Sony should do this to get their install base up, haha. Plus they can play up the blu ray player, and the psnplus or whatever.
That's if this actually moves consoles. I'm not sure it will be. Then again, I don't buy cell phones on contract, but millions do.
Why would a casual consumer want 2 years of Live? If it's just for streaming services like Netflix other devices already provide the ability to use those services without a monthly fee.
As an early adopter of the 360, this sentence had me pissing myself.Then again, I guess anyone dumb enough to fall for this wouldn't really be the type of gamer to buy a next gen system early.
I hope you realize that if consoles were restricted to those who could do that, far fewer people would buy them and the industry would be a in a less healthy state.
Sony should do this to get their install base up, haha. Plus they can play up the blu ray player, and the psnplus or whatever.
Let's not forget how this would make a major dent in used console sales.
I can't believe they didn't hold this idea for their next-gen console. They could announce it two months before launch and suddenly they've got a console for like $199 plus a two year contract. Compare that to whatever Sony's planning -- $399? $499? -- and I think it really puts them in a bad place.
A $99 Call of Duty and Netflix device probably has a ton of appeal. It's almost unfair.
Umm, the streaming services are THE reason for Gold. I don't play MP at ALL and have been happy with gold ever since the entertainment options came along, in fact I didn't have gold until ESPN3 and Netflix.
I can't believe they didn't hold this idea for their next-gen console. They could announce it two months before launch and suddenly they've got a console for like $199 plus a two year contract. Compare that to whatever Sony's planning -- $399? $499? -- and I think it really puts them in a bad place.
A $99 Call of Duty and Netflix device probably has a ton of appeal. It's almost unfair.
So the deal isn't as bad as it seems at the outlook.
Currently:
Xbox 360 4gb + Kinect = $300
Xbox Live over 2 years = 2x$60 = $120
Total = $420
This bundle:
Xbox 360 4gb + Kinect = $100
Xbox Live + extra services (??) over 2 years = 24 x $15 = $360
Total = $460
If the extra services actually are going to be something that regular gold subscribers don't get then it could be a good deal.
I think they are. This, to me, seems like a test for a potential 720 pricing scheme.
LOL, at the self-ownage in this post. It is a fantastic deal based on the math. It was great before the addition of extra 1 year warranty, which only made it better. Now if you don't like that bundle of services and/or want to invest your time, which absolutely has a significant monetary cost unless you are 12, to source better deals on the individual components, the math changes a little.
I think they are. This, to me, seems like a test for a potential 720 pricing scheme.
Accsess to those are free everywhere else though...(if ur ISP includes ESPN3).
So Live, now is worth the $60 a year fee for free sht?
The heck?
It's $460 for two years of service. And then $15 a month after that.
It's free because it has to be IMO. I imagine a vast majority of Live players have a TV that probably doesn't have an apps and no PS3/Wii and/or PC connected to the TV.
Hell, I got rid of my PS3 because I wasn't playing even though I liked the interface for services much more than the shit that the 360 presents me, but it works just fine for what I need it to be. I won't do it through it the Wii (can't with many options), can't do it though PC due to HDMI issues on my HDTV ... so that leaves me with the 360 which I already pay Live for for many gaming options.
I don't agree with the paywall, but it's not that bad considering I'd have no other options at this point.
Did I miss this part? Where does it say this?
Do you HONESTLY Think after a 2 year lease period they'll say "oh, the device is yours!"
Hell no, you're still going to have to pay a monthly service fee, you just won't be charged $150 for returning it because you'll be out of contract and able to cancel any time, no penalties.
The only way this is a good deal is if you own the device after the lease period ends.
$460 for a 360, Kinnect and 2 years of Live. Not exactly a horrible deal for the casuals.
Do you HONESTLY Think after a 2 year lease period they'll say "oh, the device is yours!"
Hell no, you're still going to have to pay a monthly service fee, you just won't be charged $150 for returning it because you'll be out of contract and able to cancel any time, no penalties.
The only way this is a good deal is if you own the device after the lease period ends and have no service fees.
I think this concern is unfounded dude.Do you HONESTLY Think after a 2 year lease period they'll say "oh, the device is yours!"
Why wouldn't they want 2 years of live? It makes sense for MS to do this, they can introduce casuals to the joys of online gaming and get them suckling on the gold teat for many a year.
