Xbox Live to Continue Games With Gold Indefinitely, But Still Only on 360.
Microsoft has today announced that it will be extending its Games with Gold service indefinitely on the Xbox 360, but should we care? I've always been told you should never look a gift horse in the mouth but the Games with Gold service seems to be seriously lacking in value for money.
PlayStation has used the idea of an instant game collection to entice gamers to PS Plus over the past generation, despite the reported lack of support for the network. But, Sony’s announcement that they intend to start charging for their online service in order to improve the support sent Microsoft scrambling for ways to make the Xbox Live service better value for money. The resulting idea was Games with Gold.
On the surface it might seem like Microsoft are offering a good deal, but a quick comparison of Microsoft’s and Sony’s services will highlight how frustratingly useless to Games with Gold service is, especially for a self-confessed gamer like myself.
As an Xbox gamer, this could be a simple case of grass is always greener, but with this month’s titles being Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes and Halo 3, an arcade title that slipped under my radar and an ‘older’ blockbuster title, that most gamers will already own, it seems Microsoft are really hedging their bets with which titles they choose to offer. Sony on the other hand, offers much more recent (full list of games here) titles like Sleeping Dogs, Soul Calibur and Spec Ops: The Line, among at least 100 others.
There also still remain some stark differences in the way that the services offered. For example, Microsoft will allow you to ‘own’ the title, provided that you instigate the download in the allotted time. This will then give you access to the game online or offline on your 360. Sony, on the other hand, lets you rent the titles, allowing you access to them provided you remain a subscriber to the PSN. Sony will also let you access the titles across many different platforms including Vita, PS3 and the service has also been confirmed for PS4, something Microsoft have still to announce for their Xbox One.
It seems both services are an attempt by Microsoft and Sony to enlist more gamers to their online services. Microsoft is seemingly focusing on a casual crowd and Sony offering a larger and more diverse range of titles for more hard-core gamers. You could argue that Sony’s method remains restrictive, tying you into your subscription to play the games. But with Microsoft offering you relics from its past that many gamers will already own, I know I would rather start giving my money to Sony.
Do you think Microsoft’s Games with Gold service is good value for money?
Let me know on Twitter @Jigga_bytes
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