Microsoft mum on free Xbox 360 multiplayer possibility
- July 29, 2008 14:51 PM PST
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Company says unprecedented promotion of free online multiplayer is "for a limited time only."
Sorry gamers, playing Halo 3 online is still gonna cost you
After Microsoft announced free online multiplayer for Games for Windows last week, many gamers wondered if the news would serve as a precursor of things to come to Xbox 360. Without elaborating on future possibilities, the company says no for now.
"Last week we announced that we were taking off the Gold-only restriction for multiplayer gaming over Games for Windows LIVE," a Microsoft representative told GamePro on Tuesday. "For a limited time, we are offering free online multiplayer on Xbox 360 and Games for Windows titles that offer Live cross-platform play."
Supported cross-platform titles include Universe at War, Shadowrun, and Lost Planet: Colonies Edition. The free party of select games is expected to end once the new Xbox 360 system update arrives this fall.
The limited promotion marks the first time that Xbox 360 owners can play others online for free, without having to pay at least $50 per year for the privilege. Unlike online multiplayer for PlayStation 3 and Wii, which are both free, Microsoft says it charges players a service fee for increased stability and better performance.
Since launch, both Sony and Nintendo have begun closing the gap first pioneered by Xbox Live, suggesting that at some point Microsoft will need to reconsider its online multiplayer fees, provided either Sony or Nintendo can match the experience for free.
I'll be honest -- Xbox 360 multiplayer fees have swayed my purchasing decision in favor of PS3 on more than one occasion. I even play Guitar Hero 3 on Wii because the online experience is comparable to Xbox Live and costs nothing more than the three minutes it took to add a few friend codes (grumble, grumble -- but it still works).
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- Jul 29 2008 at 02:58:45:PM PST
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Seriously. Microsoft needs to do something about XBL. Sony is going to close the gap with home and its free as well. I love my PS3 and you would never catch me paying 50 bucks for online play.
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i never understood why they charged for online gaming. for the original xbox okay, but not when the competitors are closing the gap
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$50 a year is not asking much considering how expansive XBL is. You can't even operate a cell phone for less than $50 a MONTH, so $50 a year for a wealth of features and free international chat is not asking too much.
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I think that with the money they have made $200 from me for 4 years is enough to keep the Live experience as god as it is.
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I just don't want Microsoft to fall into Sony and Nintendo's "atleast it's free" attitude. The market will dictate the cost of Live and right now the market is saying "Xbox Live is worth the $$$". The market also tells us people wouldn't pay for the PSN, or else we would be paying for it. That should tell you all you need to know right there....Xbox Live is phenomenal.
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Lets not lie here or kid ourselves, Live is by far the best online gaming experience of any gaming console. That being said, paying for it does suck. Then again, someone made a very good point that a cell phone is going to set you back $50 bucks or so a month. Live is only 50 a year, and it by far the best online console experience we all know that, we may not like that, but facts are facts. PSN is okay, but not top notch, and the Wii's online service is pretty solid surprisingly. A price cut wouldn't be a bad idea for Microsoft, but I can understand a fee for the best online gaming.
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