XBox Live Family Plan Discontinued Without Notice

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,038
5,920
126
while that is lame that they just stopped it without notice, there are some really stupid people in that thread. they seem to be extremely budget conscious but think the only way to get live is for $60/yr.
 

smackababy

Lifer
Oct 30, 2008
27,024
79
86
I can't view the link at work, so I have no idea what the thread is, but I imagine it is a bunch of people bitching, most of which have not even used the family discount plan.

When it was announced I thought I would use it with some friends. Never did.
 

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
27,052
357
126
while that is lame that they just stopped it without notice, there are some really stupid people in that thread. they seem to be extremely budget conscious but think the only way to get live is for $60/yr.

Not everyone knows about every deal out there. They just know what the subscription costs through the system or the cards at Walmart etc.

In the interest of fairness not everyone belongs to a forum like this and browses the deals and all that.

You act like since you know about a deal everyone who doesn't know is stupid. That's an unfair view of things.
 

smackababy

Lifer
Oct 30, 2008
27,024
79
86
Not everyone knows about every deal out there. They just know what the subscription costs through the system or the cards at Walmart etc.

In the interest of fairness not everyone belongs to a forum like this and browses the deals and all that.

You act like since you know about a deal everyone who doesn't know is stupid. That's an unfair view of things.

Not stupid, just ignorant. And considering these cards are on Amazon for $44, not $60, I can't understand how someone unwillingly doesn't know about a cheaper price, even if it is a bit cheaper.
 

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
27,052
357
126
Not stupid, just ignorant. And considering these cards are on Amazon for $44, not $60, I can't understand how someone unwillingly doesn't know about a cheaper price, even if it is a bit cheaper.

There are people who don't look for that stuff on amazon at all. I know people who didn't even know amazon sold video games and they always just browsed the local Walmart or GameStop. These are people who don't really use the internet for much outside email, news, and Facebook. Maybe eBay. That's about it
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,038
5,920
126
There are people who don't look for that stuff on amazon at all. I know people who didn't even know amazon sold video games and they always just browsed the local Walmart or GameStop. These are people who don't really use the internet for much outside email, news, and Facebook. Maybe eBay. That's about it

i hear what you are saying, but these people are posting on an xbox forum. so they don't just use it for email and facebook.

i guess ignorant was the correct word not stupid.

either way with about 5 minutes of research they could be very close to the family price they were paying.
 

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
27,052
357
126
i hear what you are saying, but these people are posting on an xbox forum. so they don't just use it for email and facebook.

i guess ignorant was the correct word not stupid.

either way with about 5 minutes of research they could be very close to the family price they were paying.

Probably so, but people complain about anything a company does. No matter what it is someone won't be satisfied.

Having worked in retail I can tell you that when some change within the company or store happens someone will complain, no matter how small. I had a guy flip out on me when we started having to open all returns to verify the contents. No explanation would satisfy him, until the DM was on the phone and told him he can accept our policy or keep the product. Its like he thought we were treating him like a criminal or something. We were required to check everything, but I guess he figured we were just giving him a hard time.
 
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smackababy

Lifer
Oct 30, 2008
27,024
79
86
Probably so, but people complain about anything a company does. No matter what it is someone won't be satisfied.

Having worked in retail I can tell you that when some change within the company or store happens someone will complain, no matter how small. I had a guy flip out on me when we started having to open all returns to verify the contents. No explanation would satisfy him, until the DM was on the phone and told him he can accept our policy or keep the product. Its like he thought we were treating him like a criminal or something. We were required to check everything, but I guess he figured we were just giving him a hard time.

I already said most of those complaining in the thread didn't use the program, which I am sure is true. People, especially on the internet, love to bitch about everything they can type about.
 

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,377
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i hear what you are saying, but these people are posting on an xbox forum. so they don't just use it for email and facebook.

i guess ignorant was the correct word not stupid.

either way with about 5 minutes of research they could be very close to the family price they were paying.

How much would it cost to have Live accounts for 5 people? That's one example from the angry folks in that forum.
 

crisium

Platinum Member
Aug 19, 2001
2,643
615
136
I think that family oughta switch to PS3. Throwing away so much money at MS to play peer-to-peer, why?
 

Veliko

Diamond Member
Feb 16, 2011
3,597
127
106
I think that family oughta switch to PS3. Throwing away so much money at MS to play peer-to-peer, why?

Yes, they should ditch their console, the entire collection of games, all the extra controllers and peripherals they might have bought, abandon the idea of playing with their friends, and start all over again on the PS3.

All because of the Xbox Live Gold sub.
 

Rezist

Senior member
Jun 20, 2009
726
0
71
What does a family plan workout per account?

On a side note my XBL I think expires in 3 months and if I go ps4 I don't want to extend it. But it will suck not playing online for 3 months.
 

crisium

Platinum Member
Aug 19, 2001
2,643
615
136
Yes, they should ditch their console, the entire collection of games, all the extra controllers and peripherals they might have bought, abandon the idea of playing with their friends, and start all over again on the PS3.

All because of the Xbox Live Gold sub.

Sure. I did just that in 2009. Except replace "ditch" with "sell" and combined with the money saved from 5 Xbox live subscriptions they can easily get a PS3 and multiple games and accessories.
 

