Microsoft Raising Xbox Live Subscription Cost

" @wolf_blitzer85 said:

" To be honest outside of Netflix, I really have no reason to be paying for Live. "

In that case I recommend checking out the trial version of PlayOn. I bought a license for $40 (which will recur annually at $20 for the premium version) for the ability to use Hulu, Netflix, Comedy Central, TV.com and many other internet video services on any media server capable device. I use it along with PS3 Remote Play to watch Family Guy on the toilet using my PSP.  It uses your PC to download and transcode the videos into something your consoles or phone can play, and streams it to the device over your home network. "

Any reason why?
Besides money grubbing?
I don't mind paying, especially not for Live, but still?
 
But really, who the fuck am I kidding, I was paying 60 euro's a year already, not 50 dollar xD
Now I hope they don't raise that too...

well, i think this sucks and i hope they lose more money than they gain from it. i'll pay it, because i use xbox live all the time, and it's worth it in my case. but to anyone who uses it casually and doesn't feel like it's worth the extra money they're now charging for it, i encourage them to un-sub, because isn't microsoft already making a decent profit off of live? if they aren't, then i get it. but if they are, then what the hell.

I'll just buy 2-3 years worth of Gold membership before November 1st and It will probably outlive the console. Problem solved.

Already feel like I'm paying too much as it is. Most of my multiplayer gaming is still done on the pc, not sure if I'll be renewing my gold account this time around.

Meanwhile, at Microsoft HQ:
 
 

The reason for the 60$ is probably ESPN.

This is because the US dollar is in the shitter

As for the people saying "It's only $10 a year!" yeah... it's only $10 a year extra for something the competition already offers for free. Besides, it's not only $10 a year, it's $60 a year. Which is plain stupid.

This decision is horseshit!
 
Aside from the Step Brothers reference, I have to say that though people think it's a bad idea, it's actually not. A lot of people are still signed up and will continue paying for it, giving Microsoft a lot of money.

I just came by to say 
 
 
lololololololololol

Dislike! But it makes sense with higher bandwidth and whatnot
And the fact that I don't play Gold makes it teh lulz for me

*Breaks Out Myopic Crystal Ball* 
 
I foresee new Kevin Butler ads speaking on how Sony doesn't charge for MP, I also see Microsoft scrambling to justify the price hike, Nintendo will not say a G-Damned thing but will observe the chaos smugly. All the while everyone's cries of foul play fill the air. $10 ain't much, but $10 can net you 20 McD's burgers on Wednesdays or 3 Chimichangas! Ay Caramba!

This is incredibly frustrating, they don't even deliver enough content to warrant the $50 price tag.

nice one microsoft, sticking it to people when they are running out of money, why are you really doing this? To advertise kinect at Justin Bieber concerts. It makes me sick.

I'm not all of sudden going to change my console alignment, but I would be okay with this situation if Microsoft didn't have ads everywhere on Xbox Live and on my dashboard.  That's just bull to offer a subscription service then make people pay more, while making your customers put up with blatant ads.   Lose the ads, then I am way more okay dealing with your price hike.

" I just came by to say   lololololololololol "

 Price increase? Fuck that.  Guess my PC is paying for itself these days.  Microsoft hasn't given us in the UK any new features, why should I give them any more? guess I'll just subscribe for a month when I get Reach and leave it as a I only pay for it when a good game comes out sort of service.    

Hahahahahaha...oh my...
 
That is all

So where are those enhancements to live that needed the original xbox online to be ended?

What the shit?! Now I'm definately going to get ALL my subscriptions from online websites for a cheaper price. This is ridiculous! I just hope Playstation doesn't charge for any online aswell or else I'm moving over to my Wii again...

Glad I got the 13 months for the price of 12 deal earlier this year.

I've been paying that for a long time.. 

Thats the price of a whole brand new game every year.  Xbox live only offers a few redeeming features.   Makes me not want to buy another subscription.   I dont understand why they dont let silver members play online.  I guess they wouldnt make any money.

