Will Xbox Live be free on Xbox 360? Maybe sooner than you think
In a surprising announcement from Microsoft, it has been announced Tuesday that the fee for Microsoft’s Games for Window Live will be waived for gamers wanting to use the service. Microsoft’s Games for Windows Live is an almost exact clone of the Xbox Live found on the Xbox 360.
It’s not all that surprising Xbox Live (XBL) and Games for Windows Live (GWL)are so similar because they are on the same infrastructure allowing cross communication. Games for Windows Live was announced end of last year December 2007 and have garnered mixed reviews and at times harsh criticism for utilizing a payment model on the PC.
Considering that other non-MMORPG type games on the PC do not charge for playing multiplayer as well as other services such as Steam by Valve, GWL has been struggling. Steam is Valve’s answer to GWL from Microsoft, where you can purchase games and play online as well without fees.
According to InformationWeek, Microsoft will waive the $7.99 monthly charge associated with Games for Windows Live. The speculation has been to be able to compete with other online services that are free such as Steam. Games like Halo 2 and Shadowrun have been harshly criticized for using GWL service.
I actually own Halo 2 not only on my 360 but purchased it for Games for Windows as well to take advantage of the touted "HD graphics" using my then latest GeForce 7800GT video card. I also love making maps since the days of Quake so being able to create maps for Halo 2 on the PC was a plus.
However my glee turned to disdain after finding out my friends who don’t have XBL had to shell out $8 to play online with me. Considering my friends are hardcore PC gamers, the concept of paying to play online was well, vulgar.
Could this be an indication Microsoft is willing to bend if the competition is there? This could be very good news for Xbox Live customers and could be a sign if Sony steps up the PSN to a point where Microsoft feel’s threatened then XBL could become free.
Currently it costs about $8 for a month of Gold Service on Xbox Live, or you could do the year service for a flat $50. With the annual subscription plan for some people that means potentially they would have spent a total of $300 for XBL service if they have had it since original Xbox days.
With Microsoft continuing to find ways to clutter us with Ads and the launch of their side business- Advertisements on Xbox Live. Isn’t it about time it’s free? If Microsoft is left alone to their devices why would they even consider making it free, with revenue coming in from XBL subscription fees of 8 million users and advertisement dollars coming in as well why ruin a good thing, right?
That is why it’s up to Sony to force Microsoft to make XBL free or else things could get worse for us the consumers. Competition does a funny thing to those sitting on their mighty thrones in the towers of Microsoft and Sony.
Lets face it, PSN would not be what it is today if not for Microsoft’s Xbox Live forcing Sony to play catchup and Xbox wouldn’t be what it is today if not for it’s determination to take on PS2’s dominance.
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27 Responses to “Will Xbox Live be free on Xbox 360? Maybe sooner than you think”
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July 24th, 2008
Well written article.
I am a little in disbelief that ms would attempt to infiltrate it’s online pay system to the PC world and it seems that PC gamers are rightfully showing ms the door.
Live works well, because 360 users don’t have a choice…pay up or “no online for you”. PC gaming is different because the gamers have a choice. I know what choice I would make.
July 24th, 2008
I don’t think so. X-Box live is making Microsoft a lot of cash. Something like that ain’t something you get rid of so easily.
July 24th, 2008
yeah it might be making them a lot of money but people would prefer it free wouldnt they?
i have a few friends who own a ps3 and their always cahtting about how ps3 online is free and xobx 360 you have to pay but i always tell them maybe becasue xboxlive is better and they always say “as long as you can play online” so most of my other friends are getting ps3 now!
and i hate the ps3!
July 24th, 2008
Why do you think xbox has all that hidden cash to buy out all PS3 exclusive’s.. Log on and pay your dues lol
July 24th, 2008
I don’t play PC games that often anymore, but I have been a Live subscriber since day one. I use it daily, in one way or another. I get a lot of use out of it for less than the price of one game per year. I have no problem with that.
