• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Why is XBox Live a subscription service?

SunnyD

SunnyD

Belgian Waffler
I know MS is into cash and all, but what exactly make XBL worth paying a subscription fee for?
 
Its worth every penny....no lag, great community.....good games....if you dont think its worth it dont pay for it..
 
Well, MS did spend millions of dollars to set-up the XBL service. They have servers, connections, staff, etc that they have to support and maintain as well. I'm sure they would like to get some kind of return on their investment.

XBL has been adding features as well. Voice Chat rooms, online tournaments, online leagues, etc etc etc. Its not bad for only $50 a year.
 
Originally posted by: SunnyD
I'll ask again...

but what exactly makes XBL worth paying a subscription fee for?
Click to expand...

What makes any service worth paying for? You're paying to play online against other people... did you not know what XBL was?
 
I am sure a lot of companies are lining up to provide XBL service for free.
rolleye.gif
 
I am hating ATOT. Questions like this are it. Do we think that the magical MS fairies are going to provide bandwith and storage for free?
 
I have no idea how XBLive actually works (that is, whether MS is providing server bandwith, though I gather they are, because a match will continue even if the host drops out), but the thing is, it works. Really well.

Not only does it provide lag-free, seamless multiplayer gaming with simultaneous voice (I recently drove a number of races in Project Gotham 2 with some sleep-deprived Aussies), it provides great enhancements even for the single-player components of games (e.g., if you are struggling with a particular race in PGR2, you can instantly download the ghost of any other driver, including the best score in the world, and there is bonus content available for a lot of games, including MechAssault, Splinter Cell, Crimson Skies and others).

The bottom line, at least to me, is that Live lets me sit on the couch, surrounded by thundering 5.1 audio, with great force feedback, and play in 16-man dogfights, 8-man robo shootouts, or race a Ferrari 575 around the Nurburgring against other humans. That is worth $50/yr to me.

In all fairness, I have not yet tried Gamespy Tunnel, but for me Live is a real treat.
 
XBConnect or the Tunnel do lag ... so if I actually multiplayer gamed much, I would definitely pay $50/year. That's cheap in the grand scheme of things.

So tell me... do I just go to my local Best Buy and purchase XBL that contains a key code, a mic and all that other good stuff ? What else comes with it ? Do you manage your account via computer online ? What about roster updates for sports games - how is that done ?
 
Originally posted by: SunnyD
I know MS is into cash and all, but what exactly make XBL worth paying a subscription fee for?
Click to expand...

Wait, $50 a year is too much for an organized and streamlined online playing experience? OMG a whole $4.16 a month down the drain! There is no comparison between XBL and the PS2's online capability if you can call it that. None whatsoever.
 
Originally posted by: rh71
XBConnect or the Tunnel do lag ... so if I actually multiplayer gamed much, I would definitely pay $50/year. That's cheap in the grand scheme of things.

So tell me... do I just go to my local Best Buy and purchase XBL that contains a key code, a mic and all that other good stuff ? What else comes with it ?
Click to expand...

The kit includes a DVD disc that will update your Xbox dashboard for Xbox Live as well as a Mic (good quality at that) and detailed instructions on how to set it up. After you get connected, its fairly easy to follow the screens on your Xbox.
 
Originally posted by: rh71
XBConnect or the Tunnel do lag ... so if I actually multiplayer gamed much, I would definitely pay $50/year. That's cheap in the grand scheme of things.

So tell me... do I just go to my local Best Buy and purchase XBL that contains a key code, a mic and all that other good stuff ? What else comes with it ? Do you manage your account via computer online ? What about roster updates for sports games - how is that done ?
Click to expand...

XBC is only good for Halo really. And you hit the dot about the lag factor

Yes, just go anywhere that you can purchase a Live kit, I believe the latest version is 3.0? (Someone correct me) Comes with a year subscription at last check, (might be 6 months now) headset mic, driver cd to load Live onto your XBox. You do not manage your account online - everything is done via the console on your XBox, from your buddy list, people you chat with, etc, although you can login to your account online at xbox.com. Roster updates - that all depends on the developers of the game to come out with roster updates. If there is one, you'd go into the game, go to the Live downloadable content menu, and it'll check for updates and ask which to download and apply.
 
i love getting my ass kicked at Top Spin, it's fun.
my friend craves and plays CS on it. He used to play CS on computer but never bothered to pay for the game, so he doesn't get to play it on computer anymore.

HALO2 online ... mmmm
 
Originally posted by: Queasy
Well, MS did spend millions of dollars to set-up the XBL service. They have servers, connections, staff, etc that they have to support and maintain as well. I'm sure they would like to get some kind of return on their investment.

XBL has been adding features as well. Voice Chat rooms, online tournaments, online leagues, etc etc etc. Its not bad for only $50 a year.
Click to expand...

Thank you. Finally an answer. No, I don't have an XBOX and no, I didn't even know how XBOX Live operated. All I know is that I have a PS2 with a network adapter and I had assumed that XBL was similar in functionality to this. No, I did not know that MS ran the servers, etc. I figured it was all run by the software producers as is on the other consoles.

So for those of you that had to ask - yes, I am clueless as to XBLive and yes, I actually wanted to know why such a "service" was a subscription service.
 
Correct me if I'm wrong here, but doesn't the XBL subscription also make you immune to independent subscription fees from different game developers? Hence the big hubbaloo between EA & MS. EA wanted to charge on their own, and MS said "No, we only want one subscription fee, not a bunch of different ones"?

 
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Correct me if I'm wrong here, but doesn't the XBL subscription also make you immune to independent subscription fees from different game developers? Hence the big hubbaloo between EA & MS. EA wanted to charge on their own, and MS said "No, we only want one subscription fee, not a bunch of different ones"?
Click to expand...


Yep, Live is the only way.


 
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Correct me if I'm wrong here, but doesn't the XBL subscription also make you immune to independent subscription fees from different game developers? Hence the big hubbaloo between EA & MS. EA wanted to charge on their own, and MS said "No, we only want one subscription fee, not a bunch of different ones"?
Click to expand...
Some games will have an additional fee (MMORPGs like SW Galaxies if it comes out for xbox), but most regular multiplayer games won't.

There's additional pay-content available, but you only have to pay for it to play with other people who have the same content. The vast majority is free, and even the pay content is cheap (the one for Mechassault was only $5)

Also, XBL Version 3.0 is $70 I think now, for the kit with the headset and a full copy of Mechassault. A yearly resubscription is $50
 
I don't own an X-Box nor do I own a PS2, but I'm strongly considering getting one if/when the price of the consoles come down later this year.

I just need clarification: Can I play Madden 2004 or NBA Live 2004 online on the XBL service? I get different answers from different friends about this. And what's the lag like ( or lack of lag ) on the PS2 when playing these games?
 
Originally posted by: PCMarcelino
I don't own an X-Box nor do I own a PS2, but I'm strongly considering getting one if/when the price of the consoles come down later this year.

I just need clarification: Can I play Madden 2004 or NBA Live 2004 online on the XBL service? I get different answers from different friends about this. And what's the lag like ( or lack of lag ) on the PS2 when playing these games?
Click to expand...

At this point...no you can not play any EA games on XBL. I've heard rumors that it is in the works for later this year though.
 
just need clarification: Can I play Madden 2004 or NBA Live 2004 online on the XBL service? I get different answers from different friends about this. And what's the lag like ( or lack of lag ) on the PS2 when playing these games?
Click to expand...

Not right now. The EA games on the XBOX do not currently support XBL. BUT the current word is that EA and MS have reached some sort of agreement and the next batch of EA games will feature XBL support: Link
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top