PC gamers won't have to pay for Xbox Live

[Bob_McMillan]

I don't know if the Escapist reported on this already, but here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLdSL5e8KGg

I mean it's great that PC gamers don't have to pay for it, but how the hell can they expect console gamers to continue paying for PS+ or Xbox Live now? I get that Microsoft wants to make amends for them mishandling PC gaming, but don't they give a damn about the Xbone? Its already getting its ass kicked by the PS4, and making PC gaming even more attractive than it already is won't help. I have PS+, and while the occasional free game and discount is nice, I still don't think its worth 50 bucks.

I hate how Rich, the guy in the video, always says not having to pay for a subscription is a bonus of PC gaming. No, its not a fucking bonus for PC, its a negative for consoles. This is only the second generation where there was something like this, at least in my knowledge, and this generation is only a few years old. Things like PS+ and Xbox Live shouldn't even exist, on any gaming platform.

The only good thing that could possibly come out of this is that maybe this is the first step of Microsoft and Sony to end online subscriptions. If they did, how would they reimburse PS+ and Xbox Live subscribers though?

 

[seris]

games for windows live was basically xbox live on pc and nobody had to pay for that. console gamers didnt complain then, i dont think they will complain now either. Microsoft knows that on PC they cant get away with subscription fees on their live service anyway.

And about 'reimbursement' for console gamers? they already get a free game every month with games with gold.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

It's a trap. It won't be any better than GFWL and it's another attempt to enslave us to their shitty services. That was their plan with the Xbone initially. To make people depend on Microsoft for all of their digital entertainment. Just don't fall for it. If we ignore Xbox Live for the PC, developers who develop games exclusively for it will have to abandon that platform.

 

[Smooth Operator]

There is not a single positive thing about this. They just announced another DRM system, even if the magical "no charge" thing holds for a while they will have devs and users yet again tied into their awful systems, which was also specifically pointed out to be Windows 10 exclusive.

And what if they get enough traction with GFWL 2... "oh did we say free forever, no that was a misunderstanding".

 

[Bob_McMillan]

games for windows live was basically xbox live on pc and nobody had to pay for that. console gamers didnt complain then, i dont think they will complain now either. Microsoft knows that on PC they cant get away with subscription fees on their live service anyway.

And about 'reimbursement' for console gamers? they already get a free game every month with games with gold.

Maybe because Windows Live was less of a useless thing and more of a detriment? I wouldn't know, never had to deal with it. And there are console players complaining already.

By reimbursement, I meant how Sony and Microsoft would make it up to people who had been paying the subscription fees if they stopped requiring PS+ or Xbox Live for playing online. I would be pissed if I paid for an entire year of subscription to play online only for Microsoft or Sony to go back on their stance and let playing online be free again.

 

[WouldYouKindly]

I won't be touching it if it's at all possible. I've still got a few gimped games in my library on account of GFWL.

 

[Pseudonym]

Well, console gamers can hop on their PC and play some team fortress (or a multitude of other games) for free right now. I don't see what this changes. If they were willing to put up with subscribtion fees until now, they might just not care that much if they can only play their games on a couch.

 

[MHR]

People, don't fall for this crap. We don't need GFWL2 Windows 10 exclusive should tell you enough anyway. It's a trap. Where's Ackbar when you need him?

 

[Mutant1988]

Honestly, Microsoft should pay us for supporting their monopolistic online services.

I won't be touching it if it's at all possible. I've still got a few gimped games in my library on account of GFWL.

I feel sad for the developers that have suffered a lack of profit due to my insistence on NOT buying any game with that garbage.

Notably, Lost Planet 2 (A game I do own, but consider fun enough to buy twice - Except it has GFWL) and Iron Brigade.

 

[duwenbasden]

I get that Microsoft wants to make amends for them mishandling PC gaming, but don't they give a damn about the Xbone?

Less amending, more can't charge because Steam exists. Anything more than free and no one will use the service. Since that problem doesn't exist on the Bone, Microsoft has no incentive to give Gold out for free.

