Xbox Live gold vs PSN Plus (comparison)

[F34R]

This has been able to do since shortly after the 360 launched. You need Gold membership to use Microsoft services. The didn't change that. The free online play isn't supported by Microsoft.

[radgamer420]

I paid 10 bucks for 3 months and before that I paid 2 bucks for 2 months. If thats too much for you to pay for a better online service then you need a new hobby. Discounted Live is always available. Thats why I always laugh at these but you have to pay for Live comments mostly coming from those who have never used it. lol

[F34R]

I paid 10 bucks for 3 months and before that I paid 2 bucks for 2 months. If thats too much for you to pay for a better online service then you need a new hobby. Discounted Live is always available. Thats why I always laugh at these but you have to pay for Live comments mostly coming from those who have never used it. lol

Yes, you have to pay for Xbox Live Gold membership. However, you don't have to pay to play online without Microsoft services. Period. People need to learn.

[Vulgotha]

Like what? By using XBC? That's a little disingenuous, FEAR.

While technically true in the strictest sense, this is by itself a completely different category of online gaming. It was kind of worth it back during the original Xbox with Halo 2, and was fun.

You're gonna have to elaborate a bit.

If that is your argument then there's not a whole lot of reason to own a console now is there? Mine as well pony up for a low tier PC that can play most of the games at the same visual quality, be small enough to be portable and still be flexible enough to all other kinds of workloads.

I also wonder how well this would work with all the games that require you to do redeem an online pass. Can those be redeemed on the Xbox without an XBL subscription?

And if the PC software is only a faux LAN model, then you're in bigger trouble. Many titles don't support LAN's out of the box, so there isn't much to work with in that regard. Or they have paired down features (like the first string of COD titles).

[F34R]

Like what? By using XBC? That's a little disingenuous, FEAR.

While technically true in the strictest sense, this is by itself a completely different category of online gaming. It was kind of worth it back during the original Xbox with Halo 2, and was fun.

You're gonna have to elaborate a bit.

If that is your argument then there's not a whole lot of reason to own a console now is there? Mine as well pony up for a low tier PC that can play most of the games at the same visual quality, be small enough to be portable and still be flexible enough to all other kinds of workloads.

I also wonder how well this would work with all the games that require you to do redeem an online pass. Can those be redeemed on the Xbox without an XBL subscription?

And if the PC software is only a faux LAN model, then you're in bigger trouble. Many titles don't support LAN's out of the box, so there isn't much to work with in that regard. Or they have paired down features (like the first string of COD titles).

Correct, it's a different category... it's free. If you want the services and features you get with Xbox Live, you have to pay for it. You don't get that type of service for online play from any other console for free. Elaborate? Nah, it's easy to learn about what is available, etc.

It's not an argument... people wanna play online for free, there's the option. If you want the features and services on the Xbox 360, then you'll need to pay for those services you don't get free anywhere else in the console market.

[Vulgotha]

Correct, it's a different category... it's free. If you want the services and features you get with Xbox Live, you have to pay for it. You don't get that type of service for online play from any other console for free. Elaborate? Nah, it's easy to learn about what is available, etc.

It's not an argument... people wanna play online for free, there's the option. If you want the features and services on the Xbox 360, then you'll need to pay for those services you don't get free anywhere else in the console market.

Yea, no, bullshit.

If you just want to play online, the way the console was meant to be played online, you have to pay. PSN lets me play online for free and for alot of gamers who don't really need all the other crap, this is just fine.

I get messenging, I get a friends list, I can play online, I get achievements\trophies (this isn't even important to me personally). I don't pay a cent. STEAM is all this, more, and a bag of chips of course.

So saying "Well, can always just do XBC and play for free!11" is just a little bit touched in the head.

"Well if you want to play with other people online, you can always do LAN parties! Even though every other competitor out there offers online for free (Wii, STEAM\PC, PSN), we're not going to. BUT YOU STILL HAVE THE OPTION OF USING A THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE TO SIMULATE A "LAN" TO PLAY ONLINE MAYBE IF THERE IS A POPULATION FOR YOUR TITLE + IT HAS LAN FEATURES OUT OF THE BOX!"

C'mon.

[F34R]

Either play only for free without the features, or pay for them. Simple.

[Vulgotha]

Either play only for free without the features, or pay for them. Simple.

Yes.

And for this reason I place XBL in dead last of the three. I can't be bothered to try and conjure up some fanciful arguments as to why its a great deal.

[F34R]

Yes.

And for this reason I place XBL in dead last of the three. I can't be bothered to try and conjure up some fanciful arguments as to why its a great deal.

I don't see anyone conjuring up any arguments. Just facts. You either are fine with having less features, but no cost involved; or you pay for the features you won't get on any other consoles. If Sony implemented the online gaming features that are present with having a Gold membership, I'd pay for it too.

[Georges]

With PSN Plus though, Sony takes it a step farther. Members of the Plus service get all sorts of discounts on games (generally more games than Gold members as well), but they also get to download free games each month.

This alone seals the deal for me

[F34R]

This alone seals the deal for me

It seals it this year so far for me. Last year, not so much. PS+ (there isn't an PSN Plus) has been better than Gold content.

[Georges]

It seals it this year so far for me. Last year, not so much. PS+ (there isn't an PSN Plus) has been better than Gold content.

I am sure of that. The main reason for this is that games cost 60-80 bucks regardless of content over here, and the games seem pretty good so that's a plus.
Also, if you have noticed my avatar you might see i'm an inFAMOUS fan, and the sequel isn't available here so the ability to legally download the sequel of my favorite game for free is amazing .

[YoungMullah88]

Ok, maybe I should help explain this... buying a game on the 360, and wanting to play online free, CAN BE DONE!! Gold membership is not a requirement to play online. Gold membership is required to use Microsoft services.

So, everyone that has a 360, and games they wanna play online for free... do a little research, play the games for free. So there you go. You don't have to pay more cash to use it.

huh? i dont need gold to play games online on the 360? when did this happen?

[F34R]

huh? i dont need gold to play games online on the 360? when did this happen?

A long time ago. You only need to Gold to use Microsoft services for the online play, apps, etc.