Why Xbox Live gaming should be free for all
Don Reisinger of Cnet has an interesting article regarding Xbox LIVE and why it should now become free. Read On:
So let us know, would you be more willing to have an Xbox 360 if LIVE became free? And for those of you who have paid the money each month for LIVE how would you feel if it suddenly became free after all that money you spent on it.
Over the weekend, I spent some time playing online. I did so on Xbox Live and through games on both my PS3 and Wii. All the while, I was thinking about the one simple fact that kept sticking out in my head: for now at least, I can play online with my Wii and Playstation 3 and the experience is basically the same.
And considering Microsoft keeps losing ground to both Sony and Nintendo, why not find a new way to offer a more compelling alternative out of the company's most popular service?
Sure, it sounds radical and losing $50 per year from the millions of Xbox Live subscribers may be a major sticking point here, but it needs to be done. Microsoft's latest NPD numbers have been less than stellar and the Wii, DS, Playstation 3, and the PSP all sold better than the company's console in July. And if you want to compete in the hardware business, that's simply unacceptable.
To make matters worse, the big lead Microsoft had over Sony in the third-party sphere is practically eliminated and it doesn't look like Nintendo will slow down anytime soon, nor will the Xbox 360 become a force in Asia.
So what does Microsoft need to do to right the ship and really turn things around? Announce that all Xbox Live memberships will be free and all gamers can play online without a hitch. It's radical, for sure, but it's the best move Microsoft can make right now.
It's about the size
Making Xbox Live free to all gamers allows Microsoft to boast that it has the largest network of multi-platform users in the world. Right now, Microsoft is trying to become the world's leader in multi-platform gaming. And although it has done relatively well considering Xbox 360 sales have not matched competitors and Games for Windows Live is shaky, while Zune ownership is suspect, it will immediately put Microsoft into a position where developers can truly create a "Microsoft Experience."
Is there a need to do so?
Invariably, this argument will go to the argument that if people are willing to pay now, why should Microsoft tell them they don't have to? Why buy the cow if you can get the milk for free?
But that argument is extremely short-sighted and fails to truly address what's going on in the market. Xbox Live is the cornerstone of Microsoft's broader gaming strategy. Without it, the Xbox 360 wouldn't be half as popular as it is today and it's still the only real benefit that still looms over Sony's head.
Realizing that, Sony has consistently said that it plans on rolling out a major online initiative that revolves around its trust in Home and its aims are firmly planted on Microsoft. But in order to compete, Sony will need to pull out all the stops and try to create an experience that either matches or eclipses the ease with which we play games on Xbox Live. And to be honest, I think Sony can do it eventually. Read More...
And considering Microsoft keeps losing ground to both Sony and Nintendo, why not find a new way to offer a more compelling alternative out of the company's most popular service?
Sure, it sounds radical and losing $50 per year from the millions of Xbox Live subscribers may be a major sticking point here, but it needs to be done. Microsoft's latest NPD numbers have been less than stellar and the Wii, DS, Playstation 3, and the PSP all sold better than the company's console in July. And if you want to compete in the hardware business, that's simply unacceptable.
To make matters worse, the big lead Microsoft had over Sony in the third-party sphere is practically eliminated and it doesn't look like Nintendo will slow down anytime soon, nor will the Xbox 360 become a force in Asia.
So what does Microsoft need to do to right the ship and really turn things around? Announce that all Xbox Live memberships will be free and all gamers can play online without a hitch. It's radical, for sure, but it's the best move Microsoft can make right now.
It's about the size
Making Xbox Live free to all gamers allows Microsoft to boast that it has the largest network of multi-platform users in the world. Right now, Microsoft is trying to become the world's leader in multi-platform gaming. And although it has done relatively well considering Xbox 360 sales have not matched competitors and Games for Windows Live is shaky, while Zune ownership is suspect, it will immediately put Microsoft into a position where developers can truly create a "Microsoft Experience."
Is there a need to do so?
Invariably, this argument will go to the argument that if people are willing to pay now, why should Microsoft tell them they don't have to? Why buy the cow if you can get the milk for free?
But that argument is extremely short-sighted and fails to truly address what's going on in the market. Xbox Live is the cornerstone of Microsoft's broader gaming strategy. Without it, the Xbox 360 wouldn't be half as popular as it is today and it's still the only real benefit that still looms over Sony's head.
Realizing that, Sony has consistently said that it plans on rolling out a major online initiative that revolves around its trust in Home and its aims are firmly planted on Microsoft. But in order to compete, Sony will need to pull out all the stops and try to create an experience that either matches or eclipses the ease with which we play games on Xbox Live. And to be honest, I think Sony can do it eventually. Read More...
So let us know, would you be more willing to have an Xbox 360 if LIVE became free? And for those of you who have paid the money each month for LIVE how would you feel if it suddenly became free after all that money you spent on it.
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