GfW Live subscription, if you read the features, gave you access to multi-player achievements, the Live matchmaking system and cross-platform play. You could still connect and play on the PC using the standard “server list” style multi-player for free. Easy to miss for hardcore PC gamers, I suppose…
July 24th, 2008
Wow another good article. Mike Your showing a lot of potential. As for advertising on Live, I’m not sure what your talking about because the advertisemets are about games and events and just advertisement to keep you informed about what is new and happening. I see more real advertisement in games like Burnout Paradise and others. For MS to cut the price on Live for PC is probably the right move as the PC tends to be a free zone when it comes to games. I don’t see it happening for the 360 though. If there is any lesson to learn it’s that a paid service is better then a free service. Live makes money as PSN doesn’t. Jack form Sony said they don’t have money to pay for exclusives. Mean while MS is always throwing so sort of goddies at 360 owners. I believe that the charges pay off in better services. PSN tried to match Live the other day but then MS steped up the service for 360 keeping it head and shoulders above the compition. I will continue to pay because this type of service is unmatched when compaered to the compitition.
July 24th, 2008
i’m gonna laugh myself silly if this comes true. the unmatched features AND cost free? count me in…
July 24th, 2008
If it does become free, I will buy a 360 to fill the shelf below my ps3. I don’t want to pay for online if I don’t know how much I’ll use it, since there is only a couple of games I’m interested.
Microsoft can afford to make it free. Come on baby make it happen.
July 24th, 2008
Kev- Aren’t you the one who says you get what you pay for online. If its free than what? I guess you’ll be digging in the garbage for food too then huh!
July 24th, 2008
Wylie, you can never get around the xbots
They always have an answer!
I agree with CAD (odd!) for once here, PC is typically a ‘free’ zone with the exception of persistant MMO’s etc.
If Live goes free, maybe I will use it. But I have no real interest in console multiplayer tbh. Too uncontrolled.
July 24th, 2008
nice going microsoft… I would endure some commercials if it meant free online play…
July 24th, 2008
Funnily enough, I agree with some of what CAD had to say as well. SOME. (I can’t give you 10/10 now can I ….lol)
I would have no problem with commercials (as long as it wasn’t over bearing and detracted from the game) I don’t take nay notice of the commercials anyways, ie battlefield 2142 ads.
July 25th, 2008
IF xbox LIVE does go free…that’ll be the day I CONSIDER buying a 360. Then, again, I am more than happy with the PS3. Is Halo 3 worth buying a cheap 360 for…anyone??
July 25th, 2008
you keep saying about all these extra features live has over psn yet never say what they are. I have used both, live is a tiny bit better i however wouldn’t pay that much money for a little bit better especially considering psn is getting better all the time. By the way why have microsoft got rid of that brilliant dashboard for that childish piece of s**t?
July 25th, 2008
I doubt it, one service excels while the other fails. Xbox Live is a cash cow and if Sony has taught me anything is when you get things for free, you really get what you pay for.
July 25th, 2008
wylie – the difference is, xbox live already PROVED it’s value… PSN has not…
craig – we’ve done the comparisons time and time again. once we show just how badly xbox live trumps psn, you ps3 fanboys ALL come back with “well, it doesn’t matter to me”… so… go away…
July 25th, 2008
your still not saying stop dodging the question. Only difference i see is ps3 has no in game voice chat and costs nothing.
July 25th, 2008
Craig the difference is not that great at the moment. In Fall when they update the dasboard then it will be a great difference. As for the dashboard change I like it because yes the One they have now is getting a little crowded because of the amount of content that can be found. That is why there making it easier, better looking and easier to find what you want.
July 25th, 2008
I would like to tell you the difference but that is a little difficult because Sony tried to match 360 services that other day adding trophies (achievements) XBM, and in game music, Movies and I’m not sure how they differ at this moment. I hear it’s not a complete match and that 360 still does things better. One thing that is for sure is that 360 has a more sucure and solid online experience. I have heard that at times it is hard to find people playing online in the PSN network but this is probably because 3 Million People only signed up to PSN. 360 Live boast 12 million people and growing.
July 25th, 2008
Cad- Your posts have been pretty good lately. I’m impressed. (this is not sarcasm)
Kev- just for you I have to say it-
XBL better, well, it doesn’t matter to me!
