Xbox LIVE Gold subscribers are going to start paying an extra $10 a year in order to retain their online gaming habits, Microsoft’s announced today. Originally priced at $50 a year, Xbox 360′s Xbox LIVE Gold has increased an extra $10 to a $60 yearly subscription.
The three-month card, originally $19.99, will cost $24.99. The one-month, originally $7.99, will cost $9.99.
This change goes into effect on November 1, 2010. The UK and Canada are faced with similar price changes, however, they only apply to the one-month card. Mexico, on the other hand, has received a price hike on the yearly subscription, as well, going from 499 pesos to 599 pesos.
Xbox LIVE’s Major Nelson says that they’re confident “Xbox LIVE Gold membership will continue to offer the best value in the industry,” even with the price hike.
Price change for Xbox LIVE Gold subscription [Major Nelson]
I read another article about this and Microsoft’s response was that consumers were still getting an “incredible value” because of services like Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm, Video Kinect (probably a video chat service) and ESPN.
I find it incredibly insulting that they’re touting free services like FB, Twitter and Last.fm as adding value to XBL. While the cost increase is minimal what they’re labeling as “value” is a sham.
What I would prefer to see is a tiered service that offers different levels of features. Just because they’re cramming in more services doesn’t mean everyone wants them and charging people to put in more things that they didn’t ask for doesn’t sound like they’re really looking out for consumers.
This will only make Sony look even better that they’re not charging people to use services that you can access for free from the web browser.
The ‘incredible value’ comment is a strange one indeed. I mean, I’m not going to complain about paying £10 more for a years subscription, that would be silly, however, mentioning FB and Twitter as the ‘value’ is really quite odd. They are free services, and on a personal note; services I have absolutely no interest in.
I agree with your comment on a tiered service, they could easily revamp or make more of the XBL Gold and Silver varities, perhaps adding a Bronze or Platinum package for those wanting to pay more/less.
Microsoft is in a position they can do anything they want and people will still feel obligated to give in. Xbox owners unfortunately have no choice but to pay if they wish to play online, which online connectivity is one of the major staples of this console generation. Browsing various websites and reading user comments, it seems many are trying to justify the increase as a positive, while paying for the service, though superior to the Wii and PSN, should really be considered a negative, considering there are other, albeit lesser, free alternatives (Wii, PSN, PC). If Microsoft offered a bare-bones service consisting of only online multiplayer and matchmaking for free, I doubt anyone would feel compelled to spend the $59.99 a year for ESPN, Cross-Game Chat as well as Twitter, Facebook and last.fm, Party Chat and ACCESS (Pay for access on top of the subscription? Really?) to Netflix, SkyTV and Hulu Plus.
Microsoft’s closed nature and lack of flexibility to its consumer is one of the key factors I sold my 360 to invest in a PS3. Free online was one of the major draws, as well as an established library I was already a fan. It seems likely Sony will charge for PSN next generation, which in the likelihood it happens, I shall do the unthinkable and become a PC gamer.