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[tsp_gatmog]

You...dont...play........games........online....
What's the fucking point? They should cut out the fat and make it pay-only. This could end up killing them in the end, if all people are gonna do is video fucking chat all day long for free.

 

[Yusaku]

You play games...on the weekend!

It's to get people attached to having gamercards and shit. And it lets non Live subscribers buy downloadable content and shit.

 

[Wendo]

You...dont...play........games........online....
What's the fucking point? They should cut out the fat and make it pay-only. This could end up killing them in the end, if all people are gonna do is video fucking chat all day long for free.

I'm really interested in seeing the quality of the videochat. If it looks better than videoconferencing on most PCs (and is free), you can bet that the Xbox 360 will sell quite well.

 

[Razoric]

You...dont...play........games........online....
What's the fucking point? They should cut out the fat and make it pay-only. This could end up killing them in the end, if all people are gonna do is video fucking chat all day long for free.

uh read up on business... maybe business 101, you should catch on pretty quick.

 

[PhatSaqs]

Has the weekend shit even been confirmed?

 

[tsp_gatmog]

Think about it, couldnt this seriously hurt MS? What if people just eat up all the Basic features (and their bandwith) for free?

 

[tsp_gatmog]

uh read up on business... maybe business 101, you should catch on pretty quick.

But this is more than giving them more than a 'taste', its everything besides gaming and downloadable content

 

[DarienA]

Has the weekend shit even been confirmed?

Most articles say it but at MS' site it only says:

"Connect your Xbox 360 to your broadband connection and get instant access to Xbox Live Silver. Express your digital identity through your Gamertag and gamer card, talk with others using voice chat, and access Xbox Live Marketplace—all right out of the box, at no extra cost."

Team Xbox has a chart...

http://features.teamxbox.com/xbox/1147/Xbox-360-Software-and-Services-Features/p1

and it's on the chart: "Free Xbox Live weekends"

 

[ToxicAdam]

So, no video chat .. just voice chat.

 

[jenov4]

Why not have a free service? Just look at MSN, Internet Explorer and all of the other 'free' stuff Microsoft provides. I'm sure they can subsidize it with banner ads also.

 

[cja]

Xbox Live Silver is a good solution for MMO games. Gamers don't get double-charged if they exclusively play MMOs from other publishers while Microsoft satisfies publishers that the XBL subscription isn't a barrier for entry. MS will be happy since they're sure to get a small cut of the MMO monthly fee and most of the bandwidth needs are shifted to the publisher. Square have already made a point of saying they wouldn't have done FFXI on XBL given the old fee structure.

 

[Wario64]

the point of xbox live basic? to get people wanting more and cough up $50. i think MS is smart offering a free basic service. it's like a "shareware" version of the real thing. it also allows them to sell premium downloadable content to the entire userbase instead of limiting the market to xbox live users

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

Has the weekend shit even been confirmed?

I take the "Free Xbox Live weekends" to be like the "free Showtime weekends" that happen every year or so. An intermittent thing to hook new subscribers.

 

[ToxicAdam]

Why not have a free service? Just look at MSN, Internet Explorer and all of the other 'free' stuff Microsoft provides. I'm sure they can subsidize it with banner ads also.

Because they can. It's their machine. What other choice do you have? On the PC you use AOL, Firefox, etc for those other programs.

 

[Sqrt_minus_one]

Think about it, couldnt this seriously hurt MS? What if people just eat up all the Basic features (and their bandwith) for free?

Shush, shut up you.



To the MS marketing department, please disregard this thread tjer is nothing to see here.

 

[vatstep]

I take the "Free Xbox Live weekends" to be like the "free Showtime weekends" that happen every year or so. An intermittent thing to hook new subscribers.

Exactly.

 

[JayFro]

Because they can. It's their machine. What other choice do you have? On the PC you use AOL, Firefox, etc for those other programs.

Sounds like a very good idea, it gives gamers a taste of live so they can see if they want to purchase it or not and it also lets them download content that would otherwise be strictly for live users. Sounds like a great idea.

 

[tsp_gatmog]

the point of xbox live basic? to get people wanting more and cough up $50. i think MS is smart offering a free basic service. it's like a "shareware" version of the real thing. it also allows them to sell premium downloadable content to the entire userbase instead of limiting the market to xbox live users

they dont get the DLC

 

[DarienA]

they dont get the DLC

The do according to the Team Xbox chart.

