Jim Sterling says PS+ humiliates the game industry

[Epona]

PlayStation Plus is one of the most consumer-friendly, convenient, and worthwhile ideas to hit the PlayStation 3. More importantly, in an industry where publishers are trying to take more money than ever for less content, Sony's the guiding light in how to draw a steady payday from users in a way that makes everybody happy.

The company recently revealed Plus' discounts and giveaways amounted to a cumulative $2,472 in 2012. While it's unlikely a customer downloaded absolutely everything required to get these savings, it would be quite easy to at least make back the $50 entry fee in content.

Compare this to Microsoft, a company struggling more and more to justify its subscription service with a straight face. The Xbox 360 owner has systematically worked to hold its content to ransom in an increasingly futile bid to make Xbox Live Gold look worth its fee. The biggest feature is, of course, online play -- something available for free on PS3, Wii U, and PC. The company took something that was already a given, and held it back.

Read more at http://www.destructoid.com/plus-points-sony-s-ps-plus-humiliates-the-game-industry-243470.phtml#fAkkciFgBbDv0B82.99

So, discuss. I think he's correct.

 

[alphamalet]

The Xbox 360 owner has systematically worked to hold its content to ransom in an increasingly futile bid to make Xbox Live Gold look worth its fee.

I'm not always the biggest fan of Jim Sterling, but this couldn't have been better put. It is so damn true that Microsoft has essentially rolled back a lot of what used to incentivize paying for the damn service to begin with, and fervent Xbox fans do a tap-dance to justify an increasingly ridiculous business practice. I can't play original Xbox games on XBL anymore, the exclusivity of a bulk of the content Xbox Live once offered is becoming increasingly sparse, the interface has gotten progressively worse over the past couple of years, and Microsoft has the gaul to ask for more money for an increasingly worse service. No thanks, Microsoft.

 

[Epona]

The Xbox 360 owner has systematically worked to hold its content to ransom in an increasingly futile bid to make Xbox Live Gold look worth its fee.

I'm not always the biggest fan of Jim Sterling, but this couldn't have been better put. It is so damn true that Microsoft has essentially roll back a lot of what use to incentivize paying for the damn service to begin with, and fervent Xbox fans do a tap-dance to justify an increasingly ridiculous business practice. I can't play original Xbox games on XBL anymore, the exclusivity of a bulk of the content Xbox Live once offered is becoming increasingly sparse, the interface has gotten progressively worse over the past couple of years, and Microsoft has the gaul to ask for more money for an increasingly worse service. No thanks, Microsoft.

They keep adding services so they can have a long list that looks impressive and worth $60 a year but most people will never use 90% of those services. Locking services behind a paywall that can be obtained for free elsewhere is not what I call a good value.

 

[krazykidd]

Ugh 4 $ a month isn't much , people spend more than that in coffee in a day . Plus i find XbL has a better internet connection than PS3, so if i'm paying 4$ a month to have a better connection with online games , i'll gladly pay.

 

[Epona]

Ugh 4 $ a month isn't much , people spend more than that in coffee in a day . Plus i find XbL has a better internet connection than PS3, so if i'm paying 4$ a month to have a better connection with online games , i'll gladly pay.

Ok, good for you. What you are really doing is paying that $4 a month to unlock features of games that you already paid for. For example, when you buy Black Ops 2 on the PS3 you get to play single player and multiplayer online with your $60, but if you buy the 360 version, you need to pay extra to play online.

 

[Supertegwyn]

Ugh 4 $ a month isn't much , people spend more than that in coffee in a day . Plus i find XbL has a better internet connection than PS3, so if i'm paying 4$ a month to have a better connection with online games , i'll gladly pay.

Since when has that been the case? I have owned both in the past, and they each had equal internet connections.

 

[daveman247]

Gonna have to agree with the article, ps plus has been making xbox live look like a joke as of late. And im a 360 user. dlc (extra missions or maps) used to be free on the old xbox. Then it cost a little, then it slowly went up over the years. Now its standard to pay 800-1200 points for anything.

Their "rewards" system is just measely when compared to psplus. Hell just a few weeks ago i got a "thankyou" email from microsoft for my loyalty to xbox live for several years. My reward: 40 microsoft points. Whoopdy doo.


Problem is it would cost me more at this point to try and jump to another platform/ replace my catalogue of games. Kind of stuck now :/


When i eventually get around to the next-gen consoles (whenever they come out) i'll definitely be looking at a different platform of choice. Unless microsoft steps up to the plate, but i doubt it.

 

[Epona]

When i eventually get around to the next-gen consoles (whenever they come out) i'll definitely but looking at a different platform of choice. Unless microsoft steps up to the plate, but i doubt it.

You can expect more Kinect, ads and services from Microsoft next gen.

 

[Zeckt]

Gonna have to agree with the article, ps plus has been making xbox live look like a joke as of late. And im a 360 user. dlc (extra missions or maps) used to be free on the old xbox. Then it cost a little, then it slowly went up over the years. Now its standard to pay 800-1200 points for anything.

Their "rewards" system is just measely when compared to psplus. Hell just a few weeks ago i got a "thankyou" email from microsoft for my loyalty to xbox live for several years. My reward: 40 microsoft points. Whoopdy doo.


