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Microsoft raising Xbox Live membership prices
firefly2003
Member UncommonPosts: 2,527
Love playing your Xbox 360 games online? Join the crew...and please have your credit card handy, because Microsoft would like to have a word with it.
Specifically, the word "more."
On Monday, the company announced plans to raise the price of the Xbox Live Gold membership, making it the online network's first fee hike in its eight-year history. Beginning November 1, gamers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the U.K. will have to fork over at least $10 extra per year to enjoy the premium service, which is required for playing games with (or against) pals online.
In the U.S., the annual subscription plan -- once $49.99, soon to be $59.99 -- will remain far and way the most economical. The monthly plan will see a $2 bump ($9.99/month, or $120/year), while the three-month plan will jump $5 ($24.99/month, or $100/year).
Why the sudden hike? To Xbox Live spokesman Major Nelson, someone has to pay for all the stuff they keep adding to the network, right?
"Since launching Xbox LIVE in 2002 we have continually added more content and entertainment experiences for our members, while keeping the price the same," he said. "We’re confident that when the new pricing takes effect, an Xbox LIVE Gold membership will continue to offer the best value in the industry."
Well, that's one way to look at it. Another way to look at it is that Microsoft remains the only one of the big three console makers to charge a fee for online play. While Sony's recently-released "Playstation Plus" upgrade gives gamers access to premium content, playing games online is still entirely free for all users. And though the Wii has lagged behind in the online gaming field, the relatively few games that support online play don't cost players extra.
But with blockbuster multiplayer games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 selling like hotcakes on the 360, Microsoft hasn't had a hard time convincing users to pay up. According to Bloomberg, a good 25 million Xbox 360 owners went Gold in the last fiscal year, netting the company about $600 million in fees alone and accounting for roughly half of Microsoft's estimated $1.2 billion in revenue via the online service. With the Xbox 360 topping charts in July and surefire seller Halo: Reach arriving September 14th, the company might need to buy a bigger wallet.
It's not all doom and gloom for 360 gamers, however. In a half-hearted attempt to make amends for the rate increase, Microsoft is letting current U.S. Xbox Live Gold members lock in one more year of membership for $39.99, a $20 premium over the coming price. Not bad, but an even thriftier move is to snap up a few discounted pre-paid cards at online retailers like Amazon. Redeem one now, then save one for next year to renew at the discounted price again. Sneaky...and sure to vanish quickly, so hop to it.
http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/microsoft-raising-xbox-live-membership-prices/1409254
Comments
Not even that big of a deal. I'd pay $10 a month to get the service, updates and quality of players on XBL than play for free on the PSN.
$50 a year is a good deal as it is, too.
And people buying into the "perception of value" crap marketing has pushed on them hook line and sinker is exactly why we're being dicked with a fee in the first place. Hell, Games for Windows Live would still have a fee attached if people didn't finally take a stand and say "NO" and let several GFWL games tank because of it. You're paying a bridge troll, not for a service. I don't see what I'm getting out of the $50 when we're using our own connections for multiplayer. What? Because they decided to bloat up the dashboard more with more ads and last.fm/facebook bullcrap? Never have used it, never will, so if I'm not using the "features" (which are only a "service" in that its being provided through their system as access to them is free via PC anyway) why am I paying for them?
I'm curious as to what all of this expanded media is that I will now have to pay for. (I am a gold subscriber.) I still have to pay for the videos, games and music on top of the gold service. Perhaps he means all of the marketing media they pump to your xbox that I don't want? Or the facebook and twitter integration I don't use.
The truth is that if people us it, they'll keep raising the prices. I'm fine with the hike but don't give me the line that you are giving me more for my money when you are not. If you want to justify the hike save my games to the cloud like on Steam so I don't have to worry about my xbox hard drive crashing. That would be worth it
You know when I read this article I kinda snickered because I bought about 4 yrs worth of pre-paid cards guess I won't have to worry for a while
Another great reason to have a ps3
$60 a year isn't bad, but that's the max it should be. luckily i just renewed my year sub so i won't have to worry about it for a while. =P
lol quality players? dont know what live your playing, have fun paying to unlock multiplayer in gaems you already bought though, meanwhile smart gamers will move to where they get the same stuff for free, or in teh case of the pc better.
