It seems the number of Live accounts is about to increase to 17000004.

I heard the newer console have a 3-time limit. Can anyone confirm?

 It depends entirely on how Microsoft define "active accounts". Without knowing we don't know if these duplicates are counted or not, but you've got to assume that at some point these accounts become inactive.

wow then why this phsyco is bitching? hell why everyone is bitchin?

It also makes you wonder out of that 56% that have Gold account, how many of them are doing it this way?

Although it really is something not worth bitching about.

In all fairness, MS could be eliminating some of those dupe accounts through their alleged "active users" filter.

Agreed, but what I am saying it that when MS released this 56% figure, we have no idea how many of those 56% were actually using the 1-Month trial thing we are mentioning.

In that press release did they say "56% active Gold Accounts" or "56% active Gold Subscriptions"?

I checked a thread on this site with the article and they said

"With more than 17 million active members, a majority of whom are paying members, Live is a rich social entertainment and gaming experience that is unmatched in the industry."

It sounds to me like they mean subscriptions, since I don't think you need any Credit Card information in order to get the free trials. So maybe Microsoft's numbers are actually much better and trust worthy.

I don't think it makes it any clearer because even silver members can be paying members if they are buying DLC or buying films.

I can believe Sony's 20million PSN account. With 45million PSP owners and 20million PS3 owners why not?

And for anybody that owns a PS3 to use it other than gaming, you'll need a PSN account to download the latest firmware updates etc. giving better support for Blu-ray and other medias. So wouldnt most of the PS3 owners already make an account simply to be up to date on the firmware?