Xbox Live requirement for online play needs to end - Microsoft does not offer an online ...

I have just vacuumed my house. Should I complain to Dyson because I have had to pay for electric?

 

I spoke too soon... Lloydy and Gh0stz are ruining my good read! Stop it!

 

I would like to point something else as well.

We are all consumers here.

I fail to see why people defend Microsoft or Sony tactics when they are in fact bad for the consumer.

And it looks like people dismiss my basic argument.

I would not complain about Xbox Live or PS+ IF they provided the online gaming infrastructure and were capable of providing a 99.9% uptime of their service.

If they're providing a similar service to what people have on the PC for free, then I do see the value in it.

And finally there is another thing I don't understand.

We are all gamers. Why do people feel the need to defend their platform of choice?

Wouldn't it be great if we could get the best of everything? Isn't it obvious that there are pros and cons in all platforms?

Let the PR guys worry about their company. We consumers, should only worry about one thing.

Getting what we're paying for.

 

Sorry. In my previous post I meant : "If they're providing a similar service to what people have on the PC for free, then I do not see the value in it."

 

I DEMAND the following as I feel I am ENTITLED:

Free online. (why should I have to pay a service you can't see?)

Free games. (In fact, if want me to play your games so much you should PAY ME! You here me devs!)

Free console. (why should I have to pay for a console just to play games?)

 

This generation is a want want want generation all for free. They obviously don't own their own business

 

I don't think it should end. PS fan boys can create new profiles and post on this forum on a free account but multiplayer on Xbox Live requires Gold which is a premium service and the effort that M puts into the service to keep it enjoyable and maintenance
costs for that especially keeping it social and secure and play with other peps from different countries.

Gold is actually fairly priced. 12M Gold in NZ it's RRP $79.95 and sometimes authorized retailers off something like 40% off Gold sales. JB Hi Fi (an authorized Xbox NZ/Australian retailer) offered it in February when I had to renew it which was perfect
timing and only NZ$48.

Even our households Sky TV basic package is $50/month. Gold is in NZ only $79/YEAR (only $48 this YEAR since JB was offering it on sale during the month I had to renew. M is generally prompt when some services go down and are generally quick to fix them.
If you ask me, Paying for Gold is more than worth it and it entitles you to special benefits too for GOLD members. While the service is not always 100% perfect, it's run by M and they do a very good job of Xbox Live and Xbox 360/Xbox 1 to make it a happy place
to use our free time in.

 

[quote user="jfplopeusa"]I fail to see why people defend Microsoft or Sony tactics when they are in fact bad for the consumer.[/quote]

Because some of us recognize they aren't bad.

That percentage and the price you pay...
I do not think you fully understand what you're getting for $60/yr, nor what it would actually cost for 99.9% uptime.

Microsoft is not. GfWL is winding down. GameSpy
is not. They just shut down.

There is a difference between running a server that allows other servers to register their existence, and running a matchmaking and stat tracking service. Have you not noticed that EA shuts down multiplayer for their titles after a couple years? The cost
of maintaining infrastructure for a multiplayer game is factored into the game's life cycle. EA cuts the cord after two years or so.

Don't say it's free on PC. Because you don't pay directly for something does not mean it is free.

 

I've paid for Xbox Live since it released the original Xbox, PC servers were filled with cheaters modders destroying the MP experience. Xbox Live was a fair, even playing field, in a closed off network. You're actually a decade too late with this questioning.


This astounds me, especially now with the massive infrastructure that XBL has grown too, you are actually asking why are we paying... when I started it was Peer-To-Peer, we had to buy extra cosoles to run our dedicated servers ourselves (paying extra Gold
subscriptions on these), no parties, no achievements, no skill matchmaking etc... You're getting a LOT for your buck now let me assure you..

 

I agree. You ARE getting a lot to be on a Gold membership. If you break it down it's less than $10/month. Kids who get paid pocket money I use to get paid $5 week, can even afford to get it.

 

@GG

I've actually also enjoyed reading this thread (for the most part) which makes for a change because usually threads on here end up with people insulting one another. The reason why I come onto these forums is for the discussion.

Sorry OP, I promise this is the only time I will go off topic.

 

@ jfplopesusa

You said Titanfall was the worst case... And this: "People playing Titanfall on the PC aren't paying for multiplayer access."

You're right, they're not paying for it... But the MP experience on PC for Titanfall compared to XBL is atrocious. You can't even search for servers like you can with most other PC games. This I have on good advice from a PC gamer dev buddy of mine. Xbox
Live experience in this case is superior, I've logged over 145 hours on it, with pretty much zero disruption. I'd say it's not the worst example actually.

Also PC has a lot of piracy compared to consoles, they have to keep it free or else no sale. Games have to stay cheaper to entice a fair chunk of PC gamers to pay instead of pirating. I'm possibly generalizing a bit here, but you get where I'm going with
this... For example I know heaps of guys who pirated Mass Effect 3, and as a result never played the MP component... Imagine if this happened on XBL... MP would be a wasteland in a lot of games, there would also be far more hacking of servers and other DDOS
attacks as PC people suffer from . I say we're paying for a service that is robust in all aspects...

Origin may go down even though we're paying MS for the service... And yes, I get your point... But now the paywall has been removed for a lot of services, we're getting free games now with GwG, and it's a pretty safe and secure service... I guess you just
need to decide whether it's value for money or not... And no-one can answer that except for those deciding to shell out their hard earned or not.

This really comes down to subjectivity.

Imo...

 

[quote user="Hellfire IRL"]I've paid for Xbox Live since it released the original Xbox, PC servers were filled with cheaters modders destroying the MP experience. Xbox Live was a fair, even playing field, in a closed off network. You're actually a decade
too late with this questioning. [/quote]There are no cheaters and modders on Xbox Live?

 

@ Agent

"There are no cheaters and modders on Xbox Live?"- To answer your question... I couldn't confidently say there isn't... But I've not come across any personally...

My profile says my tenure is only 4 years, but it's not accurate. A lapse caused a restart for me, so basically in closer to 7 years I've not had any issues with hackers and modders on XBL.

 

Thanks Xenomorph v1. Good to know that when I am allowed on Live I wont have any troubles.