MS says Sony has no strategy for on-line

[winstonsmith1978]

the question mark about Live revolves around 2 things.

1) If Microsoft is going to make more profit from "microsoft points" then the yearly $50 fee, then it would be in their best interest to get as many people online as possible. which means they should just get rid of the yearly fee.

2) if, on the other hand, Microsoft ends up making more money from the yearly fee, then they are already doing the right thing.

i still think option 1 is going to generate more profit for Microsoft and get even more people addicted to the online thing in the long run.

 

[Qroach]

1) If Microsoft is going to make more profit from "microsoft points" then the yearly $50 fee, then it would be in their best interest to get as many people online as possible. which means they should just get rid of the yearly fee.

you making an incorrect assumption. Anyone can purchase MS points on xbox live. you don't need to subscribe to the yearly fee. The market place is accesible to any and everyone, so no yearly fee needed.

 

[winstonsmith1978]

you making an incorrect assumption. Anyone can purchase MS points on xbox live. you don't need to subscribe to the yearly fee. The market place is accesible to any and everyone, so no yearly fee needed.

i see Live as a form of advertisement. You want people online, as long as possible, playing games and tournaments (tournaments that cost MS Points) and spending more money. You can't play tournaments, if you don't have a gold membership and whats the point of paying for and downloading that new map for Halo, if you can't play online.

If the service is free, then more people would be online trying to extend the replayability of their games by dowloading online maps and playing online tournaments, etc. it's almost like a Google way of doing things.

 

[Powderkeg]

I know how it works but i would like to see Microsoft branch out to get more casual gamers. Online will be a huge succes for Microsoft, when they get around 50% of their xbox owners online. I'm not sure charging $50 dollars a year will bring in those numbers.

A free service wouldn't actually be free. Microsoft would still make the same amount of money by bringing in more people. It's a great service but theres room for improvement. The only people i know, on Live, are hardcore gamers but yet casual gamers own xbox's and high speed internet connections. Imagine what microsoft could do, if they got them online.

the fact that microsoft has opened up a little with their silver service, shows that it's not perfect. but i still see the average joe having no part with Live, simply because of the $50 dollars.

You know, if you are going to quote me and write a post, I would appreciate you actually reading what I wrote and respond to it, rather than completely ignoring every word I said.

 

[Sis]

Huh? Never used ICQ or the all seeing eye? I'm surprised people let themselves be charged $50 a year for such basic services.

Do you have a background in software? I'm just trying to get a feel for why your gut tells you it's easy, when my software development experience tells me it's not. I am willing to hear your reasoning, as maybe I'm over thinking it.

 

[pipo]

MS is going to make a fortune online.

Yup.

GW:RE - Trial version of game has been downloaded more than 200,000 times.

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1520696/20060112/index.jhtml?headlines=true

 

[fireshot]

if sony have it they will flaunt it.

XBL is more than a multiplayer network, they are hosting demos and movie trailers, they have a marketplace for realtime transactions. all the while sony keeps relaunching their Connect webpage with things being slow on the psp side.

 

[mckmas8808]

all the while sony keeps relaunching their Connect webpage with things being slow on the psp side.

This much is true. Sony needs to step their game up.

 

[NavNucST3]

i see Live as a form of advertisement. You want people online, as long as possible, playing games and tournaments (tournaments that cost MS Points) and spending more money. You can't play tournaments, if you don't have a gold membership and whats the point of paying for and downloading that new map for Halo, if you can't play online.

If the service is free, then more people would be online trying to extend the replayability of their games by dowloading online maps and playing online tournaments, etc. it's almost like a Google way of doing things.

The major aspect I think you are missing is that Live Arcade is covered under the silver service, which going by your reasoning would be the casual gamers, they/we still have the option of upgrading some of those games as well. I have bought two new scenarios for Outpost Kaloki X, and I got one for free. I think you are greatly underestimating the power of the silver service and the MS points. I currently have:

