple question.

Of the 1,001 ways to reinvent XBL Silver would any of them satisfy you if you still had to pay to play online? The answer is no, and you know it.

Ergo, this topic is entirely about you not wanting to pay to play and everything else is just some form of justification in your mind about things you could live without to tradeoff against the thing you do want: free online.

It is the same for many others commenting the same way. Of course they would trade off some features for free, because free is what they want.

There is nothing wrong with your opinion, but pls don't try to justify something else which is nothing more than intellectual dishonesty.

[QUOTE="LP4EVA2005"]

[QUOTE="Mythomniac"] Yeah, but people who care about the price always find a deal on the internet, people who don't care just go to Gamestop and buy it for $50.JuarN18

thats cool, i guess but why deal with the hassle of looking for better deals online and having to go site searching for the cheapest possible xbl card you can find when you can just play on PSN for FREE.

We're on SW, incase you forgot.def_mode

[QUOTE="Zanoh"]

[QUOTE="tehsystemwarior"]

[QUOTE="SUD123456"]

All that to say you don't want to pay to play. This is not a new argument.

SUD123456

It's not by me not wanting to pay to play....The topic is pretty much the re-invention of XBL silver. With Sony releasing a paid subscription to rival Gold (which seems very likely), Sony still is keeping the free online. With this in mind, could the same be implemented for Silver to be free access instead of Microsoft silver time laws...

THAT my good sir is a debate not an argument.

Of course it is you not wanting to pay to play. That is exactly what you are trying to avoid. And it is exactly what you like about PSN. If it was free to play online on XBL this thread would not exist.

Your protestations about reinventing XBL are just a smokescreen and you should at least own up to that. This is easily discernible by a simple answer to a simple question.

Of the 1,001 ways to reinvent XBL Silver would any of them satisfy you if you still had to pay to play online? The answer is no, and you know it.

Ergo, this topic is entirely about you not wanting to pay to play and everything else is just some form of justification in your mind about things you could live without to tradeoff against the thing you do want: free online.

It is the same for many others commenting the same way. Of course they would trade off some features for free, because free is what they want.

There is nothing wrong with your opinion, but pls don't try to justify something else which is nothing more than intellectual dishonesty.

I think something like unlimited movies on netfix, or the rental service microsoft offers, would seal the deal for a lot of people.

That should be the case, and it should have been like that since the beginning, rather than paying MS so that the player can provide the bandwidth for the games to work.

[QUOTE="def_mode"] We're on SW, incase you forgot.JuarN18

it's not likely MS even tries to compete and offer a better Silver service now that Sony is bringing subscription tier to theirs.

and....it's a little ironic you refuse to pay for XBL, but aren't you subscribing to gamespot? pretty sure you need that to get the colorful names or whatever.:P

it's not likely MS even tries to compete and offer a better Silver service now that Sony is bringing subscription tier to theirs.

and....it's a little ironic you refuse to pay for XBL, but aren't you subscribing to gamespot? pretty sure you need that to get the colorful names or whatever.:P

HavocV3

[QUOTE="HavocV3"]

it's not likely MS even tries to compete and offer a better Silver service now that Sony is bringing subscription tier to theirs.

and....it's a little ironic you refuse to pay for XBL, but aren't you subscribing to gamespot? pretty sure you need that to get the colorful names or whatever.:P

def_mode

yeah.

It is stupid epecially considering how crappy xbl is

the way silver members get late access to some content, no party chat, and no gimmick features (facebook, netflix, etc.) is ridiculous the only thing they shoudn't get is crappy onine gameplay

50$ a year for low quality online gameplay with idiots is not what I want, nor a cutdown version of facebook or netflix, if you're gonna gimme that make it free microsoft

xbl is such a sham

and....it's a little ironic you refuse to pay for XBL, but aren't you subscribing to gamespot? pretty sure you need that to get the colorful names or whatever.:P

HavocV3

Unfortunatly every game is on xbox is built on the live system, and the live system is upkept by m$. Its more of an upkeep cost and a way to be able to actually suspend users from playing. On ps3 you can't really do anything about exploiters, 360 has that extra quality control. Not to mention dev's don't have to make most of the underlying code for online, they just build ontop of live.

edit: and if you pay 50 for the year, its only 4.20 a month. But likely any smart person orders it from amazon for 35$(2.90/month) which is what i got mine for.

