Does anyone have a strong opinion about this? I really don't. I would probably care more if not for the ESPN deal that starts in November. That's easily worth $10 more a year to me, but I've been known to watch a lot of sports. I'd like to see more stuff like this to justify the cost, though, considering that the competition has similar online services for free. I thought it was so cool when Netflix first hit Xbox Live and I was kind of like, "Oooh, eat it, PS3." But now the PS3 and even the Wii can stream Netflix.
Well....is anyone highly offended? Anyone going to refuse to renew their Live subscriptions? Anyone going to write to Major Nelson and tell him to suck it?
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Depending on how you round it, the price increase comes out to an extra 2 cents per day. Hardly worth all the bitching and moaning I expect to hear when it happens.
ReplyDeleteSony's idea with the premium service for the fee isn't bad, but it's really only a good deal if you were intending to buy that anyway. As a gamer who tries to save money where he can, paying extra for something free isn't up my alley.
Also, keep in mind that these cards go on sale just like any other merchandise. I think I'm still running off a 12 month card I picked up (per carpartz's suggestion I believe) from best buy for 30 bucks.
I did read the article on Kotaku about this one... their quote about this being justified by the nature of inflation made me laugh. Although there is truth in it, it's rarely seen that specifically.
It's kind of lame but they are offering some sales. My renewal comes up on 9-21 and it will automatically renew for only $39.99 so buy the time September 2011 rolls around and it's $59.99, add in the $10 I saved this year and the cost increase won't even affect me until 2012, haha. So they jack up prices only to offer a bunch of sales to offset it so not quite sure what the whole point of the price increase was to begin with.
ReplyDeleteAll prices go up eventually and if I didn't use Netflix through my 360, I would consider not renewing but still... it's only $10...
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ReplyDeleteI don't really have any gripes. Like everyone already said, you can usually find a lot of good sales on that stuff. I'm still running on a batch of 3-month cards I got for half-off a couple years ago.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm not surprised that you guys aren't that upset by this and you're right that you can find the cards for cheaper than full retail price, but to me it's just another example of Microsoft price gouging.
ReplyDeleteI've already paid over 300 dollars over 6 years using their service and while it's true that I've had a blast on LIVE I could've been doing it free all along on PC or PS2 (terrible I know) or PS3.
All that this is allowing them to do is raise the price another 10 dollars in another 2 years.
As little as I play on LIVE as it is right now maybe I just won't renew after this year expires. I can deal with the inferior PSN to save me the frustration of another years subscription. There's a point where it just boils down to principles. Sure it's a great service, but my goodness there are a TON of advertisements and commercials on the dashboard. Shouldn't that lower the cost? I have NO interest in the ESPN update so I shouldn't have to help cover their premium on the service.
Plus, with certain huge blockbuster games already talking about subscription fees to play I would eventually (because I think it's inevitable) be paying twice.
It's just another reason for me to keep playing my PS3 because afterall, I'm one more 360 RROD away from being exclusive PS3.
Rant and frustration venting done.
I wasn't horribly upset by the price increase, maybe because it won't cut deeper into my wallet for another 2 years, but your points are all correct and valid. I've been heavily considering switching to the PS3 lately. The main reason I purchased a 360 vs. a PS3 was because GTA IV was released for both... and the 360 was cheaper. If there's another price drop on the PS3, I might just go pick one up and trade all my games away on Goozex. And replace any of them that I really want to keep for the PS3... not to mention I've always preferred the Sony controller since the PSONE...
ReplyDeletekeep talking, 3N3MY, you'll convince me...
I completely sympathize with the whole subscription fee thing from the publisher standpoint, but I don't think it will succeed. At least not while I'm paying for xbox live. The brilliant thing about the whole marketing behind Live was that it eliminated individual costs. For a fraction of what others were paying per year to play an exclusive title, I was able to play any game, any time, as long as I want, as much as I want, on my xbox. The ease and sophistication may have brought in a whole new batch of gamers to the table, but we'll see how long they stay seated when they realize what their tab is coming out to. Live may be expensive, but at least it's well hidden. I can't think of a single game I own that I would be willing to pay a monthly fee to play online exclusively.
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