The Walls of Xbox Live


Recommended Posts

Well they are though aren't they...That was Microsoft's aim from the very beginning entering the console business. They didn't want Sony to have the living room all to themselves. It's well documented enough, not sure why you're trying to suggest otherwise. Microsoft have always wanted more than gaming and HTPCs aren't the most glamorous way to achieve it. Step in Xbox, 360 and now X1.

 

You do know that PS3 is the most popular Netflix capable device in the living room right? Microsoft love their claims to fame. I'm sure they'll change their mind soon enough.

 

Yeah but for now they're still selling a gaming console first and foremost - and they know most of their sales are going to come from gamers (same goes for Sony).  If they want to change that they're going to have to offer a lot more than free Netflix as buying the box just for that would be a waste of money.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If Netflix being behind "the walls of xbox live" is such an issue, why aren't we hearing anything from Netflix. You'd assume they'd have the most to gain... guess its not that big a deal after all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah but for now they're still selling a gaming console first and foremost - and they know most of their sales are going to come from gamers (same goes for Sony).  If they want to change that they're going to have to offer a lot more than free Netflix as buying the box just for that would be a waste of money.

 

It's not about buying a console for something specific, it's buying what covers most/all of your needs. Someone interested in Netflix and gaming is better off with a PS3 because they don't need to buy a subscription to access their subscription*. Removing the paywall doesn't up Sony and their offer, but it at least puts them on an even field. Even if they add more value to XBL Gold in other ways, these media apps need to be free to access. Just because it hasn't received the attention you believe it needs to be a concern, doesn't mean that it hasn't become one. Your competitor is beating you at something. You fix it, not brush it off with excuses.

 

*Removing any assumptions on what their games of choice are because it's theoretic and not what the topic is about.

 

 

 

 

If Netflix being behind "the walls of xbox live" is such an issue, why aren't we hearing anything from Netflix. You'd assume they'd have the most to gain... guess its not that big a deal after all.

 

Netflix's only concern is making their content available on every device possible. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to see more Xbox only households use the service without a paywall potentially changing their minds. Who in their right mind would say no to more subscriptions?

 

If you do want an example of someone who didn't put up with Microsoft's **** then just look to the BBC iPlayer fight. It took them 3 years+ before Microsoft backed down and did the right thing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's not about buying a console for something specific, it's buying what covers most/all of your needs. Someone interested in Netflix and gaming is better off with a PS3 because they don't need to buy a subscription to access their subscription*. Removing the paywall doesn't up Sony and their offer, but it at least puts them on an even field. Even if they add more value to XBL Gold in other ways, these media apps need to be free to access. Just because it hasn't received the attention you believe it needs to be a concern, doesn't mean that it hasn't become one. Your competitor is beating you at something. You fix it, not brush it off with excuses.

 

*Removing any assumptions on what their games of choice are because it's theoretic and not what the topic is about.

 

They're only better off with a PS3 if they don't do multiplayer, and that's still not a great argument for it needing to be free on Xbox.  Sony's only beating Microsoft if you believe both consoles can't be successful at the same time, which we already know isn't true because both the PS3 and Xbox 360 were successful despite the differences in services.  Most people aren't choosing one console over the other because of this issue - they're doing so because of the games, because it's a gaming machine.

 

Also just because you disagree with the policy doesn't mean that it is a concern.  It goes both ways.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They're only better off with a PS3 if they don't do multiplayer, and that's still not a great argument for it needing to be free on Xbox.  Sony's only beating Microsoft if you believe both consoles can't be successful at the same time, which we already know isn't true because both the PS3 and Xbox 360 were successful despite the differences in services.

 

And what about all the households who are cutting back on what they can afford because wages don't stretch far enough. People still need something to relax with and do recreationally. Those people might have to choose between XBL only or free MP and Netflix on the PS3. 2 subscriptions vs 1. No sugar coating it, PS3's is the better choice and the numbers speak for themselves like I already mentioned.

 

As for the Sony beating MS etc, I wasn't talking about number of consoles sold/success. I'm referring to Netflix access numbers. Sony are beating them, fact.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

You do know that PS3 is the most popular Netflix capable device in the living room right? Microsoft love their claims to fame. I'm sure they'll change their mind soon enough.

 

Exactly, I do believe MS will change that.  I also think its not something new but what they have been planning for a while for the X1.  It may not happen at launch, but I do believe eventually all apps that are free elsewhere will be free on the X1.  They have dropped so many hints about an app store that I feel fairly confident that they plan to bring the windows store (modified for the device of course) to the X1, effectively making the X1 a much more robust and flexible system for app developers then any other console

 

 

And what about all the households who are cutting back on what they can afford because wages don't stretch far enough. People still need something to relax with and do recreationally. Those people might have to choose between XBL only or free MP and Netflix on the PS3. 2 subscriptions vs 1. No sugar coating it, PS3's is the better choice and the numbers speak for themselves like I already mentioned.

