Rumor: Xbox Live Upgrades To "V.I.P. Membership"

After seeing the latest numbers from the NPD, it's safe to say the Xbox 360 is a beast! As for the Xbox Live, just when people thought Microsoft couldn't do anymore with this incredible feature, they're about to show and prove once again, when they introduce "V.I.P. Membership".

[Raoh]

How much?

[KingKionic]

exactly. hope its not too much.

[ShabzS]

online storage? ... i'm in. But is this real?

[GWAVE]

This is HHG, so....does this feature even exist?

[Fishy Fingers]

It was on a MS questionnaire, thats it. So no, probably not.

[potenquatro]

It's probably no true. The article is about an MS survey and talked about free silver memberships. Silver is already free.

Onlin gameplay should be free and they should charge for all this extra crap. If you got 120gigs, y pay for storage.

[Lawliet]

Atleast HHG ain't causing any flamebait articles, I'm just going to believe on this one. This year E3 could be bigger then ever.

[velaxun]

Tell me, how would paying even MORE for XBL make E3 the best evar?

[Ozzyb]

Can you at least put "HHG" in the title so I don't click on topics about your garbage show? Not like I'm gonna hit the link to your site. The propaganda machine is chugging away, isn't it?

[AAACE5]

If this V.I.P. thing is true, wouldn't it be funny if they eliminated XBL silver, upgraded all silver members to gold (a.k.a. making XBL gold free), and upgraded all currently paid gold members to V.I.P.?

That would be funny as hell to me!

[Mike134nl]

reduce the xbox live gold fee and sell the vip for the same price as the gold fee then we will talk

[BrunoM]

i agree .. cut gold in half (that will make the silver get gold) and make these V.I.P the same price as the gold now or cheaper so you can get more users ...

but even like these what i get from my psn and live (yes live is a bit ahead) i think im not going gold again until i see a big jump and i can play my multy plat on he ps3 for free so im ok ..

but looking to see how these V.I.P thing works out ..

[Anon1974]

Without XBL subscription fees, MS Gaming division would be deep in the red. Your XBL fees paid for someone else to buy a $200 Arcade. (Well, and my fees. I paid for XBL gold once upon a time too)

[Icecold33]

whatever dude

[Kushan]

darkride66: "Your XBL fees paid for someone else to buy a $200 Arcade."

Erm. What? How on earth did you come to that conclusion?
Are you suggesting that MS takes all the money people use to subscribe to live with and go out to buy 360 Arcades for people?

[Anon1974]

I'm just pointing out what MS's financials tell us. The one profitable year MS games had they made $400 million. Given that MS tells us there are 17 million Gold subscribers, that's between 800-850 million in revenue. Now I realize that XBL costs money to run but it doesn't take close to 850 million. Take that revenue away and MS games would be losing something close to half a billion dollars still each year.
So if it weren't for the XBL revenue, there's no way Microsoft Games could have afforded a price cut that caused their profits over the holidays to decrease 60% year over years on increased revenue and increased sales.
Were it not for your XBL money, MS couldn't offer $200 360's to new customers. Microsoft was even bragging recently that XBL revenue would soon approach one billion. All that money taken from gamers to play games they've already spent their money on...
When I see those kind of numbers that, quite frankly, pisses me off as a 360 owner. I can't help but think that MS is taking advantage of their customers. Thankfully there's other ways to game online.

[The Emperor]

I agree with making Gold like dirt cheap, like 2.99 a month or cheaper, and yes make VIP what GOLD is now, that would be the only thing that would change my mind.

[AAACE5]

Trust me, just let it go!

I know I say some things that are hard for people to grasp, but your comment was out there!

[Anon1974]

AAACE5 said "I know I say some things that are hard for people to grasp, but your comment was out there!"

It's don't know what the big deal is. It's not hard to comprehend at all. You just have to look at the financial statement since since the price cut and if you can do simple math you can see what happened. You don't need to be a genius to put two and two together.

Now I understand they're in it to make money, but traditionally gaming companies made their money from selling consoles, games and accessories. Not so with Microsoft. XBL fees are the only thing keeping them afloat at the moment. It's like World of Warcraft. It's all about the subscription fees.

http://www.microsoft.com/ms...

[BasilMarceaux]

This should be what "Gold" is. Let people play online for free, but charge them for the perks, storage, etc.

[Anon1974]

They can't ditch those fees. They simply can't afford to.

[cronaldo7]

Jump in.

