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Why is XBL still the superior online service...

Microsoft already had XBL going last gen and was able to use that as a foundation for what they would implement in this gen, and therefore they designed their console from the ground up with most of the major features already in mind. PSN however is largely tacked on and it suffers as a result. All of the cross-game stuff that was in XBL from the start had to be retrofitted onto a console that wasn't initially made with it in mind.

That is why XBL is still the superior online service. If Sony gets their shit together and improves PSN service on the PS4 from the get go they could do just as well.
 

coldfoot

Banned
Netflix used to be superior on 360, but the latest update made it as shitty as my PS3's Netflix app, so now I use the superior Netflix app on my Apple TV.
You don't know what you're talking about. Netflix on PS3 has been superior ever since it was available without a disc. 1080p, 5.1, subtitles, and no cover charge.
 

snap0212

Member
Issues exist without studies. The only proof those of us that suffer from poor PSN speeds need is the issue itself. You dont have the issue. That's good for you. For the many of us that do, it's an issue. And for me personally it's just one of many reasons that XBL is superior to PSN. So much so that I'm willing to spend 35 bucks a year to keep it.
I actually did a pretty extensive test comparing the download speeds. Xbox live has never, ever given me the download speed I can get on my PC. It wasn't even faster than the 1.5MB/s I was getting on my PS3. Speeds were the same. My internet connection allows me downloads at about 12.5MB/s. Is that proof that XBL has crappy download speeds?
 
I actually did a pretty extensive test comparing the download speeds. Xbox live has never, ever given me the download speed I can get on my PC. It wasn't even faster than the 1.5MB/s I was getting on my PS3. Speeds were the same. My internet connection allows me downloads at about 12.5MB/s. Is that proof that XBL has crappy download speeds?

It's proof yours does. It's not remotely close to the number of people online expressing issues with PSN speeds though is it? I wouldn't have suggested that PSN speeds were a bigger problem than just for me if I wasn't also aware of the sheer numbers of people with the same problem as me.

You don't know what you're talking about.

Of course I know what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the interface, not the capabilities. I despise the Netflix interface on XBL and PSN. And love the one on Apple TV. No cover charge.
 

Talon

Member
It's doesn't make me happy to say this, but Microsoft's been able to invest a ton in content and UX improvements due to the fact that the subscription is paid.
 

snap0212

Member
It's proof yours does. It's not remotely close to the number of people online expressing issues with PSN speeds though is it? I wouldn't have suggested that PSN speeds were a bigger problem than just for me if I wasn't also aware of the sheer numbers of people with the same problem as me.
perception. When I got my current internet connection and wasn't getting full speed downloads, I checked the internet and many people report about it. Maybe it's just some countries that don't get great speeds? Could be a reason why you don't stumble across complaints. :)
 
perception. When I got my current internet connection and wasn't getting full speed downloads, I checked the internet and many people report about it. Maybe it's just some countries that don't get great speeds? Could be a reason why you don't stumble across complaints. :)

The issues I'm referring to vary across country, within the same country, wired, wireless, router, no router, and across numerous ISPs. The only thing we all seem to have in common is we're using PSN. I've done the research in my effort to improve my PSN speeds. If you do the same with XBL and also find a huge pattern, let me know.
 
Id say its not.

The last online only game I bought for it... was p2p? (gears3). There's no value proposition for me if they don't have servers and I'm paying them for a service that's free on PC+PS3.

The only thing I can say is; get those gold 12 year passes on sale.
 

rCIZZLE

Member
I actually do have both consoles and play online with them both. I play online with the 360 because that is where my friends in real life are. Would you pay a cover charge to drink in a bar where your friends were already there or would you drink alone with a bunch of random guys at a bar with no cover? I pick my friends over randoms.

edit: Also cross game invites, party chat, and the ability to automute everyone by default that isn't on my friends list is a nice touch as well.



You don't have to. Hot Shots Golf takes around 5 hours to patch for the first time. Anyone who owns it will tell you the same.

@bold: this is why I have XBL and I imagine it's the reason many others do too. That really has nothing to do with quality of online service though... they just had the userbase from the earlier launch and previous most popular FPS. PSN was unproven and the PS3 wasn't even an option when I got my 360.

Now, the XBL doesn't seem to improve at all even with the increased subscription fee and ad-vomit all over the dashboard. PSN is way better than where it started without mandatory fees.

We have cross game invites btw.

How big is the patch for that game? Because I'll find a game I haven't played for awhile and see if it updates at the same rate if that makes you happy.

