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Several key Xbox One features to require paid subscription; PS4 to offer them for free

Published Aug 8th, 2013 9:35AM EDT
Xbox One Paid Features

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Microsoft recently put the public relations nightmare that was the Xbox One launch behind it and lately, things have been looking up. As Ars Technica recently discovered, however, there’s now some more news for future Xbox One owners to be upset about. In order to use several of the key features Microsoft touted during the next-generation console’s unveiling, users will have to pay $60 per year for an Xbox Live Gold subscription. This includes Skype video calling, game DVR and even OneGuide, which lets users control and watch TV through their Xbox One consoles. Will PlayStation 4’s key features require a similar paid subscription? According to Sony Computer Entertainment’s President of Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida, game recording and streaming will be completely free to future PS4 owners.

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.