[typikal82]

Bring your wallet though.

[Brock Danger]

Getting something usually requires, you know, money.

[Cenobia]

@typikal82
lol, that comment was full of win.

@Brock Danger
Is that what your hooker told you?
jkjk

[resistance100]

I think i will wait for MS to come out and say it. HHG not really the best of sources.

[1ikedamaster]

Agreed. http://n4g.com/psp/News-313...

[Fishy Fingers]

"According too a customers survey done in France, Microsoft is considering a new level of Xbox Live called the VIP service."

A questionnaire? Right.... Another OTT headline.

[Kushan]

I remember filling out one of those questionnaires months and months ago. It pretty much focused on the first Scene it? game.
I made it my mission to mention that the game was good in every way except the announcer. I tried my hardest to shoehorn "The announcer is annoying and should be shot" into every question they asked.

"What did you like about the game?"
"Everything except the announcer"

"What didn't you like about the game?"
"The announcer"

"What would you do to improve the game?"
"Remove the announcer"

"Any other comments?"
"I hate the announcer. Hate hate hate"

I feel I did my bit to serve the gaming community.

[peeps]

better connectivity???? wtf. not in terms of features, but the connectivity in games online in terms of lag etc are v similar between 360 and psn, but now they want me to pay more for 'better connectivity' seriously. atm i'm playing kz2 on dedicated servers for free but apparently £40 a month isn't as good a service as ms can offer us! ffs

/rant

[Brock Danger]

It's just a questionare. From HHG no less.

[Pootie Tang]

Different matchmaking options would imply "VIP" members would get better servers I'm assuming. This would be stupid because to sell it they'd have to create online probs for gold members and the solution would be to step up to "VIP" level. Which means more money, gold becomes the silver and "VIP" becomes the new gold

this could likely be speculation however online storage does seem to be a direction MS would go

[Godmars290]

Does anyone on that site realize how bad their credibility is because of cr*p like this?

[Reibooi]

Being on a survey normally does not translate to happening in the real world. It's done just to gauge interest. This is more likely to be a new level of Live for the next Xbox but not the 360.

[batman2million]

i hate paying for a service and then later knowing theres a better service than the one I'm already paying for. Makes me feel like im not getting the most out of my product.

I honestly don't see anything more interesting they could offer that would interest me.

Unless they give a free hooker with every VIP member ship..
then count me in.

[NeloRisi]

So people who have "just" Gold will get... a not so good game connectivity? My God man... I pay for Gold and I *still* get shafted? Arrrrggghh...

[Skynetone]

for vip members

[7thNightvolley]

what co*k of crap is that? so does it mean that they are limiting the current connectivity for gold members? if its a joke its not funny coz the 1st of april past a long time ago.

[power of Green]

I don't think what PS3 fanboys have to say is valid which the only people in here are PS3 fanboys.

[silverchode]

?

[Bnet343]

If I was Megan Fox, I'd touch myself every night. :) I'm sure Xbots would agree.

[evilmonkey501]

Everyone knows this VIP thing is a sham anyways. Get off my teet microsoft.

[devilsoultaker]

but is it real...and will they charge more

[CrazyOrange]

i loved that part "send free invite to silver accounts"

[yoghurt]

Or, just give everyone a great and always improving service for free?

[Karum]

blasphemy!

[Mc187]

hilarious

[ActionBastard]

No, the Wii is a beast. The 360 is the machine that can only outsell its $400 competition by 100k...in the States! Hahaha!

[cliffbo]

is Nintendo a beast though? think about it. 49 million people have opted for the SD machine with the Wii mote, while 51 million people have opted for the consoles with HD and standard controller

[ActionBastard]

Looking at the consistency of their sales and the time on market, I think it is a beast. A beast I own and do not play, but a beast nonetheless. Unfortunately, if it isn't a Nintendo 1st party title or mini game collection, it won't sell. We won't see a steadily decline until the market is saturated with Wiis. Which should be holiday this year.

[cliffbo]

i don't think you took in what i said. HD machines are outselling the SD machine. it doesn't matter that it's two against one, it's a vote of preference and more gamers prefer serious gaming to novelty gaming

[ActionBastard]

No, I did. And I agree, but the Wii will always be leading. Why? Wii >insert some sport or task or hobby< will get released and they will continue to move more consoles (weekly/monthly) than either Sony or MS.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

haha whatever helps you sleep at night droid. You are ONLY being BEAT by 100k and in a month when the PS3 had it's biggest hyped title released yet that got outsold by an RTS!

