How long can Microsoft keep charging for Xbox Live?

[wraggster]

I'm a big fan of Xbox Live. Friend lists, achievements, ease of use - Live still towers above the Playstation and Wii online services. But then it should. Live costs around 40 quid [GBP] a year, Sony and Nintendo's offerings are free. Sure the service is good but how long can Microsoft get away with charging? The news that Games for Windows Live - essentially a PC version of Xbox Live - will now be available for free makes it increasingly difficult for Microsoft to justify charging a subscription to Xbox Live.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/games/archives/2008/07/23/how_long_can_microsoft_keep_charging_for_xbox_live .html

[mcdougall57]

£5 a month is a bit excessive to say you have to host some of the games with your own bandwidth. But I suppose you do get a bit more for your money. Truth is if you have bought an xbox you will pay it and as long as people are willing to pay then microsoft will carry on charging.

[Dbgtgoten]

Personally i don't mind paying for it its not even alot for 1 year >.> and its the best online service i've seen by far.

[Shadowblind]

I dont mind paying 5 for 31 days either. I wouldn't mind it becaming free though, since its basically the only thing that could make it better.

[Darksaviour69]

£5 a month is a bit excessive.....

£40 a year = £3.33 per month ;)

[pibs]

Isn't it a year and a month with the card?

its really cheap, at first i was a bit bothered that it was a paid service (use to use ps2s free online service). after u "jump in" you seriously forget about it.

[jonezybaby]

im a ps3 owner and as much as i love my ps3 and the free online, i wouldnt mind payin for the online if sony made it better, here in the uk the playstation store is total shite, we get everything last and its just poor, mebe sony needs to look into it, xbox live charges u but u get a better service at the end of the day :(

[JKKDARK]

Xbox Live is really good, and Microsoft is doing it well. I don't think they need to change it.

[bah]

To hazard a guess: Until the competition has an equal or better service that has the market momentum of live AND is free AND is seen to be costing MS market share by their marketing droids.

Actually, the free part probably isn't even essential.
A competing (paid) similar service that is costing them market share badly would most likely do it.