The Walls of Xbox Live

[Showan]

Recently Microsoft announced that some of features on the Xbox One (such as the Guide,and Game DVR) will require XLG to access such features.  This announcement, garnered another 'angry mob' at Microsoft.  Microsoft's Walled Garden has grown into an very well thought out ecosystem.  Don't get me wrong it does have it's flaws, like the racial slurs, and other derogatory things that come across the Xbox Live airwaves (Does lil'Timmy and his uncle Tommy, ever really get penalized for the words that come out of their mouths?), or some of the Games on Demand that are still priced ridiculously high, where as that very same game has a GoY edition on Amazon and selling for $10-$20 cheaper.

 

Everyone is allowed inside the walls of Xbox Live, but a Gold seal of approval is needed (Xbox Live Gold) for the full Live experience.  It seems like more and more people are starting to whine (what else is new when it comes to Microsoft) about the fee (and what comes or doesn't come with it).  Should multiplayer be behind the Gold wall? How about the new hotness like the Xbox Guide or GameDVR (Xbox One features only)?  Definitely not HULU and Netflix, right? Right?

Yeah, Yeah, I know that there are a ton of other platforms that don't have a walled around Netflix and Hulu (Roku, Smart TV, Blu-Ray Players that have apps, other gaming consoles).

 

I personally don't mind the  $60 per year (which I never pay that much, thanks to the powers of the internet) because of the upkeep that Live has maintained for the most part. Like I said, it does have it's flaws, but all in all Live is an addictive place to be. Rather your gaming or not.  Knowing that the $$$ I contributed to Live (And not just me but Silver and Gold alike) will contribute to better servers, better maintenance, and an better overall experience, is worth it to me.

 

BUT!!!  There are those who feel that Microsoft is too harsh, when it comes to the features of Silver vs Gold.  I can and will respect your views on what you feel, on how things should work inside vs outside of the *GOLD CLUB* .  If Microsoft decides to put Netflix and Hulu outside of Gold, will that be enough for people?  Or will Live member demand more?  You know how the saying goes 'Give an inch, take a mile' or something like that.

 

Is Microsoft being to restrictive with Live?  Are we asking for too much?  Give Silver some things that were wrapped in Gold to ease the grumblings, or tick of the people who have been paying the $60 all this time because they are and have been paying for, what could potentially be given away.

 

 

[medhunter]

Live Gold isnot making enough sense to me for games other than apps like Netflix 

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

Until they match the better offer, aka PS+/PS4 DVR functionality, people will continue to "moan".

[Lord Method Man]

I see no reason to pay Microsoft to use streaming services that I can use for free on umpteen other devices I have in my living room.

[vcfan]

just another case of the vocal minority whining. the majority of xbox360 users are xbox live users.

[trooper11]

Gold could certainly be improved value wise.

 

MS did the right thing with the Games for Gold program.  They need to continue that into the next gen.

 

They also need to offer something that makes the game dvr service worth paying for, something that isn't offered by Sony. 

 

I still think they must push all apps to a general app store that any user can access.  Then app developers would be free to offer free or paid apps to customers, just like any app store.  If MS wants to offer 'premium' experiences, then I suggest something like a free Netflix subscription or reduced rate, or offering up media content for free or reduced rates.  For example, they could throw in an Xbox Music subscription, or free access to the original TV programming they are producing.

 

As it stands now, Gold is alright.  I think Sony has the edge in value with PS+, but Gold isn't terrible simply because their online services are very well done. 

 

When it comes to the next gen, Gold will be an even better value for a few reasons.  The first is simply the fact that you no longer need a Gold account for each user on console and can even access your gold account elsewhere while anyone can access its features and games on the home console at the same time.  That alone saves me money. 

 

For Gold to truly improve, I think the app store idea is a must.  They can't keep any apps behind the paywall if they want an app ecosystem to grow and be a valuable asset for the console.  Anything behind Gold needs to truly be 'premium' as in above and beyond the normal service you would get for free or elsewhere.

