NEWS - Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Xbox 360 Live Price Confirmed
UK XBOX 360 LIVE PRICING CONFIRMED 39.99 GBP for a year's Gold goodies - full pricing details and membership packages info enclosed inside Microsoft has unveiled its plans for the UK on its Live gaming service for the Xbox 360, which is set to launch before Christmas. As you may remember, the Xbox 360 will initially offer a free Silver service out of the box (details below), where you can hook up to the net and enjoy various Live services. However if you're any kind of serious online gamer you'll probably opt for the Live Gold service which will set you back a pretty reasonable 39.99 GBP for a whole year and offers full multiplayer online gaming, matchmaking and analysis tools and a bunch of extra bonuses and rewards for the Xbox Live Marketplace. This is exactly the same cash as it costs for the current Xbox Live membership and working out at around 3.33 GBP a month, we reckon that's pretty good deal. As has been widely predicted, you won't even need a credit card to sign up, with Microsoft offering the ability to buy 12-month Xbox Live subscription cards using cash at your local retail store. If you fancy buying your Gold Live subscription in installments, MS is also offering a month's deal for 4.99 GBP or three month's for 14.99 GBP if you want to sample the goods. So there we have it. We think it's a pretty good offering at those price points and it's encouraging to see that the next-generation of Live gaming actually won't cost you more than the current gen. But what do you think? Does MS's pricing policy tempt you into making the plunge into paid online? Let us know in the forums below. Live Silver membership Microsoft say: This allows members to connect to the online community and create their own digital identity with an Xbox Live gamertag and personalized Gamer Profile. Xbox Live Silver members will be able to send and receive text and voice messages and join their friends on Xbox Live. Xbox Live Marketplace is the one-stop download center for additional game-related content like free trailers and demos as well as content that adds more to games, such as new levels, characters and weapons. Gamers can also purchase and download fun, casual and highly addictive Xbox Live Arcade games directly to their Xbox 360 system (additional fees may apply; hard drive or memory unit required for downloads). Live Gold Membership Microsoft say: This includes all Xbox Live Silver-level features and access to premium multiplayer experiences exclusive to Xbox Live Gold members. This includes online multiplayer gaming, enhanced matchmaking and feedback tools, along with exclusive privileges and rewards on Xbox Live Marketplace.Source: http://www.computerandvideogames.com