Yeah, cause I thought for a second it was a multiplayer game and it isn't. He did say "identical" though regardless of reason.

I thought, given we are in a topic about online, that it would be understood I was talking about online.

Issues exist without studies. The only proof those of us that suffer from poor PSN speeds need is the issue itself. You dont have the issue. That's good for you. For the many of us that do, it's an issue. And for me personally it's just one of many reasons that XBL is superior to PSN. So much so that I'm willing to spend 35 bucks a year to keep it.

If it was an issue for a significant amount of players there would be a study. Sounds like it's a problem on your end.
 

Satchel

Banned
Id say its not.

The last online only game I bought for it... was p2p? (gears3). There's no value proposition for me if they don't have servers and I'm paying them for a service that's free on PC+PS3.

The only thing I can say is; get those gold 12 year passes on sale.

Gears 3 has dedicated servers.
 

impact

Banned
PSN speeds used to be a lot slower than XBL for me but now it's around the same. PSN does seem to be slower the day of an update when something big comes out.
 
We have cross game invites btw.

So I can be in Hot Shots Golf and you can be in Uncharted 3 and I can send you an invite to my game and you'll automatically be transferred to my online lobby to play a round of golf with me? No, you can't. With PSN you never know what you are going to get. It's a gamble with each game on what is going to be supported. With XBL, it's a standard that all games support. Just like knowing I can automute everyone that isn't on my friends list. I don't have to worry if a game supports it or not. I know that a game released yesterday or a game released in 2005 will have that option.


How big is the patch for that game? Because I'll find a game I haven't played for awhile and see if it updates at the same rate if that makes you happy.

I have no clue, it's not a PSN speed issue... it's a game patching issue and again just goes back to what I have been saying you roll the dice with each game you buy for the system and how it will react. Every patch on 360 since 2005 takes seconds.

I thought, given we are in a topic about online, that it would be understood I was talking about online.

That's why I edited it out. He quoted me before the edit.
 

coldfoot

Banned
Of course I know what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the interface, not the capabilities. I despise the Netflix interface on XBL and PSN. And love the one on Apple TV. No cover charge.
You seem to place an awful amount of importance to something you see less than 1% of the time when you use Netflix. As long as you can get to the content that you need without much effort, the interface has done its job. I certainly don't subscribe to Netflix for the interface, but for the CONTENT.
And the PS3 interface works just fine, any reasonable person would think the same.
 

rCIZZLE

Member
So I can be in Hot Shots Golf and you can be in Uncharted 3 and I can send you an invite to my game and you'll automatically be transferred to my online lobby to play a round of golf with me? No, you can't. With PSN you never know what you are going to get. It's a gamble with each game on what is going to be supported. With XBL, it's a standard that all games support. Just like knowing I can automute everyone that isn't on my friends list. I don't have to worry if a game supports it or not. I know that a game released yesterday or a game released in 2005 will have that option.




I have no clue, it's not a PSN speed issue... it's a game patching issue and again just goes back to what I have been saying you roll the dice with each game you buy for the system and how it will react. Every patch on 360 since 2005 takes seconds.



That's why I edited it out. He quoted me before the edit.

I can invite cross game which you said was unavailable, lol. So if I invite someone to play Trials Evolution with me who is playing Halo 3, they will warp to my lobby without having to sit through the startup of the game or anything like that? Damn, I need that update.

If it's not about PSN and the service provided by Sony then it's irrelevant to the discussion. They don't have control over everything.

@bold: Takes seconds to what?

What? Uh, since when?

I wasn't sure that's why I was asking.
 

shinnn

Member
I actually did a pretty extensive test comparing the download speeds. Xbox live has never, ever given me the download speed I can get on my PC. It wasn't even faster than the 1.5MB/s I was getting on my PS3. Speeds were the same. My internet connection allows me downloads at about 12.5MB/s. Is that proof that XBL has crappy download speeds?
I think you can get better speed with your X360. Not sure about your PS3 (looks like everyone problem: 10% of speed or something).
 

LCGeek

formerly sane
I have no clue, it's not a PSN speed issue... it's a game patching issue and again just goes back to what I have been saying you roll the dice with each game you buy for the system and how it will react. Every patch on 360 since 2005 takes seconds.

Funny me and soul calibur friends haven't been updating at all in seconds. I've seen it for other games and while it smooth for some that's just a bit of hyperbole. Not everything is perfect with xbl or close to it. Console gaming period needs to make huge strides especially services that ask me to pay with meager benefits compared to what I get for free with psn or pc.
 
