Xbox 360, PS3, Online Games, Addons

I've have had some time playing with the PS3 and have connecting and playing games online is second nature to me. It works very well and its free!

But I wanted to play some games that are only on the Xbox 360. After about a year of trying to decide whether to buy one or not, I finally took the plunge and bought it. I got the 60GB premium version with Burnout Paradise, Trivia Pursuit, redeem code for Connect 4, extra wireless controller and Lips with Microphones.

After playing Burnout extensively, I have grown to love the x360 wireless controller. Its big, the triggers are perfect for driving games and my hands don't get tired from holding the controller, unlike the PS3's Dualshock 3 controller. But the love stops there.

The problem is I have to pay to play games online. After spending money on the console and buying the games, I am left with a big f**k you from microsoft asking me to give them even more money to be able to connect to friends and play games online.

What value does this subscription give?

I've read in forums and blogs that people think that xbox live has better service, faster servers and all that crap. I am wondering whether people just bought into the bulls**t of microsoft. I am comparing this to playing online games on a PS3 that works just as well. Everything is integrated well into the game and you can easily buy game addons. Someone please tell me why do everyone just put up with microsoft charging for xbox live gold subscription!

Everyone should just cancel their xbox live gold accounts and make a point to microsoft that it is unacceptable to charge people to play games online!

This also reminds me, when have games become a shopping mall? What makes it okay for game publishers to charge ridiculous amounts of money for a game, and then charge even more ridiculous prices for game add ons, which should have been for free.

For example, Stuntman Ignition, I got the game on special for 9 euros (retail would normally be something like 40-50 euros). I was browsing through the store, and to buy a car it costs 300 microsoft points which is equivalent to 3.60 euro. If I buy 3 of new cars from the store, it will cost more than the game! WTF!

People stop using these services, cancel your xbox live gold account and make a point to microsoft, the money sucking machine!