Xbox Live subs..
- Thread starter TOPDAWG
- Start date
It goes together with the current trend in Microsoft, which is making things free for a lot of things. Good thing I guess.
Everybody... duh
I hope they are not saving this for a big E3 announcement.
Netflix isn't free
The Xbox Live Gold paywall for streaming services such as Netflix will soon be removed, a report has claimed.
Microsoft sources told Ars Technica that the subscription requirement will be dropped - but that other services may be moved behind the paywall to make up for the change.
Xbox 360 and Xbox One owners currently need an Xbox Live Gold subscription to access most online apps and services (many of which often have their own paid subscription).
It means that you can't use freely-available services such as 4OD, Skype, Internet Explorer or YouTube without being a subscriber - something that has become increasingly unpopular among fans.
Microsoft's approach lies in stark contrast to other gaming platforms (PlayStation 3, PS4, Wii, Wii U) which allow access to these services for free.
The company also faces competition from an increasing range of smartphones, tablets and web-enabled TVs, which all offer access without extra charge.
And the policy delayed the Xbox 360 release of BBC iPlayer, whose license fee-funded content cannot be put behind a paywall. An exception was eventually made, but Xbox One still lacks an iPlayer app.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer is expected to address the future of Xbox Live Gold at E3 this year - we suspect we'll hear more on this then, along with a long-awaited update on the Games with Gold promotion for Xbox One.
The company is currently prepping its Xbox Originals slate of TV programming - perhaps these shows might be placed behind the paywall instead?
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2...ove-xbox-live-gold-paywall-for-streaming-apps
Microsoft sources told Ars Technica that the subscription requirement will be dropped - but that other services may be moved behind the paywall to make up for the change.
Xbox 360 and Xbox One owners currently need an Xbox Live Gold subscription to access most online apps and services (many of which often have their own paid subscription).
It means that you can't use freely-available services such as 4OD, Skype, Internet Explorer or YouTube without being a subscriber - something that has become increasingly unpopular among fans.
Microsoft's approach lies in stark contrast to other gaming platforms (PlayStation 3, PS4, Wii, Wii U) which allow access to these services for free.
The company also faces competition from an increasing range of smartphones, tablets and web-enabled TVs, which all offer access without extra charge.
And the policy delayed the Xbox 360 release of BBC iPlayer, whose license fee-funded content cannot be put behind a paywall. An exception was eventually made, but Xbox One still lacks an iPlayer app.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer is expected to address the future of Xbox Live Gold at E3 this year - we suspect we'll hear more on this then, along with a long-awaited update on the Games with Gold promotion for Xbox One.
The company is currently prepping its Xbox Originals slate of TV programming - perhaps these shows might be placed behind the paywall instead?
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2...ove-xbox-live-gold-paywall-for-streaming-apps
I would say its more a case of Spencer not being a twat like Don seeing as Sony and Nintendo have been doing it for a long time.
Stupid to hide Netflix and so on behind Gold when you need a separate subscription for them.
Stupid to hide Netflix and so on behind Gold when you need a separate subscription for them.
I never understood why people biatch about the pay wall. If you are already playing live and have an account with Nexflix what is the problem?
No need honestly. No one should ever have to pay that price or more. It's always on sale on Amazon and places like that. I guess making it "official" would just cause some hype though.
End of the day, its only good for everyone. If you already have gold, good for you then, but with this, it benefit EVERYONE who owns Xbox.
People wanted a service that they see as having value. allowing access to something people already can do so, in other devices for free, is NOT VALUE.
Imposing restrictions is in fact a very negative way to marketing your product.
Now giving you discount for games, give free games per month, now thats value. Now these features under paywall, no one will complain, but not apps that already free just about everywhere.
People wanted a service that they see as having value. allowing access to something people already can do so, in other devices for free, is NOT VALUE.
Imposing restrictions is in fact a very negative way to marketing your product.
Now giving you discount for games, give free games per month, now thats value. Now these features under paywall, no one will complain, but not apps that already free just about everywhere.
They know its stupid for the people who dont have Gold. With the amount of places you can watch Netflix and these other apps this requirement makes no sense. Especially if you are trying to push all in one entertainment.
Wow huh? Microsoft is on a roll today. What will people complain about when the Xbox One doesn't have Kinect bundled in and you can use Netflix and Hulu Plus without a gold sub to Live? Oh yeah, you have to pay for Xbox Live still. That's what they'll complain about. Oh wait..
And you're the voice of reason? lol They are trying to push the console as an entertainment device to sell to non gamers even. Why would I pay $500 (now $400 of course), then another $60 a year on top of the fees I already pay for other services, when I can access these services for free on many other devices? I'm glad people like you are no longer in charge of Xbox with the backwards ass thinking that has put them in this hole to begin with.
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At least complains about Res & FPS are understandable.
But people complaining that MS giving free access to more apps, something that everyone that have an Xbox benefit (with not string attached)????
When a consumer is looking for an entertainment device for the living room and yours is the only device out of hundreds that makes people pay a $60 fee ontop of their netflix/hulu account, why exactly should they purchase said device instead of the hundreds of others on the market? Hell why should they purchase the Xbox One over the PS4?
It's about making their device competitive.
Yes, the person who is willing to spend $400-$500 for a gaming device is really going to be bothered by the $30-$60 price...
If you mentioned a Roku or an Amazon Fire maybe you might have an argument, but when are you talking about consoles that cost that much you are talking about a small cross section of the audience.
Just because someone is willing to spend $400 doesnt mean they are willing to pump out money and essentially get nothing in return.
And even if they are willing maybe you should create some goodwill by not trying to squeeze every last dime out of a person for no good reason.