I expected this.

It's kind of funny. Under other circumstances people would have been really mad at Sony for doing this. But because off all the bad rep Microsoft got for it's restrictions and anti-used games policy they got away with it.

Anyway as kind of a Sony fan i'm really glad that they did it. They need this to keep the games division healthy, they were simply missing out on way to much money for keeping it free.

Also we get Driveclub for free.

Well seeing as I've had an xbox live gold account for the past 4 years I won't care whatsoever.

At least I'll own my games

Are they vastly different?

Both now require a paywall to access multiplayer

Both offer exclusive deals for the service

Now the only difference is that Sony lets you borrow games as long as you have the service

Unless I'm missing something big, for the record I've always been against paying for multiplayer I just find it so jarring that Sony fans are now fine with the argument they've been using since the ps3 came out. Now that gold is getting free games on 360 and if they keep that going into Xbox One, is there much of a difference if any? 

I keep going back to the PC and Steam option for those who really feel the need to make this a huge issue. But if one is playing several hours a week or more online consistently on their console, it's really not a huge issue. Seriously; it isn't. It's mainly those who only buy a few games a year and go weeks, if not months between turning on their console between games who will rightly be wondering why the hell they should pay $50-60 a year to play each new $60 game online. 

I essentially made the switch from XB360 to Games for Windows and Steam back in 2008 when I realized all the big games I was buying for the XB were not only on PC, but better. When I let XBLG go, it suddenly became a no-brainer to ditch the XB and just play on PC. I think I averaged maybe 2-3 games a year on XB after that compared to dozens each year on Steam. 

But... I have to add that I immediately became a PC builder which the majority of console gamers would probably want nothing of and would rather play on console because of the convenience of a walled off ecosystem. I've always said that if your friends are on XBLG, then you're on XBLG with no choice other than to not play with them. 

I always figured Plus as it is on the PS3 was a stepping stone towards paid multiplayer, which is why I avoided it, and why I'll be avoiding it if I do get a PS4 down the line.

Single player for life.

I wish that was the case. The majority of people who are saying it is okay, they are the ones that seems already happy to part with their money for PS+ so it make little difference on the grand scale of things. For me, a PS3 owner who likes to play online and has done for free and doesn't pay for PS+, it pisses me off.

X-box Live is a service that has certain benefits over PSN because it was paid for, I'd expect as much. Now Sony have to keep up, so to speak, their games rental is a great feature which many liked but with Live new 'here are some free games', Sony have to make up for it by giving more, and taking away one feature isn't giving more.

I won't be buying a PS4 at launch or anywhere near as long as many of the games I want are coming out on PS3. Only way they could help is by including a year PS+ in the £350 cost, or change it to a flat £5 for the entir year to play as many games online as you want but if you want to get the free games and discounts, storage etc, you pay more.

The big difference is, in case you didn't actually listen to the conference, which I'm guessing many didn't since it went completely over their heads as well, that the free games being given away (permanent gift, not subscription locked!) at two per month, is only going on through Dec 31st of this year. After that, the promo is over unless MS opts to extend it for whatever reason. Don't count on it anyway. 

And that's the difference; it's a promotion to get more people to subscribe to XBLG. One you have your XB1, which you won't be able to play those games on anyways because it's not BC due to the differences in hardware architecture and non-compatible code, the promo will end shortly after. 

Yes I know it's a promotion that's why said "if", though I could've worded it much better. Really hope they do though, permanent gift style. 

Is it disappointing? Yes. Is it a deal breaker? No.


It is only $400 @ launch and I get to hold onto my ownership rights for my games.