[Showan]

There are a few things that Ms can do to improve Gold, don't get me wrong. Hulu and Gold can be outside of Gold. Or like trooper said and continue the games with Gold program. The hours spent on Live, by Gold members may be our downfall. Gold members have spent a total of a few hundred years combined on Live. A number like that already tells the suits at MS, we are willing to pay for it, despite some it's it's nagging flaws.

[GotBored]

just another case of the vocal minority whining. the majority of xbox360 users are xbox live users.

 

Xbox Live users consists of silver users who don't get these features either.

 

If you ment Xbox Live Gold users than saying they are the majority is false as over 78 Million X360 have been sold and only 46 million registered on Xbox Live. In 2010 when Xbox Live gold memberships peaked its was roughly 50% of Xbox Live members who were Gold members so even if that was the case today which it isn't it would mean that 1/4 of the Xbox 360 base pays for Gold Live (which isn't a majority) 

[spenser.d]

Xbox Live users consists of silver users who don't get these features either.

If you ment Xbox Live Gold users than saying they are the majority is false as over 78 Million X360 have been sold and only 46 million registered on Xbox Live. In 2010 when Xbox Live gold memberships peaked its was roughly 50% of Xbox Live members who were Gold members so even if that was the case today which it isn't it would mean that 1/4 of the Xbox 360 base pays for Gold Live (which isn't a majority)

And I didn't hear much outcry from the other 3/4 compared to what I hear on this board.

[the better twin]

just another case of the vocal minority whining. the majority of xbox360 users are xbox live users.

Yes i'm sure Microsoft reversed their policies due to a "vocal minority whining" and not because they were getting slaughtered in terms of pre-order numbers. 

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Yes i'm sure Microsoft reversed their policies due to a "vocal minority whining" and not because they were getting slaughtered in terms of pre-order numbers. 

 

Didn't you know, companies make large decisions based solely on what Neowin/NeoGAF say.

[spenser.d]

Yes i'm sure Microsoft reversed their policies due to a "vocal minority whining" and not because they were getting slaughtered in terms of pre-order numbers.

They haven't reversed Xbox live policies....mainly because most people aren't whining about it. Some of these apps have been behind gild for a long time now without much backlash.

[spenser.d]

Didn't you know, companies make large decisions based solely on what Neowin/NeoGAF say.

Which just goes to prove my point that most people just don't care about what's behind gold. If they did, the backlash would've come a long time ago.

[the better twin]

Which just goes to prove my point that most people just don't care about what's behind gold. If they did, the backlash would've come a long time ago.

Im sure its a minor niggle to most, but not a deal breaker like the DRM policies were. 

[Showan]

it's kind of funny when you think of it...  Most people yell at the top of their lungs that they "Just want to game" and don't care about tv,tv,tv (Yes people, Netflix still counts as tv)...  And then 30minutes later, the same people who 'just want to game' are now screaming about Netflix being behind a paywall...  

 

Complainers wanna complain, I guess.

[firey]

it's kind of funny when you think of it...  Most people yell at the top of their lungs that they "Just want to game" and don't care about tv,tv,tv (Yes people, Netflix still counts as tv)...  And then 30minutes later, the same people who 'just want to game' are now screaming about Netflix being behind a paywall...  

 

Complainers wanna complain, I guess.

No.. the complaint is from people who don't care that the XB1 can connect to the Digital Receiver.  People that don't care about the NFL or xbox guide.   Netflix != XB1 TV Services.   Nice try though.

[Showan]

No.. the complaint is from people who don't care that the XB1 can connect to the Digital Receiver.  People that don't care about the NFL or xbox guide.   Netflix != XB1 TV Services.   Nice try though.