July 25th, 2008
CAD,
Good post, but let’s make sure we all check our figures: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/over-9-8-million-registered-for-psn
Craig,
When trying to describe Xbox Live, the word “synergy” comes to mind. Live and the 360 work perfectly together, the features all feeling rather natural and easy. The PSN, as of right now, feels a little more like the PS3 is beating it into submission to get those extra features going. However, the crux of each network is online multiplayer gaming, and both work pretty much equally well, in my experience.
I choose PSN for two reasons: it’s free, and the PS3 has Wi-Fi standard. My recently acquired 360 has neither of these advantages, but I don’t really consider it any huge loss.
-Arvis
July 25th, 2008
arvis – “However, the crux of each network is online multiplayer gaming, and both work pretty much equally well, in my experience.”
this is where you prove you don’t have xbox live.
can you jump games with parties on psn? no. you can on xbox live.
can you cross game invite on psn? no. you can on ‘live
is voicecom standard on psn? no. voicecoms are not included with the ps3. it is standard on xbox live.
is stanardize gamertags available on psn? no. only on xbox live, making is muuuuch easier to find a friend to join.
does psn have player mute capability? no. xbox live has the option to mute one or all players if annoying.
these are just off the top of my head but there are more.
have a great weekend all!!!
July 25th, 2008
OK I know it was more then 3 Million but that was a while ago. It’s the only fogure I could remember at the moment. 9.8 is much better.
July 25th, 2008
CAD nice posts, I’m impressed…
Kev, Those differences are really not that groundbreaking (in my opinion) Voice headset, which we have covered before – most gamers have a spare headset already and if not, will have to shell out a measily $20au for a bluetooth headset which can be any brand of our choosing.
In game music – yes still waiting on that.
In game voice mute, as far as I am aware can be done.
Gamertags – well there is only one game that I know off that you have a separate game tag. So one out of hundreds, I wouldn’t call a significant point
As for cross game invites and jump games with parties…well I hadn’t even thought about them, so they don’t really rate that high.
At the end of the day, you guys pay a premium to go online. If you get a couple more features whether they are big or small, so be it. I pay NOTHING and get a pretty damn good service. I have been online gaming on PC for a number of years, so I think I can state an informed opinion in this. By no means a “online master” but just saying that I know what an online experience should be and get that with psn.
I had xbox (even if had a 360) and did not nor would I get live. With what I see as minimal advantages, I don’t see the value. But if I wanted to online game on 360, I wouldn’t have a choice, except to pay thier premium.
Personally, I think online gaming should be free on 360. If you want the “added” features of live, then you pay the premium, but standard online gaming should be free so all 360 owners aren’t forced to use thier system.
July 27th, 2008
Kev,
“is voicecom standard on psn? no. voicecoms are not included with the ps3. it is standard on xbox live.
is stanardize gamertags available on psn? no. only on xbox live, making is muuuuch easier to find a friend to join.
does psn have player mute capability? no. xbox live has the option to mute one or all players if annoying.”
This is where you prove you have never used PSN.
- A headset comes with a 360, but a 360 does not come with XBL Gold. So you can’t say a headset comes standard with XBL.
- PSN has standardized gamertags. Only one game requires another ID (MGS4) and this is only because Konami wanted to keep as much control of the online portion of the game as possible. Not having to go through the PS Store and such means Konami can overcharge for retarded things like Codec Packs.
- PSN has the same Mute capabilities as XBL. Mute All, Mute One Player. All there.
See you back here on Monday for the weekly grind!
-Arvis
July 28th, 2008
arvis – when i bought xbox live it was $49 WITH Crimson Skies (free game) and voicecom… oh..and Gold does come free with the 360…only for a limited time…
thanks for proving not all psn games have standardized gamertags. doesn’t matter why, just matters it’s a pain to try to remember online friends with multiple tags…
I didn’t think PSN offered the mute option that xbox live did….i stand corrected…. oh well, doesn’t really matter since most psn players don’t have voicecom, judging from the dead silence heard during gameplay on PSN…
July 28th, 2008
spidey – got it. every feature that xbox live has over psn “doesn’t matter” to you. that will save us much posting in the future..