multiplat games still look marginally better, there is tons of evidence on it. free online was never a reason to choose xbox :P

but im going to love being a level 5 trophywhore

That might have been the case 15 months ago but now we are seeing devs making games look identical or even better on the PS3. Now with free online and trophies for the PS3, making the purchase for multiplatform games just got even. The tipping point for me is reliability... And we both know what console is a bit more reliable at the moment. Maybe this will encourage MS to fix their console design since Sony now has what they have...

beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Maybe some people think constant blue and green lights are prettier than flashing red.

Back to reality. The reality of it is the big market multi platform titles (COD4, Bunout Paradise, DMC4, etc) have no discernable differences in graphics. Only nit picking fanboys believe other wise.

Let's face it. It's getting harder and harder for haters to find fault in the PS3. The library, only a BluRay player, no XMB, limited online, multi platform titles looking / running worse, etc are a thing of the past.

Own both consoles (I do. multiples actually) or love the one your with. There is no reason for all this brand loyalty, console bashing and defending your console like it's a member of your family.

Back on topic.
I haven't played Stardust in months but I am going to fire it up today and get me some trophies. I have to download the add on while I am at it.

The trophies are just icing on the cake. My reasons were:

1. On my 3rd 360. Don't wanna have a bunch of games for a system that may not work for the long haul.

2. Ps3 version comes on blu-ray discs. No one ever talks about this but I frickin' love it. Leave the games out of their cases without a worry. Hell you can use them as coasters just wipe them off when done and good as new.

3. I don't want the online functionality tied to having to pay fees every year. Its only $50 a year but it still feels wrong. Why do I have to pay anything to unlock functionality of a game I already paid for? I have since let my Gold expire and don't miss it at all.

You hit every point for me bud. Bubbles for ya sir.

That's like saying I have Cable TV, why do I have to pay for Pay Per View Movie or Event?

You only pay to play online, while you have a choice it is still a service that is charged for. Nothing different.

Thank MS for Sony and what they are dong now. I bet you if MS was not in the picture PSN would have a free. Either way your paying for a service, I have the Internet but am I entitled to everything for free on there?

Online play is something that PC owners get on every game, with the exception of the MMORPG, so why do I need to pay for XBL just to play online, Steam doesnt allow such a thing, and Neither does the PSN, sure the PSN is not up to par with the 360 yet, but its really that damn close Right now with this update. so far it just gave PS3 users the ability to go into the main menu of the OS without exiting the game, thus allowing to send messages to your freinds, and play your music while in-game, which devs can take advantage of, not to mention the competition to acheivements. theres no point for anyone to pay for that service, now talk to me if those $50 that you pay per year can allow for Pay to play access for XBL arcade games. that would be killer, thats what both Microsoft and sony should be focusing on.

(Forgive me for my wall of text)

MS's XBL Business model is nothing new here, looking at services we pay for in daily life.

The PC Model ofcourse the Devs do all the work themselves on the back end. You buy a game, they host some servers or rent and you get to play.

With MS you have to understand they are doing all the back-end work themselves, so of course there is going to be some type of charge. Some are willing to pay and some not.

I still think it's a little too Hi but in reality, a cup of coffe a day, can buy you a month of XBL.

Yeah Sony's model resembles the PC model, and there are pros nad cons to each. Some just paint MS as stealing from gamers, when you have a choice and it's just, well business.

When you pay for a pay per view movie you are paying for extra content similar to DLC. Content that is not seen as part of the original package. I have no problem with that.

What I do have a problem with is paying for content or code that is already included by the 3rd party but MS is charging to access that content. If they let 3rd parties release games that circumvent XBL using the 3rd parties' match making I would be fine with it. But they don't and want to charge me for the content not provided by them but by the 3rd party dev.

If XBL was an paid option for better matchmaking and in game messaging I would be fine with that. I wouldn't pay for it but those that want to can. But its not set up that way. Its forced upon you if you want to unlock the content 3rd parties devs consider and advertise as part of their final product. Now if MS advertised every single game with an online component in their library as $60 for the offline portion only that would be fine too. But they don't and the media doesn't either. They all just act like Live Gold is a given when its not.