Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas first screenshots

[Dillinja]

I agree. Paying for Xbox live does really annoy me. What's even more of a pisstake is that after the free month, if you don't cancel it by PHONE (you can't even do it on the internet), they automatically bill your card for a year's live subscription.

It does put me off of using it tbh.

 

[nath]

But you said yourself you don't care about the internet gaming. Nor do I, but if I did - I'd rather pay a measly 25/30 quid for a good service than get a shit one for free.

 

[Bodhi]

Thing is tho, online gaming got so popular mainly because it was a free service. Back in the day, anyone with a copy of Quake and an internet connection could play against people all over the world for free (well apart from the cost of the phone call obviously, but then against us student types got it for free anyway ) and that was why it became so popular. As Game.NET sadly proved, asking people to pay for a service availible for free elsewhere is just not a good business model. Sadly M$ have decided to completely control Xbox Live!, not offering the punters an opportunity to enjoy a free service. Sony have left it up to the game makers to set charges, most of whom are offering free online play. Sure PS2 Online may not be up to the slickness of Xbox Live! but then I wouldn't expect it to be, as it is a damn sight cheaper. As they say, you pays yer money (or not in this case).

 

[nath]

Yeah, unfortunately online gaming got too popular and because it was free it attracted all sorts of lamers who'd rather ruin other peoples fun than enjoy the game. These people are less likely to fuck about on a service they've paid for - as such paying for online gaming is not a flawed idea it just needs to be executed well and it has been in the case of xbox live.

Oh, and you do have the option of playing games online with the xbox without paying. No it doesn't involve modding, you can play paid for games on an unmodded xbox quite happily for free - if you want to. It's just live is better.