 

As for the Sony beating MS etc, I wasn't talking about number of consoles sold/success. I'm referring to Netflix access numbers. Sony are beating them, fact.

 

 

And then everything changes with the next gen.  Now both consoles require a subscription for multiplayer, so that scenario no longer matters.  Anyone playing mp will have Gold or PS+.

 

You guys have been talking about Netflix a lot, but I wonder if Netflix really brings more users to either platform.  I don't think anyone has bought either console for the entertainment services alone. Most buy these things for the gaming, but then also enjoy the extra media services.  The exception is the PS3 early on when it was the cheapest and best bluray player on the market. 

 

Since we now know that both Sony and MS are aiming for providing tv-live content directly to customers (MS possibly an a la cart/subscription based service for individual shows and Sony possibly a subscription service more like cable involving channels), it seems to me that there will be even less to gain from offering Netflix access.  That's another reason why I'm confident MS moves it out of Gold only.  MS could transition to using the tv-like media they produce as a Gold perk instead of relying on 3rd party apps.  Sony could do the same with PS+.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And what about all the households who are cutting back on what they can afford because wages don't stretch far enough. People still need something to relax with and do recreationally. Those people might have to choose between XBL only or free MP and Netflix on the PS3. 2 subscriptions vs 1. No sugar coating it, PS3's is the better choice and the numbers speak for themselves like I already mentioned.

 

As for the Sony beating MS etc, I wasn't talking about number of consoles sold/success. I'm referring to Netflix access numbers. Sony are beating them, fact.

Those households will likely buy something cheaper (my favorite example being roku) than either PS3 or Xbox 360. PS3 also got a foothold because of the BD player, Netflix came later.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And what about all the households who are cutting back on what they can afford because wages don't stretch far enough. People still need something to relax with and do recreationally. Those people might have to choose between XBL only or free MP and Netflix on the PS3. 2 subscriptions vs 1. No sugar coating it, PS3's is the better choice and the numbers speak for themselves like I already mentioned.

 

As for the Sony beating MS etc, I wasn't talking about number of consoles sold/success. I'm referring to Netflix access numbers. Sony are beating them, fact.

 

That's possible, but now you're just hitting on fringe cases that apply differently to everyone.  I held on to an XBL sub all through college and I didn't exactly have much in the way of money then.  That was my preference for a number of reasons.  So that still goes both ways and you can't say the PS3 is better on that merit alone because a lot more goes into deciding which one to get.

 

And beating them at Netflix access?  So what?  Microsoft (and Sony) isn't relying on Netflix to sell their console.  It's a bonus for people who have bought the console.  Why would they care about those numbers, especially when it doesn't appear to affect sales.  They aren't selling a Netflix machine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Never have I seen so much opposition to having more freedom and choice :/ You'd think you'd want it to be free access regardless of how much money you have to burn or whatever your situation is.

 

No point going on about it though. If you want to defend their decisions for cash grabs that's your prerogative.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Never have I seen so much opposition to having more freedom and choice :/ You'd think you'd want it to be free access regardless of how much money you have to burn or whatever your situation is.

 

No point going on about it though. If you want to defend their decisions for cash grabs that's your prerogative.

 

I already stated that it would be nice if they were free, but I also don't see any reason they need to be free like you keep saying and I also don't think it's as huge a deal as you keep making it out to be.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Never have I seen so much opposition to having more freedom and choice :/ You'd think you'd want it to be free access regardless of how much money you have to burn or whatever your situation is.

 

No point going on about it though. If you want to defend their decisions for cash grabs that's your prerogative.

 

I agree, I think everyone would want all of this stuff to be free.

 

MP should not require a Gold or PS+ subscription.

 

Unfortunately, we are in an era where these companies make good money off of this stuff and so it sticks around. 

 

I think the Netflix type stuff will improve next gen though as these consoles move from being gaming devices to being almost pc-like in their usage.  This gen laid the ground work for consoles that provided all around entertainment, next gen is the natural extension of that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Never have I seen so much opposition to having more freedom and choice :/ You'd think you'd want it to be free access regardless of how much money you have to burn or whatever your situation is.

No point going on about it though. If you want to defend their decisions for cash grabs that's your prerogative.

People don't buy Gold for Netflix, they buy it for online gaming. If people are short of cash and looking for a box which is a decent Netflix player then why the hell would you buy a ?439 next-gen console. Logic much?

There's discussing a pay wall and there's discussing user scenarios what haven't ever come to light in the past 5 years. Its just arguing for the sake of arguing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

People don't buy Gold for Netflix, they buy it for online gaming. If people are short of cash and looking for a box which is a decent Netflix player then why the hell would you buy a ?439 next-gen console. Logic much?

There's discussing a pay wall and there's discussing user scenarios what haven't ever come to light in the past 5 years. Its just arguing for the sake of arguing.