Apparently stating the truth in my sig is "trolling"
Sig typo fixed thanks to an observant stragen001.
[quote = Major Nelson] someone has to pay for all the stuff they keep adding to the network, right?[/quote]
So tell me about all the craptastic advertising we have to look at on the service and the revenue you gain as a result?
Oh so what you are really saying is that the economy is bad and everything is increasing in price because a certain corporate demographic needs to maintain their level of income.
Forget it, I havent played a multiplayer game on live in years, not even sure why I maintain it.
Now I know why I wont LOL.
lol i've tried the ps3 plenty of times at my friends house. waiting 45 minutes to update a game isn't my idea of fun. i would gladly pay $60 to have 5 second updates.
Yup just read the same article on G4 (looks copy pasted too actually..), but month to month payments go up by 2 dollars.
Oh well they havn't got a cent from me for over 2 years after refusing to fix my RRoD for free lol, wanted $299 for something that cost me a total of $12 (tools included) for unlimited fixes, getting a PS3 in a few months anyways, since fixing this suxbox every month just isn't worth it anymore..
actually that's not true. lets say you wanna play MW2, you would need to spend a extra $200+ more than a 360 to get a PC that could run it. so that's 3 years of live? and chances are it'll be more like $500.
and as far as the PS3 goes, it depends on what you like.
except anyone who has a pc that can play any remotely recent games can play MW2, and anyone with a pc can potentially upgradde it for 50-100 dollars.
5 years of live would upgrade yor computer nicely or buy you a whole nother system, or 5-20 videogames, i think id take any of those over paying to unlock features of games i bought.
Apparently stating the truth in my sig is "trolling"
Sig typo fixed thanks to an observant stragen001.
if that was 2 years ago the warrenty for the RRoD shouldn't have gone out.
LOL, you friend needs to get off of dial up!
anybody who has an xbox can play MW2. >.> unless they need to upgrade to gold for $60. pretty much the same thing except a PC would cost twice the price.
5 years of live wouldn't buy a whole nother system. if you can find a $300 gaming computer please tell me where.
EDIT: oh did you mean xbox system? nvm then
lol i don't have dial up. O.o and if you read it you would have seen i said "friends house". and he doesn't have dial up either.
Im not really sure what connection he got, but them updates I get on my PS3 is certainly not 45 minutes long o.O
Any update I get is usally reasonable with the amount of bytes downloaded per seconded compared to my internet speed - so that isnt really a concern.
I can't really see why I would want to pay money to get a fast patcher anyway.. I mean, if I download a patch on my computer from lets say gamershell.com then certainly im getting full speed regardless, and not paying a single dime to get my game patched or to play it online (obviously unless if its an MMO)
Ive got both a PS3, and an Xbox 360, though I only play online on my PS3 - where as I play exclusive titles like fable on the 360. can't really be bothered with paying for live tbh
your posting this on a computer right now right? that means you dont have to buy a whole computer, same with just about everyone, unless your comp is 8 years old or something, and in that case buy a ps3 and save being enslaved and nickle and dimed by microsoft.
People can try to justify it all they want, but there is NO reason for multiplayer to cost money on live, NO reason except that MS knows xbox players will pay it and want to line there pockets with that and ad money at the sdame time.
Apparently stating the truth in my sig is "trolling"
Sig typo fixed thanks to an observant stragen001.
BAH, sounds like they've got "customers" and since thats the case, all the new PR men/women want a 7 figure salary instead of a 6 figure one.
Got to love companies who are more into the greed instead of the promised services explaination that they throw out to everyone so continusiously.
Here is an email I just got from Xbox about the new sub price and content they are adding. It answers a few questions. Sounds like the 360 is getting more bloated to me.
