Microsoft: we won’t abolish Live fees [News]

http://www.360-gamer.com/

Gold subscription charges to stay in place

Microsoft won’t be scrapping subscription fees for Xbox Live, the company has confirmed.

Microsoft recently abolished subscription charges for its Games for Windows Live PC service – which features many of the same elements that are found in Xbox Live, and allows for limited cross platform play – leading to speculation that Microsoft could be about to do the same for Xbox Live.

At present, the Gold version of Xbox Live costs gamers GBP 39.99 a year, although many gamers have started to question just what they’re paying for, now that comparable networks – such as GfW Live and Sony’s PlayStation Network – offer many of the same features for free.

Speaking to trade mag MCV though, a company spokesperson denied that it had any intention to do the same for Xbox Live, instead focusing on the value for money the service offers.

“For only a few pounds a month Xbox Live Gold members already get access to the best online gaming network in the industry, the ability to play and watch countless demos and trailers before the rest of the gaming community, and video chat and messaging.”

Microsoft believes that this will be enhanced further by the forthcoming Xbox Experience dashboard.

“With the new Xbox experience coming this Fall, we plan to give even more reasons why Xbox Live Gold is the best bargain in the industry.”

------------------------------------------

looks like people will still have to pay, along with paid gamerpics and paid themes. i belive they should abolish the live charges or at least drastically reduce them.

the 2 red highlights id like to give my comment on.

• #1 gamers are now questioning what they are paying for
• #2 all what he said in his few pounds a month scam, you can have on other formats free of charge. online gaming, play and watch movies, demos, trailers, video and voice and messeging.

what is your opinion on this, would you prefer to pay a few pounds a month or would you, not prefer to pay a few pounds a month?

I think the best bargain would be "free". I personally only need an online service to play certain games and maybe demos. Couldn't care for netflix movies. Can always youtube trailers, etc.

Most of the stuff is just filler and no friend I know who has a 360 uses it to dl movies. The DRM really limits what you can do with your dl movies and the like anyway. Most get their movies by P2P or use Itunes.

ye true.

if people keep wanting to pay i guess thats thier choice. i will never ever bother again with live.

the only times ive used it a lot was when i subscribed to phantasy star universe, and using trail cards.

I have both a PS3 and an Xbox, but I will gladly pay the $50 for what I deem is a superior service.

I don't see why Microsoft will ever stop charging for live, they have 4mil+ gold live members and at $60 a year for each thats money that can't be turned down.

Try not to start your argument that way. It's just a way of justifying a biased comment.

Let's face it, Microsoft and Sony are already losing plenty of money on their HD adventures as it is.

If you truly support/need their strategy, you shouldn't have qualms about paying some additional fees. These are not exactly charitable organizations we're talking about here (although you could think so by looking at their strategy in this gen).

 Sir, you are simply incorrect. It is not a way for me to justify a biased comment. It is a way for me to signify that I have used both services, and that I subsequently prefer Xbox Live to PSN.

Only a very small minority of people complain about paying the charge, those who are cheap. Ps3 fanboys also complain, goodness knows why!

I don't care how much money they are losing. That's business and it's not my problem. If they don't care about my best interests then I don't care about theirs. They know that charging is a scam.