24 Game(s) Played
1650 of 12670 Gamerscore
Kameo
Last Played Online: 1/14/2006
600 of 1000
14 of 26 Achievements
Robotron: 2084
Last Played Online: 1/14/2006
40 of 200
4 of 12 Achievements
Madden NFL 06
Last Played Online: 1/13/2006
390 of 1000
7 of 11 Achievements
Condemned
Last Played Online: 1/13/2006
240 of 970
15 of 50 Achievements
Geometry Wars Evolved
Last Played Online: 1/13/2006
50 of 200
5 of 12 Achievements
PGR3
Last Played Online: 1/12/2006
20 of 900
1 of 20 Achievements
Zuma
Last Played Online: 1/7/2006
30 of 200
3 of 12 Achievements
Joust
Last Played Online: 1/7/2006
30 of 200
3 of 12 Achievements
DEAD OR ALIVE 4
Last Played Online: 1/6/2006
10 of 1000
1 of 45 Achievements
Hardwood Backgammon
Last Played Online: 1/5/2006
0 of 200
0 of 12 Achievements
Smash TV
Last Played Online: 12/30/2005
15 of 200
3 of 12 Achievements
Outpost Kaloki X
Last Played Online: 12/30/2005
10 of 200
1 of 12 Achievements
Bejeweled 2
Last Played Online: 12/30/2005
0 of 200
0 of 12 Achievements
NFS Most Wanted
Last Played Online: 12/30/2005
0 of 1000
0 of 15 Achievements
Mutant Storm Reloaded
Last Played Online: 12/29/2005
35 of 200
4 of 12 Achievements
Hardwood Spades
Last Played Online: 12/28/2005
0 of 200
0 of 12 Achievements
NBA 2K6
Last Played Online: 12/10/2005
0 of 1000
0 of 5 Achievements
Hexic HD
Last Played Online: 12/25/2005
25 of 200
3 of 12 Achievements
Call of Duty 2
Last Played Online: 12/25/2005
50 of 1000
1 of 13 Achievements
Perfect Dark Zero
Last Played Online: 12/23/2005
0 of 1000
0 of 50 Achievements
Gauntlet
Last Played Online: 12/22/2005
5 of 200
1 of 12 Achievements
King Kong
Last Played Online: 12/22/2005
100 of 1000
1 of 9 Achievements
Wik: Fable of Souls
Last Played Online: 12/14/2005
0 of 200
0 of 12 Achievements
Bankshot Billiards 2
Last Played Online: 12/7/2005
0 of 200
0 of 12 Achievements

of those I have probably bought or downloaded a little something for each of them (if available). Before you think that just because I have so many games that I must be hardcore, please look at my gamerscore and my achievements and you will quickly see that I suck.

This just seems to be another example of someone not owning the system and making judgements on hearsay or just lack of knowledge. The only issue I have with live is lack of background downloads, because the seamless integration on the system AND on xbox.com (where I pulled my information) is outstanding.

 

[c0_re]

http://gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=14059

So it looks like Sony keeping quite is actually keeping MS guessing. It makes me think that on a daily basis they are looking for news on the internet forums as much as we are. Steve better hope that the Feburary Playstation meeting does prove him wrong.

Discuss!

I'm sorry guys but Sony is so so so so so so so far behind Microshaft online they will never catch up M$ had already invested billions in data center and software development not to mention they allready had resourced in place with MSN and all that long before the Xbox was ever released.

 

[RavenFox]

You are mistaking "have they thought about it" with "they are going to have something ready".

I'm sure they've thought about it. I'm sure Steve Ballmer is sure they've thought about it. Whether they will have something ready is a matter of blind faith. Whether what they offer is on par with Xbox Live first gen, let alone second gen, is a matter of faith.

Wha?? When did Steve Balmer work for Sony?

I'm sorry guys but Sony is so so so so so so so far behind Microshaft online they will never catch up M$ had already invested billions in data center and software development not to mention they allready had resourced in place with MSN and all that long before the Xbox was ever released.

All I have to say to that is 'wow'. I wouldnt hire you to run my company. You admit defeat way to quick.

 

[MechanizedDeath]

Do you have a background in software? I'm just trying to get a feel for why your gut tells you it's easy, when my software development experience tells me it's not. I am willing to hear your reasoning, as maybe I'm over thinking it.

Because MySpace, along with just about any other online matchmaking website, offers you the same functionality (sans game portal) for free. The only think Live offers in addition to these services is the ability to play games. But matchmaking has integrated buddy lists, chat and blogging (achievements) for free for quite some time now. There's no reason to charge for these services, especially over a P2P network. PEACE.

 

[winstonsmith1978]

i have a new question, so why does xbox Live only have a little over 2 million subscribers (Gold members and xbox live members that have the ability to play games online - not arcade) with 22 million + xbox and x360 owners?

I would imagine that out of the 20 million + gamers that own an xbox but not live - that a good percentage of those have high speed connections and probably have multiple computers hooked up to the internet. So why have they not adopted xbox Live?

I'm just trying to come up with a solution to get more people online. so if the $50 is not the problem, then what are the other solutions to this problem?

 

[Sis]

Because MySpace, along with just about any other online matchmaking website, offers you the same functionality (sans game portal) for free. The only think Live offers in addition to these services is the ability to play games. But matchmaking has integrated buddy lists, chat and blogging (achievements) for free for quite some time now. There's no reason to charge for these services, especially over a P2P network. PEACE.

These sites are not "free". And the Xbox Live service is not purely P2P.

 

[Sis]

Wha?? When did Steve Balmer work for Sony?

I'm not really sure what you're questioning. It's self-evident that Sony is planning something. What that something is and how effective it will be is up for debate.

 

[pipo]

I'm just trying to come up with a solution to get more people online. so if the $50 is not the problem, then what are the other solutions to this problem?