 

[Username Redacted]

I think the question that M$ isn't asking but should be with regards to their plans that to me sounds like GFWL 2.0 is: How does this service benefit the consumer? If the answer varies from "It doesn't" or "The negatives outweigh the positives" then they're not making this service for the benefit of the consumer but rather as a leash to keep the consumer tethered to their service. I am also aware of how blindingly obvious this is...well is to everyone but M$ apparently, but it really is frustrating to see the same mistakes get repeated to this degree. Vaas needs to have a conversation with M$ marketing and development people apparently:

 

[DeadlyYellow]

Things like PS+ and Xbox Live shouldn't even exist, on any gaming platform.

I disagree, PS+ was great on the PS3. An optional service that offered a handful of free games every month, as well as an additional discount for digital purchases. Basic buy-club with benefits.

games for windows live was basically xbox live on pc and nobody had to pay for that.

One could argue that having to use GFWL was payment enough.

 

[ObsidianJones_v1legacy]

I mean it's great that PC gamers don't have to pay for it, but how the hell can they expect console gamers to continue paying for PS+ or Xbox Live now? I get that Microsoft wants to make amends for them mishandling PC gaming, but don't they give a damn about the Xbone? Its already getting its ass kicked by the PS4, and making PC gaming even more attractive than it already is won't help. I have PS+, and while the occasional free game and discount is nice, I still don't think its worth 50 bucks.

I hate how Rich, the guy in the video, always says not having to pay for a subscription is a bonus of PC gaming. No, its not a fucking bonus for PC, its a negative for consoles. This is only the second generation where there was something like this, at least in my knowledge, and this generation is only a few years old. Things like PS+ and Xbox Live shouldn't even exist, on any gaming platform.

I don't know if he went about it correctly, but I do get what he's saying.

What I'm using to talk to you now? I can use it to draw buildings as I have autocad and I have a certificate to do so. I can draw up work out plans as I'm also a personal trainer. I can code games if I ever get to those Udemy courses, I can make music... This laptop in front of me was designed to be able to do everything. To take everything and to use it to my wants, or if it can't take certain things, to make sure I can find something to at least simulate my wants.

Gaming Consoles are made for gaming. And specifically, gaming via their design brand. There are not simulation programs. If you want to play DMC, you will get DMC. You can not add a function that'll port PS2 games onto your Xbone. There is no variety when you get a console. It is what they want to include and only want they want.

You can not go to PC and say "Ok, we're limiting you to this. This will enhance your experience. Be prepared to pay for the experience and love us for it". They will fail. You can't go to Origin, Steam, GOG, Green Man Gaming, Desura, and Amazon on the Xbox One and the PS4. On those consoles, again, it's whatever their respective companies deem fit to give you.

If in the board meeting where Microsoft got together and decided they were going to push back for PC, if one of those idiots said "Ok, so we're going to charge for them like we do for console, right?"... I hope that man was fired on the spot. Because he's the same plague that's destroying our hobby. Reading the room vs Monetization is killing the market.

Besides, we really don't know what kind of service they are going to use. Will they house their own servers? Will they rely on Steam or Origin? We don't even know what their overhead cost will be.

 

[kasperbbs]

If they charged for it then they would have no customers on PC since there is competition for such services unlike on the xbox. Xbox users simply don't have a choice, either you pay for it or you don't play online, simple as that. But i wouldn't be surprised if they did implement some kind of payment system once they have enough users to milk after a couple of years.

 

[Mutant1988]

Vaas needs to have a conversation with M$ marketing and development people apparently:

Vaas is disqualified due to his association with Ubisoft. You know, yearly broken games, cut out features (Use a tablet or phone to access the rest of the game!) and redundant DMR front-end Ubisoft?

They are just as bad, but not successful enough to extent their bull**** to the very systems we play games on.

 

[Jamash]

Console owners don't have to pay for Xbox Live either, they can get the free Silver membership if they want to. They only have to pay for Xbox Live if they want multiplayer and all the other benefits of a Gold membership.

