Microsoft's Bach sees no competition for Xbox Live

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times (registration required), Xbox chief Robbie Bach has concisely explained just what he thinks about the ostensible Xbox Live competitor, PlayStation Network. That is to say, not much. In fact, it seems we were getting carried away by even calling it a competitor, as Bach believes that particular category remains unoccupied. "It's fair to say that Xbox Live is clearly head and shoulders above anything anyone else has tried to do," says Bach. "We don't have competition."

Surely, being an online service offering downloads and multiplayer puts it in the same league? "Sony has done some things online, but nothing that can be called a service. We have a big advantage and we're going to keep pressing that advantage." Bach is right in stressing the Xbox 360's cohesive and consistent online integration as a strength, but to outright dismiss the folks that have one highly alluring advantage (hint: free) smacks of overconfident ship captains sailing through arctic waters. The PSN is currently beleaguered with PS3 interface issues and flaky developer support, but none of these are impossible to resolve. After all, Microsoft should know more than anyone that the right content (and the right game) can be just the thing to kick-start online en masse.

Read -- GamesIndustry.biz
Read -- LA Times (registration required)

Reader Comments (73)

difference = time invested.

Well, atm, there isnt any competition for Live. With that being said, if Sony decided to charge people for their service, they would be able to add alot of services like Live has.

It still would not make it any better than Live, but I think it would be a much closer comparison.

But....lets start with this...I dont own a PS3, so I dont know the many differences, but what is it about Lives service that you like, that Sonys service doesnt offer, or does very wrong??

One of the things that PSN doesn't offer is a simple friends list interface....Showing what they're playing so u can go join them

PSN does have a friend list, and it shows you what they're playing. Joining them is not simple, however.

This is true, but for now

Eventually, Sony or Nintendo will stumble on the right formula for the Anti-LIVE (not a copy, something that does the same thing in a different way, much like a Sega Genesis to Microsoft's "SNES")

Microsoft, if they want to corner the online gamer, just needs to do something conclusive to put the hook in them

Xbox Live needs to add a "record the exchange" interface. Where I can record whenever someone is being a overtly racist, or dumbass troll. Then send the recording to Xbox live with the troll's gamer tag so instant bannination ensues. That would really squelch the racist tantrums I have been hearing lately on COD4 or Halo 3.

You know what else I bet would squelch them? Muting them. Works faster too.

another benefit of in-game online features, you can just press the guide button and report the abusive user while you're waiting to respawn.

.

I wish XBOX Live were free...

Like Nintendo cares, as long as people are content to buy roms and vote over if they sleep on their backs or stomachs.

Well. How do you sleep? Back or stomach?

Typical MS FUD. The PSN offers exactly what users want for an online game service, online multi-player and DLC. No fee, no pay for play, no extortion to allow you to keep playing what you thought you owned like with MS Live. Bach wreaks of desperation for a service that will be free this time next year just to 'compete'.

I'm pretty sure most people are fine with paying to play. Look at WoW.

oldest gamer - Exactly. The biggest difference between PSN and XBL is the achievements thing. But who cares? Does it make you feel like your dick is bigger when you show off your GamerTag? Games can have achievements built into them (Uncharted, Ratchet & Clank). I have no need to compare and show off my leetness with others.

Right Silent Xenocide, exactly my response to anyone who complains about its price

It's a helluva lot less than subscription MMOs

ninxf - It's not the fact that achievements are something important, it's the fact that I'm getting more with what I buy. Let's say hypothetically, I own the PS3 and a 360. And let's say that I want to buy Madden '08 (I never will. I'm not a sports guy, but what-the-hey), which is available on both systems. Now the deciding factor is of course, which offers more, the PS3, or the 360. Graphically, they're exactly alike. Controller-wise, they're pretty much the same. However, the 360 has these achievement points. The PS3 doesn't. As you can see, the 360 version offers a little more. And that's where Microsoft wins.

I think the LIVE is justified to be a little cocky but I think that PSN will be good in due time. LIVE has been out since 2002 and PSN has been out a year so there isn't a comparison. With Sony owning movie companies and record labels and having retro games and orignal IPs on the network, PSN will be great in time. I know, EVENTUALLY, SONY will charge for PSN but by that time, it should be close to LIVE if not exceed it.

This is the same old whine again and again! It should be free! M$ is raping us with pay to play! For god's sake, if you are that hard up for th less than $5 a month it costs to play online then you might want to reconsider the hobby you are griping about in general. The moment Sony offers a genuine online service that's integrated with every aspect of the PS3, then perhaps we can start talking about a fair compairson. As it is, Home's nothing more than a Second Life wanna be, which so far has done nothing to actually integrate into games as Xbox Live has done. MS's code for Xbox Live is essentially plug and play for developers. They drop the module code in, and suddenly they can access everything that is integral to an Xbox Live experience. Friends lists, messaging, game invites ecetera.

Enough with the whining! The fee for XBL is very much justified with conitnual improvements, integrated player feedback, and a unified structure! You don't want to pay to play online, silver membership offers everything except online play. You can dl content, message friends, and everything psn offers execept the mulitplayer aspect!

What everyone seems to be forgetting is that MS has been doing this for 5 years. This is Sony's first year with anything even remotely similar and while they have football fields to go to catch up they're not doing horrible.

Also, for anyone to knock Home is just, well, dumb. The product isn't out. It's not finished and already you're slamming it. Nice. Also, I think Sony is very cognizant of the issues it has to overcome with PSN. Already on the G.A.P. site there's a poll asking what new features gamers would like to see. One of them being in-game messaging.

One thing Sony needs to do and quickly is make sure EVERYONE has a headset. Even if they have to give it away for free or offer it up at a discounted rate with cereal box coupons. This will go a long way.

Again, no one should expect Sony to replicate what MS has been building up for 5 years but I do think that because MS has paved the way Sony has a great model to work from. Now if only they'd get moving on actually implementing these features so us PSN users could stop feeling so envy.

MS, overconfident you say? Why, that's just crazy talk. That's like saying one day, japanese cars will surpass the automobile offerings of the the Big Three!!!

Funny, I find Xbox360s interface clumsy, it feels very restrictive, annoying even, a-bit like using Windows I suppose.

PS3s interface is much more intuitive, uncluttered, I like their online store, they can employ OPEN standards, Java, Flash or whatever plugin they wish just like a normal HTML browser to enhance the experience.

Just my personal opinion, and yes I own, like and use all 3 consoles.

What about when you get a virus on your PS3? Then you truly have a 400-600 dollar paper weight. If you want an internet browser, check out this new fangled electronic device called the PERSONAL COMPUTER. Unlike the PS3, viruses are easily removed without voiding warranties.

Ang
So you think 5 labled blades is more cluttered than 7 unlabled ,live action, icons. To each his own i guess.

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Microsoft's Bach sees no competition for Xbox Live

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