Sony must be kicking themselves for not charging for online gaming. Like really, really hard.
Umm, the streaming services are THE reason for Gold. I don't play MP at ALL and have been happy with gold ever since the entertainment options came along, in fact I didn't have gold until ESPN3 and Netflix.
I don't see the big deal. It's only $40 more, and for some people it makes more sense to stagger that amount over 2 years than pay more up front. You know, exactly the same principle that all credit and loans work on.
Do you HONESTLY Think after a 2 year lease period they'll say "oh, the device is yours!"
Hell no, you're still going to have to pay a monthly service fee, you just won't be charged $150 for returning it because you'll be out of contract and able to cancel any time, no penalties.
The only way this is a good deal is if you own the device after the lease period ends and have no service fees.
Why does the PS2 continue to sell?
Consumers, how do they work?
So $600 Xbox 720 subsidized with 2 year plan for $300?
didn't Sega try this with the Dreamcast?
You'd definitely have to pay the standard LIVE/service fees if you wanted to continue using those services afterwards, but they aren't going to come to your house and take your console back. Once your contractual obligation is up, you have the console and could conceivably use LIVE silver/offline play forever. Where is your panic coming from?
The heck?
It's a terrible idea.
It's $460 for two years of service. And then $15 a month after that.
You may be saving money over a shorter 1 or 2 year period, but extend it beyond that and it becomes a money sink compared to current deals that allow youpermanent ownershipof devices
I do not want to pay a $180 lease for each year I own a system.
Say they adopt this model for next gen. $100 one time fee, plus $15 a month.
A 5 year console cycle costs you $1000 just to have the damn device.
Even if you pay the fees for peer to peer online gaming that MS charges (and no one else does), and bought a 250GB 360, and Kinect standalone now, it would be "only" $700 for 5 years. And that's if you let them hit you with the recurring Xbox Live charges.
You are an idiot if you think this is a good value. Say goodbye to paying $300-$400 for consoles, and hello to paying $800-$1000 through this nickel and diming scheme.
I hate all of you who are praising something like this in this thread. You are all fools.
You'd definitely have to pay the standard LIVE/service fees if you wanted to continue using those services afterwards, but they aren't going to come to your house and take your console back. Once your contractual obligation is up, you have the console and could conceivably use LIVE silver/offline play forever. Where is your panic coming from?
...yes? Does AT&T confiscate your subsidized iPhone after your 2 year agreement is up?
Do you HONESTLY Think after a 2 year lease period they'll say "oh, the device is yours!"
Hell no, you're still going to have to pay a monthly service fee, you just won't be charged $150 for returning it because you'll be out of contract and able to cancel any time, no penalties.
The only way this is a good deal is if you own the device after the lease period ends and have no service fees.
Well, say you don't want to pay for Live or kinect in the first place. You can get the 4GB 360 for $199 now instead of being forced to pay $460. Hell, you can get the 4GB, hte kinect, andlive for $420 now. And tha'ts ignoring the fact that $120 of that $420 is a fee for peer to peer online gaming, a fee that only exists on the Xbox 360.
Enjoy being forced to buy bundles you don't want and have your reasonable "promotional period" prices turn into wallet rape once the promotional periods end. Does anyone feel happy when their cable/internet jumps from $60 a month to $150 after the promotional period ends? Because that's what you're going to get with all the BS media hub features on 360 with this new payment plan.
At least you don't get the rug pulled out from under you now with price hikes
Expect the lease option to be the only thing there next gen.
Do they let you make calls?
Well, say you don't want to pay for Live or kinect in the first place. You can get the 4GB 360 for $199 now instead of being forced to pay $460. Hell, you can get the 4GB, hte kinect, andlive for $420 now. And tha'ts ignoring the fact that $120 of that $420 is a fee for peer to peer online gaming, a fee that only exists on the Xbox 360.
Enjoy being forced to buy bundles you don't want and have your reasonable "promotional period" prices turn into wallet rape once the promotional periods end. Does anyone feel happy when their cable/internet jumps from $60 a month to $150 after the promotional period ends? Because that's what you're going to get with all the BS media hub features on 360 with this new payment plan.
At least you don't get the rug pulled out from under you now with price hikes
Expect the lease option to be the only thing there next gen.