Xbox Live Marketplace
Credit card no longer required for Xbox Live access
Free and premium downloadable game content
Free and premium downloadable movies, music and TV
Downloadable game trailers/demos
Microtransactions

 

[Spider_Jerusalem]

But this is more than giving them more than a 'taste', its everything besides gaming and downloadable content

Do they make you pay for MSN? Or for using their many other internet services?

The point in Xbox Live Silver is that everyone with a broadband connection can plug the console in and go online. No registration at all. After that, you can download games demos, download movies, play MMORPGs (FF XI won't need a Gold account), get Live Arcade contents, download free games contents and updates, buy marketplace contents, play online in the weekend in unranked, unmatchmaked games. It's Xbox Live for the casual gamer. Absolutely great idea.

Are you an hardcore online gamer? Want to enter a clan? Play ranked games? Use matchmaking? Play online whenever you want? XBL Gold is for you.


MS, if you are in need of an italian PR representative I'm here, and I'm cheap :lol

 

[tsp_gatmog]

The do according to the Team Xbox chart.

Xbox Live Marketplace
Credit card no longer required for Xbox Live access
Free and premium downloadable game content
Free and premium downloadable movies, music and TV
Downloadable game trailers/demos
Microtransactions

New EGM says otherwise. Has everything checked off for Basic except for playing games and DLC.

 

[PhatSaqs]

Do they make you pay for MSN? Or for using their many other internet services?

The point in Xbox Live Silver is that everyone with a broadband connection can plug the console in and go online. No registration at all. After that, you can download games demos, download movies, play MMORPGs (FF XI won't need a Gold account), get Live Arcade contents, download free games contents and updates, buy marketplace contents, play online in the weekend in unranked, unmatchmaked games. It's Xbox Live for the casual gamer. Absolutely great idea.

Are you an hardcore online gamer? Want to enter a clan? Play ranked games? Use matchmaking? Play online whenever you want? XBL Gold is for you.


MS, if you are in need of an italian PR representative I'm here, and I'm cheap :lol

:lol :lol

 

[Wario64]

New EGM says otherwise. Has everything checked off for Basic except for playing games and DLC.

well i think you need to improve your reading skills. "download free or paid content" is checked under Xbox Live Silver

 

[tsp_gatmog]

well i think you need to improve your reading skills. "download free or paid content" is checked under Xbox Live Silver

yeah, im referring to the one that says "Early Access to Downloadable Content"...thought it said Easy...

 

[bitwise]

well i dont know what else we can tell ya.

believe what you will I guess.

 

[Spider_Jerusalem]

For the full and official XBL 360 features, download the"Live Fact Sheet" from here:

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/e32005/20050512-xbox360downloads.htm

it effectively doesn't mention free play during the weekends, but it was reported by multiple unofficial sources... I suppose well'have to wait and see.

A brief abstract from the doc:

Multiple Levels of Service
On Xbox 360, you'll have a choice of service level. The Xbox Live Silver service means you can connect your Xbox 360 console to a broadband Internet connection and get functionality right out of the box. The premium Xbox Live Gold service delivers the complete online connection package. The breakdown is as follows:
Xbox Live Silver level
• Create an online Gamer Profile
• Access the Xbox Live Marketplace
• Engage in voice and text messaging
• Talk to a single friend at a time using voice chat
• Receive video messages from Gold level members
• Access massively multiplayer online games (additional fees may apply)
Xbox Live Gold level
• Paid level of service
• All the features of Silver level, and additionally:
o Play multiplayer games online
o Video chat
o Multiplayer online tournaments
o Participate in Xbox Live online programming, such as Game with Fame, Play and Win, and Prime Time activities

 

[teruterubozu]

XBOX LIVE SILVER = VelocityGirl package

So you can sell T-shirts...

 

[Pedigree Chum]

My mission is clear. With no credit card needed for XBL, I will get my hands on each and every one of those 2 month free trials....and no need to call their harrasing customer service reps to cancel

Not to MS: Do not discontinue the issuing of 2 month free cards.

 

[EviLore]

Think about it, couldnt this seriously hurt MS? What if people just eat up all the Basic features (and their bandwith) for free?

Ask Blizzard how many billions of dollars maintaining Battle.net has cost them. Not even taking into account rev from the banner ads or whatever.

If Live Silver does include online multiplayer weekends, what of it? It's *matchmaking*. It's not hurting them financially unless it turns out that people who would've otherwise bought Gold are satisfied with only playing on the weekends. That's a legitimate part of your concern, but the bandwidth aspect isn't ;b

 

[VictimOfGrief]

Basic is an Ad to get you to upgrade. Big suprise.

