Joystiq

Xbox Live Gold free to all in the UK March 8-10

David Hinkle — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 18:30:00 EST

Regular Xbox Live members in the UK can enjoy a free bump up to Gold status courtesy of BioShock Infinite. The free weekend kicks off on Friday, March 8, starting 12:00 GMT and lasting until 23:59 GMT on Sunday, March 10.

A variety of multiplayer events will go down throughout the weekend, starting with "Rockstar Friday" when developers from the New York outfit will be online and competing in games of GTA IV: Episodes from Liberty City, Max Payne 3, Red Dead Redemption and Midnight Club LA. Other multiplayer events for games such as Halo 4, Borderlands 2, Tomb Raider, FIFA Ultimate Team, Forza Horizon, Far Cry 3 and Assassin's Creed 3 will also take place.

A Microsoft representative has confirmed with Joystiq that this is for the UK only.

Xbox Live Gold free to all in the UK March 8-10 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Mar 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pachter predicts $100 'Platinum' Xbox Live membership

David Hinkle — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

The bump in cost for a Gold membership on Xbox Live is just the tip of the iceberg, according to game industry seer Michael Pachter. Predicting a $100 plan as the next evolutionary step in subscription options soon to be available to Xbox Live consumers, he told IndustryGamers reports that while the initial extra $10 "translates to around $100 to 150 million per year in additional revenue for Microsoft," the company will "reinvest at least this much in developing other new applications, and will roll out a premium service with $100 to 200 million worth of enhancements. If they can get 2 million users to switch from the $60 plan to the $100 plan, they'll make an extra $80 million a year, and can keep investing to try to grow that business."

It makes sense: Xbox Live is easily one of the biggest draws of the console and consumers have already shown they're willing to pay a premium for it. But even if Microsoft were to offer a "Platinum" service, what could justify what is comparably such a heftier price tag?

"For all I know, the Platinum plan might include virtual goods credits for various Microsoft games," Pachter posits. "If members could get specialized Halo armor or weapons worth the extra $40, they might be more willing to sign up, and it doesn't really cost Microsoft anything to offer things like that." You know what? We may know a few people willing to pay for something like that.

[Thanks, Mark]

Pachter predicts $100 'Platinum' Xbox Live membership originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BBC iPlayer for 360 indefinitely postponed due to disagreement with Microsoft

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST

Though the BBC iPlayer is already available on the Wii and PS3 overseas, it seems a disagreement between the television corporation and Microsoft will keep the platform off of the Xbox 360 for the time being. According to a recent Telegraph article, sources close to the BBC's Future Media and Technology department claim that Microsoft's desire to make the iPlayer a Gold Subscriber-exclusive feature is "incompatible with the BBC's public service remit."

An unnamed BBC representative reportedly explained, "this does not fit with the BBC's model and Microsoft will not budge at the moment. It is really frustrating for those involved on the BBC side who want to make sure iPlayer is rolled out on as many popular entertainment platforms as possible." We've contacted Microsoft to hear the other half of the story.

BBC iPlayer for 360 indefinitely postponed due to disagreement with Microsoft originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1 vs. 100 will be free for Xbox Live Gold subscribers

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST

Are you disappointed by the lack of perks associated with Xbox Live's "Gold member" status? We expect most membership tiers named after Au-some precious metals to include special jackets, or possibly unrestricted access to some sort of highly exclusive drinking establishment where people much cooler than us hang out. Instead, we get unrestricted access to bold new pejorative descriptors for a number of Earth's demographics.

However, Xbox Live Gold subscribers will be getting more bonuses than just hate speech when the service's first Primetime title launches this spring. Yes, according to the game's official page on Xbox.com, 1 vs. 100 is going to be free for all Gold members. This is great news, as we probably wouldn't have bought it otherwise. No Saget, no sale.

1 vs. 100 will be free for Xbox Live Gold subscribers originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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