Why do Xbox Live Gold members get adverts on the dashboard?

Although it's only a miner irritation, I've always wondered what possessed Microsoft to do this. Why are paying customers subjected to advertising (besides the obvious of greed)? It's always been a little bugbear of mine since they started it, and when I
move into 'next gen', this little annoyance will be in the back of my head when choosing, which it really shouldn't have to be. I can kind of understand it for XBL Silver members, but for Gold I don't!

:)

 

Web Games?

"You are seeing this Ad because this game is FREE."

So why do Gold Members get adverts on the Xbox LIVE Dashboard?

 

Web Games?

[quote user="The Resistance"]

"You are seeing this Ad because this game is FREE."

So why do Gold Members get adverts on the Xbox LIVE Dashboard?

[/quote]Because you can simply not click on them. They aren't force fed to you while you're waiting on something else.

 

The same thing goes for cable, or if you buy Hulu Plus. You still get ads...its just another way for the company to make money. As long as I don't have to watch an ad before I play a game I don't mind them on Xbox.

 

It`s hardly a problem on the dashboard as you don`t have to watch them.

And as stated above. it`s a money maker for MS as companies pay to have their adverts/commercials shown.

 

At least sony keeps their ads contained in the marketplace.

 

Yes we pay for a service to game not for commercials.

 

The ads arent a big issue for me. Ill take a look, and you never know what you might find. Deals on games or movies or whatever. I might not have found out about something because I didnt click the ad. And in know way are they intrusive or disrupt your ability
to game or search for things.

 

I don't really see it as an issue because as Waterduhlong already stated, it's not really all that intrusive. Besides, sometimes those ads get you free themes, gamerpics, or avatar items if you're willing to take the time to look at them - sometimes they're
cool too! For example, I got Wolverine's claws and the Silver Samurai armor for free due to advertising for The Wolverine film for my avatar to wear.

 

The Australian dashboard has been great lately, everything on it has been all gaming related.

 

I don't notice them as I only spend a few seconds on the dash. Ads are everywhere and aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

 

I've been a Gold member for the past 8 years and I don't remember once ever being forced to watch an advertisement on the dashboard. As long as that trend continues, I don't mind them having a tiny square in the corner.

 

Just because a square doesn't have 'advertisement' written under it does not mean it is not an advert.

Currently on my sister's 360 'Home' pane I have an advert for Games With Gold. One for the Xbox One, Another for 'Warface'. How about Xbox at E3, or another for the best deals on Gold.

Oh I guess they don't count. Though given the only one with 'Advertisement' written under it is for Bing, a Microsoft service available on the console, I guess that one doesn't count either.

 

[quote user="PariahVayne"]

Although it's only a miner irritation, I've always wondered what possessed Microsoft to do this. Why are paying customers subjected to advertising (besides the obvious of greed)? It's always been a little bugbear of mine since they started it, and when I
move into 'next gen', this little annoyance will be in the back of my head when choosing, which it really shouldn't have to be. I can kind of understand it for XBL Silver members, but for Gold I don't!

[/quote]

Because every other form of media has the same thing. TV, Radio, driving down the road in a car, magazines , etc. etc. Advertising is what pays a lot of the bills for company's. That helps ensure they make money and continue to offer the service.

 

^^ (Arrows to DC's post) Yea, I wouldn't count those as advertisements as some/most(??) are actually helpful in pointing someone in the right direction. Wasn't it just last week we had a poster complaining/commenting about not being able to find the "Games
with Gold" section on their Xbox.

On my Xbox One, I don't have any ads. There are a couple tiles about some TV show being offered for free, Xbox @ E3 & Games with Gold.