UPDATE - Xbox Live to Include Ads

This statement was issued July 1st regarding the outpour of user objections to the announcement of Silverlight LIVE ads.

"I’ve seen quite a bit of discussion today about how we’re bringing Silverlight ads to LIVE in the future.
I need to let you know that you don’t need to worry about a huge influx of ads across the dashboard. One of our core principles is to enhance, not interfere with the gaming experience, and we work directly with our partners to only deliver experiences that are relevant to the LIVE community. Silverlight will help make those ads a more organic part of the dashboard, like we’ve done with some of the NXE slots in the past. No one on the team wants to turn the dashboard into something that looks like like Shibuya Crossing. That’s just not good for anyone." Posted: Jul 01 2009, 07:16 PM by Major Nelson

It is comforting to know that Microsoft is keeping some of our interests at heart. But to the general public this addressment only added fuel to the flames. The outcry from LIVE users is louder than ever across all forums and boards. One user sums it up:

"If Xbox Live was a free service than I wouldn't mind ads, however I paid for my subscription so I shouldn't have to deal with it. Besides, if Microsoft is making a profit with the ads than why should we have to pay at all?"

Others have threatened to "turn off [their] xbox forever" if XBL makes the ads too invasive and requires some form of clicking to make them go away.

One thing is sure, the ice is very thin and Microsoft had better tread lightly.

Read the original Genisys Gaming article here: http://genisysgaming.com/node/33