The biggest problem outside the USA was the credit card requirement. They've fixed that this time.

 

[drpepper]

i have a new question, so why does xbox Live only have a little over 2 million subscribers (Gold members and xbox live members that have the ability to play games online - not arcade) with 22 million + xbox and x360 owners?

I would imagine that out of the 20 million + gamers that own an xbox but not live - that a good percentage of those have high speed connections and probably have multiple computers hooked up to the internet. So why have they not adopted xbox Live?

I'm just trying to come up with a solution to get more people online. so if the $50 is not the problem, then what are the other solutions to this problem?

I don't think there is a solution to the problem. I think that many people just don't want to play online. Now totally IMO for what I said. This is based on what I gather wrt all my friends who own a console.

I have friends who'd prefer to mod their PS2/XBOX knowing that they sacrifice online playability. Online play doesn't even cross their minds. Especially if the PC provides superior online experience.

Incentives provided by MS should at least increase interest though.

 

[patsu]

i have a new question, so why does xbox Live only have a little over 2 million subscribers (Gold members and xbox live members that have the ability to play games online - not arcade) with 22 million + xbox and x360 owners?

I would imagine that out of the 20 million + gamers that own an xbox but not live - that a good percentage of those have high speed connections and probably have multiple computers hooked up to the internet. So why have they not adopted xbox Live?

I'm just trying to come up with a solution to get more people online. so if the $50 is not the problem, then what are the other solutions to this problem?

For me:

* It's because I can't be bothered to set up broadband connection (wireless or otherwise) to my Xbox. I think I'm not alone here.

* The draw/incentive is not there for me. There could be a few reasons here: (i) XBL was not marketed correctly; (ii) The inherent value is not relevant to me. Most people can't describe to me what concrete economic benefits XBL bring to me. It's also easier for me to go to those casual gamer sites to play bejewelled, etc. on my laptop.

* I prefer single player gaming experiences and hate to be pressurized by unknown/other players in any shape or form. I play games to relax... especially Ikaruga in the middle of a project nightmare.

* The quoted number for XBL may be outdated (Perhaps things have/could have improved for XBL)


For Sony to catchup, I think they'll need to partner or acquire some companies out there:

* Partner with best-of-breed service on the Internet (Google, Yahoo, eBay, AIM, skype, ...) and work PS3 integration with them using a client-heavy approach. PS3 has more than enough power to do that. By doing so, they will also make PS3 Online more relevant to non-gamers.

* CONNECT needs to be revamped and more integrated with DLNA and Location Free for personal (ad hoc) media management.

* Has built-in/default network needs (e.g., BD-J, System update a la PSP) to "force" lazy people to set up their network access.

* Go Peer-to-Peer for as much as possible without suffering too much quality issues. This would allow them to do it at low cost.

 

[drpepper]

For me:

* It's because I can't be bothered to set up broadband connection (wireless or otherwise) to my Xbox. I think I'm not alone here.

* The draw/incentive is not there for me. There could be a few reasons here: (i) XBL was not marketed correctly; (ii) The inherent value is not relevant to me. Most people can't describe to me what concrete economic benefits XBL bring to me. It's also easier for me to go to those casual gamer sites to play bejewelled, etc. on my laptop.

* I prefer single player gaming experiences and hate to be pressurized by unknown/other players in any shape or form. I play games to relax... especially Ikaruga in the middle of a project nightmare.

I think these points apply to many who don't play online, and not just for Live, PS2 as well.

People just want to play on their own terms.

Your first point mostly applies to me. When I used to live at home with parents threading ethernet cables through the ventalation ducts was annoying, now that I live in my own apartment I can;t just drill holes through the walls to play online. So the hassel is not worth it. Though occasionally I'll steal the bedroom TV for the occasional SOCOM play. The cable setup in my apartment is whacked.

 

[patsu]

I think these points apply to many who don't play online, and not just for Live, PS2 as well.

That's correct except that I break in down further. My first point is related to my own inertial/problems while the second point is MS's (Either they didn't give me enough reasons to go online, or they didn't *tell* me about it).

It is not a boolean variable. Inside me, I'm whining "Guys ! Gimme a reason to go online. Help me !". I have feeling some future form of Final Fantasy might just do it.

People just want to play on their own terms.

Your first point mostly applies to me. When I used to live at home with parents threading ethernet cables through the ventalation ducts was annoying, now that I live in my own apartment I can;t just drill holes through the walls to play online. So the hassel is not worth it. Though occasionally I'll still the bedroom TV for the occasional SOCOM play. The cable setup in my apartment is whacked.

...which brings us to mobile gaming. Sony and Nintendo have another entry point via PSP and Nintendo DS. So their online dynamics will be interesting too !

I wish they do something there quickly. In fact, I have started to work on some digital lifestyle portal based on MUSH (Target for PSP). Come on guys... faster ! don't waste my precious personal time like this.