Microsoft Responds To PlayStation Network Outage With A Free Xbox Live Weekend
Of course the PlayStation Network has been experiencing a large outage since last Wednesday, and we now know that it was due to a security intrusion. PlayStation users are highly upset, and now we’ve learned that it’s happened at quite an awkward time. Microsoft has just finished a free-to-play weekend for all European Xbox Live account holders, coinciding with said outage. Now this may just be a coincidence (and it probably is), but Microsoft was contacted and asked for their opinion on the matter, and had this to say:
“Of course it’s regretful that Sony is encountering issues at such a busy time, and Microsoft takes no joy in the problems gamers are having playing their favorite games online. That being said, we are expecting Microsoft’s robust online network to see an increase of traffic from those gamers who own both systems. Being able to play their games via the Xbox Live network could make all the difference for some gamers, and the Xbox Nations event will allow all of them to do just that – whether they have a Gold subscription or not.”
Microsoft describes their network as “robust,” and they note that they expect an increase of traffic? Those are some pretty assuring words. Now I don’t doubt that gamers who have both consoles will be running their 360s a bit more than usual in the coming days due to the outage. Since there’s still no word from Sony on exactly when the network will be back up and running, I have to say that I feel Microsoft is enjoying this, if only a little bit.
