Xbox to raise fees for online gaming

[Muhast]

http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/microsoft-raising-xbox-live-membership-prices/1409254

"
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)."

 

[TheDallasDon]

What good thing a got an extra year like 20 days ago for like $39 thats is total ********

 

[rkell87]

PS3 is free....still....just sayin

 

[TheCount]

From what I understand it may be to counter the fact that Live is getting ESPN streaming (including live sports) in the near future, I'm sure that cost a pretty penny.

It ends up being like 80 cents a month more than it is now, so I'm not stressing it. Still sucks though.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

You guys pay 50-60 bucks for games already. Why are you complaining?

 

[TheCount]

You guys pay 50-60 bucks for games already. Why are you complaining?

Probably cause we pay 50-60 bucks for games already.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Probably cause we pay 50-60 bucks for games already.

bleh. Foolish things.

 

[TheCount]

bleh. Foolish things.

You do understand you spend hours and hours every week posting on a web forum about a sports team with people you don't know, right?

 

[Dallas]

I canceled my Xbox Live subscription yesterday (easier to do since they increased the price/mo). I recently just got a PS3 and the online community is just as good as what MS is serving up, and it's free.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

You do understand you spend hours and hours every week posting on a web forum about a sports team with people you don't know, right?

Reality pays me though.

 

[TheCount]

Reality pays me though.

I gotta get in on that deal.

 

[Hoofbite]

PS3 is free....still....just sayin

For now. They're rolling out a pay service soon, I think.

 

[Hoofbite]

I canceled my Xbox Live subscription yesterday (easier to do since they increased the price/mo). I recently just got a PS3 and the online community is just as good as what MS is serving up, and it's free.

I find that hard to believe.

Biggest complain I have heard is the microphones suck and if you play multiplayer, not many people even have mics.

XBL is second to none, IMO. As soon as ESPN hits this thing, it's gonna be ***** sweet.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I sense a nerd war coming on.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

You do understand you spend hours and hours every week posting on a web forum about a sports team with people you don't know, right?

I post quite a bit too.

 

[ajk23az]

For now. They're rolling out a pay service soon, I think.

Link? I haven't heard of such a think. Could be wrong though.

 

[Hoofbite]

Link? I haven't heard of such a think. Could be wrong though.

Doesn't seem to hamper the ability to play games online like XBL does without a subscription but you can almost bet they will move things in that direction one way or another.

http://www.gametrailers.com/news/playstation-plus-playstation/2217

http://us.playstation.com/psn/playstation-plus/

 

[tomson75]

I'm having a hard time getting too worked up about an extra 2 bucks a month.....it's still worth it IMO.

I have limited experience with PS3 online gaming, despite the fact I've owned one for two years...it just wasn't very good when I tried it. It may have improved since then. Both systems have their advantages, but the online gaming on the Xbox always seemed superior in previous years...

I haven't played a game in three months....might need to dust off the controller.

I was in Best buy yesterday looking at the leapfrog stuff for my 5yo.....and happened to notice the headsets they had in there. IIRC, they were from turtle beach.....anyone have any experience with these? I'm going to start taking my console to work with me, and a good headset would be nice to avoid bothering the hell out of the rest of my crew.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I'm having a hard time getting too worked up about an extra 2 bucks a month.....it's still worth it IMO.

I have limited experience with PS3 online gaming, despite the fact I've owned one for two years...it just wasn't very good when I tried it. It may have improved since then. Both systems have their advantages, but the online gaming on the Xbox always seemed superior in previous years...

I haven't played a game in three months....might need to dust off the controller.

I was in Best buy yesterday looking at the leapfrog stuff for my 5yo.....and happened to notice the headsets they had in there. IIRC, they were from turtle beach.....anyone have any experience with these? I'm going to start taking my console to work with me, and a good headset would be nice to avoid bothering the hell out of the rest of my crew.

Kind of how I feel about it. I'm not worked up, at all, over paying 10 dollars more a year to play online.

And Turtle Beaches are one of the two (I forget the name of the other brand) big time headsets for XBox Live that people love.

I don't know what kind of games you play but if you're into something like Modern Warfare then Turtle Beaches enhance your hearing in the fights. You'll hear where people are shooting from fairly clearly and when the battles get quiet (people camping and such) you can actually hear people moving even when they have their Ninja perk on. People who don't use the ninja perk you can hear where they're walking from clearly all match long.

Much like a person who uses surround sound, or a huge HDTV, TB's give you a nice advantage in games like that.


I have been curious though. My year doesn't run out till May. If I went out and bought another year right now, and put it on my XBox, would it add that year to the end of the one I've already got?

Cause if so I'll go out and buy another year before the price goes up and not bother with the extra 10 for more than a year.

 

[tomson75]

Kind of how I feel about it. I'm not worked up, at all, over paying 10 dollars more a year to play online.

And Turtle Beaches are one of the two (I forget the name of the other brand) big time headsets for XBox Live that people love.

I don't know what kind of games you play but if you're into something like Modern Warfare then Turtle Beaches enhance your hearing in the fights. You'll hear where people are shooting from fairly clearly and when the battles get quiet (people camping and such) you can actually hear people moving even when they have their Ninja perk on. People who don't use the ninja perk you can hear where they're walking from clearly all match long.

Much like a person who uses surround sound, or a huge HDTV, TB's give you a nice advantage in games like that.


I have been curious though. My year doesn't run out till May. If I went out and bought another year right now, and put it on my XBox, would it add that year to the end of the one I've already got?

Cause if so I'll go out and buy another year before the price goes up and not bother with the extra 10 for more than a year.

Good lookin' out on the headsets....now I just have to figure out a way to convince my fiance' that spending a bill on a gaming headset is necessary. :

I would expect that your new year should be added on to the end of your current one, but I would most definitely ask first. Let us know what you find out....I may have to follow suit.