As of November 1, 2010 the price is increasing for Xbox LIVE for some members. This price increase only affects Xbox LIVE Members in Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom or the United States. What do you guys think of this Source
Well, I hated buying it in the first place. Now that I own a PS3 and there's a hack for it. It's just another reason for me to switch it. Although Doubtful it is, as I love my 360 and everyone I play with on it.
I get mine from here: Electronic First - Fast and Secure Email Delivery of Gaming Codes Much cheaper than on the xbox itself.
I think Microsoft have caught on to the fact loads of people outside the US are buying US 12 month subs as they are significantly cheaper than what they retail for in other parts of the world. For example: in the UK we can get a US 12 month sub for around £30, where as a UK 12 month sub would cost around £40... the price increase only evens the price difference between regions out and make its a lot more worthwhile to buy a 12 month sub, rather than a few 1 month subs each year.
I usually buy 12 month subscriptions from individual sellers online. They mass-import those codes to make them cheaper, some even half the price! I've got 1 year for €30. While it's €60 in store and XBLive Marketplace!
speaking of that, I hope there will be a new hack for newer PSP models someday. There's Half Byte Loader now, but that only runs a limited amount of homebrew and emulators.
Definitely a late reply but oh well, you all just adore my opinion <3. Its extremely simple and easy to say that Microsoft is still ripping us off. Charging extra money as if they are the only console that adds extra features. They did get certain things before other consoles, like Netflix but now its on every console. The only thing that 360 seems to have that other consoles don't is party chat and the ability to watch certain videos in a party. When you think about it, if there were 1 million people that were on Xbox live and every one of them purchased a year card (using US currency rates) its 50 dollars, that would mean they just made 50 million dollars in people just playing their console, is it just me or is that a bit steep? I guess not because they want even more. If everyone went silver at the exact same time it would be EXTREMELY easy to boycott gold cards until they lowered the price but as everyone expires at different times its literally impossible.
It is unfortunate that they are charging more for Gold but the plain and simple fact is that people can complain all they want, but they will still end up paying for it in the end. Microsoft knows this and knows that the intial frustration will pass once the gamers realize that they want Gold to play online.
I don't think so, I myself am annoyed at such prices. With my new PS3 features, ability to play online, the free feature. I may just switch. As will many I'm sure.
I doubt it, I even have a PS3 but 360 will remain my main console because of the community. I know people that own 360s and not PS3s and i'm usually in a party chat with them whenever they are on and its a bit difficult to party chat from a 360 to PS3
What is it that we get on Xbox Live? We pay $50 (U.S Currency) to get ads pretty much. Its almost like paying for cable now, you have to pay a certain amount of cash a month and you still get ads. You don't really get that much more on 360 then you can on any other console. PS3 and Wii have free online and you don't get ads if i'm not mistaken.
Can you actually speak to people on the Wii's online service now? Last time I played you could only say pre typed phrases to people and it had no voice chat... you might as well be playing against bots... The PSN is not bad, however its not great either. Xbox Live is by far the best of the bunch, Ideally it should be cheaper. I do think its disappointing the price is going up... if anything it should go down as it does have a fair few adverts on it like Scyth mentioned. I also dont agree with it been mandotry to be a gold member just to use Netflix and Facebook... that is a bit wrong if you ask me.
Super Smash Bros Brawl had voice support, apparently Black Ops will have voice support also, there are a few more games with it but can't really remember as I never really played online with the Wii.