Gold or silver? In sports, they're both pretty good. The difference between a gold medal and a silver one might be 1/100th of a second, or 3/100th's of a point. But, who's kidding who, every athelete wants the Gold, and every XBOX 360 owner will want the Gold too.
Microsoft recently released the details of it's XBOX live accounts for the 360. As they've made clear every day since E3, the 360 will indeed come with an XBOX Live Silver account that won't cost you a dime. It will be great if your main goal for buying a 360 is to send messages to your friends. For those of you who think it might be fun to play an on-line game or two, you'll need to pony up a bit more cash. (To be fair, Microsoft says you'll be able to download free demos as well)
Anyway, playing multiplayer games will cost you at least $49.99 US ($79.99 CDN) for a full year of XBOX Live via a subscription card. You can also get a one-month subscription card (7.99 US and $8.99 CDN), or a 3-month card ($19.99 US and $24.99 CDN). These subscription card prices are for the account only and include no headset or extras. However, because they are subscription cards, you will be able to have this sort of account without needing a credit card. You'll simply pay cash at a retail outlet for the card. Subscription cards can also be purchased via XBOX Live, but you will need a credit card to do that.
Now, if you want that headset, and you know you do, you'll need to step up to the Premium Gold Pack, which will run you $69.99 US. This will include your 1-year subscription, a 360 headset, A $20 mail-in rebate coupon you can use with "any" 360 title purchase, and 200 points for use on the XBOX Live Marketplace. What those 200 points might buy you, no one quite yet knows.
In addition to the right to play the multiplayer versions of your favorite games, with the Premium Gold Pack, you'll also get to play Bankshot Billiards in the XBL Arcade. It remains to be seen how many sales game developers will lose once players realize they have a mighty title like Bankshot available for free. We'll all just keep a good thought.
If you know you'll be tired of XBL within three months, you can get a 3-month Gold Pack for $39.99. You'll get the headset, a $10 dollar rebate coupon, and 100 Marketplace points. You'll lose Bankshot, but you'll gain Joust. What to do, what to do?
It is nice to see the price is essentially the same for a Live subscription for both XBOX and XBOX 360. It would be nicer still if your current headset worked with the new controllers.
To see Microsoft's actual press relase, click the link below.
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/news/2005/0908-xbox360online.htm
Bottom line? Set aside 70 bucks. You're gonna need it.
Now, if you want that headset, and you know you do, you'll need to step up to the Premium Gold Pack, which will run you $69.99 US. This will include your 1-year subscription, a 360 headset, A $20 mail-in rebate coupon you can use with "any" 360 title purchase, and 200 points for use on the XBOX Live Marketplace. What those 200 points might buy you, no one quite yet knows.
In addition to the right to play the multiplayer versions of your favorite games, with the Premium Gold Pack, you'll also get to play Bankshot Billiards in the XBL Arcade. It remains to be seen how many sales game developers will lose once players realize they have a mighty title like Bankshot available for free. We'll all just keep a good thought.
If you know you'll be tired of XBL within three months, you can get a 3-month Gold Pack for $39.99. You'll get the headset, a $10 dollar rebate coupon, and 100 Marketplace points. You'll lose Bankshot, but you'll gain Joust. What to do, what to do?
It is nice to see the price is essentially the same for a Live subscription for both XBOX and XBOX 360. It would be nicer still if your current headset worked with the new controllers.
To see Microsoft's actual press relase, click the link below.
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/news/2005/0908-xbox360online.htm
Bottom line? Set aside 70 bucks. You're gonna need it.
