Love playing your Xbox 360 games online? Join the crew...and please have your credit card handy, because Microsoft would like to have a word with it.

 

Specifically, the word "more."

 

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).

 

Why the sudden hike? To Xbox Live spokesman Major Nelson, someone has to pay for all the stuff they keep adding to the network, right?

 

"Since launching Xbox LIVE in 2002 we have continually added more content and entertainment experiences for our members, while keeping the price the same," he said. "Were confident that when the new pricing takes effect, an Xbox LIVE Gold membership will continue to offer the best value in the industry."

 

Well, that's one way to look at it. Another way to look at it is that Microsoft remains the only one of the big three console makers to charge a fee for online play. While Sony's recently-released "Playstation Plus" upgrade gives gamers access to premium content, playing games online is still entirely free for all users. And though the Wii has lagged behind in the online gaming field, the relatively few games that support online play don't cost players extra.

 

But with blockbuster multiplayer games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 selling like hotcakes on the 360, Microsoft hasn't had a hard time convincing users to pay up. According to Bloomberg, a good 25 million Xbox 360 owners went Gold in the last fiscal year, netting the company about $600 million in fees alone and accounting for roughly half of Microsoft's estimated $1.2 billion in revenue via the online service. With the Xbox 360 topping charts in July and surefire seller Halo: Reach arriving September 14th, the company might need to buy a bigger wallet.

 

It's not all doom and gloom for 360 gamers, however. In a half-hearted attempt to make amends for the rate increase, Microsoft is letting current U.S. Xbox Live Gold members lock in one more year of membership for $39.99, a $20 premium over the coming price. Not bad, but an even thriftier move is to snap up a few discounted pre-paid cards at online retailers like Amazon. Redeem one now, then save one for next year to renew at the discounted price again. Sneaky...and sure to vanish quickly, so hop to it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

I do love xbox and personally find the controls etc etc much better. But this is why I have a playstation (aside from the few ps only games mand fact im better at FPS on playstation) so i can get this playing for free

This is where I'm glad I got a Ps3 Instead of Xbox.

I just hope that price increase goes into good use.

Hmm, time to make some cash off pre-paid cards. I don't have live since I never even use my Xbox. I should sell it, my games and live card. I'd probably pull in over $500.

are the people who are talking about ending their subscriptions serious? It's $10 extra a year. i didn't see these people quitting or refusing to play when runescape was hiked up (starting at) $11.40 per year. This won't even affect me cause i literally bought a year subscription a week and a half ago.. they are giving you fair enough notice to add a year if you are really that short on money. I can't say i'm completely in favor though, maybe if they added dedicated servers for every game it would be worthwhile.

Probably only matters if you buy your live from microsoft, which you shouldn't anyway.

 

Just because they're increasing the RRP doesn't mean shops have to increase the price as well. Also they're giving you plenty of chance to renew before it goes up. I heard theres no increase on the 1 year cards in the EU, just month to month.

 

Pretty bad move in terms of PR though, they should have added something to justify the price increase.

All the more reason to buy a PS3.

They've also announced a new controller which finally fixes the d-pad, for the price of $64.99. MS and their accessories are the main reason I got a PS3 over Xbox.

I couldn't decide between buying an Xbox 360 or the PS3. This hits the nail on the coffin. Thanks Microsoft! :)

Screw off Micro$oft you should be sued for this. T_T

They must be making some hard losses somewhere to pull this off.

Sure is not knowing about inflation in here.

 

Edit: Also, 60% off gold membership going on now. GO GO AND BUY NOW!

 

Also, when you see it:

The only reason they're doing this is because they know gamer nerds will continue to buy video games. My friends little brother buys every game in some sort of special edition and such, not including all the other accessories he gets.

 

Video games are becoming a upper middle class activity it seems. The cheapest form of game entertainment is through PCs, surprisingly. For the use they have besides gaming, they're much worth it than a computer that just reads video games.

 

Don't blame Microsoft, blame gaming nerds.

The only reason they're doing this is because they know gamer nerds will continue to buy video games. My friends little brother buys every game in some sort of special edition and such, not including all the other accessories he gets.

 

Video games are becoming a upper middle class activity it seems. The cheapest form of game entertainment is through PCs, surprisingly. For the use they have besides gaming, they're much worth it than a computer that just reads video games.

 

Don't blame Microsoft, blame gaming nerds.

 

More like blame kids spending too much of their moms money >_>.

 

 

Either way this price hike doesn't effect me as I don't use nor pay for live. If for some reason I want to play an online console game I play it on my PS3.

Eh, it's just part of it. I'm not to upset, it happens with everything. This might start pushing me to get a PS3, but I don't have that kind of money at the moment.

$10 is what? Six or seven british pounds? It isn't a massive increase in price and paying £50 for a years subscription isn't that much anyway. It comes out to just over four pounds a month, that's chump change.

was gonna renew my sub for reach but not anymore :)

Screw off Micro$oft you should be sued for this. T_T

You remind me of those guys that sued Microsoft because Live went down for a while.

 

I'd buy up a card or two, but the cards here cost more than the subscriptions. Who here would pay $7/month for it?

Screw off Micro$oft you should be sued for this. T_T

Um... why?

If anyone wonders where the negative image of gamers comes from, it may have something to do with these kinds of responses. Foaming at the mouth over $2/month when it may well cost more than that to keep Live up when a new shooter comes out.

I would've thought they'd decrease the price of the xbox live, not increase it. Yeah it isn't much but still..

 

 

OT:

New controller to :http://exophase.com/xbox360/microsoft-confirms-transforming-d-pad-controller-rumors-17924.htm

 

Kinda dull.

If anyone wonders where the negative image of gamers comes from, it may have something to do with these kinds of responses. Foaming at the mouth over $2/month when it may well cost more than that to keep Live up when a new shooter comes out.

Exactly. I can't believe this kind of reaction from so many people. Sure, it's annoying to deal with but honestly get over it. It's that big of a deal, maybe sell a game you don't play as much anymore and use that money to buy a card.

It's that same rationale though as "oh only $15 for a map pack? Well it was $10 before so that is only $5 more!".

 

It's not a big deal but the price also isn't the thing that is the issue. The issue is them upping the price for no real reason other than they know people will pay for it still.

What they should have done was have a "veteran's" deal. Either don't increase it at all, or only increase it a little bit for long-time subscribers. Either way I'll still pay for it, until companies start charging us to play THEIR games online.

 

There's a line to stop paying, but a small increase like this isn't it.

I wouldnt freak out over it. But i dont like the principle of how this Gigantic company that is one of the richest in the world increases it and doesnt give anything out of it. Although i got a ps3 because i like it better, i still dont like having to pay money to play my games that i payed for already :rolleyes: