Xbox Live is definitely worth the cost.

He mentions the cross-game chat (essential) but that is free so doesn't count towards justifying the price tag.

Half of 360 owners can't use Netflix. Less lag is nonsense. Sure has better communication features than PSN though.

Why isn't this in the "general gaming discussion" forum ? or is the OP trying to convince Xbox owners to pay for a service they already have?

I don't think it's worth it. I'd rather buy a new game each year instead of paying that money *JUST* to play some games online (whenever there's one that interests me to go online on it). Now if someone tells me MS gives away for FREE one or two nice Arcade games (of your choice) every year to Gold subscribers that COULD sweeten the deal. But as it is? maybe just for gamers who are PLAYING online a large percentage of their time on games.

^^ agree, like I said before playing online should not be a premium feature, it should be standard.

The rest of the features can come for an extra cost..

Just to keep it real: no one pays $50/year unless they want to or are functionally internet-shopping illiterate.

Anyone can *easily* find 12 months for ~$40, no tax, free shipping, which equates to 78 cents a week: ...three quarters and three pennies per week. (I don't know about you, but I tip more at Fatburger each week.)

A service like LIVE uses hundreds of servers scattered around the world; these cost money, so *someone* has to pay for them.

I would agree that we need more Gold-only features like 1v100, facebook and twitter (which are coming soon), but the biggest benefit XBox Live allows for online play (IMO) is:

reduced cheating.

Of course, there are going to be a-holes toggling their routers, but those things are known and devs are getting better at flagging this stuff.

Oh, how disappointing it was back in the day when I realized why Counter Strike wasn't fun any more: cheating.

XBox Live allows the ban hammer. G'bye cheater, g'bye modded box.

Please keep in mind, my comments aren't a slam on PSN, they are a comment on why I feel XBL is worth the money.

If the online play, 1v100, facebook/twitter aren't worth it, if you don't want to have access to the (excellent) Netflix streaming service, keep a silver account and do essentialy everything you want except those. Have friends, download demos, play your games and get achievements.

So.... what part of that article explained why Live is worth it? I couldn't find it

Feylic
it was a bad article that doesn't explain why. Though if it did I doubt you'd still be able to see it.

Xbox Live is worth any penny. I am a Gold member for 5 years now and I will be a gold member for the next 50 years as well. 75Cent / week is not a big deal.

I bet there will be video chats / video partys or whatever when Natal releases. I know, there is already a videochat or games that support this feature, but with Natal, this will be the next big thing.

I agree with rover, anyone who pays for a gold subscription does so to enjoy a service which is monitored and maintained. if there was a problem with Live Microsoft has an obligation to repair it quickly because people pay for the service, also from my personal experience from when my brother brings his ps3 round is that Live has more on offer IMHO, such as demo's, videos and movies, xbla and games on demand, facbook and twitter when they're available and for me in England premiership football when that's available