 

Actually, I'm about accurate... Netflix is tv,tv,tv... and 'Gamers' just wanna game... But at the end of day... It's those same 'Gamers" who want Netflix more than gaming... And then cry it's behind a paywall.  If you absolutely have no desire for tv,tv,tv, and just want to game... Then the Netflix offering being behind a paywall should be of no concern, because you have absolutely have no use for it.  May as well not even bother downing the app at all.  Gamers wanna Game correct?  or Gamers wanna Netflix and Hulu?...  At the end of the day, most don't even know what they want.  As long as they can say 'me too'

 

So, I did sum it up pretty accurately. 

[spenser.d]

No.. the complaint is from people who don't care that the XB1 can connect to the Digital Receiver. People that don't care about the NFL or xbox guide. Netflix != XB1 TV Services. Nice try though.

Netflix is still tv though. Also, there are only 30 million domestic subscribers and 8 million international subscribers. Not all of them play video games and of the ones that do, a large chunk likely pay to play online anyways so the pay wall wouldn't affect them. It doesn't leave many people left that this would matter to.

I'm not necessarily trying to say its the right way to go, just that its not near as big a deal as people here make it out to be.

[MorganX]

Gold isn't the problem. Gold is good. Things being behind Gold that shouldn't is the problem. Namely IE, Netflix, and now apparently the Guide?!?!?!? If it's a free TV Guide, OK, but if they're referring to the Xbox Guide, no, I don't believe that.

[spenser.d]

Gold isn't the problem. Gold is good. Things being behind Gold that shouldn't is the problem. Namely IE, Netflix, and now apparently the Guide?!?!?!? If it's a free TV Guide, OK, but if they're referring to the Xbox Guide, no, I don't believe that.

They're referring to OneGuide which is the tv guide you get if you choose to use passthrough. There is no more Xbox guide anymore. The Xbox button takes you to the dashboard because it can switch between that and a game seamlessly now.

[xWhiplash]

No netflix is not still TV.  Netflix is video content on demand.  They also have movies you know?

 

You guys are grasping at straws.  firey was right, the complaints were for digital receiver, NFL and all the actual TV stuff.  I do not want that on my console.  Netflix is NOT tv.  It is video content on demand.

[spenser.d]

No netflix is not still TV. Netflix is video content on demand. They also have movies you know?

Yet most people I know use it to watch TV shows. Also, my tv providers gives me DVR and OnDemand movies and tv shows, so are they not tv? We're talking about the same concept. Don't be silly.

[xWhiplash]

Yet most people I know use it to watch TV shows. Also, my tv providers gives me DVR and OnDemand movies and tv shows, so are they not tv? We're talking about the same concept. Don't be silly.

 

No we are not.  TV and the features that people do NOT want are having channels, watching live shows, and having a guide system.

 

So ANYTHING that provides access to tv shows is considered a TV now?  Is my desktop a TV since I can put Breaking Bad Season 1 DVDs in there?

 

It does not matter that most people use it for TV.  That does not make Netflix a TV.  Netflix is classed as an internet media streaming service.  Not a tv service.

[JonnyLH]

No.. the complaint is from people who don't care that the XB1 can connect to the Digital Receiver.  People that don't care about the NFL or xbox guide.   Netflix != XB1 TV Services.   Nice try though.

Well why don't those same people not use those features and appreciate that some people use a console as the central hub of their multimedia setup. (Like myself)

 

The funny thing is, there's rumors of their being an online TV service on the PS4 and there's a double digits thread on NeoGAF of people praising Sony, and I **** you not, saying Sony are innovators because they're including the ability for the PS4 to be a set-top box. 

 

It made me speechless. 

[Showan]

No netflix is not still TV.  Netflix is video content on demand.  They also have movies you know?

 

You guys are grasping at straws.  firey was right, the complaints were for digital receiver, NFL and all the actual TV stuff.  I do not want that on my console.  Netflix is NOT tv.  It is video content on demand.

 

Netflix has 'tv show' just like it has movies.  The only difference is, your $$$ removes commercial interruption.  If you sit down and watch it, rather it be a movie or tv show via Netflix or Hulu.  It is still tv.  I have Cox and it has on demand (am I not watching tv because it's on demand channel?), and it is still 'TV'.  No matter how you slice the pie.