I think MS would have words with whomever tried to get subscription based online play going on XBL. Somehow I think XBL users would have a long hard think about paying for both XBL and online pay to play subscriptions.
PSN users might be a tad bit more willing to consider it, given they aren't paying anything right now, but that's the way we like it right? MW2 retailed here for $140. Many new release games retail for about $100.
Seems to me that selling extra content is the way to go.
Of course the free software model is that you get the software for cheap or nothing, then you pay for the services and infrastructure required for you to use the software. I betcha if Acti decided to sell the next CoD for $15US and charge $10 per month for online play they'd end up making more money per game sold than selling for a straight $60. And they'd sell a shit ton of games too, making MW2 and BO sales look like Deadly Premonition sales. I bet even if they dropped the retail price to $45US at the same time as introducing a monthly online subscription the game sales and online useage would still be huge.
“The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.” - Bertrand Russell
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace."
Jimi Hendrix