PC owners won't have to pay for multiplayer, but that not the same as them being granted an Xbox Live Gold membership for free.

What the PC owners are getting as free as part of the OS license and what console owners pay for as part for a Gold subscription aren't even comparable products. PC owners aren't going to get free Games With Gold for example, or discount on Xbox Live games just for having a PC with Windows 10 installed on it.

Saying "PC owners won't have to pay for Xbox Live while console owners do" is either a dishonest or naive representation of the facts of the matter and the differences between the two platforms.

You could make an equally false and sensational point by saying that "Xbox Owners Get Given Windows For Free Unlike PC Owners Who Are Forced To Pay For A License!" when pointing to the fact that the OS comes as part of the console and isn't bought separately.

 

[Mutant1988]

Console owners don't have to pay for Xbox Live either, they can get the free Silver membership if they want to. They only have to pay for Xbox Live if they want multiplayer and all the other benefits of a Gold membership.

PC owners won't have to pay for multiplayer, but that not the same as them being granted an Xbox Live Gold membership for free.

What the PC owners are getting as free as part of the OS license and what console owners pay for as part for a Gold subscription aren't even comparable products. PC owners aren't going to get free Games With Gold for example, or discount on Xbox Live games just for having a PC with Windows 10 installed on it.

Saying "PC owners won't have to pay for Xbox Live while console owners do" is either a dishonest or naive representation of the facts of the matter and the differences between the two platforms.

You could make an equally false and sensational point by saying that "Xbox Owners Get Given Windows For Free Unlike PC Owners Who Are Forced To Pay For A License!" when pointing to the fact that the OS comes as part of the console and isn't bought separately.

It's a valid comparison of what the service offers compared to what PC users can get for free to fill the same purpose. Or compared to what they can pay for, that is of superior quality (Dedicated servers).

It's a market place and a pay gate to online play. Two things a PC gamer can access for free and with superior terms and selection. On Xbox Live, there's ONE market place. On PC, there's multiple.

Games for Gold? Paying a subscription to obtain products is not a new concept, nor is it particularly good in regards to video games. Being able to purchase a product at a lower price, when you want that specific product, is far more beneficial to the end user.

Playstation Plus? That's essentially a rental and paying for discounts you may or may not have any desire to use. Most of the time, you are paying monthly for something that is of absolutely no use for you.

 

[Vigormortis]

Call me when the title of the thread changes from:

PC gamers won't have to pay for Xbox Live

to:

PC gamers won't have to use Xbox Live

then, maybe, we can talk.

 

[Hairless Mammoth]

Damn straight PC gamers will not pay for Xbox Live. They've been burnt by MS's attempts at controlling a major part of the PC games market with GFWL. (I was lucky to not have as much interest in the games they held for ransom at the time.) Furthermore, there are so many competitors that provide free multiplayer, that PC gamers looking at a non-MMO game will not buy it if they find out it costs money to play online. Only console gamers got hooked into paying for online multiplayer, and it became status quo, first for xbox, now for PS4. MS wants to find a way to get more money out of PC gaming, probably without much effort. GFWL failed. This is their next try, even if it's "free" for now.

Also, if this new service has horrible DRM (or stacks its DRM with others) on the games it sells, no smart PC user will touch them. The smart ones will let the fools feel the kettle and see if is too hot, then they might try one or two exclusive titles, if it seems safe. If I get Win 10 (with its "carrot on the stick" type free upgrade for Win 7 & 8 users for the first year deal), I still won't buy anything from them, just to be safe.

 

[AT God]

Literally the only way Microsoft would even manage to get my attention would be if Windows 10 was able to play Xbox games (even just original and 360 games). If that was a feature that came with the OS for free and no bullshit, I would look into Windows 10. Other than that, if they want to try and revive GFWL under some new name and try to make amends, they can go ahead and watch me continue to play games through Steam and GoG. Though if they did cross-platform play with PC and Xbone I might check it out because I have a feeling FPS games would be all kinds of fun against people on controllers.