Microsoft has confirmed earlier reports of a free Xbox Live weekend later this month, 'Xtival 07' which is officially planned from November 23 to 26.
Over the Xtival weekend all Xbox 360 owners with a broadband connection will be able to access Gold account luxuries such as online play.
Additionally, a "full line-up" of Xbox Live events, competitions and exclusive downloads are promised for the weekend.
What's more, it's only open to European countries. No wining, swearing 13-year-old Americans then, hopefully.
"It's great to be able to offer Xbox 360 owners across the region the chance to take part in Xtival '07 for free, sampling all the great features of the Xbox Live Gold service and play against friends new and old alike from the comfort of their living room," said Chris Lewis, Microsoft's VP of E&DD.
Great news for cheapskates then. Perhaps MS might even learn a lesson or two and go PlayStation Network free. Well, we can dream...
"Great news for cheapskates then. Perhaps MS might even learn a lesson or two and go PlayStation Network free. Well, we can dream..."
Seriously though, is it so much of a big deal to pay between Ł20 & Ł40 a year to get a great service like Live? Maybe in a few years the Playstation Network will be a great service and if you have a PS3 then you'll need to have it but right now Live kicks it ass, fee or no fee.
i have no problem paying for something that works!, Live is an amazing service, the day MS stop moving it forward or it starts to feel neglected, i'll start bitching.
I'm hoping they're testing the water to see if their servers will take the number of people who would play online if they did make it free. There's a 'but' here...
This is happening at the very same time Windows is doing the exact opposite - Games for Windows is moving toward a subscription model, as is the OS itself.
Seems a bit stupid to give the console players the free access PC gamers have always had, at the same time as forcing the PC gamers to suddenly pay for something they've always had for nothing.
This is why I'm sceptical that they're going to let us have Live Gold for free. I hope they prove me wrong on both counts.
Doesnt matter to me as Ive already got gold membership. Dont know why though, I hardly ever play online
Im more intrigued by the exclusive downloads they will be putting up
Snap! I just renewed it and yet I only download demo and vids.
Wahey im not the only one. Feel stupid but i know id suddenly start missing it & want to go online if I canceled it. Think I just like it being there in case I feel the need
Doesnt matter to me as Ive already got gold membership. Dont know why though, I hardly ever play online
Im more intrigued by the exclusive downloads they will be putting up
Snap! I just renewed it and yet I only download demo and vids.
Wahey im not the only one. Feel stupid but i know id suddenly start missing it & want to go online if I canceled it. Think I just like it being there in case I feel the need
You really have to control those urges man *cough* PS3 purchase *cough*, for example.
It's a good taster for those cheapskates out there (me included). However I don't have net access so I can't take advantage. I think Microsoft are trying to get some more people addicted to the whole achievements thing.
Brilliant. As if there aren't enough Achievement whores and bratty little idiots on Live as it is. Who'd have thought that the UNSC would recruit teenagers with too much sugar in their diet?
You really have to control those urges man *cough* PS3 purchase *cough*, for example.
*cough* Wii is another *cough* Cant help it. Proper consumer whore I am
That's how I ended up with mine too. Went to pick up a game for the 360 and ended up asking the girl in game if they had any Wiis in stock. She held one up that was behind the counter. Next thing I know I was swiping my cred card.
She hypnotised me I say! They should not have fit girls working in Game they need to start hiring some busted women
"Great news for cheapskates then. Perhaps MS might even learn a lesson or two and go PlayStation Network free. Well, we can dream..."
Seriously though, is it so much of a big deal to pay between Ł20 & Ł40 a year to get a great service like Live? Maybe in a few years the Playstation Network will be a great service and if you have a PS3 then you'll need to have it but right now Live kicks it ass, fee or no fee.
Agreed. Dropping $50 U.S. on this side of the pond for a regulated service w/o dial-up tards and all of the free stuff they put out...it's a hell of a lot better than the crap service the PlayStation network has, regardless of Second Li--er--@ Home...
"Great news for cheapskates then. Perhaps MS might even learn a lesson or two and go PlayStation Network free. Well, we can dream..."
Seriously though, is it so much of a big deal to pay between Ł20 & Ł40 a year to get a great service like Live? Maybe in a few years the Playstation Network will be a great service and if you have a PS3 then you'll need to have it but right now Live kicks it ass, fee or no fee.
Agreed. Dropping $50 U.S. on this side of the pond for a regulated service w/o dial-up tards and all of the free stuff they put out...it's a hell of a lot better than the crap service the PlayStation network has, regardless of Second Li--er--@ Home...
Agreed, Ł40 is penuts for what you get and anyone who says Live is a rip-off is a re-tard. Admitedly It would be nice to have some more features/content over the silver members but i dont begrudge paying for the service.
How much does the Xbox live Gold account cost in America? $40? That's Ł20 in real money. 100% mark up and it doesn't even have all the features (IPTV) available in the states. Rip of Microsoft once again!
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You really have to control those urges man *cough* PS3 purchase *cough*, for example. 
they need to start hiring some busted women 
