Don Reisinger friom CNET news says Microsoft would do better by making Xbox Live gaming available for free to everyone and I must say I agree with him. If Xbox came even with a limited account that basically gave you access to certain games at no charge then it would have a HUGE advantage over any other gaming system and be more able to take a sure lead in the console wars.

No other player could compete with the Xbox for overall value and it would put huge pressure on Sony to do something more then be the high end player. If Microsoft offered Xbox Live for free and then added an option to buy an external Blu Ray player for HD movies and gaming on the 360 they why buy another system besides some exclusive game title?

The Xbox is a better deal for me because I’m an MS fan with a Zune and I like playing halo online. I’ve seen the PS3 and it’s nice but not so special to me. Maybe Microsoft should make the Xbox more special to others with some free online gaming.

Why Xbox Live gaming should be free for all | The Digital Home – Don Reisinger’s take on the tech closest to home – CNET News.com

Over the weekend, I spent some time playing online. I did so on Xbox Live and through games on both my PS3 and Wii. All the while, I was thinking about the one simple fact that kept sticking out in my head: for now at least, I can play online with my Wii and Playstation 3 and the experience is basically the same.

And considering Microsoft keeps losing ground to both Sony and Nintendo, why not find a new way to offer a more compelling alternative out of the company’s most popular service?

Sure, it sounds radical and losing $50 per year from the millions of Xbox Live subscribers may be a major sticking point here, but it needs to be done. Microsoft’s latest NPD numbers have been less than stellar and the Wii, DS, Playstation 3, and the PSP all sold better than the company’s console in July. And if you want to compete in the hardware business, that’s simply unacceptable.