You seem to place an awful amount of importance to something you see less than 1% of the time when you use Netflix. As long as you can get to the content that you need without much effort, the interface has done its job. I certainly don't subscribe to Netflix for the interface, but for the CONTENT.
And the PS3 interface works just fine, any reasonable person would think the same.

Most "reasonable" people come up with their own criteria, and don't use those of other people when deciding what they do and don't like.
 
If it's not about PSN and the service provided by Sony then it's irrelevant to the discussion. They don't have control over everything.

@bold: Takes seconds to what?

My example was two Sony published titles. They have total control over their own titles. Seconds to patch 360 games. A minute in an extreme condition. A far cry from 5 hours to patch with some Sony first party games.
 
Google says otherwise. I google PSN Speed Issues and I'm greeted with tons of people with the same speed issues I have on PSN. I do the same with Xbox Live, I don't see much of anything. Why the hell would I make that up? It isn't a rumor, and I knew it wasnt a rumor because when I constantly experienced it I went to numerous forums looking for solutions and found many many people with the same situation. Wired/wireless, router/no-router makes no difference. I wish it wasn't a problem. It would certainly make buying older PS3 games that require patches more palatable. But like another poster said, simply updating a game like Hot Shots Golf can take hours. Same process on 360 takes seconds (not due to download speeds, but due to the superior way in which Microsoft designed the update process).

Funny you know how to use google ..i guess those people could use it too to know what to do to correctly connect their consoles to the net ..
A quick google search and you'll have everything you need to reach NAT 2 on PS3 and download/play properly ...

i can google Xbox live speed issues and find the very same thing ...

My example was two Sony published titles. They have total control over their own titles. Seconds to patch 360 games. A minute in an extreme condition. A far cry from 5 hours to patch with some Sony first party games.

This is nothing but perspective ..Many games have huge patches now Both on XBL or PSN for every publisher

If you compare third party multiplatform titles the size of game patching isn't that different and the time to download it the same..
I can take for reference , 2 games i've tried , street fighter arcade edition & nfs hot pursuit..

THE SAME
 

rCIZZLE

Member
My example was two Sony published titles. They have total control over their own titles. Seconds to patch 360 games. A minute in an extreme condition. A far cry from 5 hours to patch with some Sony first party games.

If it's a specific problem a game is facing it really has nothing to do with PSN. I'm not even sure it does have update problems and I don't feel like spending money to test it.

After someone suggested it takes 15 minutes to install a 2gb download, I really don't trust any times you guys give.
 
Funny you know how to use google ..i guess those people could use it too to know what to do to correctly connect their consoles to the net ..
A quick google search and you'll have everything you need to reach NAT 2 on PS3 and download/play properly ...

i can google Xbox live speed issues and find the very same thing ...

"Correctly connect their consoles to the net". Or rather than use Google, you could plug in your console, take an ethernet cable and connect it to your switch/router/hub and connect. You know, like nearly every single other device on the planet does it. You do need Google though when you've connected correctly and download speeds suck. That's when you find worthless suggestions about NAT 2 etc that do nothing to increase the speeds due to the issue being on Sony's end, not ours. Could be an issue that there's a lack of servers compared to the number XBL has. Don't know. All I know is I wish I had better speeds.

Yeah, you can Google XBL speed issues. You'll find some too. You wont find nearly the same number of people with problems as exist on PSN. Not even close.
 

triggaz

Banned
Id say its not.

The last online only game I bought for it... was p2p? (gears3). There's no value proposition for me if they don't have servers and I'm paying them for a service that's free on PC+PS3.

The only thing I can say is; get those gold 12 year passes on sale.

of all the game you could've picked you chose the one with dedicated servers.
 
If it's a specific problem a game is facing it really has nothing to do with PSN. I'm not even sure it does have update problems and I don't feel like spending money to test it.

After someone suggested it takes 15 minutes to install a 2gb download, I really don't trust any times you guys give.

It has to do with the PSN patching process which is what was originally being discussed. Again, don't take my word for it. Ask any HSG owner.
 

triggaz

Banned
I think you missed my point; I'm not saying Sony has a 'superior' online service by whatever unstated intangible definition of quality the OP decided to use to assess quality.

I'm saying that XBL is - in the ways I listed - worse with a subscription fee than it could have been without.

Do you honestly think the amount of players playing any given title would not receive at least a small bump in numbers if there were no fees to play online?

Do you think publishers would be more or less open to keeping servers running if it wasn't costing them money while they see some other company making money from that online service?