Fanboy funtime!

[thebudgetgamer]

see thats the thing sony is getting beat. did you own an xbox last gen or a gc, did it hurt your gaming experience in any way that they were not in first place? or did you just enjoy gaming? but knowing you its just about beating on a fanboy so carry on.

:)

[360_Rules]

Killzone 2 is a system seller! HaHAHHAHAHHA

[ActionBastard]

Budgetgamer makes as much sense as Microsoft Works. Hahaha. Eat Crab's d!ck. The "juggernaut" at $199 outsells the "too expensive" console by a mere 100k. Why the hell do you think there is no price drop? Jesus, some of you "gamers" are so naive with your thinking. The PS3 is getting beat sure...in the States. Does that effect my gaming? Not at all. The assumption that MS has somehow "won" this gen is absurd. They "jumped in" a year earlier and will jump out next year too. See, the PS3 is going to still be played in 2012 and 2013, where the 360 will have already been buried. The monthly sales of only North America, THEY DO NOT MATTER. Enjoy the short ride puppet.

[thebudgetgamer]

i like games no matter who makes them and how much they sell. i guess thats taboo around here, to just be a gamer and not an economist.
ok i got something extreme. the 5200 stinks there.

:)

[ActionBastard]

Touche'. I like games too, but think the 360 is a piece of sh!t.

[thebudgetgamer]

i respect your oppinion.

[ActionBastard]

Likewise and apologize for being an asshole.

[devilsoultaker]

it's like there's no 360 fanboys here :)

[matt247]

they're all playing games on there 360

[-x.Red.x-]

what secret 09 games you heard that we don't know?

[cliffbo]

this is a very smart move by MS. this is one answer to the standard HD argument.

[power of Green]

When ever PS3 gets thumped (it always does but shown to all I guess)PS3 fanboys go Ape sh*t with senseless rants and attacks trolling any 360 news they can find trying to change the subject. lol

I don't understand how the losing brand(out sold by 2 to 3 times) has the most rabid fanboys driving the much bigger fan bases away from sites like this.

[ActionBastard]

You used your last bubble for that? Hahahaha

I don't understand how MS fanboys think NA is the only place consoles sell. The weekly asswhipping the 360 takes in JP should be a clue.

[cliffbo]

because 360 owners cling so desperately to the 1 year + head start they had. now check to see how many consoles sold from the release of the PS3... just do it and you'll see why we laugh a lot at 360 optimism. i think you'll find that both consoles are in fact neck and neck in terms of sale... and the 360 had NO competition for 1 year +. if the PS3 had released alongside the 360, then the PS3 would have been in the lead because the 360 would have had competition

[videogamefreak]

by your logic that the ps2 only won last-gen in sells because of it's "1 year headstart with no competition" give me a break. it isn't micro's fault that ps3 got delayed until nov 2006. i swear it seems most on n4g have ulzheimers. (? spelling)

maybe the ps2 was successful because i dunno, it was a fun system, and faulty.
maybe the 360 is doing well, even being faulty, because i dunno, it is a fun system.

you guys come up with BS everyday.

but you always seem to "forget" the real reason why people buy any console, TO HAVE FUN.

got my ps3 to enjoy it, and the games that i have missed that have been released for the system.
got my 360 to enjoy it, and to play games that i love, along with the online features that i am used to, and spoiled by.
bottom line i made the investment into these machines, because they ARE FUN TO ME.

BTW being a ps3/360 owner for this statement i'll divide myself in half for a moment, and be a 360 only owner.

i don't cling onto any "headstart" the only "clinging" i see from anyone on n4g is the sony fanboys "clinging" off of kaz hirai's nut sack. so stfu dude.

[Eddie20101]

The point that people are making with Xbox 360 head start is that the lead that the console has in the United States has not increased by much over what that head start gave them.

Your argument about the PS2 having a year head start doesn't match up, the PS2 tripled its lead after the Xbox was released.

On a world wide basis the Xbox 360 and the PS3 are selling equally (U.S. sales are not the only ones that count). On a per console basis the PS3 sold more software than Xbox 360 last month.

The reason PS3 fanboys defend the console so much, is because it is constantly being attacked by ignorant people like you who twist what people say to suite there own fanboy agenda. You make fifty complaints (Most of which make no sence at all) about the PS3 and then end each rant with I hate PS3 fanboys.

