The State of Live

Criticisms

I have already addressed one criticism that is DLC, but Live has other unique flaws and frustrations. My biggest criticism of the Live service is their exclusion of features to non US gamers. We will use the United Kingdom as an example of this exclusion being that it is the third largest gaming market on the face of the earth. UK gamers pay about £40.00 for a one year Gold subscription for Xbox Live service. Using the most current conversion rate of £1 = 2.00811 USD, £40 is the equivalent of about $80 USD. Our site economist Rick Vowles (Remix) would probably tangent on about VAT taxes and the like but regardless, UK gamers are paying double what we pay for our Live service. The exclusion of video Market Place content was not a decision made by Microsoft. It becomes complicated but many of the television shows have been syndicated to overseas corporations who pay top dollar for exclusive rights. This creates a problem when one particular company has exclusive syndication rights to a specific television show which effectively prevents Microsoft from offering the product through Live. There are long term contracts drawn up in order for these shows to be broadcast outside the US. Once these contracts term I am sure MS will attempt to make a move and open up their bank to be given rights to provide such television programming to UK gamers and other countries as well. It seems this is all coming to fruition as MS is expected to release video Marketplace content to other regions in the near future. What it will include is not known but something is better than nothing. Microsoft has their wheelers and dealers running about meeting with heads of corporations to sign deals. My only question is why they have yet to approach UK broadcast networks to jump on board and provide UK gamers with their own programming. It makes sense but sometimes the world doesn’t follow the laws of logic. The exclusion of movies on the other hand is a different story and I haven’t been able to find a definitive answer.

That aside, we still have the Aegis Wing fiasco. Why was it given to US gamers free but UK, Irish, and Aussie gamers were left in the dark? Again, I have yet to find an answer, although an attempt was made. It is apparent to me at least these gamers from various parts of the world continue to get the short end of the stick repeatedly and even as a US gamer, that pisses me off. I have heard complaints about Microsoft Points, downloading speeds, user based server multiplayer, blah blah blah. I have reached a point where I am forced to say, shut up already. Have these people ever once considered the fact that European gamers pay more for their games, their console, their Live, and their accessories? The above given complaints are trivial at best when compared to other regions problems. Before we start crying about insignificant US Live issues how about we address the universal 360 gaming problem and then move on from there.

Purchasing Additional DLC for Games

By special request from a Planet Xbox 360 insider, the last of my criticism pertains to purchasing DLC for additional content in games. Guitar Hero II was mentioned specifically so I will run with that. Shortly after GHII was released to the gaming public additional songs were provided for download. Tracks were divided into three and given a price tag of $6.25 per package. It wasn’t as if Guitar Hero II didn’t have an already established and expansive set list but RedOctane, in conjunction with Microsoft, felt it necessary and a benefit to the gamer to add a handful of supplemental tracks for a price. Once news broke of the cost mass hysteria ensued. Gaming outlets were quick to diatribe both RedOctane and Microsoft for a perceived shafting of the 360 gamers. From various blogs and gaming sites you would think both companies pulled out a .45 and was demanding consumers to purchase the additional songs. Personally, I think the entire ordeal was a joke. Was $6.25 a fair price? I would have to say no but if one feels the price is out of line the most logical step would be not to buy it. Can it become anymore simplistic than that? If I run to a retailer looking for a specific product and become dumbfounded by the excessive price I simply refuse to purchase the item. Do I ask for a manager and whine about the MSRP? Do I call the manufacture and express my discontent over the price? No, because it’s a waste of oxygen and as a smoker I need all I can get. I get winded walking up my stairs. Live is not a swap meet where you can finagle your way to a cheaper price. It’s a business and a business that exceeds 9 billion dollars a year. If you think the content is a rip off don’t buy it. If $6.25 is worth the additional tracks in your opinion purchase the songs, otherwise the entire issue is diminutive and quite frankly, we have more pressing issues to address (see Jack “Wacko Jacko” Thompson).

Conclusion

Is Xbox Live worth the money? If the millions of subscribers weren’t enough to convince you that it is, I’m sure my opinion would be irrelevant to begin with. I will never truly grasp the reasoning why people are so hell bent on receiving services or items for free. I am reminded of the universal retailer’s axiom of “nothing in the world is free and if something is, it’s probably **** anyway”.  What has me perplexed is the people who purchase a $400 system and a $60 game without so much as a flinch but they complain about $5 a month for Live service. It’s a joke. If paying for Live services has you so hot and bothered then man (or woman) up, walk the talk, and cancel your subscription. Until then stop the jibber jabbing, score some Zoloft, and game on.

I would like to thank Alex Junglist for his thoughts and opinions regarding this matter