What does Microsoft think of Sony’s PlayStation Home service? Xbox 360 group product manager Aaron Greenberg told Kotaku the following:
“What Home to me feels like is Second Life for hardcore gamers. It doesn’t feel like it broadens the experience and invites people in. When they unveiled it, it seemed innovative. I think what’s happened is now here we are a couple of years later and we feel beyond that. It feels like 2005 tech in 2008. I’m not sure that’s what people want.”
Greenberg also defended the price of Xbox Live Gold subscriptions ($8/month or $50/year), saying “I think we have seen people are willing to pay for the premium experience. When they compare Live, even to Home, there is still a huge gap.”
Some of you might recall that I’m in the seemingly small minority that thinks Xbox Live Gold should be free, but it doesn’t appear that Microsoft’s even remotely leaning towards letting everybody in without paying.
At any rate, It’d be interesting to see Sony’s reaction to Microsoft’s comments. I hope things don’t get too out of hand, though. If I could offer advice to both parties, it’d be:
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