 

[Sysgen]

Basic is an Ad to get you to upgrade. Big suprise.

It might be more than an ad for Gold membership. I'm looking at it from the perspective that says MS can say we have 8 million Live users versus saying we have 2 million Live subscribers. Though the subscribers makes them more profit, users makes them more powerful and for whatever their plans are for Live (Book of Xenon anyone?) might also make them more profit.

 

[Deleted member 1235]

My mission is clear. With no credit card needed for XBL, I will get my hands on each and every one of those 2 month free trials....and no need to call their harrasing customer service reps to cancel

Not to MS: Do not discontinue the issuing of 2 month free cards.

Here is my story of cancelling my live account

Me: Hello I would like to cancel my live account please
Xbox: Why?
Me: ?
Me: Selling my xbox
Xbox: Why would you want to do that?
Me: ER
Xbox: Please Give me your address so I can verify your details
Me: *gives address*
Xbox: Thats not your address
Me: Yes it is
Xbox: Nope
Me: Oh I see whats happened here, Microsoft only saw NZ worthy to give us live last year, so I had to buy an Australian subscription, what is on there is a nonsense address. Does it look like a nonsense address?
Xbox: No, this looks like a relevant address actually.
Me: Ok I'll check the xbox and call you back.
Me: Hi I have the address now
Xbox: Ok sir, what is the address
Me: 14 DOODY street New South Wales Canberra
Xbox: So thats not a real address?

That guy was a genius.

 

[Cerebral Palsy]

You...dont...play........games........online....
What's the fucking point? They should cut out the fat and make it pay-only. This could end up killing them in the end, if all people are gonna do is video fucking chat all day long for free.

Uh, so EVERYONE that has broadband and an Xbox can give XBL a test drive? A lot of people will probably sign up for XBL this time around who weren't willing to pay to see if they liked it before.

Plus they can still sell music/movies/whateverthefuck to people that aren't interested in gaming online.

Smart move by MS. VelocityGirl is going to love the Xbox 360.

 

[Pedigree Chum]

Here is my story of cancelling my live account

Me: Hello I would like to cancel my live account please
Xbox: Why?
Me: ?
Me: Selling my xbox
Xbox: Why would you want to do that?
Me: ER
Xbox: Please Give me your address so I can verify your details
Me: *gives address*
Xbox: Thats not your address
Me: Yes it is
Xbox: Nope
Me: Oh I see whats happened here, Microsoft only saw NZ worthy to give us live last year, so I had to buy an Australian subscription, what is on there is a nonsense address. Does it look like a nonsense address?
Xbox: No, this looks like a relevant address actually.
Me: Ok I'll check the xbox and call you back.
Me: Hi I have the address now
Xbox: Ok sir, what is the address
Me: 14 DOODY street New South Wales Canberra
Xbox: So thats not a real address?

That guy was a genius.

LOL

Me: "Hi I'd like to cancel my XBL subscription"
XBox: "Why?"
Me: "I sold my XBox"
XBox: "Well you can keep the subscription and transfer it over the guy you sold it to"
Me: "Too much of a hassle, I'd rather just cancel it"
XBox: "Why is it that you sold it?" <---FUCK YOU BITCH THIS IS NONE OF YOUR CONCERN!
Me: "School is taking up most of my time, no time for gaming (lie)"
Xbox: "That's understandable, blah blah blah (for 10mins, socializing)

Finally after all that she cancelled it. Jesus christ, I swear it seemed like she was ready to give me a bj if I could somehow keep XBL.

 

[Mashing]

It's called a loss leader. Brick and mortar stores have been using this marketing tactic for ages now. You take a small loss (free basic xbox live on weekends) by offering up services/products at reduced prices/free to get the customer in the store so they can buy more premium products (xbox live gold).

 

[stewy]

The folks who ask you why you're cancelling your account aren't doing it because they're stupid. They're doing it because they'll be fired if they don't. Any of you ever worked in a call centre?

 

[teruterubozu]

Smart move by MS. VelocityGirl is going to love the Xbox 360.

We all know there is no such thing as a VelocityGirl. I don't know one girl who would by a gaming console for three figures just to chat, listen to music and make T-shirts.
Yeah, and "Beatbuillder" is going to ditch his Protools for an Xbox 360!