Problem is it would cost me more at this point to try and jump to another platform/ replace my catalogue of games. Kind of stuck now :/


When i eventually get around to the next-gen consoles (whenever they come out) i'll definitely but looking at a different platform of choice. Unless microsoft steps up to the plate, but i doubt it.

Thank you for over a DECADE of loyal support! here's 50 cent's, buy yourself a lollipop you sucker!

note : lollipop costs 50 ms points and I'm afraid you were only given 40. Please buy 800 more ms points to have a wonderful lollipop!

(not insulting you, just poking fun at what I REALLY think that email was saying)

 

[Batou667]

Jim Sterling usually talks up a load of shite.

Today he's correct. The current Xbox Live model (complete with microtransactions, paying for DLC that would usually be free, etc) is cynical and overpriced. I'm an Xbox Live user and I've defended the subscription fee in the past but I'm running out of reasons to convince myself it's OK.

 

[hazabaza1]

Yeah, PS+ is really good.
Loads of free games and movies, discounts... great stuff.

 

[daveman247]

Thank you for over a DECADE of loyal support! here's 50 cent's, buy yourself a lollipop you sucker!

note : lollipop costs 50 ms points and I'm afraid you were only given 40. Please buy 800 more ms points to have a wonderful lollipop!

(not insulting you, just poking fun at what I REALLY think that email was saying)

Ill say. It was pretty much an insult XD

You can't even buy anything for 40 points!


Actually, i will say xbox live do pretty good weekly sales on live arcade games. But considering most of them are overpriced anyway, its not saying much :/

 

[TrevHead]

I pay of gold, dunno why most of the time since I don't have any interest in console FPS and Sports while other oldschool console games hardly have anybody playing them, my guess is that most ppl play those games on the PS3 which I sadly don't have.

As for ppl buying and playing XBLA games online? haha that's a joke. If MS wanted to be competative, they should run daily XBLA sales like Steam and allow silver account holders access to XBLA games servers. Atleast it would give gold account payers someone to play with.

 

[Tanis]

Ever since I first got PSN+ as a gift...I've REALLY enjoyed it.

From the 'free' games (it's basically a rental, but whatever) to all the discounts...
That alone is better then XBL.

That's not even counting the CLOUD SAVE program.
Holy crap do I LOVE that!

 

[Terramax]

Thing is, people complain about Microsoft, yet still pay them money anyway. Therefore, it doesn't surprise me that MS continue this practice.

If people want to make a change, they need to stop paying for the ridiculous services they pay for. I've owned a 360 for about 2 years now, and even when online has been on a sale for just £1 a month for a 3 months trial, I've refused to pay, simply on principle.

 

[ShinyCharizard]

Ugh 4 $ a month isn't much , people spend more than that in coffee in a day . Plus i find XbL has a better internet connection than PS3, so if i'm paying 4$ a month to have a better connection with online games , i'll gladly pay.

Since when has that been the case? I have owned both in the past, and they each had equal internet connections.

I have both currently, and the Xbox is simply the better console for online play.

 

[Epona]

Thing is, people complain about Microsoft, yet still pay them money anyway. Therefore, it doesn't surprise me that MS continue this practice.

If people want to make a change, they need to stop paying for the ridiculous services they pay for. I've owned a 360 for about 2 years now, and even when online has been on a sale for just £1 a month for a 3 months trial, I've refused to pay, simply on principle.

People are coming around, in time it will become the majority opinion the Live is not worth it. I think Microsoft knows Live looks pretty bad which is why they keep adding services.

 

[The_Lost_King]

Ugh 4 $ a month isn't much , people spend more than that in coffee in a day . Plus i find XbL has a better internet connection than PS3, so if i'm paying 4$ a month to have a better connection with online games , i'll gladly pay.

Since when has that been the case? I have owned both in the past, and they each had equal internet connections.

I have both currently, and the Xbox is simply the better console for online play.

How? I have played online with both my consoles and I haven't had any noticeable difference.

I never used PS+ but it sounds great so good job Sony.

 

[BrotherRool]

Thing is, people complain about Microsoft, yet still pay them money anyway. Therefore, it doesn't surprise me that MS continue this practice.

If people want to make a change, they need to stop paying for the ridiculous services they pay for. I've owned a 360 for about 2 years now, and even when online has been on a sale for just £1 a month for a 3 months trial, I've refused to pay, simply on principle.

People are coming around, in time it will become the majority opinion the Live is not worth it. I think Microsoft knows Live looks pretty bad which is why they keep adding services.

Half the services they add are stuff people get free on the PS3 and require subscription though. Thats the weirdest part of it, when they put stuff like Netflix, which you have to pay for, behind a paywall.

And the iPlayer! Free BBC content that can be got on your TV, on your PC and on a PS3 for free and tt actually took the iPlayer longer to come to the 360, because the BBC weren't sure it was even legal for them to give MS a service which is supposed to be free that MS would then charge for, before eventually MS gave in and let it be seen for free.

They are literally denying services that would the companies probably would/do pay for them to add so that they can put any extra charge on top