Xbox 360 Live will need to be free if Sony PS3 Online takes off

Microsoft has been able to proclaim that their online gaming service is well worth the $50 per year it charges users, but if Sony launches a comparable service for free, Live may not be able to hold to that pricing structure.

So far, Live has been the best online gaming service in the console arena. Microsoft could charge for the privilege to use it as long as there were no free alternatives. However, Sony is going to have a free online gaming service for its PS3 that may rival Live.

Sony is going to support their online service by selling downloadable games and micro transactions. Classic Playstation 1 games, original games, and new content for PS3 titles will be available on Sony's online endeavor. Microsoft may have to follow suit if they want to keep their service as the dominate one. Even though each system only connects to its respective service, hardcore gamers will have both systems. Those hardcore gamers won't want to pay $50 per year, when they can have a similar experience on a free service. Obviously fanboys will only have their respective systems, but they are about equal across both platforms.

Hopefully, someone at Microsoft is thinking ahead to the challenges that they will face against a real online competitor in the console space. We all know Microsoft is great at managing their monopolies, but when competition steps in, will they be able to step up to the challenge?

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Posted by CorpH8tr Unregistered

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