You can name the number of cross platform titles on the 360 on one hand, and they were all released when MS were laughably attempting to charge PC gamers to play online; what do you think the reason is that there are no titles that are cross platform between consoles?

LAN / system link play has been massively reduced in supported titles since the original Xbox. Do you think the use of Kaillera and other tunnelling apps to provide online without fees might have affected that on its successor?

When I talk about F2P titles I am not talking about PS+ rentals or shitty Doritos advergames; I am talking about the free to play gaming space of titles like WorldOf Tanks, Battlefield Play4Free, TF2, etc whose business model relies on high player turnover funded by the small percentage willing to pay.
An online subscription fee just to access the title is actively harmful to their business model, so you don't get them at all.

Live being a paywall service has more costs than just the monetary subscription.

I don't agree I use both crookedthumbs on psn drunkentriggaz on live. I pay for live I don't have to cheaper isn't better. Your comment about more players without the paywall is laughable. PSN is the system with games constantly getting there online shut down. I can still play PD0 and COD2 online today. and COD 2 still has enough players to get a game.

Then you mention a bunch of f2p games that aren't on the PS3???? Dude you are reaching.

GAF CHEAPER IS NOT BETTER!!!!!
 
Yeah, you can Google XBL speed issues. You'll find some too. You wont find nearly the same number of people with problems as exist on PSN. Not even close.

First i didn't imply that you need google to do that ..i just said that the information is there in case you don't get it ...

How many users are behind a ISP on his own network or a specific equipement and you need a correct config to do the trick ? Many ... It's easy to blame Sony or PSn or the console when between their servers and your console there are plenty of other factors that affect each network ( XBL or PSN ) differently.

As for the number of issues on the net , fell free to count , you'll waste your time , the fact is that the issue is also present , and many are aware of it ... In a earlier work , i met many customers unable to play/download properly on XBL and i just told them 1 bit of info and they were fine .. i guess they should have gone your route and accusing whoever of being the culprit because they didn't bother to look for clues by themselves ... that's how many are these days ..they want everything without even bothering to look if they can find/learn by themselves..

Now back on topic ..Even if the number of occurences of the problem is less than on PSN ( something that you can't prove either ) , the fact is that the problem exist.. i guess even with people affected you'll continue your way saying that X is superior to Y for that specific reason , when your argument can go both ways ... what a logic.
 
First i didn't imply that you need google to do that ..i just said that the information is there in case you don't get it ...

How many users are behind a ISP on his own network or a specific equipement and you need a correct config to do the trick ? Many ... It's easy to blame Sony or PSn or the console when between their servers and your console there are plenty of other factors that affect each network ( XBL or PSN ) differently.

Basic logic would then indicate the problem would be universal in any home that had a PS3 experiencing speed problems. The fact of the matter is that it's more prevalent with PS3s than with 360s. Just one of my numerous reasons why I still prefer XBL vastly over PSN. I use both, but the OP asked for a preference. I gave it. Give yours and move on.
 
Basic logic would then indicate the problem would be universal in any home that had a PS3 experiencing speed problems. The fact of the matter is that it's more prevalent with PS3s than with 360s. Just one of my numerous reasons why I still prefer XBL vastly over PSN. I use both, but the OP asked for a preference. I gave it. Give yours and move on.

NO basic network logic doesn't work like that ... For internet , especially with ADSL technology ( commonly used i guess ) , each home has is own set of problems that can affect your view of online services differently ..
This is especially true when you look at available speed and ping. In a single neighbourhood, there are several things affecting everyone , different ways ...
I love how you decided that it's a problem more common to ps3 than the 360 when you can't prove that ...

If the patching process was to blame wouldn't it be the same experience for all patched games?
This is because only a small amount of games have this issue ..

You can add eye of judgement to the list ... patching is horrible ,slow and clunky ( you can have for 18 hours ) but is an exception..again not the rule

This patching system has been abandonned since ages ...
 

triggaz

Banned
NO basic network logic doesn't work like that ... For internet , especially with ADSL technology ( commonly used i guess ) , each home has is own set of problems that can affect your view of online services differently ..
This is especially true when you look at available speed and ping. In a single neighbourhood, there are several things affecting everyone , different ways ...

I can't believe you are still fighting this battle. It's so common that PS3 dl slower. I've had both systems relatively since launch had a apartment and two homes PS3 has always been vastly slower. And any one I know say the same I"ve even heard it on ign's fanboy PS3 podcast beyond about them complaining about slow PSN. It's a given as far as I'm concerned XBL you have to pay PSN is slower. So go can compare from those starting points.
 