 

Please tell me WHY do people keep saying this?  Do you....honestly....think people are going to get a game console JUST for Netflix?  Have you guys....ever.....heard of Single player gaming?  If my Xbox was the ONLY device I had to watch Netflix, I would buy Gold just for that.  Does that mean I ONLY purchased my Xbox for Netflix?  No....I play single player as well.

 

Even if somebody has a computer they can use to watch Netflix, if they want to watch it on their living room TV it is a pain.  

 

I used to have Gold, yet I never played online.  I had Gold for Netflix before I got my Apple TV.  Why?  So I can easily watch it on my TV.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please tell me WHY do people keep saying this?  Do you....honestly....think people are going to get a game console JUST for Netflix?  Have you guys....ever.....heard of Single player gaming?  If my Xbox was the ONLY device I had to watch Netflix, I would buy Gold just for that.  Does that mean I ONLY purchased my Xbox for Netflix?  No....I play single player as well.

 

Even if somebody has a computer they can use to watch Netflix, if they want to watch it on their living room TV it is a pain.  

 

I used to have Gold, yet I never played online.  I had Gold for Netflix before I got my Apple TV.  Why?  So I can easily watch it on my TV.

 

 

You have proven that some people do buy Gold just for Netflix.  I guess the next question is, how many people do you represent.  We are in an era where a lot of people are using the internet services, so that group might be low.

 

 

Either way, whether people buy Gold for Netflix or not, it does not change the fact that the Netflix app should be accessible to anyone using the console, Gold or not.  I think its better for Netflix and better for the X1 as an entertainment platform.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please tell me WHY do people keep saying this?  Do you....honestly....think people are going to get a game console JUST for Netflix?  Have you guys....ever.....heard of Single player gaming?  If my Xbox was the ONLY device I had to watch Netflix, I would buy Gold just for that.  Does that mean I ONLY purchased my Xbox for Netflix?  No....I play single player as well.

 

Even if somebody has a computer they can use to watch Netflix, if they want to watch it on their living room TV it is a pain.  

 

I used to have Gold, yet I never played online.  I had Gold for Netflix before I got my Apple TV.  Why?  So I can easily watch it on my TV.

So you was effected years ago before every box in the living room could access Netflix? Now it doesn't effect you and anyone else here, why are you still complaining then?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You have proven that some people do buy Gold just for Netflix.  I guess the next question is, how many people do you represent.  We are in an era where a lot of people are using the internet services, so that group might be low.

 

 

Either way, whether people buy Gold for Netflix or not, it does not change the fact that the Netflix app should be accessible to anyone using the console, Gold or not.  I think its better for Netflix and better for the X1 as an entertainment platform.

 

Never have I seen so much opposition to having more freedom and choice :/ You'd think you'd want it to be free access regardless of how much money you have to burn or whatever your situation is.

 

No point going on about it though. If you want to defend their decisions for cash grabs that's your prerogative.

I think the problem with this thread is, the few of us that don't see this as a big deal are being seen to be happy to put our cold hard cash into MS's pockets. Please don't take our defense of MS as this being the case, If Netflix or MP or any of the other services MS and Sony offer us were free of course we would prefer that. We don't WANT to pay extra for netflix etc, it's just that with MS at least, it's always been the way. I completely agree with the comment Trooper is making that if Xbox want to promote their console as being the number one device for entertainment, then making the "entertainment" available to all instead of to the more than likely minority that will subscribe to gold, It is counter-productive to me.

Because it's always been that way, and lets face it (i know a lot of you hate this reply) and there are lot's of other cheaper ways to watch Netflix, then even more so do we think it's pointless to care about this. If you do have an Xbox and your gold sub is simply to watch Netflix then that person has already accepted that cost willingly so more fool them. There are plenty of devices that in the long run are cheaper than paying for a gold sub shown in the list below, one of which is newly released and not on that list (Chromecast) and is about $35 which I believe is not far off half the price of a gold sub!

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Netflix_compatible_devices

 

Forgetting Netflix for a second, there are also a few of us that believe the "services" we get by paying for gold are better than those free ones offered on PS3, I think that's one of the reasons Sony is moving some of its services to PSN+ with PS4 because they know they need to make it better and that is the only way to do it. Of course at the moment they are seeming better than MS because they aren't seeming to be as restrictive but I think they need to take that approach because they are changing how they work between the two consoles whereas Xbox users are now used to this.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What i dont get is, people complaining about netflix being behind a paywall... if your paying for netflix then youve already got some device in your house that can play it right? or are people just so lazy they cant be arsed to hit the home button or apps button on that devices remote control? all smart tv's have netflix, you can buy ?60 smart bluray players  with a netflix app, want more go buy a ?99 Roku box. All the apple nutters can get it on apple tv, i can get even get it on my bloody windows phone so there must be one on android and iOS, could use it on tablets. If your toilet had a bloody screen in you could prolly watch it on that.

 

I think people are just complaining about something thats a non issue tbh. Maybe for the 1% of people you hear moaning about it maybe it is an issue, but you dont cater for the 1% you cater for the majoritiy, and if ya dont like it... tough ######

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.