I own all three consoles and I prefer the PS3, but I still enjoy the others.

[videogamefreak]

you think i am ignorant, fuk off! the ps3 was delayed you crack head.
had something to do with blu-ray or bluetooth sh1t.

you need to go join the sony crying circle, with all the other sony crybabies on this mofo.

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa xbox 360 came out first!!!!! fukin waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa lil b1tch sony fanboys.

i love my ps3 and my 360, but the sony fan fux on this site are the most ignorant mofo's i have ever seen.

you eddie, and the rest of ya lil b1tch droid friends sit on n4g using ya ps3's as web browsers and cry like lil b1tches at ANYTHING that isn't worshiping the damn sony name on n4g.

next ps3 bundle needs to come with a pacifier and a damn baby rattle for ya cry baby, excuse makin up sob's.

[00]

You got this from a questionnaire.....I think that's all I have to say.

[divideby0]

this is a joke right ?

This better be the gold service I pay for now and just let Silver play online games for free

its good to see I am paying now for a service which tells me, I can pay more for better connectivity and match making

MS is a friggin joke and making fools out of gamers who buy into their BS

[Kushan]

Questionnaires cost money to produce, a surprising amount of money in fact, in order to get worthwhile data from it. MS wouldn't ask questions unless they wanted to know the answers, so I reckon there might actually be something to this.

And it makes sense! MS knows that PSN is catching up to Live, so they're going to need to do something to set themselves apart from it once more. They've currently got the edge with parties (in MY opinion anyway, your mileage may vary), but Sony is just one or two firmware updates away from their own version. It'll be very hard to justify a fee when the competition truly is just as good and free.

However, I wouldn't deem any of this worth of even "rumour" status. Typical HHG announcing things as fact when really he just wants hits. That boy will never learn.

[Karum]

Why are people ragging on HHG for this article?

It might not be something that has been officially announced or anything like that but as a gamer it is nice to know what devs/publishers/platform holders are up to and what they might be bringing to the fore.

For any 360 owner this is an interesting revelation about what might possibly come in future, why wouldn't a gaming site write about such an interesting feature? Sure nothing is definite but it's a possibility.

HHG's site does have some really bad articles but this imo isn't really one of them other than the writer maybe sensationalises it a bit.

[kcdude]

If it is better connectivity, wouldn't everyone just buy it? If everyone buy's it, then the connectivity probably wouldn't be that great anymore due to the massive amount of traffic.

[PtRoLLFacE]

lol well they better come out something really good, maybe full 360 games for downloads or a different gamer cards or free nextflix, lag free, then i ll pay 100 bucks if is possible =)

[Finalflash22]

Love this site, its write-ups are always so well thought out and professional, like I'm reading the notes of a scientist with a phD.

[badkolo]

relax everyone, theres only so many ways this can play, if they add this as a higher priced tier fo live then they are screwing everyone but if they make this the new gold then whats the issue.

but again this is form hhgs.

[Strikepackage Bravo]

I really need to be able to have that online HDD space. I refuse to pay 99 bux for a 60GB upgrade.

HHG is a pretty good site, yes they use sensational headlines to get hits, but they also write about things and think about things in a way that NO ONE else does. IGN won't even post a story that is positive in regards to 360, and they are afraid to post anything negative in regards to PS3, no matter how overdue or true the facts maybe.

Im still waiting for these lame sites to even mention the fact that PS3s do indeed break, and break ALOT! Before I did the research I was under the impression they rarely broke. Sure I saw folks bringing them in at bestbuy for repair, but I thought that was just isolated.

[mrmikew2018]

I agree

[thebudgetgamer]

no consumer electronic devise is fail proof, but its sure as hell not 30 something percent.

[Thoreau]

give the user to ability to play online for free. that is all i ask.

[IaMs12]

I agree make the Gold now Silver with either the price cut in half or free, and make the gold now the V.I.P thing paying the same price as gold once was.

[Neo604]

+ DLC.

[RedVsBlue]

Believe nothing from HHG. But maybe Microsoft is going to do something like the VIP users get Dedicated Servers & the Gold gets user hosted or something

[Thoreau]

so many people care about sales instead of quality. sony, micro, and ninten are doing well for a recession. honestly i don't care who sold what, just bring me the games.

[BenderDGreat82]

Those things don't really interest me, to be honest. I'm pretty happy with my Xbox Live Gold account and the connection there is pretty damn good already. I think I'll pass.