<Dr. Evil>"One Billion Customers!"<Dr. Evil>

 

[GhaleonEB]

It's called a loss leader. Brick and mortar stores have been using this marketing tactic for ages now. You take a small loss (free basic xbox live on weekends) by offering up services/products at reduced prices/free to get the customer in the store so they can buy more premium products (xbox live gold).

It removes a few barriers to entry as well. Imagine dabbling in Live without all the hassle of registering with your credit card and personal information; you'd get to see the features, download a few demos and occasionally sample full online play. If that's enough for you, great. It still serves as a tool to get more demos out there, among other things. Definately a tickler service, but I'm surprised at how much is included.

 

[seismologist]

"Basic is an Ad to get you to upgrade. Big suprise."

Also it's so you can still spend money even though you cant play against people online.

 

[GhaleonEB]

"Basic is an Ad to get you to upgrade. Big suprise."

Also it's so you can still spend money even though you cant play against people online.

New XBox Live slogan - It's good to spend together

 

[dorio]

I think the free weekends aren't every weekend just promotional weekends.

 

[Legal Step]

Gold members get encouraging voice messages from itagaki and J allard!

 

[Pedigree Chum]

New XBox Live slogan - It's good to spend together

:lol

 

[Cerebral Palsy]

We all know there is no such thing as a VelocityGirl.

LIES! ALL LIES!

 

[teruterubozu]

I thought VelocityGirl was ridiculous at the conference, but when I entered the Xenon theater and realized she's supposed to be Japanese, it reached a whole new level of absurdity.

A Japanese girl buying Xbox 360? :lol

In Microsoft's wildest dreams!

 

[User 406]

The point of Xbox Live Silver is that fucktards who have been rationalizing paying for basic peer-to-peer online play by claiming that all that auxiliary community/gamertag/instant messaging crap was expensive enough to somehow justify a subscription fee no longer have a leg to stand on. Because it's all free in XBL Silver. Except, of course, the important part where you play peer-to-peer games. The part that NOBODY ELSE IN THE FUCKING WORLD CHARGES FOR.

I honestly thought Microsoft couldn't do any serious fucking people over in the game market unless they gained majority marketshare first. I underestimated them again. This meme of assuming basic peer-to-peer play merits a fee is getting too widespread, and if Sony and Nintendo follow suit, god fuck all of you who rolled over and took it up the ass, AGAIN. >:|

 

[AtomicShroom]

The point of Xbox Live Silver is that fucktards who have been rationalizing paying for basic peer-to-peer online play by claiming that all that auxiliary community/gamertag/instant messaging crap was expensive enough to somehow justify a subscription fee no longer have a leg to stand on. Because it's all free in XBL Silver. Except, of course, the important part where you play peer-to-peer games. The part that NOBODY ELSE IN THE FUCKING WORLD CHARGES FOR.

I honestly thought Microsoft couldn't do any serious fucking people over in the game market unless they gained majority marketshare first. I underestimated them again. This meme of assuming basic peer-to-peer play merits a fee is getting too widespread, and if Sony and Nintendo follow suit, god fuck all of you who rolled over and took it up the ass, AGAIN. >:|

This man makes a very valid point. I hope Sony makes online play free of charge, forcing MS to have to follow suit.

 

[VictimOfGrief]

It might be more than an ad for Gold membership. I'm looking at it from the perspective that says MS can say we have 8 million Live users versus saying we have 2 million Live subscribers. Though the subscribers makes them more profit, users makes them more powerful and for whatever their plans are for Live (Book of Xenon anyone?) might also make them more profit.

Well, if they say Xbox Live.... and Xbox Live GOLD, then I would assume the #'s can't be the same.

 

[PhatSaqs]

I now hear the sound of newborn babies crying in this thread...

 

[Redbeard]

The point of Xbox Live Silver is that fucktards who have been rationalizing paying for basic peer-to-peer online play by claiming that all that auxiliary community/gamertag/instant messaging crap was expensive enough to somehow justify a subscription fee no longer have a leg to stand on. Because it's all free in XBL Silver. Except, of course, the important part where you play peer-to-peer games. The part that NOBODY ELSE IN THE FUCKING WORLD CHARGES FOR.

I honestly thought Microsoft couldn't do any serious fucking people over in the game market unless they gained majority marketshare first. I underestimated them again. This meme of assuming basic peer-to-peer play merits a fee is getting too widespread, and if Sony and Nintendo follow suit, god fuck all of you who rolled over and took it up the ass, AGAIN. >:|

You're not going to be playing 64-player PDZ matches peer-to-peer.