Take it easy, we in Denmark pay the equivalent of 85 dollars for a year (correct, 85 dollars) and we get WAY (believe me) way less content, so 60 bucks is not that much for all the options you get, sure it's a bitchy move, but believe me, it could be way worse.

I was initially irritated about this, but then I realized that the hike really isn't all that big of a deal.  

They're preparing everyone for the Xbox 720's $100 subscription coupled with games that retail at $80. Fucking ridiculous. I'm jumping back on my Playstation boat where the multiplayer is free, and the $50 subscription there actually lands you free shit. Fuck you Microsoft.

This would be okay if there was some reason for upping the cost. They have no incredible improvements, and I can see suited businessman in back rooms planning this one out. Enough to make bigger wallets, but not enough to piss us off completely. Real cool.

" >$50 subscription
>free  "

Damn..........

Do they state a reason for this price hike? Are users supposed to get anything out of it in return? 
 
If not and if this price hike spreads to my region they'll be getting $0 from me in the future. It's already more than expensive enough as it is. I can choose to buy my multiplayer games on PC or PS3 instead.
 
For the record Microsoft made over a billion dollars last fiscal year from Xbox Live.

That is pretty unbelievable that Microsoft is increasing the price of Xbox Live.

Yeah... I'm willing to echo the concerns a lot of people are raising here. In terms of actual delivered service over Xbox Live, it hasn't really changed that much for me as an end user. I am interested in why they are unable to continue running a service that is now generating a higher level of economies of scale (due to increased base) at the same price point.  
 
Once could argue that they have increased the number of partner related on-line services, but many of these are available for Silver users, or require an additional subscription for use. As a long-time user, I have not seen a marked improvement, or an increase is subscriber service deliveries that would equate to an extra $20/year. In fact, what I *have* seen is an increase in alternative revenue streams for Microsoft over Xbox Live that should be going into making these improvements, and/or reducing the cost of access for their customers.

Is it possible in some way to access the discounted 12 month subscription if you're not in the US? Someone needs to find a way.
 
Seems like there's no way to access it at all currently. Getting 500'd.

I know someone who can get me xbox live at a third of the price that MS charges us. 
 
I never bought it before because I thought what they were charging for 12 months was fair and square considering they're offering a service for a full 365 days a year. 
 
Screw that morality! I live in the UK and their offered services suck balls compared to other countries. 
 
I'm getting 2 years for myself from my friend now, and I'm going to send a message to all my xbox live buddies that don't read about video games and tell them to buy now before it's too late. 
 
Note: Ebay vendors sell at much cheaper prices than pretty much everywhere. 
You know the drill though, make sure there reputation is really high before you consider purchasing from them. (I might as well have said: "Don't forget to wear a condom!" LMAO)

" What happens is I switch my account from gold to silver? "

Pretty funny especially given what an xbox bias site this has always been. The crew still going to pay more for precious achievements? 
 
This is kind of hilarious actually. Sony puts out huge exclusive support and free online, MS puts out Halo and... what other exclusive? Then charges MORE for their online.

Well, for once I can be glad that I'm not living in this regions. But a raise of the 59.99€ would be way to much anyway. 
I feel sorry for the other regions, though.

I wont be happy until Americans are paying the equivilant to €60 like Europeans have to.

oh well. ill prob end up forking over the extra $10 dollars anyway. still sucks though

So glad I just bought a 12 month card last week.

Damn all those stupid timed exclusive contracts (CoD maps, GTAIV episodes, ESPN voting shit). They should make the current Gold plan into a 3rd tier called Platinum or whatever with your Twittering, Facebooking, Netflixing, OXM videos and offer just plain connectivity to online play for $20 or at most $30 (a year).

" As a long-time user, I have not seen a marked improvement, or an increase is subscriber service deliveries that would equate to an extra $20/year. In fact, what I *have* seen is an increase in alternative revenue streams for Microsoft over Xbox Live that should be going into making these improvements, and/or reducing the cost of access for their customers. "

Hmmm... no thank you, Microsoft. Looks like I'll be switching to silver.