Why is this of any concern to those of you who don't like, own, or plan on owning the 360. Its really remarkable as to why anyone who doesn't own, hasn't owned, or doesn't plan on owning a 360 should care at all.
Back when I owned a 360, I payed for gold so I can play halo online. Its not like I happily gave away my money for gold. But it was something that I thought was worth the cost when the alternative was not getting to play halo online. Just like I'm willing to pay for dlc even if I don't like the fact that I'm paying to get content that might have been omitted from the game just so it can be sold later seperatly. Heck, for a year I had both a ps3 and 360 and I still payed for xbox live gold. Because I still thought it was worth it despite being able to play online games for free on the ps3. Then when I got bored with halo reach, I just stopped updating my suscription and eventually sold my xbox.
So the truth is yes, it sucks that I'm paying to play online. But to me it was worth it because otherwise I didn't get to play halo online. And I really don't understand all the comments about "its the principle of things"... What the fuck are you talking about. What principles. It there some law of nature that states online gaming must be free. NO. Just like there are plenty of free to play mmos and suscription mmos, and you can decide which one you want to play and pay or not pay for. Its not like you are being forced to buy an xbox and pay for the service. If you want to play online and don't think 360 online exclusives are worth the extra cost, get a ps3, if you do get a 360 and pay for gold. This talk about principals is getting ridiculous. The gaming industry isn't some kind of religion. Companies do what they think will benefit them the most. Sony thinks it will lose a big advantage over the xbox if they charge for online play. Microsoft thinks as long as customers are satisfied with gold, the income outweighs the loss of a few customers who aren't willing to pay to play online and thus don't get an xbox.