[IaMs12]

It is good, if they do something like this it better be Gold being upgraded to this and silver being upgraded to the gold status, and no price changes unless its cheaper.

[TheChosenWon]

>>Now with this upgraded version, users will be able to get online storage for their content, a brand new matchmaking option, a option that allows the user too send free invitations to silver members, and better connectivity. It’s no denying that Xbox Live’s gold members are reaping the awards that Microsoft has provided them and with this optional addition it can’t do anything but expand on this already great feature.<<

So where exactly are these new features MENTIONED that this boy speaks of? In the survey?? Or just pulled out of thin air? No mention of a source anywhere, not even an "anonymous" one. How hard is it to just randomly come up with stuff and call it a rumor?

Also, WTF does "better connectivity" mean? A virtual class system where the "Rich" (ie VIPS) get shiny new "First Class" dedicated servers and the "Poor folk" (ie non-VIPS) are stuck with the usual P2P? I would love to see how that would work out with regards to matchmaking.

And WTF is "reaping the awards"??? UGH!

First time clicking through to that site. My head hurts now. I wish I had a time machine to undo the permanent damage I most certainly just inflicted on myself.

[komradkyle]

Are you F$%^ING KIDDING ME1 this is the most bias retarted article. For one xbox live LAGS LAGS LAGS, plus all the content you should get for free which is actually free on the PC you cannot get on live without paying for, Secondly they charge over 10X the price than what they should for hard drives on the PC. You also can't use any MODS. Matchmaking only works in Halo3, There is a severe lack of dedicated servers, Host advantage in almost every game. faster connections WHAT THE F^&? that just means whoever pays more is going to have an unfair advantage that is BULL SH%^&! There needs to be an even playing field on competitive games.

[KingKionic]

calm down man...its just microsoft.

[Odin777]

I've never seen someone get so excited for a service that should be free.

[Bumpmapping]

Exactly thoreau if M$ announces something new a interesting my 360 will get some love as well....I like games not numbers and people who claim to be gamers sit on N4G all day touting sales numbers,apparently they have no games to play.

[slpknt6sic6]

Jesus Christ hiphopgamer needs to stop his horse $hit articles.
he NEVER has ANY insider news, do you remember that INFAMOUS KILLZONE2 SUPERBOWL commercial? enough is enough, he already ruined his rep why take gaming journalism down too.

[Hypnotic]

How about improving connectivity period? Why should you have to pay for something that should already be available period?

What a joke. I really hope that they don't think they can charge for a better connection. If so I'll be gettin' a PS3. I'm tired of being nickeled and dimed.

[Hypnotic]

I'm an idiot. Apparently I don't know how to proofread.

[bardler]

I am smelling another fake story just like the Gran Turismo on PSP story.

[DelbertGrady]

File under "Lies".

[devilsoultaker]

free MMOs on the way

[SprayandPreycom]

everyone knows a gamer will never set foot in a v.i.p. lounge rofl...

[caffman]

files under complete and utter bullsh!t. I didn't even click the site

[divideby0]

what I find lol funny, is they CAN offer better connectivity, but they want you to pay more ??? is this the way it reads ?
assumming HHP is not gettting owned again...he must feel kind of silly by now

[harshtruth]

pretty wack

[enjoi187]

as long as live is still better and user friendly i don't mind paying at all..online storage would be so dope put all my demos and movies off my HD and use my HD for game install....KILLER

if this is true id be willing to pay $100 a year instead of $50.....oo a 7 dollars a mouth big Woop....when im paying 64 dollars for a game...

but then again its hiphopguyguy

[Shrinkwrap]

I never really like the idea of paying for online services of a game that I have purchased.
Would rather see them tack on a few more pennies to the purchase price to provide online.
This way, my money is going to the games I play and then, I'm not paying for other members online, indirectly.
This would also include DLC.
Now, you want me to pay for online storage! better connections.
Flip Flop the membership names all you want.
Thanks, but , No Thanks, 2 years of online fees pays for a harddrive.

Just keep pushing the crap into our faces.
We will smell it eventually.

[Josh11]

Soon as I see 'hiphopgamer' or 'HHG' or whatever I leave...
Idiot...

[JokesOnYou]

Dont know if this will happen or not but I'm sure they will announce something big for Live at E3.

JOY

[rTR-Pioneer]

whoever wrote this article does not know the difference between the words "to" and "too", ha ha retarded yet hilarious.

[devilhunterx]

Jump out