Veliko

Diamond Member
Feb 16, 2011
3,597
127
106
Sure. I did just that in 2009. Except replace "ditch" with "sell" and combined with the money saved from 5 Xbox live subscriptions they can easily get a PS3 and multiple games and accessories.

If money is the sole criteria that you use to choose which console to play on, why not just get a Wii? Or a second hand SNES?
 

jrphoenix

Golden Member
Feb 29, 2004
1,295
2
81
My guess is they are getting ready to completely alter the gold package with the launch of the new xbox and the family plan does not mesh. I'm speculating here but, I really see some type of a plan that is billed through your cable provider (no cards / discounts). The box can be bought like a modem or "rented / leased" through your cable company. The xbox will be a set top DVR that is upgradeable and plays games. That would mean mass market would be hit from day one of the launch as the cable providers install millions of boxes. The "plan" will be per box and not per sign on, if that makes sense.
 

Q

Lifer
Jul 21, 2005
12,042
4
81
Mine renewed last month, so I assume I am good until next year?
 

crisium

Platinum Member
Aug 19, 2001
2,643
615
136
If money is the sole criteria that you use to choose which console to play on, why not just get a Wii? Or a second hand SNES?

Indeed, and I trust you care not for the confines of finances and are sporting an SLI Titan rig? Or can we remove hyperbole and agree that a family of 5 is better off with a PS3 than a 360 if all 5 wish to play online.
 

Veliko

Diamond Member
Feb 16, 2011
3,597
127
106
Indeed, and I trust you care not for the confines of finances and are sporting an SLI Titan rig? Or can we remove hyperbole and agree that a family of 5 is better off with a PS3 than a 360 if all 5 wish to play online.

No, because 'better off' is such an utterly vague and inane statement that it is meaningless.

If the family of five doesn't like the PS3 controller, how are they better off owning one?

If some members of the family like playing Halo, how are they better off without the means to play it?

If the family have friends who own 360s, how are they better off with a PS3?
 

Malak

Lifer
Dec 4, 2004
14,696
2
0
Yes, they should ditch their console, the entire collection of games, all the extra controllers and peripherals they might have bought, abandon the idea of playing with their friends, and start all over again on the PS3.

All because of the Xbox Live Gold sub.

I did. And I know a lot of others that have. You say it sarcastically, but it's actually very easy to do. Put everything in a box, go to Gamestop, trade it all in for PS3 equivalent, go home and play. Any friends that I have that still use the Xbox simply don't get to play with me, and I have very few friends still on Xbox.
 

Nintendesert

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2010
7,761
5
0
No, because 'better off' is such an utterly vague and inane statement that it is meaningless.

If the family of five doesn't like the PS3 controller, how are they better off owning one?

If some members of the family like playing Halo, how are they better off without the means to play it?

If the family have friends who own 360s, how are they better off with a PS3?



Well, with all the money they'd save on an Xbox live subscription they could take PS3 classes and learn to love the system.
 

Anteaus

Platinum Member
Oct 28, 2010
2,448
4
81
If the XBL family plan is financially significant to a family, I highly suggest they just stop using XBL Gold or sell everything and stop gaming entirely because there is some serious budget irresponsibility occuring. Or maybe choose to only use one or two gold accounts. I'm not saying its wrong for people to judge value, but some people are talking in terms of console switching as if buying new hardware and games would be the more affordable route.

Anyways it was inevitable that MS would restructure XBL in preperation for the next gen console, so I'd expect more things like this to happen in the future. It's very possible that if XBL is going to stay a pay service they will annouce new subscription options in the coming year.
 
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cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
27,052
357
126
My guess is they are getting ready to completely alter the gold package with the launch of the new xbox and the family plan does not mesh. I'm speculating here but, I really see some type of a plan that is billed through your cable provider (no cards / discounts). The box can be bought like a modem or "rented / leased" through your cable company. The xbox will be a set top DVR that is upgradeable and plays games. That would mean mass market would be hit from day one of the launch as the cable providers install millions of boxes. The "plan" will be per box and not per sign on, if that makes sense.

yuck...
 

Venom20

Senior member
Apr 12, 2011
259
0
0
No, because 'better off' is such an utterly vague and inane statement that it is meaningless.

If the family of five doesn't like the PS3 controller, how are they better off owning one?

If some members of the family like playing Halo, how are they better off without the means to play it?

If the family have friends who own 360s, how are they better off with a PS3?

Sounds like the xbox fanboys just need to be adding their 0.02 everywhere.

Financial motives are very popular with everything, that includes gaming. If I'm not mistaken, the xbox controller was new when it came out and people learned to play on it; they can do the same for the PS.
 

Veliko

Diamond Member
Feb 16, 2011
3,597
127
106
Sounds like the xbox fanboys just need to be adding their 0.02 everywhere.

Financial motives are very popular with everything, that includes gaming. If I'm not mistaken, the xbox controller was new when it came out and people learned to play on it; they can do the same for the PS.

I can't tell if you're agreeing or disagreeing with me.

Financial considerations are just one of the criteria that someone will use when it comes to deciding which console to get.

Other considerations include the controller that comes with the console, and the games that are available.

The current PS controller is not new and has been around since 1997, so people have had plenty of time to get used to it. I personally don't like it, so I haven't ever really taken with the Playstation consoles.

So as I said before, stating that people are better off with a PS3 simply due to the price of Xbox Live is ridiculous.