Microsoft explains Xbox Live Gold price increase

Surely more users should result in a price CUT?

I don't understand why anyone would pay $60 a year to use services that are free on the PS3...not to mention a decent blu-ray player. That seriously was a large reason why I went with a PS3 over a 360 when I was ready to purchase a console.

Well, (at least at $50), Xbox Live is a way better service than PS3's free service. And you don't normally buy a gaming console for a blu-ray player.. you buy it to game.. but I guess that's just me

I see this and laugh at the people who say PC gaming is more expensive.

This. It isn't. If in 2006 you had to buy a PC, it would be cheaper than a console just to buy/build a gaming pc. the extra $10 for games and $50 a year adds up to the $400 console

PC gaming it is most expensive, remember when they pay 60 for a MemberShip, we pay 100$+ for better parts ( but seriusly with this console to pc porting fever spreading away, there will be no needs for upgrade until new consoles comes out)... but that´s my though.

You're never going to convince me that console gaming is cheaper than PC gaming. You can build an above average gaming rig that will last 4-5 years for $500. With a PC you don't have to buy all the funky controllers, fake guitars/drums/dance mats, you don't have to pay an extra $10-$15 for the games, you don't have to pay the "service fees" like this article talks about, you get insane game discounts on Steam, D2D and other digital distributors that you never get on console games (not to mention all the player built content you don't get on consoles), you don't have to replace your XBox every time the red circle of death shows up (I have a buddy who is on his FOURTH XBox because of that)...it goes on and on.

You put everything into consideration, and console gaming is without a doubt more expensive.

If X-Box Live was free, then I would have purchased an X-Box 360 elite instead of a PS3.

Having a sizable annual fee to play your games online is as though you never truly own the games you paid $50 for each. It's like paying a disproportionately high property tax. Like the Internet, playing your games online should be free after paying hundreds for the necessary hardware and software.

you are joking right?

$500 for an average gaming rig that will last 4-5 years ????

moke like $1500 - $2000 for an above average gaming rig that last for maybe 1 -2 years.

and you still cant play the high end games on full quaility

Dude, I just want to play online. I honestly don't give a @#$% about the other services Microsoft offers. I use the 360 to game, not to do random ****. That's what my PC is for.

There are far too many variables to declare flat out that console or PC gaming is cheaper. You have to create a set of criteria that is relevant to the potential buyer (computer competency is part of it as well!) but I guarantee you that there will be cases where a PC makes more sense than a console, and vice versa. It's entirely situational, and a product of chance.

With that said, I wish there could be a core Live package, that included access to just multiplayer gaming and marketplace. If people want extras, let them choose to buy them. I recognize that this may not be feasible for Microsoft to do, but it is an option I would appreciate.

Crappy as a price rise is it will not keep many from still using it. The need to teabag 12 year olds at Call of Duty is too much fun.

aka greed

Assuming you already have an old case, keyboard, mouse and monitor:

GTX460 - $170
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition - $160
GIGABYTE GA-880GA-UD3H - $85
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB - $75

There ya go - a gaming PC that will last you 4 years for $500 bucks and run any game out today at the highest settings or close to it. Not to mention upgradeable at any point. Something you can't do with a console.

It should be "because we can & we're greedy", that is the ONLY reason. In the interview they point out ESPN as a great addition which it would be if everyone could access it. Unfortunately you have to pay for ESPN3 via your ISP or Cable Internet bundle and that is if you're lucky enough to have a service provider that carries it. Gold is starting to look more like cable TV with no a la carte and everyone paying for everything no matter the use.

@edison5do/JudaZ Matt is right, there are to many variables. However PC gaming is cheaper in the long run for many, it's more versatile & has more to offer. It's just that the initial investment seems so daunting to many and gives the illusion that PC gaming is so expensive.

$1500 - $2000 ?? you're definately a newby in Techspot, I can say that because if your gonna spend 1500 bucks on a PC, then you have never taken a look at TECHSPOT PC BUYING GUIDE... Go have a look and then we can keep argueing...

Speaking of noobies your at 99 posts. Congrats on reaching the 100 milestone(next post)

Console is cheaper to start, while PC is more expensive initially, but over time PC ends up being cheaper.

i dont mind paying the extra money because i love the live service and halo will never get old. although the should have given greater warning. making sure the customer knows of upcomig changes is key. but in order to say some money just buy a couple 13 month cards right now. its the year+1 cards. and then theres no need to worry about the price increase at all.