So what is it you're actually paying for with Live Gold?

[TelHybrid]

I brought up the fact that running the multiplayer network of xbox live incurs little to no cost towards Microsoft. Why is this? It's peer to peer. No servers at all.

From what I understand, the money from Gold members goes toward keeping download servers fast, faster then PSN's download speed from what I've been told (I don't have a PS3). It also goes toward hosting demos and videos, since MS doesn't charge the developers to do that (Sony does). Plus a few 'extras' that people enjoy, like Facebook and Twitter access and party chat (Which I personally love).

It makes sense to me.
I also don't think charging $5 a month is 'unethical'.
Ethics has nothing to do with it. This isn't medicine, it's a luxury.

The thing is, the only features Gold (paying) members get that Silver (non-paying) members don't get are online gameplay (peer to peer, which should be free) and social networking (which let's face it, anyone with an internet connection is going to own a computer, so can do it through those).

The faster download speeds and hosted demos and videos you mentioned are available to Silver members.

This is deceptive. I would rather have free online (the way it should be) and have the option of paying for a service where you get demos and videos. I suppose I prefer the Playstation Plus method.

I admit, I'm a really fussy consumer that expects a damn high standard, and expects to actually be paying for what's advertised, rather than tricked into paying for a service that should be free, to allow other gamers to download demos and videos for free.

Hope I'm not coming off as a fanboy by the way. Trust me I have a fair few negative comments towards Sony as well, but they're irrelevant to this thread.

 

[Superfly CJ]

Well gold members, as mentioned get Facebook, Twitter, party chat, access to demos earlier, access to DLC earlier, gold only contests, and access to netflix. Seems like a fair trade.

Having to pay for Facebook and Twitter is pretty obscene though. I can see party chat being nice under some situations. One week earlier demos... eh, it's not like it's exclusive, silver members get it anyway, same with DLC. Netflix you have to pay for anyway though, and it's US only. What are in the contests to actually make it wortwhile?

We technically don't pay for Facebook and Twitter- Xbox Live had the same cost before those services were implemented.

...and if you need the lure of contests in order to invest in what is, first and foremost, a gaming service, then I don't really think Xbox Live is for you. Personally, i'm happy to pay £40 a year towards servers and the occasional deal on XBLA. Microsoft support older games and provide a sturdy infrastructure for the more independent newer titles, and I couldn't ask for more.

Besides, Xbox has all the exclusives that interest me, so i'm going to invest in their service regardless, if not just to play games like Gears of War online.

 

[Weaver]

I feel Gold is a complete waste of money as I've been gaming online for free since Warcraft 2.