Microsoft calls Xbox subscription service “pivotal” to its business, hints at inclusion with next-gen

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SvennoJ said:
Having the option is find but what's worrying is that it can easily lead to justify higher console prices next gen. Some people already stated they would be fine with that.
Buy the next gen console for only 149,- and a 4 year contract of 17,99 a month for the base model, 5 year contract for the pro. Or 699,-, 799,- straight up buy.
Plus if they have you paying a monthly fee, it's only 1 small step a way from easily adding extra paid services on top.

The title is the worrying part, "pivotal"
"Microsoft calls Xbox subscription service “pivotal” to its business, hints at inclusion with next-gen, it will one day be extended to the international consumer."

I hate my cable provider for this business model, but it seems I'm stuck with it. I cancelled my mobile phone, sick of all the plan bullshit. I was fine with how consoles operated until now, please don't ruin it and go the cable / phone provider way.

All they needed to do was not use pivotal, now I'm worried.

Its easy: just buy the full price straight up. Its not too long ago that people faithfully bought a $599 launch console for a year before the prices dropped.But I doubt the full price will be above 499 IMO.

But for some people, financing is a realistic way to go.