Your personal experience does not make your point of view gospel.

I have had less issues on PSN (excluding the hack downtime) ... and never enough to believe that what I have had to pay for live was obvious in the quality of service delivered.

Cross party chat is a firmware feature not a result of paying for live.

You've had "less issues" on PSN? Let's hear about your Xbox Live "issues".
 
I love how you decided that it's a problem more common to ps3 than the 360 when you can't prove that ...

Except it is proven, unless of course XBL users are wallowing in silence about terrible speeds, which no intelligent person would ever suggest because people with issues love to state those issues.
 

jaxpunk

Member
And any one I know say the same I"ve even heard it on ign's fanboy PS3 podcast beyond about them complaining about slow PSN. It's a given as far as I'm concerned XBL you have to pay PSN is slower. So go can compare from those starting points.

Guys it's on a podcast that PSN is slower, wrap it up, nothing left to see here.
 
Except it is proven, unless of course XBL users are wallowing in silence about terrible speeds, which no intelligent person would ever suggest because people with issues love to state those issues.

Allow me to laugh just a moment ..

It's proven .... People in this discution have been asking for your proof yet i've seen nothing

Where is the "proof" ?

No i mean really ... i'm serious , where is it ?
 
Allow me to laugh just a moment ..

It's proven .... People in this discution have been asking for your proof yet i've seen nothing

Where is the "proof" ?

No i mean really ... i'm serious , where is it ?

You mean proof other than the thousands of google entries that pop up or the thread here at our very own GAF? Not sure why I've engaged with someone so long who seemingly enjoys to argue like an infant, but that ends now. If you want to take a more mature approach to discussing this, I'll gladly continue, otherwise good riddance. There's better ways to have a discussion with people than the approach you've taken, even when you disagree wholeheartedly with their side.


I think all we can agree in one thing.

XBL has the best paid console online.
PSN has the best free console online.


Truth. If I had to pay for PSN, I'd be pissed. But its pricepoint softens all the issues I have, so Sony has more leeway with me to suck (like going down for a couple months last year). Whereas if Microsoft screws up, I, and I assume many others, will go ballistic.
 
Agree. I said before, all PSN faults are forgiven because of the cost of entry. If they charge next gen there will be no excuses though.

Yep. I only play a few times online. I prefer the campaign than the multiplayer, always. So, for me, XBL give me less, because I don't pay Live, and I have a lot of options (that are not even related with online) blocked, that I can enjoy on PSN.

But for other people, that play often online, the cost of entry is cheap (not the official, but if you look for internet) enought to have the full package if you are really going to use it. And I can accept than, specially on US, where there are more services than in my country, the gold package is better than PSN free offer. Still not worthy for me.

But, if PSN start being charged for online, even if it's a couple of dollars each month, I won't pay it, even if this blocks me half the features.
 

LCGeek

formerly sane
You mean proof other than the thousands of google entries that pop up or the thread here at our very own GAF? Not sure why I've engaged with someone so long who seemingly enjoys to argue like an infant, but that ends now. Grow up. There's better ways to have a discussion with people than the approach you've taken, even when you disagree wholeheartedly with their side.

That's not proof just a really good case to be made. Proof would be a benchmark as one could easily do with all the variable involved. Show me a benchmark showing that wireless or ethernet that a PS3 cannot match or be within 15% of the total of an xbox 360 throughput and I might shut up.

For someone talking about infancy you do it well and could end it with real facts instead of useless forum conjecture that only contains zealotry. Neither side has proven their case yet if one side wanted too they could do it like the pc boys do it and benchmark. There is nothing to stop various people here packet sniffing and making real tests besides people who don't want to eat crow or look stupid. I'm not believer in either side but if I was I'd have something to bring to the table.
 
You mean proof other than the thousands of google entries that pop up or the thread here at our very own GAF? Not sure why I've engaged with someone so long who seemingly enjoys to argue like an infant, but that ends now. Grow up. There's better ways to have a discussion with people than the approach you've taken, even when you disagree wholeheartedly with their side.

Nice one ..google entires exist for both problems
Thread on Gaf is just one of those entries ..as i said PSn being slower than Xbl is not a general fact and plenty of people have even speed on both services .

You're the one ignoring everything that has been said that might prove you wrong

No proof given , let's move on then ... i guess asking for at least 1 link was too much

and a million other people complained through out the net but lets ignore those.
Let's ignore people that complain about Xbl speed too then /Sarcasm..
 
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