What would make Xbox LIVE's $60 fee an unquestionable value?

[Adinnieken]

I think a lot of people miss the point of this thread.

First, while I appreciate your preference for an online service, that isn't what this thread is about. This thread is about what could Microsoft offer in an effort to make Xbox LIVE an unquestionable value.

For those of you who have answered the question, thank you. For those of you who haven't, please try.

Second, I'm not questioning the value of Xbox LIVE. You're talking to a person who for the longest time (until he got Halo: Reach) played very little if any online multi-player despite maintaining an Xbox LIVE Gold account. I'm not asking for you to justify your reasons for maintaining an Xbox LIVE Gold membership. I'm asking what could Microsoft reasonably add to a Gold membership to create an unquestionable value. Not only to yourself, but to friends or family.

Finally, to those of you who have PSN accounts, unless you've had an Xbox LIVE Gold account and used it to play on Xbox LIVE, while your opinion is appreciated, it is irrelevant. This isn't a thread about why you selected PSN. In fact, this thread isn't about PSN at all. There are several threads about PSN, please post your opinions there. Respect the point and purpose of this thread.

To respond in general, the assumption going forward is that Microsoft doesn't significantly alter its service offerings. In other words, it doesn't offer free online gaming. For anyone willing to read to this point, understand that Microsoft isn't going to make free the portion of the service that requires the most resources to provide. It doesn't matter what other sources of revenue exist. The hardware and bandwidth necessary to support online multi-player gaming is expensive. Microsoft isn't going to go on a fools errand and fund online multi-player gaming through subsidization.

If Microsoft wants to add value to an Xbox LIVE Gold membership it needs to do so by giving users enough of a taste of the value within the membership to entice them into maintaining or using a membership, but not so much that they create a drain on revenue.

Some of that they're already doing. Xbox LIVE members who have a substantial amount of Gamerscore and an Xbox LIVE Gold account receive certain benefits. In addition, if you're an Xbox LIVE Rewards member, there are additional benefits received. These are great benefits for long-term Gold subscribers, but it doesn't really represent value to a new user however.

Hence my suggestions.

Xbox Music offers free streaming on Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, it would seem reasonable that Microsoft could add free music streaming for Xbox LIVE Gold members. Not to mention, it doesn't dilute the value of Xbox Music Pass, especially if Microsoft were to add a feature that allowed you to upload your purchased music to the Cloud, not just those songs purchased through the service.

Providing Skype Minutes would allow people to see the value of calling friends and family via their Xbox, or just allow a gamer the opportunity to call in sick into work while sitting at the couch, ready to play some Halo 5. It's a freebie that adds value and allows people to explore Skype for Xbox.

Offering one of the premium services for free would allow subscribers to pick a service that they would value. If they like watching movies and TV shows, there are several options available both in the US and around the world. If they like music, again several options for here and abroad.

The benefit, those services are available via not only their Xbox, but their Windows 8 or tablet, and Windows Phone 8 mobile. So, for a person who likes to listen to music on their mobile, the Xbox Music Pass may be the service they option for, making their music and play lists available across multiple devices and where ever they go.

My personal opinion is that Microsoft doesn't need to do more to build value with gamers. Gamers who value Xbox LIVEs online gaming features will subscribe because they like gaming online with friends and acquaintances. However, what Microsoft needs to ensure is that they build a need to turn on the console outside of gaming.