What are the chances of Xbox Live being free in the future?

[beetroot bertie]

I was just wondering, what with Sony's live service being free for PS3 users whether Xbox live is likely to be made free in order to be a compete.

Anyone know if this is likely? It would be a fantastic gesture on Microsoft's part and would certainly encourage more online play.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[JKKDARK]

when this one will be free?

[beetroot bertie]

I wasn't saying it will be free (although I'd love it if it was ;) ), but was wondering if anyone thought it might be likely due to Sony's service being free.

I'm not even totally sure that Sony's will be, so please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I read about it somewhere.

[Zion]

Wishfull thinking i think....

It would be nice though :p

[Darksaviour69]

well early reports say that the ps3 "live" is a bit pants, and some of the early games don't use it i.e. you have to make new friends list for each game etc. Resistance: Fall of Man being one of the games that does this.

it seems the problem is the sony only desided to copy ms "live" service at a late stage, too late for developers for the launch games to use it. It seems they were going to use the same system as the ps2 online service.. which sucks compared to the "live"

having said that i would think at some stage they would cut the price, by a big chunk.

[beetroot bertie]

It would be good if the gold service was free and (stating the obvious) I would certainly use it.

I'm currently using my free one month trial and it is pretty enjoyable although I've just been playing against/with some of the guys from work that also have 360s.

I'm not sure if I'd be willing to pay for it just yet but I think I'll miss it when it runs out. I know it's not that much but I'd really have to get a wireless adapter too and the costs start adding up, especially if I buy the same games as the guys at work so we can all play together. They've both already pre-ordered Call Of Duty 3 and Gears Of War so that's pretty much £80 for them, plus £50/60 for the wireless adapter, plus another £35 or whatever it is for Xbox live. Urghh.

[Shiaoran]

They could start by making pictures and themes free.
Pay for 5 or so pics? That's extortion!

[chemical]

They could start by making pictures and themes free.
Pay for 5 or so pics? That's extortion!

You should be able to use your own pics streamed from PC, plugged in SD through USB, Digi Cam, etc. as GamerTag picture. For a company so big on customising, i'm shocked that you can't put whatever picture you want on it.

And people will say that someone could put a porn picture on and little kids will see. But this is easily countered by having an option in Family Settings to not display pictures of other gamers, or to only display pictures of people on your friend list.

[BrooksyX]

Xbox live will never be free.

[Xiofire]

I heard that they will add adverts to xbox live to make it free, giving yew the option, pay for an adless xbox live, or have it plagued with pop ups for free.
Just a rumour i heard ages ago
-Xiofire

[gdf]

i wouldnt mind paying for live if i had freakin boadband!!! my parents have to crack eventually surely...?

[beetroot bertie]

You need it for your 'education' :D