Free online for silver accounts would be awesome but unrealistic, all those gold members are going to downgrade and pocket the 50 bucks.

Personally the online for any gaming system should be free, hell even if it's litteraly no frills, hell even take out Voice chat. I just want to be able to play my games online for free, I already pay for my access to the internet....why the hell should I have to pay again just to access the internet?Jynxzor

[QUOTE="Jynxzor"]Personally the online for any gaming system should be free, hell even if it's litteraly no frills, hell even take out Voice chat. I just want to be able to play my games online for free, I already pay for my access to the internet....why the hell should I have to pay again just to access the internet?Episode_Eve

If MS made online available on Silver, Gold will be useless. That's the only reason why most of us pay for Gold.

[QUOTE="Episode_Eve"][QUOTE="Jynxzor"]Personally the online for any gaming system should be free, hell even if it's litteraly no frills, hell even take out Voice chat. I just want to be able to play my games online for free, I already pay for my access to the internet....why the hell should I have to pay again just to access the internet?savagetwinkie

ITs not $50 a year for the LAST TIME.. You can get a annual card at Amazon for $25 to $35, that ranks in as $3 a month at most.sSubZerOo

Yeah, and I know a guy who got a good deal on a Wii for $75 dollars, that doesn't mean we can rely on those prices.

Besides, $25 Live cards I've never seen, I've bought them for $29.99 and for $35.00 before but it doesn't mean I will go around threads claiming that's the real price.

Deals are not the MSRP, they are deals, and don't run year round.

[QUOTE="Zanoh"]

[QUOTE="SUD123456"]

All that to say you don't want to pay to play. This is not a new argument.

SUD123456

It's not by me not wanting to pay to play....The topic is pretty much the re-invention of XBL silver. With Sony releasing a paid subscription to rival Gold (which seems very likely), Sony still is keeping the free online. With this in mind, could the same be implemented for Silver to be free access instead of Microsoft silver time laws...

THAT my good sir is a debate not an argument.

Of course it is you not wanting to pay to play. That is exactly what you are trying to avoid. And it is exactly what you like about PSN. If it was free to play online on XBL this thread would not exist.

Your protestations about reinventing XBL are just a smokescreen and you should at least own up to that. This is easily discernible by a simple answer to a simple question.

Of the 1,001 ways to reinvent XBL Silver would any of them satisfy you if you still had to pay to play online? The answer is no, and you know it.

Ergo, this topic is entirely about you not wanting to pay to play and everything else is just some form of justification in your mind about things you could live without to tradeoff against the thing you do want: free online.

It is the same for many others commenting the same way. Of course they would trade off some features for free, because free is what they want.

There is nothing wrong with your opinion, but pls don't try to justify something else which is nothing more than intellectual dishonesty.

My willingness to not pay is my preference, but that is not the issue here. I shall say it a third time so you get the message:

The issue here is now that Sony is releasing a paid subscription while KEEPING fast to the basic free online, play any time anywhere portfolio.

Quality and features aside since those are the preferences that many argue, the real issue is anytime free online versus "time alotted" free online.

To a gamer, which is more appealing? Play whenever you want for free? Or be stuck to a companies' lotted free time structure (which in Silver's case would not be much at all).

Now supposing if PSN made a comparable experience in a sub war with Live's Gold with features the basic online currently out doesn't have like cross game chat or party etc. etc., but still keeping a free service that's playable, it makes Silver's model outdated. The only thing my personal preference has effect and the only thing keeping me from ever being on Xbox LIVE is that hurdle presented. Reason being? The 360 was made with online in mind. It is more a mass community online machine expecting people to play online.

Now how can one do that on a company's whim aside from Gold? Re-invent silver of course

THAT is the point of this thread....It's no smokescreen as your words seem to make it thusly.