I really enjoy reading doobiwan’s evil genius column that gets published whenever he gets a new brainwave into his head.
His latest one really hit home though as I am about to setup a new gamertag for my wife so that we can co-op N+ with some other friends over Live.
The problem however is that I don’t want to buy a months subscription for a night every now and then. So I have been out begging for 48 hour tokens.
However doobiwan has the solution, if only Microsoft would listen. (reproduced with permission, thanks)
While I’m happy to pay for Xbox Live gold myself, the idea of mandatory subscriptions in general bother me. Things like those Premium rate SMS ads on telly that hit you for R30 a month and don’t tell you how to unsubscribe, it all comes across as, well, evil.
Likewise XBL currently reminds me a bit of the early days of cell phones in SA. You could only get one by signing up for a 2 year contract, and well, that was the options. The truth is different people use phones, or play games, differently. The cell market here really opened up, well it really became an explosion, with the introduction of pay as you go. So why not do the same for Live gold?
I still like my earlier idea of allowing free custom games, but this would address a different gamer demographic. Where free custom games address guys that just want to play with their RL friends, you have the opposite situation of a gamer who goes on seldomly who just wants to hook up for a quick round or two of matchmaking, maybe 2-3 times a month. The sort of gamer to whom spending $5 a month of Live seems a waste.
My suggestion: 80 points buys you a 48hour gold window, much like the free promo codes. Heck the SKU is already in the system they just need to add it to Marketplace.
Gamer ZA: Evil Genius 101: How to open Xbox Live part 2
Last Updated: March 27, 2008
RivaZA
March 27, 2008 at 10:35
Now that I think of it, why is a Gold account not purchasable with MS points? So if you want a month you buy a month. When the month is over it becomes silver again. Why is paying for gold subs different then paying for anything else on live. Why MS?
Sadly I think we all know the answer to that one 🙁
With PSN getting better all the time something got to give. Either sony is going to start charging to play online which I doubt, or MS is going to have to stop charging. Lets face it, the XBL is better PSN argument is starting to wear thin. While XBL is still better, PSN is improving and will eventually become it’s equal. The MS will not have a leg to stand on regarding Gold Subs.
doobiwan
March 27, 2008 at 11:44
I agree Riva, I really think it will happen in some way or form, it has to or Microsoft would completely lose their advantage. If history serves anything, it proves that Microsoft do respond to competitive pressure, even if somewhat slowly.
That’s the thing with my comments. I’m under no illusion, I expect Microsoft to have already consider these options. It’s just fun trying to guess where they’re going 😉
doobiwan’s last blog post..Evil Genius 101: How to open Xbox Live part 2
Lupus
March 27, 2008 at 13:48
I am still trying to figure out why you have to pay in the first place to play multiplayer games? Most PC games it’s free unless you count the odd one out here and there, and they do not have the same market as the free ones.
I mean a gold sub should mean a lot more then just the ability to play against other people. PSN did it right, might not be as good as Live but the fact that anyone can play anytime from the word go makes it a lot more appealing.
doobiwan
March 27, 2008 at 14:29
Because there’s more to it then that. Live! has centralized servers and services where PC gaming servers are managed by the publisher so the cost is built into the price of the game.
doobiwan’s last blog post..Evil Genius 101: How to open Xbox Live part 2
Fox1
March 27, 2008 at 17:05
Now we have other types of Live’s popping up. Like AMD Live! and BD-Live. I’m sure that those Live’s are free 😀