Dear ***********:
Thank you for being a valued member of Xbox LIVE Gold. We hope you are enjoying the many exciting and exclusive features that are included in your membership. We wanted to let you know about an upcoming price increase for your Xbox LIVE Gold subscription and how you can lock in your current price to continue enjoying everything you've come to love about Xbox LIVE, plus all the upcoming additions, including ESPN and Hulu Plus.
Over the past seven years, Xbox LIVE has evolved from an online gaming platform to an all-in-one gaming and entertainment service. As an Xbox LIVE Gold member, you can not only play blockbuster games, such as Halo: Reach with your friends online, you can also stream movies from Netflix* and music from Last.fm right to your TV. You can even connect with friends near and far on Facebook® and Twitter™. Plus, you also enjoy exclusive discounts and early access to game demos.
And we aren't even close to being done. This holiday, Xbox LIVE is adding new Gold features, including ESPN and Video Kinect, with Hulu Plus coming on Xbox LIVE in 2011.
•
With ESPN on Xbox LIVE, you can stream and watch over 3,500 live and on-demand sporting events plus highlights.*
•
Video Kinect allows you to chat with family and friends on the big screen, right from the comfort of your living room—no headset or controller required.*
•
With Hulu Plus on Xbox LIVE you will be able to enjoy a customized Hulu Plus experience that will include Kinect navigation and Xbox LIVE Parties*
Besides launching the new features and titles, we will also be increasing the price of Gold membership on November 1, 2010. The new prices are as follows:
Old Price
New Price
1-Month Gold Subscription
$7.99
$9.99
3-Month Gold Subscription
$19.99
$24.99
12-Month Gold Subscription
$49.99
$59.99
If the renewal date on your current subscription is on or after November 1, 2010, your subscription will automatically renew at the new price, charged to the credit card we currently have on file for your account.
At only $5 per month, our 12-month offer continues to be your best value. And, because you are a loyal member, we want to give you the opportunity to lock in your current price with an additional discount. Click here or log on to Xbox LIVE from your console to review and take advantage of these limited-time offers.
As always, you can cancel your membership before the renewal date by calling 1-800-4MYXBOX, although we certainly would not want you to miss out on all the great new features coming this November. And don't forget that your friends will want you to get online this holiday to play the latest blockbuster games, including Halo: Reach, Call of Duty®: Black Ops™, Kinect Sports, Kinect Joy Ride, and more.
We hope that you will continue to enjoy all the great gaming, entertainment, and social experiences that Xbox LIVE has to bring today—and in the future.
Sincerely,
The Xbox LIVE Team
The price hike is kind of ridiculous. They don't really offer such a great experience, most of the 'new" things they add you have to pay additionally for anyway. All those new avatar items people are paying 2 - 3 dollars for must cost so much to make.
I have two xbox live accounts, one for me, and one for the wife, but she doesn't really use hers to game online, just to send messages and watch netflix, looks like I'll cancel hers and she can use the PS3 from now on.
At least with Playstation plus, they also add some free content, downloads, and throwaway games that you can play (including little big planet). Its just not cost effective to stick with microsoft unless they make the additional cost worth it. Its Microsoft... its not like they're hurting for money.
Yet another reason my 360 will continue to sit gathering dust while I use my PS3 and PC to play everything.
-Letting Derek Smart work on your game is like letting Osama bin Laden work in the White House. Something will burn.-
-And on the 8th day, man created God.-
Why pay $59.99 a year when you can hand a kid a box of crayons (http://www.walmart.com/ip/10906426) and a microwave oven (http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/microwave-ovens/sanyo-ems3577.asp)?. And VOILÀ!
You got yourself the X-box Live gaming lounge.
Playing: ARMA 2
Waiting for: Darkfall: UW
Played: Ultima Online, Age of Conan, Anarchy Online, Planetside, Dark age of Camelot, EQII, WoW, SWG, FFXI and a lot more
I hope more people realize the greediness and buys a PS3 where its free membership all the time everyday.
.. or you'd just have some melted crayons in a microwave... but to each their own I guess.